While British Shorthair comes from Great Britain, Oriental has United States and Thailand 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 share the same origin (Great Britain), it's important to consider their differences as well.

Here is some basic information about these breeds:

British Shorthair vs Oriental 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 Orientals, have a typical length of 12 to 15 inches and an average weight of 5 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

Looking for a perfect family cat?

Well, we'd strongly advise to choose Oriental over British Shorthair.

Orientals love their people, and being a part of a family is something that helps them thrive.

British Shorthairs, on the other hand, are more of an independent type, that will prefer to stay silent in the corner, or their spot and monitor closely what is happening around them.

This doesn’t mean that there is no love toward humans but instead means that they prefer moments of solitude. You can still expect British Shorthairs to come to you for cuddles - at their own pace.

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 British Shorthair or a Oriental 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 British Shorthairs or Orientals 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 being generally friendly is one thing, but being friendly toward other pets is a completely different thing.

This trait must be taken into account if you've got another pet, so let's see do these breeds compare.

British Shorthairs are generally more pet friendly than Orientals.

Cats usually tolerate dogs because they are not so territorial beings as dogs are, but make sure that their introduction is done safely.

If you notice your feline moving away from pets, do not force them to mingle, or spend time together. As a general rule, cats and birds shouldn't be under the same roof.

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:

Orientals 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 Orientals.

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

Grooming

Grooming cats is never easy since felines are not known as creatures that love being handled. Some cats may be more tolerant if they are not demanding grooming-wise. If you want a cat like this one, you should stay away from British Shorthairs and Orientals as they are hard to groom.

Brushing is a mandatory part of every health routine, but it's far from being the only section. Cat grooming includes also trimming nails, hair trimming and combining, shaving mats if needed, and bathing only when needed.

British Shorthairs or Oriental are typical representatives of breeds being hard to handle when grooming. They are not enjoying when being handled and it usually leads to some disturbance and poor grooming outcomes.

These breeds shouldn’t be your option for ownership if you find it hard to deal with the grooming process.

Shedding

Nobody enjoys the facts cats shed, but if you hate that, you should probably stick to Orientals, as they shed less than British Shorthairs.

However, don't forget that all cats need regular brushing, but how often depends on the breed.

Cats are not too fond of being handled, so invest in high-quality (and proper) grooming tools to make the brushing process easier and short.

Tendency to Vocalize

There are two types of cats: talkative, and silent.

But there are also two types of people: people who like talkative cats, and people who don't.

Therefore, you should consider this characteristic when you're choosing the perfect cat breed.

With British Shorthair, you will probably deal with a breed with a high tendency to be vocal, while Orientals are often described as a breed with a low tendency to vocalize.

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 Oriental. 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 Orientals.

The Final Word

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

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