The whole world knows powerful and aristocratic British cats.

These pets are great for home keeping due to their calmness and good health. The British Shorthair is a naturally developed breed.

History

The first mentions of this breed are found in ancient chronicles. There is no documented information about their origin. The first very large cat-rat-catchers were brought in by the Roman centurions. Researchers speculate that the cats were introduced by the Romans during their attack on the British Isles in AD 43. NS. In Britain they got the name " British cat", In France -" Chartez ", in Germany -" Cartesian cat ".

The animals were used as hunters for rodents, but by the end of the 16th century, breeders were paying attention to the appearance of cats. The British attended the first London cat show in 1871. Then they took official standards breeds, and felinology began to develop rapidly.

In Russia, the first British appeared in 1992 along with card readers, which are now called "the old type of British" in Russia.

To consolidate the unique traits of the British, breeders used Persian cats - therefore, British cats have a slightly flat muzzle.

Description of the breed

The physiology and appearance of the British was formed at high humidity in a cold climate, therefore, this breed has a dense short coat that protects from cold and moisture.

Since British cats are excellent hunters, they are strong, hardy and unpretentious in food.

The breed standard describes Britons as follows:

• The head is with a wide skull, round. The cheeks are developed, the cheekbones are wide, the muzzle is flat and round.
• The nose is wide, straight and short.
• Ears are rounded and small, set wide and low.
• The eyes are round, at a great distance from each other, which exceeds the width of the nose.
• The body is massive, with a developed chest and good muscles.
• The limbs are powerful but short. Rounded feet.
• The tail is thick.
• Weight - cats weigh 10-13 kg, and cats from 6 to 9 kg.

The coat protects cats well from the cold due to the developed undercoat. It does not adhere to the body, thick and plush to the touch.

Long-haired Britons are sometimes found. A recessive gene is responsible for the elongated coat, so a long-haired kitten cannot appear in ordinary parents.

People often confuse British and Scottish cats: some even seriously think that there is such a breed - the Fold British. The two different breeds should not be confused.

Colors of British cats

The following colors are typical for the British:

1. Blue. Gray coat without light hairs. The skin is blue.
   
   
2. A solid color is considered if the skin, undercoat and the coat itself are of the same color, and there is not a single speck.
   1. Lilac is a combination of pink and blue. The nose and legs are purple. The eyes are copper or orange.
      
      
   2. Chocolate is a rich brown color.
      
      
   3. Black is jet black. Sometimes kittens are born with black hair, but over time it fades. This adds complexity to breeding black pets.
      
      
   4. White - pinkish skin and cool coat tone. Yellow spots are unacceptable.
      
      
   5. Cinnamon - the color of cinnamon, similar to light brown.
      
      
   6. Fawn is a combination of creme brulee and pink colors.
      
      
3. Smoky. In this case, the pet's undercoat is lighter than the coat.
   
   
4. Silver chinchilla. The coat is silvery, slightly shaded.
   
   
5. Gold. At 1/8 of the length of the hair, the pigmentation is darkened, and the rest is golden. In this case, there should be no gray shades. The paw pads are usually black, and the eyeliner and nose are dark.
   
   
6. Tortoiseshell. These are 2 or 3 shades evenly distributed over the coat. There is no pattern on shades with red and beige wool. The eyes are orange or copper. This color is only found in cats.
   
   
7. Tabby. This color is characterized by patterns: spots and stripes.
   
8. Paired spotted colors:
   
9. Color point. It is characterized by two shades of wool with a predominance of white.
   
   
10. Lynx color. A silvery chinchilla with striped gray legs and a muzzle. Blue eyes.
    
    

For the long-haired breed, all colors are acceptable, except for white and color-point.

The personality of British shorthair cats

British cats are independent, calmly endure loneliness. They do not ask for pens, but they are not insensitive: the British love their owners with restraint, "in a gentleman's way."

The British avoid strangers and prefer to first watch them from the sidelines. Such pets are unobtrusive, clean and smart. British cats do not use fangs and claws, so they are not dangerous for children.

Features of the content

Despite the natural health of the British, they need proper care.

To prolong the life of your cat, choose the right food. Ideally, visit your veterinarian for a healthy diet. Regularly show your pet to the veterinarian: the cat will not complain if it gets sick.

Below are the best food for British Shorthair cats:

Taking care of the coat is easy - get a massage slicker brush and comb the cat 2 times a week. You need to wash the Briton a couple of times a year or if necessary.

Pay attention to the eyes of the animal - they are looked after every day. With a cotton pad, natural discharge from the eyes is removed, and a cotton swab is led from the outer corner to the nose. The ears are examined a couple of times a month and cleaned with a cotton swab treated with a hygienic solution.

You need to examine your pet's teeth every day so that he does not develop tartar. Breeders recommend teaching your Briton to brush your teeth from an early age.

These pets are sensitive to drafts and catch colds easily: protect the cat from drafts.

Country of origin: United Kingdom
Known since: XIX century
Category: III (shorthair)

The cat of the British Shorthair breed cannot be confused with any other cat, even in the dark and to the touch. They are massive, squat animals with a round head and plush fur. A muzzle with thick cheeks, a small nose and wide-set, straight ears. A distinctive feature of appearance is a leather fold around the neck, giving the animal a lordly look... Bright orange or dark honey round eyes are located on the midline of the muzzle.

British shorthair cat

Their disposition is also peculiar. Independent, intelligent and reserved, the British do not need a constant human presence. They are characterized by innate aristocracy, love of freedom and dignity.

They will never allow themselves to do nasty things to the owner or misbehave in the house, but they will lose confidence in a person if they are often shouted at or offended at. British cats and cats are friendly, balanced, cleanliness, love to play at any age and value affectionate treatment very much, and not getting it, they become unsociable and withdrawn.

British cats are playful at any age

Upon the return of the owner home, they sincerely rejoice in him and strive for communication, but very rarely allow themselves to be taken in their arms and even less often come on their own.

It is necessary to educate your Briton diligently and diplomatically, often praise for good deeds.

About breed

The British are an exotic breed of cats, very beloved by many in our country. The breed is especially popular in America and Europe.

The British cat is one of the most ancient breeds, its history goes back almost 2000 years, and, in all honesty, it is probably worth calling it Roman, since its appearance in foggy Albion was facilitated by the conquerors-legionaries. But her character still speaks in favor of the fact that the British spirit turned out to be stronger, and the breed is even credited with a relationship with the fabulous Cheshire cat.

Great Britain is considered the homeland of these cats, however, there is no reliable historical data on the origin of this breed.

Some sources claim that the British descended from the crossbreeding of long-haired Persians with street mestizos others report that these cats were introduced to Britain as early as the 1st century AD. ancient Romans during the campaigns of conquest.

Appearance

The British Shorthair cat is distinguished by an extremely spectacular appearance, which attracted attention at the end of the 19th century. At an exhibition in 1871, held in Great Britain, for the first time standards for various cat breeds were adopted and criteria for evaluating animals were defined.

The head of the cat is round, with well-defined cheeks, wide cheekbones, thick and short neck. The nose is straight, short and wide. The eyes are large, wide open, bright orange in color. Some have an eye color ranging from blue to emerald.

Shorthair British cat

The size ears medium, broad at the base. The tips of the ears are rounded. The ears are set rather far apart. A plane is formed between the ears, approximately in the region of the crown. The body of the cat is squat, large. The chest is wide, the back is straight. The shoulders are massive, wide. Short, thick legs. Legs are firm and round. Thick tail of medium length, wide at the base and rounded at the end. The coat is dense and dense. She was the reason to call this breed plush.

Color

The classic colors of coat color are considered to be uniform, solid blue-gray, as well as lilac. However, about sixty more options are allowed. The main ones are listed below.

Smoky- contrasting color: the tips of the hair are black, and the undercoat is as light as possible. The darkest places are the back, head, legs. Lighter sides, neck, ears. The eyes are orange or copper colored.

British shorthair cat black smoke

Bicolor- this is a combination of primary and white colors in a 1/3 proportion. One ear must be definitely colored, perhaps there is a large colored spot on the head. Painted spots on the back and legs are acceptable.

British shorthair female color bicolor

British shorthair female siamese

Tabby- striped, marbled clear pattern, combining lines, rings and spots. There is an “M” mark on the forehead. There are three parallel lines on the back. The tummy is spotted, there are circles on the hips, clear patterns on the sides.

British shorthair tabby cat

Tortoiseshell- the color combines black with red or blue with cream. These colors assume a uniform combination of black (blue) and red (cream) colors. Tortoiseshell colors do not have such strict requirements as for solid colors.

British shorthair tortie

British cat personality

The British shorthair cat is a kind, intelligent and strong animal with some aristocratic behavior.

She is self-sufficient and independent. The animal calmly endures loneliness and finds something to do for itself. The British do not like to flatter the owner and ask for hands. They show restraint and dignity inherent in the upper world. The cat will not scratch or bite if the owner starts hugging or squeezing her. She will calmly free herself and leave if she does not like it.

British cats don't like sitting in their arms

Despite their isolation, the British are attached to the owners, eagerly awaiting their return home, joyfully greeting them to tell about the past day, eat and purr on their knees. If you do not pay attention to the pet, the animal can become withdrawn and not sociable. The British are happy to play and run, if they are in the mood. The cat does not allow strangers to pet itself, it will keep away from strangers.

Content and move

The breed, although unpretentious, requires attention from the owner.

The British have strong immunity and good health.

For a Briton, you should equip a berth

The cat loves to sleep where she likes best, but you should still buy a sleeping place for her - a cat basket with a soft insert or an ottoman. The sleeping place should be away from the source of cold or draft. ... Although cats do not have a cold as such, the most similar disease is. It is to her that he can.

Bathing

It is harmful for a British cat to be in the sun for a long time, as the coat can acquire a reddish tint.

Feeding

The British are very fond of food. Therefore, the owner must take into account this feature of his pet and monitor its weight. The cat should move a lot, play - this will help to avoid gaining excess weight.

The cat's food should be well balanced, liquid food, jelly should be given, as this breed is prone to.

You can feed British cats with high-class ready-made food

Milk can be given to kittens up to three months old. For adult animals, it is replaced with kefir or sour cream. Choose a wide bowl to make it easier for the cat to eat.

Do not forget that drinking water should always be available for your cat.

Vaccination

It is imperative for a cat to undergo a full range of vaccinations in a veterinary clinic.... Vaccinations protect the pet from dangerous diseases that can affect the animal.

The British needs a full range of vaccinations

Cats of this breed have a very thick coat, therefore, with frequent licking, the animal's stomach becomes clogged with hairballs that are difficult to remove from digestive system... To avoid this problem, the cat should be brushed regularly, at least once a week.

Brits need regular brushing

You can buy special food to remove wool from the esophagus. During moulting the cat needs to be combed more often... Special combers are sold in pet stores, veterinary clinics and pharmacies.

Kittens

The filler in the tray should be changed every 2 days.

The kitten must be trained to the tray in time, then he will use it. The filler in the tray should be changed at least every two days. If this is not done, then the cat will walk in unacceptable places (on the carpet or on the bed) and the owner will be to blame for this. For one cat, you need to have two trays, then the filler will have to be changed less often.

Video about British shorthair cat

The British Shorthair cat breed belongs to the popular category. These animals began to be in demand back in the 19th century. They were bred in England by crossing an English domestic cat with. The British began to be shown at exhibitions as the first purebred cats, where they were recognized as the best. Then these animals were popular with aristocrats. Later, they began to be in demand not only in England, but throughout the world.

Today, these cats have become so common that they are found in almost every home, regardless of the status of the owner, the great demand is due to their cute appearance, similar to a plush toy, and good adaptation to any conditions.

• the head is large, round, flat skull, wide cheekbones and large, full, slightly drooping cheeks;
• the neck is short and strong, there is a pronounced skin fold around;
• the nose is of medium length, wide, forming a depression at the transition to the forehead;
• the chin is well developed and strong, in line with the upper lip and nose;
• ears of medium size, rounded at the tips, set low;
• eyes are huge and round, widely spaced from each other, have a pure saturated color, the most common is bright orange, blue and green are also found;
• the body is of medium size, closer to large, squat and massive, has an even back and a wide chest, weight from 4 to 6 kg;
• the legs are muscular, are short in length, the legs are round and dense;
• the tail is short, fleshy, thickened at the base and gradually tapering at the tip;
• the coat is short, dense, dense and resembles a plush, it is distinguished by the same length, a developed undercoat, medium rigidity, there is no tight fit to the body, therefore, a weakly pronounced hedgehog is formed on the body, the colors can be varied.

There is a variety of this breed -. She came from a cross between British and Persian cats. As a result of such experiments, short-haired representatives have a gene that is responsible for the development of elongated hair, but he is a weak and long-haired kitten can appear only if both parents are carriers of this gene. The fur of cats with long hair does not need special care and does not fall off.

Some people mistakenly think that there are British Fold cats. In fact, there are no such cats in nature. There is a breed that is significantly different from the British one.

Character

The British Shorthair cat has a complex personality. She is restrained, balanced and calm, not very active, prefers the slow and calm flow of her usual life. With age, these cats begin to show qualities such as gravity and importance. They are not very attached to the owners, strangers are shunned. For them, personal space is important, sometimes these animals can hide in a secluded corner, wanting to be alone with themselves.

These cats do not accept abundant manifestations of love, excessive attention from a person, they do not tolerate being carried in their arms and constant gripping. The character of such pets is distinguished by leadership qualities. They do not like closed doors, perceiving them as an obstacle in their path, and begin to meow indignantly

These animals are good family men and couch potatoes. They get used to all family members, and not to someone alone, perceiving household members as a flock of which they themselves are a part. They also find language with other pets, including dogs, and are not jealous of their owners. Their character largely depends on the atmosphere in the house: if it is calm, then the cat will be friendly, and if the atmosphere is nervous, then the cat can become aggressive. In character, these pets often resemble their master.

The British are distinguished by their aristocratic manners, which are passed on to them by inheritance, they will never do something wrong or spoil anything. They are clean and well-mannered, so there are no problems with the tray and scratching post. These animals will always find something to do with themselves, but despite their independence, in the absence of their owners, they miss them, and upon their return they greet them with affection and purring.

Breeding and care

The British shorthair cat is not whimsical in grooming, which is limited to a few standard procedures. Once a week, the coat requires brushing with rubber brushes, if this is not done, then the thick cover can fall off, forming tangles. During the period of active molting, this procedure must be done every two days. It is recommended to bathe these animals no more than twice a year, they do not like water. As it gets dirty, you should clean your ears and eyes using a damp cotton pad. Also, in order to avoid the formation of tartar, the pet needs to do regular brushing of its teeth or give a special food that removes plaque. No less important is the timely vaccination and deworming.

These cats are prone to obesity, which in consequence can cause various diseases... Therefore, the owner must monitor the pet's diet and the amount of food consumed. It is better not to give food from the table, especially the sweeter, fatty and starchy foods.

Dry and soft food of at least premium class is a good option. The consumption rate is usually written on the packaging. A kitten under 6 months of age is fed 3 times a day, adult cat – 2.

When compiling a diet from natural products, you can focus on low-fat beef, vegetables, dairy products, cereals and vegetables. It is better to cut the meat into pieces so that the animal chews on them to develop its jaws and cheeks. It is advisable to add the intake of vitamin complexes.

Mating of British cats and cats is allowed upon reaching the age of one year. This breed has a long body formation that only ends at three years of age. The formation of cats is completed after the second birth. Mating, pregnancy and childbirth are standard, no difficulties should arise. These cats are caring mothers who look after the kittens with special care, raise and protect them.

Colors

Recognized about two hundred colors of British cats. The most popular of these is blue. But the rest of the colors are also in demand. The most common are:

• solid or monochromatic - an important criterion for this color is the uniform staining of each hair from root to tip in one color, there are colors of lilac, blue, black, chocolate and red shades;
• tortie - a combination of several shades;
• colorpoint - Siamese color;
• smoky - the hairs are up to half painted white, and the upper part is colored in the main;
• chinchilla - only the tips of the hairs get the color, and the undercoat is white;
• bicolor - white color is combined with the main one;
• tabby - a silver or gold shade with a different pattern (marbled, ticked, striped)

• Price in Ukraine - from 1500 to 10000 hryvnia.
• The price in Russia is from 2,500 to 30,000 rubles.

In order to buy a healthy and purebred animal, it is recommended to choose it in nurseries, of which there are a lot in Russia and Ukraine. Here is some of them:

In Russia:

1. "Silver Shine", Yekaterinburg.
2. "SunRay" Moscow.
3. Wonder Plush, Moscow.

In Ukraine:

1. "Fantasy Fiesta" Odessa.
2. "Bastet Mystery", Zaporozhye.
3. "Imperial Brilliant" Poltava.

Content

It is difficult to imagine the diverse world of furry pets without a noble, beautiful and strong british shorthair cat... Even those who are not interested in mustachioed cats have met or seen these beautiful and extraordinary pets at least once in their lives. It is with them that the stars of the screen like to pose in front of television cameras, and it is with them that true connoisseurs and connoisseurs of purr love to spend time.

This breed is loved for its calm strong-willed character, goodwill towards people and, of course, for its bright and memorable appearance. The British Shorthair cat is not only the standard of a four-legged friend. This is a strong personality who was able to carry through the centuries her appearance, temperament and the best qualities of character.

History of the origin of the British shorthaired

For more than one century and not even one millennium, the cat of the British Shorthair breed accompanies a person on his life path. The chronicle of the history of these world famous cats began in the first century of our era. It was then that, together with the Roman legionaries, the ancestors of the modern breed first came to European lands.

The Romans were driven from the shores of Great Britain, but their four-legged companions managed to settle down and settle in a new place. At the time, cats were wandering and were renowned as excellent mouse-catchers. More than one century passed before professional interest was shown in them.

A pioneer in this business was Harrison Weir - the founder of the feline lovers movement. It was he who took up the selection of plush cats and organized the first exhibition-show in 1871 at the Crystal Palace in London. At this event shorthair british cat was presented as "a beautiful, strong and hardy cat, able to survive in the most difficult conditions." From that time on, it became clear that it was these cats that would become the hallmark and pride of the country.

From the end of the 19th century, targeted selection of the short-haired breed began. But, unfortunately, the events of the First and Second World Wars brought negative adjustments to this matter. Many animal breeding nurseries were destroyed. To restore and improve the lost gene pool of the British, they began to cross with, and.

Most of the mating partners were blue, so most of the kittens adopted this trait. However, through the efforts of breeders and breeders, the breed has retained its phenotypic diversity and now the British Shorthair cat is characterized not only by strength and power, but also by a chic range of colors.

Description of shorthaired british cats

A characteristic feature of the description of these cats is the rather frequent use of the word "round". It is this trait that largely characterizes the appearance of British short-haired cats. The British have a lot in common with, however, there are also many differences.

Body

Body sizes range from medium to large. The animals are well built: straight, strong back, broad chest, strong muscles. They reach their maximum size at the age of four. At the same time, males weigh much more than females.

Limbs

The paws of the cat have a length proportional to the body. This feature persists in adults as well. The front and hind legs are of medium size, very strong. The paw pads are round and firm. There are five fingers on the front, and only four on the back.

Tail

This part of the body of the breed is proportional to the body and has an average length. The tail is thick at the base, smoothly tapers towards the tip and ends in a roundish manner.

Head

Short-haired British women are characterized by a regular, rounded and rather massive skull. This shape is accentuated by a slightly sloping forehead and a flattened crown. The outlines of the muzzle are also circular. Vibrissa pads are rounded and convex. Medium-sized wide nose. If you look at the cat in profile, you will notice a slight bend. The nose forms a vertical line with the upper lip and chin. The chin itself is strong enough.

Ears

The auricles of cats are widely set and are of medium size. The relatively wide base of the ears and rounded tips do not disturb the overall rounded outline of the head.

Eyes

The breed is characterized by widely spaced, rounded eyes. The open gaze of large eyes gives cats an attentive and slightly surprised expression. The iris palette includes orange, gold, copper, blue, lavender, green.

Wool

The British Shorthair coat is their pride. Short and thick hair has a characteristic pleasant shine. Cats with long or downy hair are disqualified from the purebred category.

Pet hair is always soft and elastic to the touch. This is due not only to the structure of the hair, but also to the nature of the entire coat. Cats have a dense undercoat equal in length to the axial hair. In this case, the hairs do not adhere tightly to the body. The short plush coat makes the British kitten look like a toy.

British shorthair colors

The standard allows for more than thirty colors of wool. British shorthair cat can have both a single color and multi-colored. In the first case, all hairs are dyed evenly in one color scheme. At the same time, in cats, shading, haze and slight ebbs are allowed.

The most popular colors are:

According to the types of colors of short wool, all kinds of combinations are allowed

• tabby mackerel
• tiger
• tortoiseshell
• marble
• bicolor
• smoky
• ticked
• chinchilla

British shorthaired chinchillas are precious colors and are highly prized.

Despite such an abundance of colors and combinations, CFA does not allow chocolate in color.

Other felinological organizations (GCCF and TICA) do not reject individuals with this coat color. At the same time, all experts agree that spots and medallions in the appearance of animals are a disqualifying sign.

Sizes and weights of British shorthaired

The British range in size from medium to large. These plush creatures also weigh a lot. Their weight is in direct proportion to genetics, care and maintenance. An important role in this is played by the pet sterilized or not.

The height, weight and length of animals depend on sex: females look somewhat smaller than males. To find out how much an adult pet will weigh, you will have to wait 3-4 years - it is then that the formation of the body is completed and the final weight is established. It was also noticed that the weight of a blue-colored cat is greater than that of a chocolate-spotted cat.

Males of this breed weigh 5-8 kg, castrated representatives reach 10-12 kg. The weight of cats is about 3-4 kg, and neutered cats can reach 7 kg.

The habits and character of the British shorthair cat

Chunky plush cats are ideal companions for people who, due to circumstances, cannot spend much time at home. Pets tolerate loneliness well and patiently await the return of the owners. Moreover, they are equally respectful to all family members, without singling out one one.

All attention shorthaired british aimed at the inhabitants of the house, which is why when strangers appear, they watch them with caution, taking a convenient place for this. Kotofei don't really like being lifted in their arms. They express their silent protest, turning away their muzzle and stone.

Cats can get along well with other animals in the house, including their own kind, provided that they are friendly. High intelligence and innate good breeding do not prevent them from showing their independence and love of freedom.

Living surrounded by people, pets do not hide their affection and tenderness. They happily follow the person and revolve around him, waiting for reciprocal attention. They calmly relate to children, but do not tolerate when excessive attention is shown to them. Plush cats very rarely raise their voices, more often from them you can hear only a quiet groaning or a purr that is attractive to the ear.

At a young age, the British Shorthair kitten is an excellent companion in the game. But by about one year of age, the activity of cats decreases to moderate. Their balanced temperament takes its toll and, as adults, they show traits of aristocracy and do not tolerate familiarity with themselves.

Thanks to the natural intelligence of the breed, the pet never causes trouble and does not spoil the property in the house. Inborn intelligence and calm disposition do not allow cats to stoop to such pranks.

Feeding and caring for the British Shorthair breed

Since seals have a rich coat, they need to be brushed regularly. It is enough to resort to this procedure once a week. For combing out, it is recommended to purchase rubber combs. First, they are carried out against the fur of the animal, and then along the growth of the hair. During the shedding period, grooming of the coat should be more frequent.

Bathing is optional. An exception can be made only if the coat is very dirty. To maintain the cleanliness and shine of the coat, it is enough to use dry shampoos.

In order to prevent inflammatory diseases of the gums and teeth, it is necessary to monitor the oral cavity and. This hygiene is done about once a week. Of other procedures, it is worth noting wiping the auricles with a swab and periodic.

Special attention needs to be paid Feeding British Shorthaired Pets... This is due not only to the tendency to obesity, but also to maintain the quality of the wool. To maintain optimal shape, an adult pet needs 70 kcal per 1 kg of body weight. The bulk of the feed should be lean meat. In addition, vegetables, cereals, fish, and sour-milk products are required in the diet.

You can also feed ready-made food, for example Royal Canin for British Shorthair cats.

British shorthaired health

Since the breed is a product not only of directed crosses, but also of formation in natural conditions, its representatives have quite good health. Serious hereditary diseases have passed the British Shorthair breed. However, during development, animals may develop three ailments: gingivitis, polycystic kidney disease, and dystrophic cardiomyopathy.

The latter disease is considered incurable and requires the owners of a regular examination of the pet by a veterinarian, as well as an ultrasound of the heart. Signs of the following are precursors of serious heart problems:

• Decreased interest in the surrounding world.
• Weight loss.
• Weak heartbeat.
• Shortness of breath, accompanied by wheezing.
• Bluish tint to paw pads.

Another breed problem that occurs most often is obesity. Weight gain is observed after an excessive diet and a sedentary lifestyle. The only way out in this situation can be control over nutrition and the conscious involvement of pets in outdoor games.

Despite good immunity, kittens of this breed are vulnerable to viruses before reaching the age of one and a half years. begin to do up to the age of 2.5 months. The vaccination is repeated every 3-7 weeks. After 15 weeks, vaccinations are given once a year.

If the pair for breeding is selected correctly, multiple close inbreeding is excluded and the blood type is taken into account, then the cats will have excellent health. All important factors of breeding must be taken into account in catteries, which allows us to say that a purebred British Shorthair cat is a healthy creature. Health allows you to endure strong cats without problems. The duration is 63-65 days.

With careful care and health care, British Shorthairs can live up to 15 years old, while maintaining good health, excellent appearance and a stable mental state.

Buy british shorthair kitten

Everything that is said about the breed can only be confirmed by a cat purchased not on websites from private cat lovers, but in.

Each licensed cattery, respecting its reputation and taking care of the quality of its work, provides the kitten with full care and preparation for moving to a new owner. And for the future owner, they will prepare all the necessary documents, including information about the vaccinations delivered.

British price from professional breeders is 20,000-40,000 rubles.

The cost of a chinchilla depends on breed data, blood purity, producers and class. The price of a representative of the breed will be higher if the cat is taken for breeding. Chinchilla can be bought from 900 to 3000 euros, the price is especially high if the beauty was delivered from a foreign nursery.

Breeding nurseries:

• TinArden * RU- Moscow
• Brit-Fiord- St. Petersburg
• Ermine Trace- Moscow
• Creambel- Minsk

Nicknames for British kittens

The name of the cat will be recorded in the documents from the cattery. This is most likely a long name that may not sound very euphonious to the taste of the new owners. To correctly name a pet with a household name, take into account not only its gender, but also external data and temperament. It makes sense to wait a few days - let the baby show what he is.

Energetic boys receive sonorous names that characterize their strength and greatness. The girls are somewhat softer and more tender, therefore they are given the corresponding nickname. In any case, the name should have hissing consonants and easily turn into a diminutive nickname.

Conclusions about the breed

The Briton is often called Cheshire. Big eyes and a semblance of a smile on a round face make him look like this famous character. Although it is possible that they served as the prototype for the legendary fairy cat. This proves once again that British Shorthair- not just an ordinary member of the feline brotherhood. She is a historical and legendary creature on Earth.

Plush kittens eventually turn into noble, sedate and majestic kotofees, deserving a place on the virtual throne among all domestic four-legged animals.

People's sympathy for British shorthaired pets is self-evident. It is unconditional and limitless. And the great thing is that this love is mutual. The British cat has gone through considerable trials, but its representatives have faithfully and faithfully been next to a person. To this day, they continue to decorate houses with their presence, giving adults and children a lot of positive emotions.

Easy grooming, great temperament and healthy genetics are excellent reasons to have a handsome thoroughbred.

Video with British shorthair cat

One of the oldest and most popular cat breeds in the world is the British breed. Its representatives conquered the planet with their truly royal appearance, calm character with gentlemanly restraint and self-esteem. They are unpretentious and hardy. Cats of this breed are worthy of getting to know them better, finding out where they came from, what types they are.

The history of the British cat breed

And now it is not known exactly how the British cats appeared. There is an assumption that even in the first century BC. the ancient Romans brought such cats to England. The density of the wool cover contributed to the fact that the animals were able to adapt in the shortest period to the conditions of a different climatic zone. For a long time these cats hunted small rodents, showing their excellent hunting qualities.

Breeders became interested in the bright appearance of British cats in the 16th century. In 1871, the British breed at the first international cat show, held on the territory of Great Britain, in London, was represented by a blue British cat and became the winner there. In the same period, standard indicators of the breed began to be developed, mass breeding of British cats began.

The beautiful appearance of British cats attracted the attention of breeders

In order to achieve ideal standard indicators, especially beautiful British cats participated in the selection. TO mating attracted individuals of the Persian breed, which endowed the British with a rounded, slightly flat muzzle. Participation in the wars led to a decrease in the representatives of the British breed, and in order to preserve it, breeders began to mate the British with similar breeds of cats: Scottish, Chartreuse, Burmese, Russian blue.

The breed of British cats is among the breeds that have not experienced tough selection.

The year 1980 was marked for the British cat breed by obtaining a champion title. The development of the British standard indicators was completed. It was the first breed in the UK to be officially registered in 1980. The breed is recognized by the largest felinological organizations in the USA and Europe.

Features of British cats

The typical features that characterize cats of this breed include: a large head, strong legs, a massive body with a broad-boned system.

British cats have a large head, massive paws and torso.

Appearance

The British cat is a medium-sized animal with a benevolent look on a round muzzle, plush dense coat, and a wide variety of colors. When comparing British cats and cats, the former look more massive. These animals are characterized by slow development, they reach maturity by 4 years. To distinguish an ordinary cat from a purebred animal, one should refer to the systems of international criteria.

CFA System Standards

There are different felinological systems in the world with their own standards regarding the appearance of animals. In accordance with the standard indicators established by the CFA felinological system, the animals of this breed belong to the type of strong, harmoniously developed cats with a large chest. A characteristic feature The breed is considered a squat animal, which gives it short legs.

Representatives of the British breed are harmoniously developed

The standards of the American system, except for CFA, are adhered to by TICA. For American breeders, the main requirement is for the physique of the animal, in addition to the American, there is a European system of standards (WCF, FIFe, FARUS systems), it pays special attention to the color of cats. However, the general appearance of British cats indicated above is the same for the standards of all systems.

Structural features

In more detail, the body parts that make up the structure of British cats can be described as follows:

• The head of the animal is large, round in shape, which is noticeable when looking at the cat from the front. She is rather large, set on a thick, short neck. The cat has a bulging forehead. The cheeks are thick and firm, well defined. The nose is wide and of medium size. It is straight, there is a slight depression on the bridge of the nose, noticeable in profile. The nose of the cats, together with a straight chin, forms a vertical.
• The muzzle is well developed, wide at the cheekbones, and ends with a massive chin.
• The ears are of medium size, set far apart on the head and do not violate its roundness. At the bottom, they are wider, their tips are rounded.
• The eyes are large and round. They are straight and wide on the muzzle. Well disclosed. Their color is influenced by the color of the cat's fur.
• The animal has a medium-sized body, it is stocky, stocky, proportional. The cats have a short, straight back, sweeping chest shape, strong and heavy shoulders.
• Feet are thick, small in height, with a strong bone structure, round, strong pads on the paws. The forelimbs of the cat are straight.
• The animal's tail is not very long. It is thick at the base, rounded at the end.
• Dimensions. At any age, animals of this breed have a compact physique. Finally, they gain weight for about 3 years. It has been noticed that cats with a solid color are larger than multi-colored ones. In males of the breed, the weight ranges from 5 to 8 kg, in castrated ones, it is about 12 kg. Females weigh from 3-4 kg, sterilized - up to 7 kg. The height of the animals at the withers reaches 33 cm.

Features of wool

British cats, according to the standard, have a rather dense, short coat. The coat should be uniform in density and length, with a thick undercoat, elastic to the touch, not too soft. The coat of the British should be shiny.

The coat of the British is thick and shiny

British color

According to the standard, British cats have dozens of different colors. Solid colors are optional. Even with a solid color, deviations in the uniformity of the staining of the villi are possible, which are expressed in the manifestation of different ebb, smokiness, shading. Among the colors allowed by the standard are:

• Monochrome. Among them:
  • Blue. This is a common classic color. With him, the coat and skin of the cat are blue, the undercoat is lighter than the main color. The lighter the color, the more the cats are valued. In adult blue cats, the eyes become a rich amber color.
  • Black color is less common, since by the year the color of the coat from black can turn into brown. This is due to heredity.
  • Purple. It is a complex combination of tones, which includes blue, pink and gray shades.
  • Chocolate. Wool of this color looks like fur on a mouton fur coat.
  • The red, red color is the result of crossing the British with exotic Persian cats and other breeds with reddish shades of wool.
  • Cream. This solid color is predominantly pale cream.
  • White. There is a risk of having healthy offspring in White Britons, as kittens may be born deaf.
• Smoky (gray). Its main difference from monochromatic colors is the contrast between the ends of the hairs of a bright color and a pale, close to white, undercoat. The color seems to be monochromatic, but when the cat moves, it becomes noticeable that its fur is silvery and shimmery.
• Color point. The main color of the coat is light (white), and the palette of minor colors starts with light gray tones and ends with reds. The infrequent Siamese coloration with black or chocolate tones is a classic example of this color in the British cat.
• Silver shaded, golden shaded. The head is painted in the main color. the back, ears and tail, and the hair of the neck, chest, belly, paws they have a silver cast. A golden shaded color is rare.
• Tortoiseshell. Consists of 3 colors; black, red (red and white (cream). Mostly the owners of this color of wool are females.
• Tabby. It is characterized by the presence of a pattern on the wool. There is a tabby striped, marbled, spotted species.
• Bicolor. This color is presented on the wool of cats in two colors, of which one must be white. Among purebred Britons of this color, white is observed on the muzzle and chin. It also painted the neck, chest, abdomen and paws.
• Particolor. This color is obtained by mixing white and tortoiseshell or tabby.
• Harlequin. With him, about 4/5 of the wool is dyed white, the belly has the same color. The head is on top, the ears are black, the tip of the nose is painted in pink.
• Wang. The main background in this case is white, the color of the tail is different, spots can sometimes be on the head.

Photo gallery: different colors of British cats:

Beautiful British cat of black color Blue is a classic British color The color of British cats is lilac Chocolate cat looks like a teddy bear The red color of the British cat resembles the sun Kitten elegant cream color British white is beautiful but rare The shaded silver color of the cat is shimmery with silver Tortoiseshell color occurs in females British bicolor Part-color British cat Lilac harlequin cat The color of the British cat breed van The smoky color shimmers and shimmers when the cat moves Tabby cat with a marbled pattern Siamese color - a vivid example of color point color Shaded golden cat

The British have some disadvantages. These include:

• too long fluffy coat;
• various birth defects;
• elongated body shape;
• fuzzy chin lines;
• colors with various blotches of other colors.

The animal may not meet the standards and be disqualified. This is possible when:

• eye color does not match the main color of the animal;
• there are flaws on the tail;
• spots in the armpit or groin;
• irregularities in color, pigmentation of paw pads, nose;
• the number of toes on the paws does not correspond to the norms;
• violation of the bite;
• obvious signs of the disease.

Health, life expectancy

The British are representatives of an aboriginal breed, in connection with which they have hereditary diseases, congenital pathologies are not noticed. These animals have good immunity, they do not get sick when proper care... At 5 months, their eyes may water, but usually severe lacrimation goes away on its own, without the use of medicinal products.

British cats have good health

Prolonged exposure to drafts on a British cat can cause him a cold. If such an animal is not properly fed and not brushed its teeth, then this can cause gingivitis and the appearance of tartar in it.

In rare cases, the British are susceptible to the following diseases:

• hemophilia (chronic bleeding, a serious illness due to decreased blood clotting);
• nail fungus;
• hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Character, habits of the animal

British cats have an independent personality. Its negative feature is independent decision-making, which often does not correspond to the opinion of its owner. Outwardly, the Briton is indifferent to affection, he does not ask for hands, does not suck up, behaves rather restrainedly with the owner. However, during separation from him, the cat misses the owner and waits for his return. But the pet communicates with its owner, depending on the mood: it will not be possible to fondle him forcibly.

With the outward seriousness of the British, they are called the most life-loving and positive animals. It has been noticed that cats of the British breed, thanks to their very chubby cheeks and protruding tongue, are able to smile, and this advantageously distinguishes them from other representatives of the feline.

British cat smiling

British cohabitation with other animals and people

Cats of this breed are characterized by sociability and friendliness. They are great for all family members who love them. In the house, they peacefully get along with other animals that do not show intrusiveness to them. The British love children. However, they do not tolerate familiarity. Independence of character, undemanding care makes such cats ideal companions for people who spend a lot of time at work. The British breed is often called the "business cat".

Aggressiveness is unusual for the British. They avoid open conflicts and simply retire when quarrels are brewing. The intelligence inherent in these animals does not allow them to bite and scratch when communicating with household members. British cats perceive guests rather cool, try to move away.

The restraint of the British does not interfere with their playfulness. During the game, they do not bully, do not damage interior items. Cats meow quietly and rarely. They can communicate with the owner by making louder sounds.

From the experience of communicating with a British, gray long-haired cat called Epifan, and who is 5 years old; we can conclude that this cat, as a true representative of the British breed, is quite friendly, inquisitive, sociable. Loves the hostess, misses her and rejoices at her return. He is passionate about playing. He does not like to sit in the arms of the hostess, he is attached next to him. The cat likes to be in the country and explore the territory of the summer cottage.

Types of British cats

Representatives of this breed may differ in appearance. Depending on this, there are several of their varieties.

British fold cat

You can often find mention of British Fold cats. However, not a single felinological organization has a description of such a breed. There is no British Fold cat. In this phrase, 2 breeds are combined: British Shorthair with standard ears and Scottish Fold. Kittens with curled ears (lop-eared) are obtained only from the Scottish breed, this breed also includes kittens born.

Fold cats are not British, but only Scottish breeds

This type of British cat breed was the result of crossing British and Persians. This kind of British is recognized as a separate breed and admitted to exhibitions by the International Cat Organization (TICA), the World Cat Federation (WCF). These cats have a straight, medium-length coat, as well as fluffy "pants" and "collar".

The British Longhair is similar to its shorthaired variety, but the fluffy "panties" and "collar" give it away

Such animals with any coat color are allowed to participate in exhibitions, with the exception of a snow-white color mixed with a color-point.

This type of coat is considered the breed standard. With its density and tenderness, it is comparable to a bear's hair. The coat of the smooth-haired British is thin, similar to a plush coat. The hairs have the same length, averaging 2.4 mm.

Shorthaired British cats have fur resembles a bear's skin.

Deviations in the structure of the coat can be an obstacle to the participation of such cats in various shows.

Video: cat breed British shorthair

British cats have relatively recently appeared such a variety as the British chinchilla. Chinchilla is not the name of the breed, but the type of coat color of British cats. This is an artificially bred variety of British cats, which has an original exotic color, resembling the fur of the rodents of the same name. This color is considered one of the most valuable and rare.

British silver chinchilla, the owner of a rare color

British chinchillas have 3 types:

• with a golden color, when the color of each hair turns from black to light brown or peach;
• with a silvery color, the color of the hairs changes from white to black, the coat seems to be covered with a light black veil;
• with a silvery shaded color, in which the color turns out to be darker, since there is a greater percentage of black hairs in the coat; animals with this color often have black stripes on the tail.

Among these chinchillas there are short-haired and long-haired. All of them have a thick coat and a dense undercoat layer, but the color of short-haired chinchillas is more pronounced. In long-haired - it is softer and softer.

British Straight cats are often called British Straight cats because their ears are set directly on the head. They should not be confused with Scottish Straight kittens (straights) that appear in Scottish Fold litters with babies with curled ears.

Straight kittens appear in Scottish Fold litter, but they are not British, but Scots

The content and features of the care of British cats

Special care for the British breed of cats is not required, so their maintenance is not associated with any difficulties. Pet care is as follows:

• Brushing the coat with a massage brush-slicker should be done twice a week. With the help of this procedure, dead hairs are removed, and a kind of massage is also carried out.
• Short-haired cats can be washed 1-2 times a year or as needed. Long-haired pets require water treatments more often.
• After 2 weeks, an adult cat should have its claws cut ½ of their length.
• Use a cotton pad to remove natural eye discharge daily from the outer corner of the eye to the inner corner.
• The cat's ears must be examined every two weeks, and the accumulated sulfur is removed. cotton swab or a disc soaked in hygiene solution.
• Every day, you need to inspect the oral cavity of the animal in order to timely detect tartar or other pathologies. For their prevention, a kitten should be taught to brush teeth from a young age.
• Balanced and proper nutrition... It has a great impact on the health and appearance of British cats. The food should contain all the nutrients, vitamins and microelements necessary for the cat. The diet may include ready-to-eat balanced foods or organic foods. The cat's nutrition depends on age characteristics animal, its state of health, preferences.

Grooming a cat requires trimming its claws on a regular basis.

To maintain the health of a cat normally, he will need annual preventive examinations in a veterinary clinic, and timely vaccination.

Features of mating and breeding

Breeding kittens of the British breed should be done by a person with experience. The peculiarity of mating is that the blood of a cat and a cat must be of the same type - A (in most cats) or B, characteristic of a small percentage of pets, otherwise there is a conflict between different kinds blood from parents will lead to the birth of non-viable offspring. To avoid this, breeders conduct special testing before puberty.

For Britons, puberty occurs when they are 7-9 months old. However, the most favorable period for the first mating with a cat comes in the period of 10 - 18 months, when the cat's body is strong enough to endure childbirth without harm to health.

How often do British cats have estrus, its duration

The fact that a cat is in heat can be recognized by its behavior. She becomes affectionate with males, arches her back, meows loudly. The interval between estrus in cats is different, on average it ranges from 15 to 20 days, estrus lasts 7-9 days. During estrus it is recommended:

• Do not give products that can drown your cat's heat. This can result in hormonal disruption, the formation of tumors.
• Wait out the first two estrus of the cat, on the third to deliver it to the groom-cat, it is better the next day after the onset of estrus.
• For the first mating, find a cat with experience to cope with. if the cat shows obstinacy.
• You should not mate cats and cats that do not have experience in this matter, otherwise the help of the owners may be required, which will take longer.

A young cat needs to pick up a cat with experience, who understands why she was put to the cat. The mating should be done with a cat whose coat color matches the color of the cat's coat. It is not necessary, for example, to mate a lilac cat and a black cat. Otherwise, the kittens may turn out to be multi-colored. This fact will not affect their health, but animals with a uniform color are more often suitable for exhibitions and sales.

British cat and cat must fit together

For a cat's pregnancy, 2 days of mating are enough. In order for a cat to give birth to healthy offspring, cats should not be mated more than 3 times a year.

You can find out that a cat has become pregnant if after 3 weeks she is not in heat. Otherwise, she is again taken to the cat for mating.

How to choose the right pet of the British breed, prices, where to buy

You should not buy a kitten of the British breed on the street, in the market. For this purpose, it is better to prefer a good certified nursery. You should choose a kitten when he is 1.5 months old to look at his color, breed, development.

When choosing a kitten, pay attention to the following points:

• his grooming;
• activity, curiosity, playfulness;
• the kitten must be healthy and well-nourished;
• the baby should not hiss, show aggression.

It is great if, when choosing a kitten, you can also see its parents, they must be well-groomed, healthy, have good natural data. The origin of a thoroughbred kitten must be confirmed by its pedigree.

The health of a kitten can be determined by the following indicators:

• clear, shiny eyes; small discharge is allowed;
• cold and wet nose;
• clean mucous membranes;
• clean, without black spots, ears;
• there are no creases on the tail, its surface is even from start to finish;
• wool without wounds, red spots, bald spots;
• even teeth.

When buying a kitten of the British breed, you should know how it differs from a very similar baby of the Scottish breed.

Table: external differences between kittens of the British and Scottish breed

From the litter, you need to choose the most well-fed and fat kitten. Its cost will be influenced by gender, age, pedigree, color of the animal. On average, the price ranges from 2.5 to 10 thousand rubles. If you buy a kitten from titled parents in the cattery, the price can be much higher, up to 30 thousand rubles.

The fattest kitten is chosen from the litter