What is the Difference Between Chartreux and British Shorthair

The key difference between Chartreux and British Shorthair is that Chartreux cats are somewhat smaller than British Shorthair cats.

The Chartreux and British Shorthair are two distinct and cherished cat breeds, each possessing unique characteristics that set them apart. While they may share some similarities, such as their short coats and calm temperaments, there are notable differences in their appearance, origin, and distinct breed-specific traits.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. Chartreux Cats
3. British Shorthair Cats
4. Similarities – Chartreux and British Shorthair
5. Chartreux vs. British Shorthair in Tabular Form
6. FAQ – Chartreux and British Shorthair
7. Summary – Chartreux vs. British Shorthair

Chartreux Cats

Chartreux cats are a distinctive breed of cats with blue or silver-grey woolly coats, narrow faces, slim legs, and stocky bodies. Chartreux cats have bright golden, orange, or copper eyes, which are round with corners that point upward on the outside and downward on the inside. Moreover, their facial structure often gives them a distinctive “smiling” appearance. This is due to the structure of their tapered muzzle. They typically stand at a medium height, ranging from 9 to 11 inches, and weigh between 6 to 12 pounds. They have an average lifespan of about 12 to 15 years. However, they are more susceptible to health issues like urinary tract issues and kidney disease.

These cats are celebrated for their compatibility with various family members, including other cats, children, and dogs. They have a friendly and sociable temperament, forming strong bonds with their human family members. Their short, dense coat, often in shades of blue or gray, is easy to maintain with regular brushing. Despite their moderate playfulness and calm energy level, Chartreux cats enjoy interactive play and quality time with their owners.

They are generally quiet and soft-spoken, which suits those who prefer a peaceful living environment. Chartreux cats are also known for their high intelligence, making them easy to train. They get along well with other pets and have a notable prey drive that may result in playful behaviors. Moreover, they can tolerate being alone for reasonable periods and are generally receptive to being picked up and handled, making them a suitable choice for first-time pet owners.

British Shorthair Cats

The British Shorthair is a cat breed known for its calm, affectionate, and easy-going personality. This breed originated in the United Kingdom. The British Shorthair cat has a chubby face with chipmunk-like cheeks, a rounded head, and wide jowls. Their ears are round and broad. They also have a short nose with whiskers on each side. These cats are stocky, with a broad chest and a thick tail that narrows to a round tip.

British Shorthairs cats may showcase a wide range of coat colors and patterns, including solid colors like white, black, blue, red, and cream, as well as patterned options like smoke, silver, golden, cameo, tabby, tortoiseshell, calico, and bicolor. Their eye color varies based on their coat, with possibilities including blue, gold, copper, green, blue-green, hazel, or having eyes of two different colors (odd-eyed).

These cats typically weigh between 7 to 17 pounds, with males being slightly larger. They measure around 22 to 25 inches in length and have short, dense coats that are not double-coated or woolly.

Moreover, they have a life expectancy of 12 to 16 years, and it’s important to note that they are not hypoallergenic. British Shorthairs are known for their robust health. However, their most common concern is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a type of heart disease.

What are the Similarities Between Chartreux and British Shorthair?

• Both Chartreux and British Shorthair cats have short and dense coats.
• Both may have a grey color coat, which makes it difficult to distinguish one from the other.
• These breeds tend to get along well with children and other cats.
• Neither Chartreux nor British Shorthair cats are considered hypoallergenic, which means they may not be the best choice for individuals with cat allergies.

What is the Difference Between Chartreux and British Shorthair?

The key difference between Chartreux and British Shorthair cats is that Chartreux cats are somewhat smaller in size than British Shorthair cats. Moreover, Chartreux cats typically have a lifespan of 12 to 15 years, while British Shorthairs may live slightly longer, with an average lifespan of 12 to 16 years. In addition, Chartreux cats have short, dense coat that is often blue or gray in color and solid in pattern. British Shorthairs also have short, dense coats but come in a wide range of solid colors and patterns, offering more diversity in their appearance. Another difference between Chartreux and British Shorthair is their face shape. The British Shorthair has a round face, while the Chartreux has a slimmer, narrower jawline.

Below is a summary of the difference between Chartreux and British Shorthair cats in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

FAQ: Chartreux and British Shorthair

How do I know if my cat is Chartreux?

You can identify a Chartreux cat by their appearance. Chartreux cats typically have bright golden, orange, or copper-colored eyes, which are round with corners that point upward on the outside and downward on the inside. Their facial structure often gives them a distinctive “smiling” appearance due to the structure of their tapered muzzle. The Chartreux’s coat is consistently grey, sometimes described as silver, with a napped appearance that appears as breaks in the fur due to its double coat.

How do I know if I have a British Shorthair cat?

To identify a British Shorthair cat, pay close attention to its distinctive physical features. Look for a cat with a chubby face adorned with chipmunk-like cheeks, a rounded head that exhibits wide jowls, and broad, round ears. The nose of the British Shorthair cat is notably short, accompanied by a cluster of whiskers just below and to either side of it. These cats possess a stocky and broad-shouldered build with a full chest, and their thick tail tapers to a round tip. Another distinguishing characteristic is their short, strong legs, each ending in rounded paws

What is another name for the British Shorthair cat?

The British Shorthair cat is sometimes referred to simply as the “British Blue” due to its common blue or gray coat color.

Summary – Shartreux vs. British Shorthair

The Chartreux is recognized by its blue or gray coat, sociable nature, and a more petite, narrow jawline. On the other hand, the British Shorthair, also known as the British Blue, features a more rounded face with chipmunk-like cheeks, a shorter nose, and a stocky build. This is the summary of the difference between Chartreux and British Shorthair.

Reference:

1. “Chartreux.” Daily Paws.
2. “British Shorthair: Breed Profile, Characteristics & Care.” The Spruce Pets.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Chat chartreux adulte” By Nicolas Pamart – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “British Shorthair cat. Female. 18 months old” By George E. Koronaios – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia