While Abyssinian comes from Southeast Asia, British Shorthair has Great Britain origin.

But honestly, breeds' origin doesn't reveal a lot about it, so please keep reading to learn more about these interesting breeds.

Although both breeds are very intelligent, it's important to consider their differences as well.

Here is some basic information about these breeds:

Abyssinian vs British Shorthair Appearance

British Shorthairs are longer.

British Shorthairs have an average length of 22 to 25 inches and a weight of 7 to 17 pounds.

On the other side Abyssinians, have a typical length of 12 to 16 inches and an average weight of 6 to 10 pounds.

Temperament

No doubt, each cat has its own temperament, but we'll try to make some generalizations and help you choose the breed that will fit

Affectionate with Family

Abyssinians and British Shorthairs are known as breeds with a medium need to be around people. They will meow at you when feeding time comes, and they will come to you for cuddles, but they will equally demand their time.

They may come to you when they want and it can be a matter of only a few minutes. They may also decide to spend an entire day on their spot.

For those who want an independent cat, these breeds are to be considered welcoming. To enable the balance they need, think about installing a cat window seat.

Kid-Friendly

Owning a feline and having a kid can be challenging but also so much rewarding. This is especially true if you get a Abyssinian or a British Shorthair because you will enjoy watching your kid growing with them together.

These breeds are major kids lovers, and describing them only as kid-friendly isn't enough.

Both breeds will monitor kids closely whenever you leave the room.

With so kid-friendly breeds around, your kid can easily learn how to behave around cats, and even how to train them. Treats can do wonders, even with cats.

Friendly Toward Strangers

Surprisingly, some cats are more than fond of strangers. They may not show their affection toward strangers like dogs do, but they have their share of showing friendliness toward strangers.

Cats will respond well to strangers when they feel safe. Both breeds will be polite, calm, and friendly toward strangers who treat them right.

In practice, this means that strangers who approach either Abyssinians or British Shorthairs may expect a friendly greeting.

If you don't mind having a cat who isn't scared of people, you may welcome these breeds into your home.

Just a word of caution: cats that are friendly with strangers and live in indoors on a terrace should have a safe area covered with a cat net. If you are a social butterfly with frequent visitors, both breeds will value the crowd.

Pet Friendly

Cats are known for being independent creatures. They love being around people, but on their terms.

If there could be a towering safe place for them to overlook everyone and everything, they would claim it as theirs. Although they are independent, they still need affection and love, which is why some are extremely friendly.

Not only that they are friendly and affectionate toward people, but they are highly affectionate toward other pets as well, including dogs. These breeds are ultra-friendly, and they will enjoy multi-pet households.

If your home is blessed with multi-pets and you want a feline or another pet, you should focus on getting a friendly cat.

Bear in mind that some cats are more friendly than others are, but if you choose Abyssinians or British Shorthairs you won't make a mistake, and you will definitely get a polite and friendly furry pet toward other pets.

Potential for Playfulness

If your future cat's playfulness is an important thing for you, be sure to read this carefully.

Let's get straight to the point:

Abyssinians are more playful, and they will require you to invest some time in keeping them entertained, otherwise they might get bored and eventully destructive.

British Shorthairs aren't described by feline lovers as a breed of high playfulness, so if you're looking for a more laid-back breed for your appartment, they might be a great choice.

General Health

A healthy diet, proper grooming, and exercise should keep your feline in top shape.

British Shorthairs are usually considered as a healthy and resilient breed and should reach their senior years without major issues, as long as you deal with responsible breeders and provide regular veterinarian check-ups.

Unfortunately, the same doesn't stand for Abyssinians.

Their health is considered as average or below average, so if you decide to get a Abyssinian, be sure to choose a reputable breeder, known for breeding cats with good genetics.

Grooming

Cats are natural groomers. They may love to hide, get into small holes, and explore different scents, but they will do their best to clean themself afterward.

Owning a Abyssinian will be more demanding than owning a British Shorthair as they require more grooming.

But don't let this fret you. Each breed requires grooming (brushing, trimming nails, hair trimming and combining, shaving mats, etc), it's just a matter of how frequently you should groom them.

Shedding

Abyssinian and British Shorthair are known as breeds with a medium shedding amount.

They may shed more during the shedding season which occurs in spring and autumn.

As medium shedders, Abyssinian and British Shorthair should have weekly brushing sessions.

If you are on the lookout for a breed that sheds in a fair amount and won’t make you sneeze, you are on the right track.

Tendency to Vocalize

Both Abyssinians and British Shorthairs are known for being highly vocal breeds. They can talk all day long!

Cats enjoy social contact with people and they use their voices to get human attention, over and over again.

If you prefer quietness, or you have toddlers who sleep a lot, you might think about getting a less vocal feline.

Intelligence

It's a well-known fact that cats are among the most intelligent creatures alive. They are smart to react instinctively, fast to hunt, and smart to hide in a matter of seconds.

If intelligence is an important factor for you, you might prefer a Abyssinian. They are fast to interact, communicate, and demand a lot of your time and playtime to thrive.

Obviously, this doesn't mean that British Shorthairs are dunderhead, they just don't tend to be smart as Abyssinians.

The Final Word

We hope our Abyssinians vs British Shorthairs comparison helped you to choose the right breed for you.

You can use the tool below to make a new comparison.