13 English Cat Breeds: British Shorthairs, Rexes, and Rare Orientals
October 12, 2026
England has produced more distinct cat breeds than almost any other country, and the reasons trace back centuries. From Roman ships that carried working cats across the Channel to 1950s garden litters that produced entirely new coat mutations, English breeders have shaped the domestic cat (Felis catus) into dozens of recognizable forms.
If you’re considering an English cat breed for your home, you’ll want to know more than just a name. Coat length, body type, temperament, and grooming needs vary enormously across this list, and some of these breeds are so closely related that telling them apart takes practice. If you’re also weighing other English-origin pets, this rundown pairs well with a broader look at English dog breeds for households considering more than one type of animal.
1. British Shorthair
The British Shorthair is the breed most people picture when they hear “English cat.” These early domesticated cats were tasked with keeping Roman camps clear of mice and other pests, and their offspring bred with local wildcats as time passed, developing a distinctive look. With their full, broad chests, strong, muscular legs, and powerful torsos, British Shorthairs have a somewhat intimidating physical presence that belies their gentle personalities.
This cat’s short, dense coat contains more hairs per square inch than any other breed, making it luxuriously rich to the touch yet easy to care for. Weight varies by sex and line: mature British shorthairs weigh an average of 6 to 12 pounds, though males can weigh up to 17 pounds in some lines. Affectionate, playful, and loyal, the British Shorthair is a very companionable cat with family and close friends, although they may take a little time to warm up to strangers.
Because this is a large, low-activity breed prone to weight gain, the Cat Fanciers’ Association notes owners should watch portion sizes closely. It’s also worth checking whether a British Shorthair fits your space compared with other large domestic cat breeds before committing, since these cats need sturdy furniture and litter boxes sized for their frame.
Pro Tip: A big-bodied breed like the British Shorthair produces more waste than a small cat, so odor control matters. A clumping litter tends to make daily scooping easier in multi-cat homes, while non-clumping options are often gentler on a budget for owners who scoop less frequently.
2. British Longhair
A relative of the British Shorthair, the British Longhair is another cat breed to add to your list if you’re looking for British felines to bring home, and this is an equally friendly and loving cat that becomes close with everyone in the family. If this cat reminds you of a Persian, there is a good reason why: the British Longhair is the result of crossbreeding between British Shorthairs and Persians.
As the The International Cat Association describes it, this variant “takes the recipe for the British Shorthair and adds a longer coat, resulting in an imposing longhaired cat with all the same characteristics” that made the shorthair version so popular. Expect the same broad chest and round face, just wrapped in a plush, flowing coat that needs more brushing than its shorthaired cousin.
Coat patterns run just as wide as they do in the British Shorthair, including tabby variations. If tabby markings are a priority for you, our guide to striped cat breeds covers several English options with classic banded coats.
3. British Semi-Longhair
The British Semi-Longhair sits between its two relatives in coat length, and recognition for this middle category still varies by registry. Some cat fancy organizations register it as a distinct class, while others simply treat any British cat with a medium-length coat as a British Longhair variant. Either way, you’ll find the same cobby body, round head, and calm temperament that define the British type.
The practical difference from a grooming standpoint is real: a semi-longhair coat mats less easily than a full longhair coat but still needs more attention than the dense, weather-resistant fur of a British Shorthair. Twice-weekly brushing usually keeps shedding and tangles under control.
| Trait | British Shorthair | British Semi-Longhair | British Longhair |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coat length | Short, dense | Medium | Long, flowing |
| Grooming frequency | Weekly | 2–3 times weekly | Daily to near-daily |
| Body type | Cobby, broad chest | Cobby, broad chest | Cobby, broad chest |
| Registry recognition | Universal | Varies by registry | Widely recognized |
Because breed lines shift over time as fanciers refine standards, some historic British coat-length categories have fallen out of favor entirely. You can see examples of breeds that didn’t survive changing standards in this rundown of extinct cat breeds.
4. Havana Brown
Despite its name, the Havana Brown has nothing to do with Cuba’s capital. The breed resulted from a planned breeding between chocolate-carrying Siamese and domestic shorthair black cats, carried out by a group of British cat fanciers in the 1950s. It became the first variety of the Oriental Shorthair in the world and was registered in 1959, and its warm chocolate-brown coat is widely believed to be named after the color of Cuban cigars.
Physically, the Havana Brown has a distinctive silhouette: a medium-sized, muscular build with a small, elongated head, large ears, and almond-shaped green eyes. The nose tip and paw pads are pink, the whiskers are brown, and the coat itself is smooth, shiny, and warm chocolate brown.
Havana Browns are notably social and vocal, chatting with their owners much like their Siamese ancestors. If you’re weighing a Havana Brown against a household that already includes dogs, it’s worth reviewing which dog breeds are good with cats before introducing a new feline personality into the mix.
5. Oriental Shorthair
This breed traces its origins back to the UK, where English cat breeders in the 1950s crafted the Oriental Shorthair by crossing several different breeds with their Siamese stock. Breeders crossed Abyssinians, British Shorthairs, Russian Blues, and mixed-bred cats as parent stock, then crossed the resulting litters back to Siamese, producing an entirely new feline family.
Recognition came gradually across cat registries. Oriental Shorthairs International formed in 1973, and the breed was accepted for CFA championship competition in 1977. Two decades later, in 1997, the breed was also recognized by the UK-based GCCF, though with some differences from CFA on coat conformation.
The look is unmistakable: a sleek, short coat, a wedge-shaped head, and large ears set against a slender, agile frame. As an independent breed, Oriental Shorthairs are not overly needy but still enjoy spending time with their families. Their slim build puts them among the more petite English breeds worth comparing if you’re browsing small cat breeds for an apartment-friendly companion.
6. Oriental Longhair
The Oriental Longhair is essentially the same breed as the Oriental Shorthair, carrying a recessive longhair gene that produces a flowing, single-layer coat instead of a sleek short one. Because the coat lacks a thick undercoat, it doesn’t mat as readily as many other longhaired breeds, and shedding tends to stay manageable with regular brushing.
Temperament mirrors the Oriental Shorthair closely: intelligent, vocal, and deeply attached to their households. These are not cats that thrive being left alone for long stretches, so plan on interactive toys or a second pet for companionship during work hours.
Coat patterns can include solid colors, tabby markings, smoke, and particolor combinations. If tabby-patterned Orientals appeal to you, they’re worth adding to your shortlist alongside other striped cat breeds when comparing coat patterns across the wider Oriental family.
7. Devon Rex
The Devon Rex is a tall-eared, short-haired breed that emerged in England during the late 1950s, known for its atypical appearance with an oddly shaped head, large eyes, and short, wavy coat. In 1959, a single curly-haired male kitten turned up in a litter born in a garden in Devon, England, and his unusual appearance, amusing antics, and loving nature earned him a home with Beryl Cox, who named him Kirlee.
Cox initially assumed Kirlee’s curls came from the same gene producing the Cornish Rex. At first, Kirlee was considered another example of the Cornish Rex mutation, but test breedings proved this theory incorrect, so Kirlee was bred to his own offspring to produce more wavy-coated kittens with a different look from the tighter curl of the Cornish Rex coat.
Devon Rex cats are affectionate heat-seekers that will burrow under blankets given the chance. Because of their sparse coat, they need consistent warmth and gentle skin care. If allergy concerns are part of your decision, compare this breed against other hypoallergenic cat breeds, since lower shedding doesn’t always mean lower allergen production.
8. Cornish Rex
The Cornish Rex has only down hair in its coat, unlike most breeds, which have three layers: outer guard hairs, a middle awn layer, and the fine down undercoat. This missing structure gives the breed its famously soft, wavy texture. A cream-colored male named Kallibunker, born with an extremely unusual, fine and curly coat, was the first Cornish Rex.
Body type sets this breed apart even further. The Cat Fanciers’ Association describes it as “the aficionado’s cat because of its stylized structure and unique Marcel wave coat,” calling them “the greyhound of the cat fancy, with their abdominal tuck up and lean race-like appearance.” The coat has no guard hairs, so it’s very soft to the touch, and the breed has a terrific, active personality.
Key Insight: A near-bare coat means more exposed skin, and exposed skin reacts more to dust and fragrance. If you’re choosing between clumping vs non-clumping litter for a Cornish Rex, an unscented, low-dust, eco-friendly cat litter option is usually the gentler choice for sensitive skin.
Because both Rex breeds shed far less than typical shorthairs, they’re a common recommendation for allergy-prone households comparing options across species, including low-shedding dog breeds for multi-pet homes.
9. English Angora
The English Angora is one of the lesser-known names in the British cat fancy, referring to a longhaired, Oriental-type cat developed in the UK as a distinct line from the naturally occurring Turkish Angora. British breeders wanted a longhaired Foreign-type cat with their own lineage rather than importing the Turkish original, so they built one from Oriental Shorthair stock carrying the longhair gene.
Important Note: Don’t confuse this cat with the English Angora rabbit, a well-known wool breed from an entirely different species. The naming overlap causes frequent mix-ups in casual pet searches, so double-check listings before contacting a breeder.
In build and temperament, the English Angora closely resembles the Oriental Longhair: slender, vocal, and highly attached to its people. Recognition for this specific name varies by registry, and some organizations simply fold it into the broader Oriental Longhair standard rather than maintaining it as a separate breed. If you’re researching how breed categories can shift or disappear over time, it’s a pattern also visible in certain extinct cat breeds whose distinct status didn’t survive standardization.
10. Burmilla
The Burmilla began, by most accounts, as an accident. A Chinchilla Persian and a Lilac Burmese housed together at a British cattery in the early 1980s produced an unplanned litter, and the resulting kittens had a look breeders found irresistible enough to develop deliberately: a Burmese body shape with silver-tipped shading reminiscent of the Chinchilla.
The result is a medium-sized, muscular cat with large, expressive eyes rimmed in dark color and a coat that sparkles under light thanks to that tipping effect. Burmillas tend to be playful without being demanding, making them a popular choice for owners who want Burmese-style affection without constant vocal chatter.
Coat length can be short or semi-long depending on the line, and both are recognized within the same breed group by UK registries. If you’re drawn to sturdy, medium-to-large English cats generally, it’s worth cross-referencing this breed against other large domestic cat breeds to compare adult size expectations.
11. Asian
Despite its name, the Asian cat was indeed originally bred in England, is also called the Malayan cat, and came about in the 1980s when a Burmese and a Chinchilla were bred together. This is the same foundational cross that produced the Burmilla, and the Asian group technically includes the Burmilla as one of its patterned varieties alongside solid, smoke, tabby, and tortie coats.
These cats want to be part of the family and will surround themselves with people as much as possible, sometimes following owners around the house for attention, and they come in short or long-haired varieties. That longhaired variety carries its own name within the group, which is where the next breed on this list comes in.
Here’s how the related coat types break down within the Asian group:
- Asian Self, Smoke, Tabby, and Tortie — solid or patterned shorthaired cats from the original Burmese x Chinchilla cross
- Burmilla — the tipped, shaded shorthaired variety within the same group
- Tiffanie — the semi-longhaired coat version of the Asian group
- Burmese (British Variant) — a separate but related breed sharing the same body type ideals
Because the Asian’s sociable nature extends to other pets, it’s a breed worth considering if your household already includes a dog. Check our list of dog breeds that are good with cats for compatible pairings.
12. Tiffanie
The Tiffanie is the semi-longhaired member of the Asian group, carrying the same Burmese-derived body type but wrapped in a silky, medium-length coat that lies close to the body rather than standing out like a Persian’s. Because the coat has minimal undercoat, grooming needs stay lighter than you’d expect from a semi-longhair breed.
Temperament follows the Asian group’s pattern closely: affectionate, playful, and eager to stay near their people. Tiffanies are known for retaining kitten-like playfulness well into adulthood, and they typically get along well with children and other pets when introduced properly.
Coat colors mirror the wider Asian group, including solid shades, smoke, tabby, and tortie patterns. If you’re specifically hunting for a smaller-bodied English cat with a plush coat, the Tiffanie deserves a spot on your list of small cat breeds to research further.
13. Burmese (British Variant)
The British type Burmese diverges noticeably from the rounder, more compact American Burmese most US shelters and breeders list under the same name. Both trace back to the same foundational cat, but decades of separate breeding programs on either side of the Atlantic pushed the two types toward different standards.
Important Note: If you’re shopping in the United States, ask breeders specifically which type they breed. The British variant has a more moderate, wedge-shaped head and a slimmer body than the American standard, and the two are judged under entirely different show criteria.
The British type tends toward a longer body and less extreme head shape, giving it a slightly more Oriental silhouette than its American cousin. Temperament is consistent across both types: intelligent, people-oriented, and often described as dog-like in their loyalty and eagerness to follow owners from room to room.
Because Burmese cats of both types can be prone to weight gain and diabetes risk later in life, portion control and occasional healthy treats matter. If you like rewarding your cat with the occasional fruit snack, check our guide on what fruits cats can eat before offering anything from your kitchen.
Thirteen breeds, one small island: that’s the range English cat fanciers have produced across roughly two centuries of deliberate and accidental breeding. Whether you’re drawn to the teddy-bear build of a British Shorthair, the bare-skinned elegance of a Cornish Rex, or the tight-knit Asian group’s family of related coats, the practical differences come down to grooming time, activity level, and how much vocal attention you’re prepared to give back. Match those factors to your household honestly, and any of these English breeds can make a genuinely rewarding companion. For a deeper look at coat-related allergy concerns before you commit, our guide to hypoallergenic cat breeds is a useful next stop.