British Spotted Shorthair
The British Spotted Shorthair is another group of varieties of the British Shorthair and as such shares the breed’s common beginnings on the street. These cats were among those exhibited at the first shows in Great Britain.
Often referred to as “Spotties,” these cats have the pattern of a Mackerel Tabby British Shorthair, but with the stripes broken up into spots. It is an extremely “wild” look, resembling the coats of some of the wild cats, For show standards, the spots should be as plentiful and distinct from one another as possible.
Sporting may be any color accepted for other British Shorthair, set against an appropriate ground color, but, red, brown, and silver are most popular. Brown is light brown and silver are most popular. The brown is light brown with black spots and copper, orange, or gold eyes; the red is light red-brown spotted in darker red-brown with orange or copper eyes, and the silver is grey spotted in black with green or hazel eyes.
The physical characteristics of the British Shorthair continue in the British Spotted Shorthair. Short, dense fur covers a stocky, muscular body. The legs are muscular and end in large, round paws. The tail is short, tapered, and rounded at the tip. The head is proportionally large and round, with a short nose and a well-defined chin. The eyes are round and large, and the ears are medium and rounded at the tips.
The other characteristics of the British Shorthair, developed when it was the cat of the streets, are also carried over. The British Spotted Shorthair is healthy, strong, and smart. It is a skilled mouser. It also can adapt to virtually all situations but generally appears happiest when allowed some time outdoors.
The fur should be rubbed occasionally with a gloved hand. Diet is not restricted, although meat should form the daily foundation.
Common standard faults are irregular noses and tails, and long-haired or shaggy coats.
See more: British Bicolor Shorthair