I would be very careful about your decision to purchase a purebred kitten. British shorthair cats, while very beautiful and typically good natured, are one of several breeds that have a genetic link to a kind of heart disease called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).
HCM is an adult-onset disease, which makes it impossible to screen kittens when you take them to your veterinarian for “well kitten” exams post purchase.
The mode of inheritance for HCM is not understood, unfortunately. While you may find an excellent breeder, they cannot tell you with any certainty if their kittens are predisposed to this disease, even if the mother and father are not currently symptomatic.
In private practice I deal with more severe viral diseases in the pure breed cats as well.
If you are set on buying a purebred kitten, never ever purchase a cat on online, no matter what the web site says or how many recommendations or “testimonials” they post. You will have to find a breeder you can actually visit. Go to their house. Make sure the cats live with them. Make sure the breeder insists on a contract that indicates you will return the kitten to them should circumstances arise that prohibit the animal being a member of your family.
My recommendation is to go for hybrid vigor! Find a local rescue group or shelter. Adopt a kitten that needs a home. Make sure that the shelter has already spayed or neutered the kitten and tested for feline leukemia virus. Then take the kitten to your veterinarian as soon as possible after adoption for a well kitten visit.
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I was wondering if you can tell me where I might be able to find a British Shorthair cat or kitten. We haven't been able to find any through our web searches.
Thank you!