Which British Shorthair Colors Are Best? Blue, Beige and More

When most people picture a British Shorthair, they see the classic "British Blue": a solid blue-grey coat, round face and big copper eyes. But the breed comes in a far wider range of colors and patterns than many people realize, from lilac and chocolate to cream, fawn, silver tabby, golden and colorpoint.

So which British Shorthair color is best? There's no single answer. Every recognized color has the same breed type and temperament, so the "best" color is really the one you love. That said, colors do differ in how easy they are to find, how much breeders tend to charge, and — in the case of white cats — one health consideration worth knowing about.

This guide covers every main British Shorthair color and pattern, how the genetics work, how to tell similar colors apart, and what to ask a breeder before you buy.

British Shorthair Color Chart

Use this chart for a quick comparison of the main solid ("self") colors. Eye color here follows the UK's Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) standard, where solid British Shorthairs should have orange to copper eyes — except white cats, which can have blue, orange or odd eyes.

Color	What it looks like	Genetics in brief	Eye color
Blue	Even blue-grey	Dilute of black	Orange/copper
Lilac	Pinkish dove-grey	Dilute of chocolate	Orange/copper
Black	Deep, glossy jet black	Dominant base color	Orange/copper
Chocolate	Rich, warm brown	Recessive brown gene (b)	Orange/copper
Cinnamon	Warm, reddish light brown	Recessive light-brown gene (bˡ)	Orange/copper
Fawn	Pale, warm beige-grey	Dilute of cinnamon	Orange/copper
Red	Deep orange ("ginger")	Sex-linked orange gene	Orange/copper
Cream	Pale buff or beige	Dilute of red	Orange/copper
White	Pure white	Dominant white gene (W) masks other colors	Blue, orange or odd eyes

Beyond these solid colors, British Shorthairs also come in tabby, tortoiseshell, bicolor, smoke, tipped (including silver and golden) and colorpoint patterns, all covered below.

A Quick History of the British Shorthair

The British Shorthair is one of the oldest recognized cat breeds. It's commonly thought to descend from domestic cats brought to Britain by the Romans, although cats may have reached the British Isles earlier.

The breed came to prominence in the Victorian era. At the first cat show at London's Crystal Palace in 1871, organized by Harrison Weir — often called the father of the cat fancy — "English Shorthair" cats were among the stars, and they were the forerunner of today's British Shorthair.

Both World Wars hit the breed hard. To rebuild numbers afterwards, breeders outcrossed to other breeds, including Persians, which helped restore the breed's heavy boning and also introduced the longhair gene (the British Longhair is now recognized by the GCCF as a breed in its own right). These outcrosses are also part of why the British Shorthair now comes in so many colors.

Today the British Shorthair is recognized by all the major cat registries, including the GCCF, FIFe, TICA and the CFA.

British Shorthair Personality and Characteristics

The British Shorthair is a medium to large, powerfully built cat with heavy boning, a broad chest, a round head, full cheeks and a dense, plush coat. Its easy-going nature has made it one of the most popular pedigree cats in the world.

Most British Shorthairs are calm, affectionate and independent. They typically like to be near their people rather than on them, and many aren't keen on being picked up or cuddled for long. When you do lift one, support its hindquarters, as it's a heavy cat. These traits can make them a good fit for busy households, and they're usually among the more friendly cat breeds.

Does color affect temperament? There's no good evidence that coat color changes a British Shorthair's personality. You'll sometimes hear that red (ginger) cats are bolder or more active, but this is anecdotal. Upbringing, socialization and individual personality matter far more than color.

British Shorthair Solid Colors

Breeders call solid colors "self" colors. A self British Shorthair should be one even color all over, from the roots to the tips of the hair, without white hairs, tabby markings or shading.

1. Blue British Shorthair (British Blue)

The blue British Shorthair, or British Blue, is the breed's signature color and the one most people mean when they talk about a "British Shorthair". In cat-breeding terms, "blue" is the name for grey — so if you're searching for a grey British Shorthair, this is it. You'll find the British Blue on lists of the best grey cat breeds and blue cat breeds.

Genetics: Blue is a dilute form of black. A cat that inherits two copies of the recessive dilute gene (d) has its black pigment spread more thinly through each hair, which turns black into soft blue-grey.

What to look for: An even, medium blue-grey coat, with blue-grey nose leather and paw pads, and orange to deep copper eyes.

What counts as an acceptable blue coat?

For showing and breeding, a British Blue should be one even shade throughout, with no white hairs, tabby markings, shading or tipping. White hairs and visible markings are faults under breed standards, which is why breeders pay close attention to them. For a pet, of course, small imperfections make no difference at all.

2. Lilac British Shorthair

Lilac is a soft, pinkish dove-grey, warmer and paler than blue. It's a popular color and one of the most distinctive.

Genetics: Lilac is a dilute of chocolate. A lilac cat has two copies of the chocolate gene and two copies of the dilute gene. (Lilac is also a color found in other breeds, such as the Lilac Point Siamese.)

What to look for: An even pinkish-grey coat, pinkish-lavender nose leather and paw pads, and orange to copper eyes.

Note that chocolate and lilac are accepted by the GCCF, FIFe and TICA, but not by the US-based Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA).

How to tell blue, lilac and grey apart

"Grey" isn't an official British Shorthair color — grey cats are called blue. Telling blue and lilac apart can be trickier, especially in young kittens:

	Blue	Lilac
Coat tone	Cool, even blue-grey	Warmer, pinkish dove-grey
Nose leather and paw pads	Blue-grey	Pinkish lavender
In daylight	Looks steely	Looks soft, almost beige-pink

A few tips:

• Use natural daylight. Artificial light, especially warm bulbs, can make blue look lilac and vice versa.
• Check the nose and paws. These are often a clearer clue than the coat.
• Be patient with kittens. Kitten coats can look lighter or uneven, and the true shade is easier to judge as the adult coat comes in.
• Ask about the parents. A lilac kitten must have inherited both the chocolate and dilute genes, so the parents' colors and genetics are a strong clue. A DNA test can confirm it (see below).

3. Black British Shorthair

A good black British Shorthair has a deep, glossy coat that's black to the roots, with copper eyes. Black is less common than blue, partly because the British Blue has dominated the breed's popularity.

Kittens and "rusting":

Black kittens can show faint tabby markings or a slightly rusty, brownish tinge that usually improves as the adult coat comes through. Black fur can also take on a reddish-brown tinge from sun exposure, known as "rusting". This doesn't mean a black cat is "turning chocolate". Chocolate is a separate, inherited color, so a genetically black cat stays black. If a cat's coat stays persistently brown or rusty without sun exposure, mention it to your vet.

If you're looking for a name, we have plenty of names for black cats, and black British Shorthairs feature in our guide to black cat breeds.

4. White British Shorthair

A white British Shorthair should be pure white all over, with pink nose leather and paw pads. White is caused by the dominant white gene (W), which hides whatever color the cat carries underneath.

If you need inspiration, take a look at our white cat names and our guide to white cat breeds.

Eye color: White British Shorthairs can have deep orange/copper eyes, sapphire blue eyes, or one of each. Odd eyes are a form of heterochromia, a rare occurrence in cats generally.

Are white British Shorthairs deaf?

Not necessarily, but white cats do have a higher risk of being born deaf. The dominant white gene is linked to congenital deafness, and the risk rises with the number of blue eyes a cat has. A cat with two blue eyes is at the highest risk, and an odd-eyed cat may be deaf on the side with the blue eye. White British Shorthairs are listed among the pedigree breeds at risk.

If you're considering a white kitten, ask the breeder whether the kittens and parents have had a hearing test. A BAER test is a quick check that vets or specialist centres can carry out. A deaf cat can still live a happy life as an indoor pet with a few adjustments, but it's important to know before you take one home.

5. Red (Ginger) British Shorthair

The red British Shorthair — often called a ginger or orange British Shorthair — has a rich, deep orange coat with copper eyes and brick-red or pink nose leather. If you love ginger cats, it sits alongside other favorites in our guides to the Garfield cat breeds and orange cat breeds.

Genetics: The orange gene is carried on the X chromosome. Males need only one copy to be red, while females need two. This is why ginger cats are more often male.

Why ginger British Shorthairs often have stripes: The orange gene makes tabby markings show through, even in cats that are genetically non-tabby. That's why many red British Shorthairs have faint markings on the forehead, legs or tail, and a completely solid red coat is hard to achieve. Breeders aim for as even a color as possible, but most ginger cats show at least some ghost striping.

Looking for a name? Try our names for ginger cats.

6. Cream British Shorthair

Cream is a pale, warm buff color — the shade many people describe as "beige" or "blonde". It should be an even, pastel cream, with pink nose leather and paw pads and orange to copper eyes. A cream that's too dark or "hot" (too close to red) is considered a fault for showing.

Genetics: Cream is a dilute of red, so it follows the same sex-linked inheritance pattern as ginger.

What is a "beige" British Shorthair?

"Beige" and "blonde" aren't official British Shorthair colors, but they're common ways people describe pale, warm coats. Depending on the cat, a "beige" British Shorthair is usually one of these:

• Cream: a pale, warm buff (dilute red)
• Fawn: a pale, warm beige-grey (dilute cinnamon)
• Golden: a golden or apricot undercoat with darker tipping (see tipped British Shorthairs below)

If you're buying a "beige" kitten, ask the breeder for its registered color so you know exactly what you're getting.

7. Chocolate British Shorthair

Chocolate British Shorthairs have a rich, warm, even brown coat, with brown nose leather and paw pads and orange to copper eyes. If you love brown cats, you'll find more ideas in our guide to brown cat breeds.

Genetics: Chocolate comes from a recessive version of the brown gene (b). A kitten has to inherit it from both parents to be chocolate. The color was introduced into the breed through outcrossing.

8. Cinnamon British Shorthair

Cinnamon is a warm, light reddish-brown — lighter and warmer than chocolate. It's one of the less common colors.

Genetics: Cinnamon comes from a different, even more recessive version of the brown gene (bˡ). It's not a dilute of chocolate; it's a separate allele.

What to look for: An even warm cinnamon coat, with pinkish to cinnamon nose leather and paw pads and orange to copper eyes.

9. Fawn British Shorthair

Fawn is a pale, warm beige-grey with a pinkish tone, and it's generally considered one of the rarest British Shorthair colors.

Genetics: Fawn is a dilute of cinnamon. A fawn cat needs two copies of the cinnamon gene and two copies of the dilute gene, so both parents must carry both genes. That's what makes fawn so uncommon — and part of why it's sometimes mentioned among the most rare colors and breeds.

Confirming fawn: Fawn, lilac and cream can look similar, especially in kittens, so a DNA test is the most reliable way to confirm a fawn kitten's color.

British Shorthair Patterns

As well as solid colors, British Shorthairs come in a range of patterns. Most of the solid colors above can appear in any of these.

10. Tortoiseshell and Blue Cream British Shorthair

Tortoiseshell ("tortie") British Shorthairs have a mix of red (or cream) and another color through the coat. Because the orange gene is carried on the X chromosome, torties are almost always female. Male torties are rare and usually sterile.

Common tortie colors include:

• Black tortie: black with red patches
• Blue cream: blue mixed with cream — the dilute version of the black tortie
• Chocolate tortie: chocolate with red
• Lilac cream: lilac with cream
• Cinnamon tortie and fawn cream: the rarer versions

A tortie with white patches is called a tortie and white. In some countries, particularly the US, this is known as a calico cat.

11. Tabby British Shorthair

Tabby British Shorthairs come in four recognized patterns:

• Classic: bold, swirling markings with a "bullseye" or swirl on each side
• Mackerel: narrow, parallel stripes running down the sides, like a fish skeleton
• Spotted: distinct round or oval spots
• Ticked: little or no pattern on the body, with each hair banded in color

All tabbies have the characteristic "M" marking on the forehead. Tabby can combine with any of the colors above, so you'll see brown, blue, red, cream, chocolate and lilac tabbies, among others.

Silver tabby British Shorthair

The silver tabby is one of the most striking British Shorthair patterns: crisp black markings on a pale silver background. The silver comes from the inhibitor gene, which removes yellowish pigment from the base of each hair. A silver tabby can have markings in other colors too, such as blue silver tabby.

12. Bicolor British Shorthair

Bicolor British Shorthairs combine white with one other color, such as black and white, blue and white, red and white or cream and white. Black and white bicolors are sometimes called "tuxedo" cats.

Our guides to black and white cat breeds and grey and white cat breeds feature more cats with this pattern, and we've also rounded up some black and white cat names.

13. Smoke British Shorthair

A smoke British Shorthair looks like a solid color at first glance, but when the fur parts, it reveals a pale silver undercoat. Smoke comes from the same silver inhibitor gene as the silver tabby, combined with a non-tabby coat. Black smoke and blue smoke are among the most common.

14. Tipped British Shorthair (Silver and Golden)

Tipped British Shorthairs have a pale undercoat with color only at the very tips of the hair, which gives a shimmering, sparkly effect.

• Silver tipped (including chinchilla): a white undercoat with dark tipping. The lightest, most delicately tipped silvers are often called chinchilla British Shorthairs. Tipped British Shorthairs usually have green eyes under GCCF standards.
• Golden tipped: a warm golden or apricot undercoat with darker tipping. Golden British Shorthairs (sometimes advertised as "black golden" or "blue golden") are one of the colors people often describe as "beige".

15. Colorpoint British Shorthair

Colorpoint British Shorthairs have the Siamese-style pattern: a pale body with darker color on the face, ears, legs and tail. Like other colorpoint cats, they have blue eyes.

Genetics: The colorpoint pattern comes from a recessive, temperature-sensitive gene. The pigment only develops fully in the cooler parts of the body, which is why the extremities are darker. You can read more about how colorpoint genetics work at UC Davis. The pattern was introduced into the British Shorthair through outcrossing, and it's the same gene behind the Siamese.

Colorpoints can come in any of the British colors (such as seal, blue, chocolate or lilac point). They can also be combined with tabby (sometimes called lynx point), tortie or white.

Do British Shorthair Kittens Change Color?

Their underlying color doesn't change, but kittens can look quite different from the adults they become:

• Ghost tabby markings. Many solid-colored kittens show faint tabby markings that fade as the adult coat grows in.
• Rusting in black kittens. Black kittens can look slightly brownish before their adult coat comes through, but they don't turn chocolate.
• Colorpoints develop over time. Colorpoint kittens are born pale, and their points darken over the first weeks and months.
• Shades deepen or settle. Dilute colors like blue, lilac and fawn can look uneven in kittens, and the true shade is often easier to judge once the adult coat comes in.

Do British Shorthair eye colors change?

Yes. Kittens are born with blue eyes, and their adult eye color starts to develop after a few weeks. In British Shorthairs, the rich copper color the breed is known for can take many months to deepen fully. Colorpoint kittens keep their blue eyes.

Which British Shorthair Color Is Best?

The best color is the one you love. All British Shorthair colors share the same breed type and generally the same easy-going temperament. A few practical points can help you decide:

• Most common: blue. It's the classic British Shorthair color and usually the easiest to find.
• Rarest: fawn is generally considered the rarest solid color, followed by cinnamon. Some patterns, such as colorpoint or certain tipped colors, can also be harder to find depending on where you live.
• Health: there's no good evidence that most coat colors affect health. The main exception is white, especially blue-eyed white, because of the link with congenital deafness.
• Showing: if you plan to show, check which colors your registry accepts. The CFA, for example, doesn't accept chocolate or lilac British Shorthairs.

How much does a British Shorthair cost by color?

Prices vary widely between breeders, countries and individual kittens, so we haven't quoted figures. Rarer or more in-demand colors — such as lilac, fawn, cinnamon and some tipped or colorpoint varieties — are often priced higher than common colors like blue or black. The breeder's reputation, health testing and whether a kitten is sold as a pet or for breeding all affect the price too. Contact several registered breeders directly for current prices, and be wary of anyone charging a premium for a "rare" color without paperwork to back it up.

How to confirm a kitten's color with a DNA test

If you're paying more for a rare color, it's reasonable to ask for proof. Feline genetics laboratories, such as the Veterinary Genetics Laboratory at UC Davis, offer DNA tests for the genes behind many British Shorthair colors, including:

• Dilute (d): blue, lilac, cream and fawn
• Brown (b and bˡ): chocolate and cinnamon
• Colorpoint: pointed coats

Reputable breeders often test their breeding cats so they know which colors they can produce. Ask to see the test results for the parents and, for a rare color like fawn, for the kitten itself. Kittens registered with a recognized registry such as the GCCF or TICA will also have their color recorded on their registration.

British Shorthair Grooming

Whatever its color, the British Shorthair's short, dense coat is easy to look after:

• Brush two or three times a week, and more often during heavier shedding in spring and autumn. Use a rubber brush or fine-toothed comb to remove loose undercoat.
• Trim claws regularly, or provide scratching posts to help keep them in shape.
• Check ears weekly for dirt or wax.
• Look after their teeth with regular dental checks and, if your cat will tolerate it, tooth brushing using a cat toothpaste.

Health Concerns for British Shorthair Cats

The British Shorthair is generally a robust breed, but there are some health issues to be aware of, whatever its color.

Obesity

British Shorthairs are stocky cats with a slow metabolism, and they can gain weight easily, especially as indoor cats. Keep them active with daily play, feed a complete diet suited to their life stage, and ask your vet to help you keep them at a healthy weight.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)

HCM is the most common heart disease in cats. It causes the heart muscle to thicken, which makes the heart work less efficiently. It is primarily an inherited (genetic) disease, and British Shorthairs are among the breeds affected. A Danish study of British Shorthairs found HCM in around one in five males screened, and far fewer females.

There's currently no DNA test for HCM in British Shorthairs, so responsible breeders screen their breeding cats with heart ultrasounds (echocardiograms) and remove affected cats from breeding. Ask breeders about heart screening for the parents.

Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)

PKD causes fluid-filled cysts to form in the kidneys, which gradually affects how well they work. It's inherited through a single gene and was once a significant problem in the breed, linked to its Persian ancestry. Signs often don't appear until middle age and can include increased thirst, weight loss, poor appetite and vomiting.

The good news is that there's a reliable DNA test, and responsible breeders test their cats. Always ask to see negative PKD results for both parents.

ALPS

Autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS) is an inherited condition that has been identified in British Shorthairs. The GCCF now requires imported British Shorthairs registered for breeding to have a negative ALPS test. It's worth asking breeders whether their cats have been tested.

Cataracts

Like many cats, British Shorthairs can develop cataracts (clouding of the lens) as they get older. If you notice cloudiness in your cat's eyes or changes in its vision, see your vet.

Arterial Thromboembolism

Arterial thromboembolism (sometimes called a saddle thrombus) happens when a blood clot lodges in an artery, most often where the aorta splits to supply the back legs. It's usually a complication of heart disease such as HCM. Signs include sudden pain, crying out, and weakness or paralysis of the back legs. This is an emergency, so contact a vet immediately.

Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)

FIP is a serious disease caused by a mutated form of the common feline coronavirus. Pedigree cats are generally at higher risk than non-pedigree cats, and an Australian study found British Shorthairs among the breeds overrepresented for FIP. Speak to your vet about current diagnosis and treatment options if you're concerned.

British Shorthair Color FAQs

What is the most common British Shorthair color?

Blue (the British Blue) is the most common and best-known color.

What is the rarest British Shorthair color?

Fawn is generally considered the rarest solid color, followed by cinnamon.

Is there a grey British Shorthair?

Yes — in cat breeding, grey is called "blue". The grey British Shorthair is the British Blue.

What is a beige British Shorthair?

"Beige" isn't an official color. It usually describes a cream, fawn or golden British Shorthair.

Do British Shorthair colors affect temperament?

There's no good evidence that they do. Personality depends far more on the individual cat and its upbringing.

Are white British Shorthairs deaf?

Not always, but white cats have a higher risk of congenital deafness, especially if they have blue eyes. Ask breeders about hearing tests.

Do British Shorthair kittens change color?

Their genetic color doesn't change, but faint tabby markings can fade, points develop in colorpoints, and dilute shades can settle as the adult coat grows in.

How much does a lilac British Shorthair cost?

Prices vary widely by breeder and country, and lilac is often priced higher than blue. Contact registered breeders directly for current prices.

A Final Word on British Shorthair Colors

The British Blue may be the breed's most famous face, but the British Shorthair comes in an impressive range of colors and patterns, from soft lilac and pale fawn to striking silver tabby, golden and colorpoint. Each shares the same sturdy build, plush coat and easy-going nature.

Choose the color you love, but put health first: look for a registered breeder who tests for PKD, screens for heart disease, and can show you the paperwork behind any rare color.