British Longhair Cats | Breed Information, Personality and Care Tips,

British Longhair cats have nice looking beautiful fur and also they are friendly this breed of cat is also gaining popularity. These cats are a direct continuation of the British Shorthair breed and contain all the qualities that make this breed so popular – but with one addition: the length of the coat. Whether you have an interest in adopting one or have never even heard of them before, this guide will provide all the information you need to know about British Longhair cats.

History of British Longhair Cats

The breed is new to the family of cat breeds and originated in Britain. It is descended from the British Shorthair, which has been in existence for over three hundred years, and is one of the most familiar and established cat breeds. The long-haired type of British Shorthair was developed in middle of the twentieth century by crossing the British Shorthair with long-haired cats, such as Persians.

The British Longhair cats were not originally recognized as a breed of their own and were often confused with the British Shorthair breed. But as more breeders got involved and started to focus on them, as well as the long fur that this cat had, the British Longhair was accepted as its own breed by various cat associations. Modern Britains Longhair cats are loved for their lovely looks, gentle character, and affectionate temperament.

Classification of British Longhair Cats

The British Longhair is a medium to large breed, robust and round like all British Shorthair. They tend to be tall with a broad, round face, short nose, and a pair of large, bright eyes making a focus on their easiness and calmness. They have medium sized, rounded tips of the ears well apart from each other.

Perhaps the most noticeable characteristic of the British Longhair is the length of hair that they have and the color and pattern which can range from solid colors tabby and bi color. It has a dense undercoat and the coat is smooth, soft and dense demanding professional grooming. However, they are very low maintenance, and even though they have British Longhair fur, they are friendly.

By Purpose

The British Longhair cat is usually maintained as a pet because of its friendly and gentle temper. They are mostly lazier than other long haired breeds and do not require much attention and are suitable for families, individuals and even elderly persons. They are not very demanding of attention, however, they like spending time with their family, and will be affectionate in a more passive manner.

These cats are friendly to children and other cats and some of them are friendly with dogs hence can be adopted by owners who have other cats or dogs. For this reason, they are sociable and can easily adapt to changes in the household, yet they love to be included in family-related events without calling much attention to themselves.

By Size

British Longhair cats average in size and are slightly larger than average with the males weighing between 12 to 15 pounds and the females 8 to 12 pounds. They are muscular and they have compact body as well as short and sturdy neck and they have rounded faces as well. These cats are rather big but they are also very mobile and although less energetic than certain other breeds they are very calm creatures.

Standing tall and with well developed muscles and strong thick bones, they have a solid look about them, yet because of their lengthy fur, they appear very fluffy and soft. British Longhair cats are rather vigorous and hearty cats, which will suit them perfectly for living in both flats and houses with a possibility to have a walk outside.

Most Popular British Longhair Cats

British Longhair can be found in a wide range of colours, but blue (a pale gray-blue) is the most common colour and this is the colour associated with the breed. Nevertheless, British Longhairs can be found in Cream, Black, White colours as well as different tabby designs. They are have a thick, plush, medium to long length coat, and cleaning is necessary to avoid resulting matting and tangling.

The breed is friendly and quite playful and thus preferred by those who would wish to take care of a cat that is not very active. British Longhairs are not very loud cats as some other breeds, and while these cats like to be with their owners, they don’t require much attention.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a British Longhair Cat

Grooming Needs: British Longhairs have lots of fur and the free flowing, rather wavy coat is ideal for forming mats, so it needs regular grooming. It also needs to be brushed often, at least once a day – more so when the shedding seasons are on, to maintain its health.

Personality: British Longhair cats are friendly, docile and they are considered good natured cats. If you would like to adopt a cat that will be content to cuddle but not necessarily want to be fussed over constantly, this is the breed for you. They are not too young to be left alone for some time, but they will welcome and love spending time with their owners.

Health Considerations: Like all purebred cats, British Longhairs can have some health problems, common for all cats, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (heart disease) and dental troubles. You should take your British Longhair to the vet for checkups and at the same time feed him or her with appropriate diet to keep the cat healthy.

Space: Despite their ability to live comfortably in an apartment, the British Longhairs are most comfortable in homes that have some yard space for them to run around in. They are not as playful as some of the other breeds, but they like to have some space to stretch and some place to lie down.

For Sale

If you’re interested in acquiring a British Longhair cat or getting one, then many reputable breeders and adoption agencies have British Longhairs for sale. Probably the most helpful resource for locating a British Longhair cat is the International Cat Care website that provides a list of breeders and rescues that work with British Longhairs and other pedigree cats.

Potential buyers should always use a breeder or a shelter that practices good husbandry, so that to get a healthy, socialized British Longhair cat suitable for the buyer’s family and lifestyle.

Tips for Responsible British Longhair Cat Ownership

Regular Grooming: The coat of the British Longhair therefore little maintenance especially during the shedding season. You should groom your cat at least once a week so that you do not find yourself dealing with a mat and dull fur.

Provide a Comfortable Home: Most British Longhairs do well in homes within which they have good spaces for resting and playing. As for activity levels they are not very high, however they like to have their own territory.

Health Maintenance: Take your British Longhair to the vet often so that the vet can check on the cat’s health. There are certain routine activities that you should not miss for your cat these include vaccination, flea control and check up at least once a year.

Provide Mental Stimulation: Despite their overall relaxed personality, the British Longhairs are known to be quite wise kitties, and engaging them in games with toys and riddles, is likely to be beneficial.

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Fun Facts About British Longhair Cats

Due to their round faced and dense coats that resemble a lion’s mane, British Longhairs are often referred to as miniature lions.

Contrary to their dense fur, British Longhairs are not very heavy on grooming when compared to some other long haired cat breeds.

British Longhairs are less chatty than most cats and are regarded as calm and gentle cats.

They are friendly and cuddly but unlike most dogs they do not demand much attention which makes it suitable for owners who are not much around to baby the dog.

FAQs About British Longhair Cats

Conclusion

British Longhair cats are playful and friendly cats which are also beauties, so it is possible to have a wonderful pet. These dogs are easy to groom and take care of and make good dogs for any family, with children or other animals. If you want a pet that will be faithful to you, non-aggressive and beautiful, then the British Longhair is what you need.