British Long-haired Cat: Origin And Characteristics
Cats are one of the most popular pets, but there are many breeds of them. When looking for a cat to adopt as a pet, so much variety can make the choice very difficult. Here we introduce you to a highly recommended breed, the British longhair cat.
These cats were created accidentally in the 20th century and are about to be recognized as a breed in their own right. If you are looking for a feline companion and want to learn more about the British longhair cat, read on!
Origin of the British long-haired cat
British cats come from the felids who accompanied the Romans once they colonized Britain. These animals were originally imported from Egypt.
From these ancient animals the British Shorthair cat breed was born, which has remained very current and little altered over time. However, their survival was not always guaranteed.
With the advent of World War I, and even more so after World War II, the British Shorthair’s gene pool was severely reduced. In order to provide genetic variability and save the breed, breeders began to cross the surviving specimens with Persian cats.
These cats carried the gene for long hair, but this gene is recessive, as indicated by specialized portals. This means that in order for the offspring to have long hair, both parents must carry this gene. Therefore, most of the cats that emerged from these initial crossings were identical to the usual shorthair felines.
However, with the passage of time, long-haired cats began to appear. As the recessive gene began to become more common among newer generations of Shorthairs , the traits of the British longhair cat began to become more and more relevant.
Although initially rejected, the longhaired British are today an increasingly recognized and loved breed. British Longhair is very popular today, but like so many other things, it was born quite unintentionally.
Physical characteristics
Due to its origin, the British longhaired cat shares many of its characteristics with its shorthaired ancestor. They are medium to large felines, with a long, dense mane that makes them appear even more impressive. They are generally rather stocky and broad, with short, strong legs and a thick tail.
The head is large and rounded, with a short muzzle. The mustache is quite prominent and rounded, as is the chin. The eyes are large, very circular and open. The ears are short and rounded.
As with the British Shorthair, this cat has a wide variety of colors. Some individuals have a single shade throughout their body, while others are adorned in very different combinations.
- Tortie : This 3-color pattern is reminiscent of a tortoise shell. Wrongs are usually feminine.
- Colourpoint : The cat is generally white all over, with the tips of the paws, tail, nose and ears darker.
- Tabby : This signature pattern consists of a base color crossed by a series of darker irregular stripes.
Character of the British longhaired cat
These felines are friendly and affectionate, but they also maintain their independence. Although they are not constantly dependent on their owners, they love human company. They often prefer to be in the same room as people, play or cuddle with them. However, they are also comfortable spending time alone.
The breed is generally calm and collected. They are not particularly active cats, but they are curious. They love games that provide mental stimulation, they love food and are usually not loud at all. Furthermore, this personality makes them compatible with very different family situations. It tolerates living with children, dogs and the elderly well.
British longhair cat care
This breed requires very similar care to other domestic cats, with 2 aspects of particular interest. For one thing, the longhair needs more maintenance than other shorthaired breeds. If left unattended, it can quickly become entangled and accumulate debris, which is annoying for the pet and often leads to health problems. To avoid this, it is highly recommended that you brush your cat every week.
On the other hand, these cats are not very active and are enthusiastic about food. This makes them prone to obesity. It’s very important to make sure cats get enough exercise and don’t neglect their diet.
It should be noted that letting the feline roam freely outside the home is not a good option. Even if you would practice this way, it should be remembered that cats are invasive species that cause very serious damage to local biodiversity if left free. A better alternative, for them and for nature, is to exercise them inside the house.
Diseases
Like all purebreds or crossbreeds over time, the British longhair cat has a predisposition to certain diseases. Among these, we point out the following:
- Hyperthyroidism: A condition that occurs when the thyroid gland is overstimulated and produces too many hormones. Some sources claim that this condition is typical of British cats, but research has found that they are less at risk of developing it than S horthairs.
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a disease characterized by atypical thickening of the left ventricle of the heart. In this case, it is a condition more likely to occur in the British cat than in other breeds.
- Polycystic Kidney Disease: In this condition, non-cancerous cysts occur in the feline’s kidneys, slowly but steadily. Persian cats are undoubtedly the most affected by this disease, but the British are not spared, as many cases have been recorded and genotyped.
British cats are beautiful, loyal, playful and have an imposing appearance. In any case, like any breed crossed over time between relatives to obtain the desired traits, it has some health problems that must be taken into account.
