British Shorthair Cat
Felinologists still argue about when exactly British cats appeared, but most agree that the ancestors of this breed were brought to the islands by the ancient Romans
Breed Name | British Shorthair Cat |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Time of origin of the breed | XIX century |
Type | Shorthair breed |
Weight | 3 – 6 kg |
Height (height at withers) | 28 – 33 cm |
Lifetime | 14 – 16 years old |
Price of kittens | 250 – 300 $ |
Most Popular Nicknames | August, Baron, Elvis, Windsor, Marseille, Whiskey, Victoria, Candy, Miranda, Stella, Tiffany, Florence |
History of Origin
Over time, cats acquired a thick fur coat that protected them from the famous English fog and dampness, and also learned to catch mice and rats, so they became especially popular with peasants. The modern standards of the breed were formed in the XIX century - then the British took part in the first cat show in London, and the beauties with a thick plush coat became the favorites of the aristocratic class. They were depicted in their paintings by artists, and Lewis Carroll even chose a Briton as a prototype for his Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland. This breed has not been crossed with others, so the British have maintained their amazing appearance over the years.
Breed Description
Brits are medium-sized cats, with a sturdy squat body and massive short legs. They have a massive, rounded head, and the muzzle is slightly smoothed (but not flattened like the Persians). The hallmark of the British is their fluffy thick cheeks, as well as the skin folds on the belly and on the short thick neck. The eyes are round, expressive, most often amber-yellow in color, but blue or emerald color can be found. The medium-length, thick tail is slightly rounded at the end.
A distinctive feature of the breed is their plush coat - this effect is achieved due to the fact that the guard hair is the same length as the undercoat. The coat is short, very thick, and not very close to the body. As for the colors, there are about 60 options in total: blue, lilac, black, chocolate, beige (cinnamon or faun), cream, tortoiseshell, chinchilla (silver and gold), tabby (spotted, brindle, marbled) and many others.
Character
As true representatives of foggy Albion, these cats have a truly aristocratic character: haughty and imposing, very independent, with refined manners and a sense of tact. They are unlikely to rub against your legs in the hope that they will be petted, or fly to the kitchen at your first call. British cats, although attached to their owner, calmly tolerate his long absence - so they are perfect for single or very busy people. They always prefer personal space and don't like to be squeezed or sat on their laps. With children, the British also get along and can even take part in games, but they will never tolerate disrespectful treatment or dragging by the tail. They are wary of strangers, but they get along quite well with other animals, even dogs.
Care & Maintenance
British cats can live both in a private house and in an apartment. Before you bring your kitten home, don't forget to prepare a sleeping place for them. Make sure that there are no drafts and electrical wires, otherwise your pet will definitely decide to try them by tooth. You can buy a special bed or lay a warm blanket folded in several layers. Do not forget the tray and the litter, preferably woody, which absorbs the smell perfectly.
The British are unpretentious in everyday life and do not require special care. It is enough to brush them once a week (daily only during the shedding period), using a metal brush with rounded teeth or a brush with natural bristles. You should not bathe your cat more than once a quarter, using a special shampoo for short-haired breeds. Once every 2 to 3 weeks, clean your ears with a damp cotton swab and trim your nails, taking care not to touch the blood vessels, or buy a scratching post.
As for the diet, it should be remembered that the British have an excellent appetite and are prone to being overweight. Choose professional premium food, and if you decide to feed your pet "natural", then it is better to take lean beef, offal and fish - but only boiled, but it is better to refuse pork, lamb, poultry (with the exception of chicken). Sometimes you can pamper the animal with egg yolk and fermented milk products. As a side dish, offer your cat mashed zucchini, pumpkin or carrot vegetables. Talk to your veterinarian about the best vitamin and mineral supplements for your cat to make their coat shiny and their bones and teeth strong.
If you do not plan to breed kittens, take care of neutering or neutering the animal. This procedure will extend their lifespan, get rid of some health problems, and there will be no odorous marks in the house.
Education & Training
Because of their wayward and proud nature, the British will indignantly reject all attempts at training. Neither affection, nor persuasion, nor treats will help here. So it is worth dwelling on accustoming the pet to the litter box, scratching post and hygiene procedures.
Health & Disease
The British are in good health and, with proper care, rarely get sick and can live up to 20 years. The main thing is not to forget to vaccinate your pet on time. Vaccinations will protect your cat from many infectious diseases such as rhinotracheitis, calcivirosis, panleukopenia and rabies. Be sure to prevent helminthiases.
Since Brits are prone to obesity, never overfeed your pet or it may develop digestive and cardiovascular problems. If you feed your cat only solid foods, constipation can occur. Inspect your pet's mouth regularly to detect possible dental problems.
Will a British Shorthair get along with a dog?
The British Shorthair will get along well with a calm good-natured dog. If the dog is young and very active, then the cat should be given a quiet place out of the dog's reach.
Will the British Shorthair get along with other cats?
British Shorthair cats get along well with other cats. So there will be no problems with their joint maintenance.
How does the British Shorthair treat children?
British Shorthair cats are calm, patient and even gentle with children. But children need to be explained how to play with the animal properly and about the need for rest.
Can you take a British Shorthair cat out of town, to the country?
You can take a British Shorthair cat out of town. But vaccination and parasite prevention are necessary. It is better to sterilize a non-breeding animal.
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