Chartreux and British Shorthair look identical in appearance and even personality, so it’s hard to distinguish them. If you don’t know much about cat breeds and have looked at them, you might have been confused about which is which!
Indeed, they are attractive pet choices due to their mesmerizing yellow eyes and greyish fur. In this article, Chartreux cat vs British shorthair, we will discuss one by one what sets them apart from each other!
Table of Contents
British Shorthair vs Chartreux
Here’s a quick comparison table for you to know about these two cat breeds.
|
|
Chartreux cat |
British shorthair |
|
Height |
9 to 11 inches |
12 to 14 inches |
|
Weight |
7 to 15 pounds |
9 to 18 pounds |
|
Affection |
Very High |
High |
|
Family- and pet-friendly |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Grooming Needs |
High maintenance |
Low maintenance |
|
Health |
Healthy |
Healthy |
Chartreux Cat Breed
There is a bunch of folklore regarding the origin of Chartreux, but to date, this cat breed was first mentioned in a document around 1558. Chartreux is one of the old breeds nearly extinct, making them a rare breed.
They are rather playful, affectionate, and adorable pets, making them ideal friends for kids. You can notice these cats with their short grey hair and a rather sturdy look.
British Shorthair Cat Breed
The British Shorthair, just like Chatreux, is deemed one of the oldest cat breeds and was introduced to the UK by the Romans. Despite nearly facing extinction after World War II, it was successfully revived by passionate breeders. Today, it is highly sought-after worldwide.
This cat breed gains attention due to its plushy, thick, and beautiful short coats. Many compare these cats to teddy bears because of their looks.
A Detailed Comparison: Chartreux vs British Shorthair
1. Physical Characteristics Of These Cat Breeds
- Sizes
When it comes to weight, British Shorthair is much larger than Chartreux. In fact, English Shorthair is considered a muscular cat breed and is expected to fully reach its adult shape at 5.
Due to their natural physical build, they tend to be heavier than others, especially the males.
Chartreux, on the other hand, is perfect if you are looking for a medium-sized cat. They usually have a stocky and compact body, but they do not grow as large as British Shorthairs. This is a plus since Chartreux usually love stting on their owner’s lap.
To better tell the two breeds apart, here is a size comparison:
|
|
Male |
Female |
|
British Shorthair |
12 to 18 pounds |
9 to 15 pounds |
|
Chartreux |
10 to 15 pounds |
7 to 11 pounds |
- Coat colors and patterns
Another big difference in terms of appearance between the two cat breeds is their coats.
British Shorthair is known for having a wide array of colors and patterns when it comes to its fur coat. These patterns could include either tabby, bi-color, or solid. While their fur colors can either be blue, black, white, or brown.
Chartreux does not have many options but rather has only one – blue.
Below is the image of a brown British Shorthair:
And this is a Blue Chartreux:
2. Temperament & Personality
Compared to some diverse comments about British Shorthair’s personality, most cat owners agree that this cat breed is fairly affectionate – same with Chartreux.
- Shy yet friendly British Shorthair
Although, it is noticeable that Chartreux is more affectionate than the former. Despite this, you will not be missing out with a British Shorthair because they seem like an introvert and express their love in the most subtle ways.
They would greet you, chase you, and spend time with you – like a total introvert! They will not sit on your lap or cling to you most of the time because they value their space, but know that British Shorthairs love you still!
- Touchy and affectionate Chartreux
Physical touch is probably one of the love languages of Chartreux. This cat breed loves to be near its cat owner and sit on their lap! Very affectionate cat and friendly – this breed is for you if you love your pet clingy!
They have a lot of energy to play with you and not just play but also exercise their intelligence from time to time.
Because of their combined intelligence and energy, they tend to be adventurous and have the tendency to escape or sneak some treats from an ajar cabinet!
3. Health & Care
Both cat breeds are deemed generally healthy cats. But, just like any other breed, they also have some common health issues they encounter:
|
British Shorthair |
|
|
Chartreux |
|
In terms of care, British Shorthair is low maintenance compared to Chartreux.
- For British Shorthair, it only requires what any other average cat breeds need such as a litter box, food, water, and toys. It is also important to give your British Shorthair an occasional fur brush including regular brushing of teeth.
You should look out if they are drinking enough water too, as much as possible, lower the quantities of dry food you give them!
Furthermore, British Shorthair require regular brushing of their teeth for good hygiene.
- Chartreux, however, are deemed high maintenance because they need more of your time and effort.
And one key difference when grooming Chartreux is combing their fur – not brushing it at least once a week.
In terms of food, Chartreux requires high-quality wet food and less dry food.
4. Pros and cons of these two cat breeds
|
|
British Shorthair |
Chartreux |
|
Pros |
|
|
|
Cons |
|
|
5. Cost
The cat prices for the two cat breeds vary but as estimates:
- British Shorthair cost around $1,500 to $3,000
- Chartreux cost ranges from $1,500 to $2,000
However, if we are talking about kitten price, British Shorthair kittens start from $1,000 up to $5,000. Chartreux kittens, however, can sell as low as $500 to $1,500.
Which is Right For You?
Answering this question might be difficult because you can only know which works best for you!
However, to help you decide which cat breed is fit for you, I can give you some tips:
- Budget
Based on cost comparison earlier, kittens usually price higher than adult cats, and British Shorthair tends to be more expensive than Chartreux.
- Lifestyle
British Shorthairs are known for their “aloofness” – just like some cat owners label them. If you are the type of person who likes a quiet home environment, British Shorthair is definitely for you. But if you like to play constantly with their pet, you can get an active and playful Chartreux.
From these few points, you can start determining which cat breed aligns with you in terms of personality, lifestyle, and budget.
FAQs
What is the average lifespan of Chartreux and British Shorthair cats?
Chartreux can live around 12 to 15 years while British Shorthair can live up to 17 years.
Can Chartreux and British Shorthair cats be trained to do tricks?
Yes! Both cat breeds can be trained. However, it might need more effort to do so. British Shorthair is moderately trainable, meaning with patience and dedication, you can definitely see them trained. But you might need extra energy when training a Chartreux because they can be a little stubborn to train!
Are Chartreux and British Shorthair cats hypoallergenic?
Unfortunately, no. Both cat breeds are not hypoallergenic, so, you might want to consider this factor before buying either of them.
Do White and Grey British Shorthair cats have behaviour problems?
British Shorthairs, in general, tend to have behavior issues, especially when they feel neglected. You may see them having more profound aggression, meowing loudly, and scratching furniture.
Moreover, based on studies, female cats with white and grey coats, without any breed provided, tend to be aggressive during vet visits, in general.
What are some British Shorthair similar breeds?
If you are looking for a healthy and adorable cat similar to British shorthair ones, check out the following cat breeds:
- American Shorthair
- Savannah
- Ocicat
- Exotic Shorthair
Is it possible to have a Chartreux and British Shorthair mix?
Yes, there might be a possibility to mix both Chartreux and British Shorthair; however, it is not very common. Chartreux is a rare cat breed, so it might also be hard to mix both of them due to this limitation.
Conclusion
Although looking similar, Chartreux and British Shorthair are still two disparate cat breeds with unique personalities and traits.
I hope this article, Chartreux vs British Shorthair, has given you a good amount of comparison between the breeds.
Regardless of which breed you will be choosing, these two are excellent pets to be with!
Just remember to consider all factors that apply to you personally before buying either one of them.
Read more:
- Ragdoll cat vs maine coon cat: what is the difference?
- Siamese vs ragdoll cat: what should I choose?
I am Amy Sawy, a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) graduate from the University of Kansas. y husband, Dr. Plummer, and I own a veterinary clinic in Phillipsburg, Kansas. In addition to my professional background, I am a devoted pet owner myself, with a household that includes dogs, rodents, and most notably, cats – a total of five felines in my home.
In 2020, I joined an organization as a professional writer, leveraging my experience and collaborating with my team to deliver the most valuable information for your cat’s care.
