Content
- Origin of the British Longhair Cat
- Physical characteristics of the british longhair cat
- British Longhair Cat Colors
- British Longhair Cat Personality
- British Longhair Cat Care
- British longhair cat health
- Where to Adopt a British Longhair Cat
The british longhair cat comes from a cross between british shorthair and persian cats after the world wars. Although at the beginning they did not want to create a new race, over time they were valued and today there are associations that recognized them as a race. Physically they are similar to british shorthairs, but with semi-long hair. The personality is independent, playful, affectionate and calm. With regard to care, they do not differ much from other long-haired or semi-long-haired breeds. The health of these cats is good as long as they are well taken care of, but we must be aware of some diseases to which they are susceptible by inheritance from their parents.
Continue reading this PeritoAnimal sheet to learn more about the breed of british longhair cat, its origin, its characteristics, personality, care, health and where to adopt a specimen.
Source
- Europe
- UK
- thick tail
- Strong
- Small
- Medium
- Great
- 3-5
- 5-6
- 6-8
- 8-10
- 10-14
- 8-10
- 10-15
- 15-18
- 18-20
- Affectionate
- Calm
- Shy
- Lonely
- Cold
- Warm
- Moderate
- Medium
Origin of the British Longhair Cat
The English longhair cat or british longhair originated after crossing between cats of the English shorthair breed (British shorthair), Persian cats and cats without pedigree. At first, this crossing, more than creating a new breed, was for preserve the genetic reserve of the british shorthair that was reduced after the first and second world wars, because if they were not crossed with other races they could become extinct.
The gene that gives british hair has a recessive inheritance, which means that british longhair may not appear until later generations. At first, British cats that were born with long hair were rejected, donated and even sacrificed, as they sought to preserve the original short-haired breed. Later, some breeders began to focus on breeding British longhair cats, although it generated some controversy. Over time, these cats are becoming more and more popular, being recognized as a breed by WCF and TICA, but not yet by FIFE.
Physical characteristics of the british longhair cat
British longhair cats have physical characteristics similar to their short-haired relatives, with the exception of the hair length. They measure between 28 and 30 cm, males can weigh up to 8 kg and females weigh between 4 and 6 kg. Specifically, the main features are:
- Medium to large body and muscular.
- Robust chest and shoulders.
- Rounded head, broad and with a strong chin.
- Nose short, broad and with a slight crack.
- Small, rounded ears.
- Large, round eyes, the color matching the coat.
- Tail length about ⅔ of body length, thick and rounded tip.
- Strong, rounded legs.
- Coat semi-long, smooth and with undercoat.
British Longhair Cat Colors
They exist over 300 color varieties in british longhair, it can be unicolor or bicolor, as well as the following patterns:
- Tabby.
- Colourpoint.
- Tortie (turtle).
- Tipping (gold).
British Longhair Cat Personality
British longhair cats are characterized by having a personality. quiet, balanced, reserved and independent. They are affectionate cats with their caregivers, but more independent and less affectionate than other breeds, without being skittish. It is a cat that adapts very well to different types of homes, as well as children and other animals. However, he is a little shy and suspicious of strangers.
Are very good hunters and they will not hesitate to go after any pet that is around the house. They are also very playful and will ask for affection whenever they want, it is not a breed that continually follows their caregivers asking for affection.
British Longhair Cat Care
The care of a British longhair cat should not be too different from any other semi-longhair breed, the following should be taken. hygienic, nutritional and preventive measures:
- Balanced diet, complete and in quantity adjusted according to your age, activity level, physiological state, health and environmental conditions. You should combine dry food (ration) with wet food (sachets or cans) daily in various doses to improve the control of urinary or dental diseases.
- Ear hygiene, as well as checking them for signs indicative of an infection or parasitism.
- Tooth hygiene and its control to prevent tartar, oral diseases and feline gingivitis.
- Routine deworming and vaccination.
- Veterinary examinations when necessary and at least once a year from age 7 onwards.
- Brushing the fur several times a week, including daily during the fall season to prevent fur balls.
- Bathe as needed or during molting times to promote the loss of dead hair and prevent ingestion.
British longhair cat health
British Longhair Cats Can Live up to 18 years old, as long as they are properly cared for and fed, as well as routine examinations and quick diagnoses of any health problems that may affect them. Although they are susceptible to developing any type of illness or infection that affects cats, British longhairs seem to have greater predisposition to certain diseases, such as:
- overweight and obesity: Excess fat and body weight can have serious health consequences, such as diabetes mellitus, urolithiasis and heart disease.
- polycystic kidney disease: Fluid-filled cysts occur in the kidneys that can grow to the point of kidney damage and kidney failure.
- hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: There is a thickening of the heart muscle, which limits the space for blood accumulation in the heart chambers and can produce heart failure.
- Neonatal isoerythrolysis: British cats are usually blood group B, and if they bred to an A or AB male, any group A or AB kittens they had would suffer from this disease when they are breastfed and could die after an immune-mediated reaction with ruptured blood cells reds (hemolysis).
Where to Adopt a British Longhair Cat
Although this breed is becoming more and more popular, it is still difficult to find today, while the British shorthair is more common. However, if we contact protectors or shelters can sometimes be better informed about how to adopt a specimen. If this is not the case, on the internet we can look for an association that rescues British cats or, if not available, cats of different breeds and see if there is availability.