As a responsible Breed Club we are passionate about the health of the cats we represent. Within both the 'cat world' and the general public, there is increasing awareness of the health consequences of breeding cats of extreme type. Examples of extreme type include folded ears, flat faces, shortened legs or hairless bodies. We are fortunately in the BSH in that it does not tend to extremes within the breed standard. However, it has been noted in recent years, on both the showing benches and within the wider BSH community, that there appears to be a trend towards cats with flatter faces, small nose leathers and small nostrils. 

 

BSH should have 'open faces' -  balanced 'round' head shapes with good fullness of the cheeks and muzzles and moderate short length noses.

Cats with flatter faces, small nose leathers and nostrils can also have hidden defects such as an elongated soft palate, changes in the throat (enlarged saccules) and a narrow windpipe. These flatter faced cats often have visible defects such as overflowing tear ducts, skin infections in skin folds beneath the eyes and dental malalignment. Additionally, and more seriously, they may develop 'BOAS' (brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome), such as is seen in Pugs and French Bulldogs in the dog world. BOAS leads to breathing difficulties, noise when breathing, breathing through the mouth and can cause lung damage and early death. We do not want to see the BSH move away from the Breed Standard of an 'open face' and have produced this guide for breeders, show owners and people picking kittens to add to their family so that they are informed and know how a BSH should look."