British longhair cats: history, standards, character, content

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2023-05-25 15:48:13

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british longhair catsBritannics, lovelanders, highlanders – this is also the name of a variety of animals better known to us as British longhair cats. Highlanders differ from the usual shorthair Briton with a longer coat. By the way, it is not uncommon for purebred shorthair parents to have long-haired kittens, although this is the exception rather than the rule. The history of this breed began in the UK around 1870, when breeders began crossing shorthair Britons with Persians.

The British Longhair cat is an exemplary and a little lazy "cloud" with an easy–going nature and an ineradicable love for goodies. Building a relationship with this imposing young lady is absolutely not difficult. The main thing is to provide her with a cozy corner and the opportunity to independently decide when to purr at the side of the owner, and when to relax in proud solitude. No, British longhairs are not introverts at all, it's just that sometimes they need a little more time for an emotional reboot.

History of British longhair cats

The past of the Lowlanders is ancient and certainly not glorious. The breed originated due to a recessive longhair gene, the carriers of which, according to felinologists, should not have been allowed to reproduce. Moreover, the breeders themselves were to blame for the genetic failure, in the mid-50s who wanted to expand the palette of colors ofShorthair BritonsBy crossing them with Persians.

At first, everything went according to the planned plan: kittens born from mixed marriages inherited the luxurious colors of Persian cats and the short hair of English parents. However, after a few generations, the gene for increased fluffiness made itself felt, and the animals began to bring long-haired offspring. Breeders were not ready for such a surprise, so at first they severely rejected fluffy kittens, selling them for a symbolic cost, or even for free, provided that no one would breed such pets.

Soon, the long-haired variation of the British gained a few fans who engaged in "pushing" the breed into the TICA and WCF breeding lists. But since Britannics were distinguished from their English ancestors only by voluminous fur coats and nothing more, some feline clubs in Europe and the USA continued to register them as a variety of British cats. At the same time, TICA recognizes Lowlanders, although it is still in the status of a new breed.

Important:To date, crossing Persians withBritish shorthair and longhair cats is prohibited. At the same time, mating between Lowlanders and traditional Britons is allowed by some clubs.

Highlights

  • British longhair cats are called Britannics, Lowlanders or Highlanders, and the third name is not quite correct. The real Highlander is an American experimental breed of cats with "curled" ears.
  • The breed is at the beginning of its formation and, although its representatives are not prohibited from participating in exhibitions, there is little information in open sources about Britannics.
  • Despite the fact that the fur coats of the long-haired Britons resemble the voluminous mantos of the Persians, they do not need frequent combing.
  • The breed calmly perceives temporary loneliness, so it is possible to go to the store or to visit, leaving the fluffy beauty at home, without unnecessary remorse.
  • Due to their phlegmatic temperament, lowlanders are recommended for the elderly, as well as for anyone who is not ready to devote himself to the re-education of an energetic and bouncy creature who sets sports records on home furniture.
  • British longhair cats are not averse to eating at any time of the day, so they often overeat and build up fat that they absolutely do not need.
  • The breed is not enthusiastic about prolonged physical contact and hugs, so it is not suitable for fans of tactile-dependent cats who are ready to nap for hours on the owner's lap.

British Longhair breed standard

At first glance, the longhair variation from the British shorthair cousins is distinguished only by a more catchy "outfit". And if you look closely, it becomes clear that this is a rare case when the first impression is not deceptive. Perhaps that is why TICA did not start drafting a separate standard for the breed, but simply slightly modified and corrected the already existing version intended for British shorthair.

Head

British long-haired – cat with a round, cheeky muzzle of medium or large size. The chin of the animal is voluminous, the back of the nose is smooth, short, almost without a foot. Vibrissae of representatives of the breed are clearly marked, convex, rounded.

Eyes

Large round eyes are moderately wide apart, and the color of the iris corresponds to the shade of the coat. The exception is individuals of silver color, for which a saturated green tone of the iris is preferred.

Neck

Thickened, muscular, short neck turns into round cheeks. In mature cats and cats, this part of the body spreads out, so it seems that there is no neck as such.

Ears

The ears of long-haired Britons are small or medium-sized, placed on the sides of a rounded cat's skull without going into disarray. The base of the ear blade is wide, the tip is moderately rounded.

Body

The body of the British Longhair cat is powerful, wide, smoothly rounded outlines. The chest is also massive. The back is straight, the sides look voluminous.

Limbs

The legs of the breed representatives are of moderate length, strong and strong. Paws are thick and large. The animal itself looks squat, but not short.

Tail

Both Shorthair and long-haired Brits can boast thickened, medium-length tails with an elegantly rounded tip.

Color

The purebred Lowlander has the same colors as its short-haired relative, that is, solid, tortoiseshell, smoky, tabby, bicolor.

Wool

The coat is of the semi-long type. The hair is dense, elastic, not adjacent. It is desirable to have a profusely pubescent collar area and pants. But the pronounced cotton wool, as well as a thin long hair with a hint of the inherent airiness of the Persians, are rejected.

Disqualifying vices

Disqualifying vices mean defects of behavior and exterior that call into question the pedigree of the animal. Those of British longhair cats include: jaw distortion, skin pigmented in tones that do not correspond to the general color, incorrect eye color, as well as an unreasonably aggressive reaction in response to the action of exhibition specialists. Poor physical form, as well as pronounced soreness, are also considered sufficient reasons to refuse a pet and its owner to enter the ring.

British longhair cat

The photos clearly demonstrate the fact that Highlanders are broad–chested, muscular and short-legged animals of medium size. Full cheeks and a wide forehead, as well as a thick powerful neck, only confirm the fact that the constitution of lovelanders does not differ in any way from the physique and standards of the shorthair variety of British cats. The ears are small, expanded to the base, located at a sufficient distance from each other. Britannica's nose is short and straight. A strong, well-developed chin completes the overall picture.

British longhair cats: nutrition

british longhair cat price In no case should pork and chicken bones be introduced into the Highlanders' diet, it is better to replace them with frozen stringy beef. Do not abuse fish. Kittens can be given it once a week, and adult cats can be given it once every two weeks. At the same time, the fish itself must be pre-boiled and cleaned.

It is strictly forbidden to mix natural and dry food, since the digestion of different types of food requires fundamentally different enzymes, as a result of which the balance of the acidic environment of the stomach is disturbed. In addition, it harms the liver of the animal.

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If the animal's diet consists exclusively of natural food, it should be supplemented with vitamins. Dry food, as a rule, initially contains specialized additives.

british longhair cat photo

British longhair cats: care

Despite the long coat, lovelanders are unpretentious in care. A daily five-minute combing is quite enough to keep the fluffy hair of the Highlander in the appropriate form. It is most difficult to take care of them during the molting period, when the animal needs regular combing and water procedures with the use of special detergents. This usually happens twice a year: in spring and autumn. This period lasts about a month. If the molt of an animal lasts longer than one month, or passes more often than 2 times a year, you should immediately consult a doctor, since such a condition of the coat may indicate violations in the animal's body.

British longhair cats: character

Cats of this breed are distinguished by a kind and accommodating disposition. By nature calm and balanced, these animals spend time with their owners with great pleasure, looking forward to them from work. It is difficult to find an animal that would be as self-sufficient and affectionate as the British Longhair cat. The price of a kitten will largely depend on its pedigree and color. The first couple of years of life, the British are very playful, but with age they become much calmer.

The long-haired British cat is the embodiment of delicacy and self-love. Actually, for these character traits alone, representatives of the breed can be recommended to owners who want to see a problem-free pet next to them, under whose whims they will not have to adapt. In their preferences, lowlanders are extremely moderate and do not cross the line beyond which misunderstandings and friction with the owner begin. For example, fluffy intellectuals adore the company of a person, but in his absence they do not get depressed, preferring to quietly philosophize on their favorite couch or in an armchair. By the way, breeders with many years of breeding experience claim that the character of their wards is more docile and good-natured than that of shorthair British cats.

Kittens also have bouts of mild melancholy, during which they are reluctant to contact the owner and his family members. During such periods, it is better not to bother the pet, giving him the opportunity to take a little break from communication - do not worry, this withdrawal will not last long. Morning oratorios waiting for breakfast are also not about Britannics. From time to time, English "gentlemen" are able to remind themselves of themselves with a soft, slightly rolling "meow", but they certainly will not yell for the sake of attracting attention or in the confusion of feelings.

But a long-haired Briton will not refuse to play, and this friend perceives with equal delight both entertainment in the company of a person and independent "torment" of a clockwork mouse or ball. Growing up, British longhair become more phlegmatic and slow down in terms of motor activity, so you can get such a pet for everyone who is scared of hurricane cats, famously diving from the closet to the sofa and overturning flower pots of any weight.

Purrs treat children patiently and condescendingly, provided that the latter do not annoy the animal too much with attention. Bringing a British long-haired cat into the house, notify the children that the breed does not like strong hugs, as well as a noisy nervous environment. Lowlanders and neighborhood dogs are ready to suffer. However, in order for the relationship between the dog and the representative of the purring fraternity to become extremely peaceful, it is better that acquaintance and lapping to each other take place at a young age.

Education and training

The British are not the most energetic breed, so it is impractical to learn circus acts with them in the style of "we are from the Kuklachev Theater". But it is necessary to correct the behavior of the cat, instilling in him the norms of household etiquette. Moreover, after a year, lowlanders lose their thirst for knowledge and stubbornly do not want to be re-educated.

At first, special literature will help out – books «Raising kittens» E. Filippova, «Bad habits of cats. Stress-free parenting" by A. Krasichkova and others. If the kitten came from a breeder who did not bother to instill toilet skills in him, get ready to take on this job. Fortunately, British longhair are naturally clean and quick to think that it is much more pleasant to do "wet things" in a pile of dry filler than on a slippery floor.

Be sure to take into account the subtle mental organization of the breed - Britons tend to hush up and absorb insults, which negatively affects their psyche. So if at first the cat makes mistakes and goes to the toilet in the wrong place, it is better to close your eyes to the odorous "lakes" and try alternative ways of getting used to the tray, put a rag smelling of cat urine in the drawer, or rustle the filler in the presence of a kitten. And, please, no grandmother's methods implying poking the baby's nose into a puddle.; no matter what homegrown experts in feline psychology claim, such educational moments do nothing but harm. Remember, the kitten is not able to endure for a long time and often forgets which room his toilet is in, so at first it is recommended to put a couple of trays in the house in order to avoid "wet incidents".

British longhair cats are greedy for positive stimuli, so for any achievement, praise the ward from the bottom of your heart. However, it is important to distinguish between achievements and norms of behavior. If for once the cat ignored the sofa and did not sharpen his claws on its back, this is not a reason to rush for a delicious reward for him.

It is better to minimize punishments altogether, but if the purr begins to get impudent and encroach on the forbidden, it will be necessary to besiege the prankster. Intonation is considered the best method of exposure. If you categorically and firmly say "No!"the cat sitting on the table, at the same time hitting the tabletop with his palm, he will understand this. Spanking a pet with newspapers, a hand or a slipper that turns up, do not even consider beating any cat, and even more so an intelligent and impressionable British longhair.

Maintenance and care

Toys, a sisal scratching post, a couch, bowls for eating and drinking – property that any cat should have. It is important to change the filler in the toilet of the British longhair cat in a timely manner. Representatives of this family are demanding clean people and will never go into a tray with their own vital products. If desired, the pet can buy a game complex, and not necessarily high - the breed does not suffer from mania for conquering the peaks. At least once a day, it is advisable to take the cat outside to get some fresh air, or to arrange a corner on a balcony covered with a net, where she can replenish her impressions.

Hygiene

The elastic, lagging behind the body of the long-haired Briton's coat differs from the hair of Persian cats, so it does not tangle so easily and does not get tangled into tangles. Nevertheless, you will have to comb your pet at least once a week. Individuals who live permanently in the house shed not seasonally, but throughout the year, so if you notice that the cat's fur is falling more intensively than usual, it is better to increase the frequency of combing.

The eyes of British longhair are sensitive and can leak, which is especially noticeable in kittens. You should not make a tragedy out of this phenomenon, just remove the mucous lumps with a clean cotton swab soaked in phytolosion, not forgetting to monitor the intensity of secretions. If too much is flowing from the eyes, this is not a reason to grab strong anti-inflammatory drops without consulting a specialist, because there is a risk of worsening the situation.

The claws of Lowlanders, like their shorthair relatives, grow unevenly. Breeders recommend shortening the claws on the front paws every 2-3 weeks, and on the hind legs no more than once a month. It is necessary to clean the ears as they become dirty, without falling into perfectionism. That is, if a cat has a large amount of secretions, it is cleaned with a cotton pad soaked in hygienic lotion or hydrogen peroxide. If there is not much sulfur, it is better to close your eyes to its presence, because the more often the ear is cleaned, the more intensively the excretory glands work.

If the pet does not eat dry food that acts as an abrasive for teeth, get ready to systematically clean its mouth with a zoopast and brush. The British longhair themselves do not respect such actions, so often they have to involve a second person for processing, and sometimes they have to swaddle the animal so that it does not interfere with the process of neutralizing food plaque.

An alternative to the classic cleaning is a liquid toothbrush. This is the name of special solutions added to drinking water and performing the function of a disinfectant and a solvent for plaque. In particularly neglected cases, when a pet has managed to get a tartar, you will have to contact a veterinarian. But since such procedures are often carried out under anesthesia in pet clinics, it is better not to neglect regular home cleaning.

Feeding

There are no strict instructions prescribing to feed the British longhair cat only with "drying" or natural food, so each breeder chooses his own ideal option. The main advantage of industrial feeds over natural products is their balance and availability. A purr, "sitting" on dry food, does not need additional vitamins, however, provided that it is at least a super-premium food.

The natural menu of long-haired British cats traditionally includes:

  • Turkey, lamb, beef and chicken meat, heat-treated or frozen;
  • Boiled offal;
  • Fermented milk products and milk (for kittens only);
  • Quail eggs.

It is better to give fish less often and in the form of boiled fillets, since some species contain substances harmful to the cat's body. Cereals (buckwheat, rice) are mixed with meat in limited quantities. The same is done with boiled and raw vegetables - pumpkin, carrots, zucchini. Quail eggs can be replaced with chicken yolk. You can also cook an omelet with it.

Milk is present in the diet of British longhair kittens for up to six months, but then its consumption should stop – the body of an adult animal does not produce enzymes that break down milk protein. Be sure to grow on the windowsill or buy young grass for the cat – with its help, the animal gets rid of lumps of wool that got into the stomach when licking the body.

It is useful to periodically feed cats on a natural menu with vitamins and complexes with taurine, but it is better if they are prescribed by a veterinarian after examination. Some breeders introduce homemade dietary supplements like broths of rosehip and nettle into the diet, although they are not always able to cover the pet's need for trace elements and vitamins. Three-month-old Britons are fed up to four times a day, half-year-old individuals are transferred to a two- or three-day diet.


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Alin Trodden - author of the article, editor
"Hi, I'm Alin Trodden. I write texts, read books, and look for impressions. And I'm not bad at telling you about it. I am always happy to participate in interesting projects."

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