British Longhair Cat

Breed Description

The British Longhaired Cat emerged in England as a result of geneticists’ misguided attempts to diversify the colors of the shorthaired cats of the Misty Albion. This fateful blunder occurred around the mid-1950s, which, as it turned out later, resulted in more benefits than harm. The long fur, dubbed “lowlenders,” was inherited from Persian cats. British felinologists should not have mixed individuals with defects of recessive genes responsible for fur length. However, what happened happened, and the world was introduced to a “new” breed. To be fair, shorthaired British cats and their longhaired counterparts are practically identical animals with different names.

Longhaired cats are referred to as British, lowlender, and even highlander. However, in reality, “highlander” is an American experimental breed, not an English one.

Interestingly, the Persian genes did not reveal themselves immediately but took some time. The new breed was initially considered a hybrid, with several previous generations being carefully studied. Eventually, specialists accepted their characteristics as a given, and the popularity of the “new” breed began to grow rapidly.

Currently, buying a kitten from a cattery is not a problem. In big cities, one can find numerous advertisements for kittens with fur that requires less care than that of Persians. The temperament and health of lowlenders and shorthaired British cats are nearly identical, which works to their advantage in terms of popularity. In Russia, the price for a kitten from a cattery starts at approximately 10,000 – 15,000 rubles and goes up to show-class kittens from reputable breeders at “negotiable” prices, often exceeding 80,000 rubles.

Curiously, the first feline association to recognize this variety was EGCA in Germany. Following that, TICA joined in 2004, and WCF in 2009. Currently, significant attention is given to coat structure and new colors. According to available data, the color cinnamon appeared as a result of breeding with Somali cats.

In other aspects, the British Longhaired Cat is a wonderful companion and easily integrates into any family, regardless of the presence of children or lifestyle. Slightly shy, like shadows, they enrich any home with their presence and create a special atmosphere for everyone around.

Appearance

Lowlanders, or long-haired British cats, share almost the same characteristics as the short-haired version of the breed. TICA has not developed any specific requirements for them, merely making slight adjustments to some parameters. Massive, elegant, and graceful, they vary significantly in weight: females typically weigh no more than 4-5 kg, while males can reach up to 7 kg, and weight gain is an issue for both. Like their short-haired counterparts, lowlanders do not tend to climb trees. However, their hearing and sense of smell are excellent, so they should not be ruled out as hunters.

At Zoonika, the best selection of catteries in Russia is available, where reputable breeders offer purebred kittens with complete documentation and guarantee their health. It’s worth noting that the average lifespan of a British cat can reach up to 15 years with proper care. A breed hallmark is their cheeks, which give the animal a special charm alongside their short noses and widely opened eyes. Their long fur doesn’t require as much care as that of Persian cats but is equally beautiful and soft to the touch.

Отличительные черты

Голова

Round, medium-sized or slightly larger, quite massive. This impression is enhanced by the long fur. With very large cheeks and fluffy whiskers. Its shape is virtually identical to that of a short-haired British cat.

Морда

Broad, with a confident chin. The bridge of the nose is slightly short, straight, and fairly wide. When viewed from the side, there is a curved profile, and the muzzle itself is quite short. There’s a smooth transition from the bridge of the nose to the rounded forehead. Chubby cheeks give the appearance of a smile.

Уши

Medium-sized or slightly smaller. Wide at the base, with slightly rounded edges. Positioned fairly far apart, which visually broadens the cat's muzzle and head even more. Their low placement makes the animals appear more stocky.

Глаза

Very large, widely opened, as if surprised. The color of the cornea should match the coat color. Silver British cats most often have green corneas. The eyes are set wide apart, but not slanted, more rounded than oval. Heterochromia is acceptable in white individuals.

Зубы

The bite is straight, and the chin is quite strong. There are long canines, while the incisors are not very large, with a rough edge and particularly sharp. They are primarily designed for grabbing food or prey during hunting. Normally, there is a complete set of 30 teeth.

Корпус

Not too large, closer to medium, but the long fur visually increases its size. The chest is wide, and the back and waist are approximately equal to the rib cage. Notably, the neck is quite short. Like the short-haired version, lowland dogs tend to gain weight quickly.

Конечности

Quite strong, with dense bones, short but do not disturb the overall proportions. Some find them a bit bulbous and compare them to those of a bear cub. The front limbs are set wide apart, with paw pads most often pink in color, and hair grows between the toes. The hind limbs are very muscular, with strong thighs. The paw pads are rounded, and the toes are long. Just like on the front paws, tufts of hair grow between the toes.

Хвост

Rather short, but due to its long fur, it appears very thick. Its tip is rounded rather than pointed, unlike some other breeds. Visually, it should look hefty, without creases, knots, or various lumps. The overall harmony should be maintained when observing the tail.

Шерсть

Medium-length and quite dense. Noticeably longer in the area of the chest and hips, where it forms something resembling culottes. An overly soft wool structure is not favored and is often considered a defect. A distinctive feature and undeniable advantage of British wool is its low maintenance, unlike Persian counterparts.

Окрас

Currently, there are over 100 different colorations recognized. The rarer the coloration, the more expensive the animal. The most common include: 1. Tortoiseshell; 2. Tabby; 3. Smokes; 4. Spotted; 5. Bi-color; 6. White.

Character

The mad charm that surrounds British Longhaired cats is noted by everyone who has ever been near them. These luxurious animals, full of grace, harmoniously fit into any home and become its decoration. They are especially loved by children, who are drawn to the chubby cheeks of these fluffy creatures. Despite being often squeezed in hugs, they usually don’t show aggression and are quite calm about such displays of affection.

One of the main features of their character is their reluctance to be held. They are happy to be near their owner but do not appreciate being treated like a warm pillow; they won’t allow it. In their youth, they may not resist much, but as adults, they can clearly indicate when they don’t want to be in a particular place, especially when they are cozy in their hiding spot.

The mentality of these animals is such that they primarily see themselves first and then everyone else. They will love their owner and the family they live with sincerely, but themselves even more. Rather, a Longhaired cat creates its environment than the other way around. It often seems as if the cat is a royal figure, surrounded by courtiers for amusement. Buying a kitten from a breeder does not mean acquiring a fluffy toy. However, they cannot be labeled as wild either. They need care, affection, proper maintenance, and playtime. Truth be told, they mostly play by their own rules. Interestingly, as they grow older, it becomes somewhat easier to “negotiate” with them, as their character absorbs the rules and habits of the home they live in.

Additionally, their curiosity can be noted. Exploring bags and open kitchen cabinets is a usual pastime for them. Kittens love to play, so it’s sensible for an owner to buy an extra set of toys while they are still growing. In their more mature age, it is essential to monitor their physical activity. A cat wheel can help burn off excess calories for these fluffy runners. Unfortunately, rapid weight gain is common in this breed. Thus, philosophical observations from the windowsill need to be regularly interrupted with physical activities. A lack of interaction often manifests in negative character traits. Scratching furniture and overturned flower pots are cries for help, indicating that they feel lonely. In families where owners are often away at work, British cats are kept in pairs to help avoid negativity.

Питомники

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British Longhair Cat: питомники

Выбор питомника по городу, породе и отзывам

Списком На карте

На сайте с: 22.03.2026

Gregori al gato

Породы: British Longhair Cat, British Shorthair cat

Город: Москва

На сайте с: 22.03.2026

Golden river

Породы: British Longhair Cat, British Shorthair cat, British chinchilla

Город: Волгодонск

На сайте с: 22.03.2026

Golden knopka’s

Породы: British Shorthair cat, British Longhair Cat, Scottish Straight cat, British chinchilla

Город: Смоленск

Care and Maintenance

How difficult is it to care for a British Shorthair? For inexperienced cat owners, it becomes much easier if they familiarize themselves with some recommendations contained in this article.

First, it’s essential to buy cat toys before visiting the nursery. Additionally, a sleeping area, food and water bowls, a kitten, and special nail clippers should be purchased in advance. Brushes for grooming should not be neglected either. Since the fur of Longhairs is long, it’s better to buy a furminator, which makes it much easier to maintain your pet’s coat.

An important item like a litter box, while it may seem like a simple accessory, is just as crucial as other supplies. When choosing, pay attention to the size of the box and opt for larger ones with removable sides, as they make cleaning and changing the litter easier. If the litter is rarely changed, a British Longhair may stop using the litter box and start doing its “business” in another convenient spot.

Second, owners should not forget about taking their pet for walks. For this, a leash and harness will be useful, and in warm weather, a flea collar or geo-tag if the cat isn’t microchipped. During muddy or winter conditions, cats can wear insulated overalls treated with a dirt-repellent coating. This keeps their beautiful coat clean, and upon returning home, you will only need to wash their paws.

By the way, their fur doesn’t mat, making grooming quite easy. Hiring a groomer at home or visiting a pet salon makes sense only when preparing for a show. To maintain cleanliness in the house, a special glove for collecting loose fur will help. During heavy shedding periods-fall and spring-grooming with a furminator should be done several times a week.

As previously noted, the breed has relatively large and widely opened eyes. They should be checked daily, and any dried discharge in the corners should be wiped away with a cotton pad. If cloudy discharge or excessive tearing is noticed, immediate veterinary attention is necessary.Don’t forget about timely trimming of the sharp claws of Longhairs. The front claws wear down much faster, so they should be clipped more often. The average interval is about two weeks for front claws and around three to four weeks for back ones. Naturally, a scratching post must be present in the home. However, if it’s not placed in the right location, it may become an unused accessory. Owners should observe their pet’s behavior and place the scratching device where the cat usually sharpens its claws. This is called “stretching” for a reason: during this ritual, cats stretch their backs, relaxing their hindquarters and experiencing physical pleasure, much like a person after a good stretch. Isn’t that nice?Ear cleaning with a special lotion is done about once a week. Using cotton swabs can injure the eardrum, so it’s best to clean the inner surface of the ears with an ordina

Training and Education

There is a belief that cats cannot be trained. Professionals assert that one can only leverage the tendencies of a particular animal by encouraging them. Perhaps this is true. Since a “lowlander” cat has a unique temperament and habits, it can also be taught certain tricks.

First and foremost, the owner should understand that their pet expects care and affection, rewards, and hopes to receive treats. These factors can always be used to your advantage. Clearly, one should not expect the loyalty of a dog. Punishing the animal with shouting or physical means is completely prohibited. So how can we engage our fluffy little hunter in the training process? It starts with getting them accustomed to a daily routine and established house rules. For example, purchasing an automatic feeder that dispenses food at set times will discipline the cat and prevent it from begging for food too early.

A variety of toys can help the owner identify their pet’s preferences for different games. For instance, if the cat enjoys chasing a ball, the owner should praise it and reward it with a treat every time it brings the ball back. The entire training process is primarily a game, which should not take place in a noisy environment or when anyone is feeling unwell. Fifteen to twenty minutes a day is quite sufficient for practicing commands. When throwing the ball, one should say “Fetch!” or “Bring!” which the cat will surely remember. One should not expect quick results, as this process may take longer or shorter depending on the individual characteristics of the pet.

For pets that love to jump, you can buy a hoop and place treats at different heights to encourage jumping. This way, you can achieve results where the cat will jump through the hoop when it is presented to her. One cannot force a cat to perform certain actions; instead, you can only adapt to its habits.

For example, a British Shorthair won’t bring slippers back-that’s not her level. Although similar stories occasionally pop up on the internet. Professionals guarantee the health and purity of breed for your future pets.

How to Choose a Kitten

Currently, the popularity of the breed has not peaked, which is why advertisements for British Longhaired kittens are quite common. One undeniable advantage of such offers may be the low cost of the kitten. However, the risk of purchasing a defective animal is significant, so it’s recommended to choose reputable breeders. On Zoonika, you can find the best selection of catteries in Russia that offer British Longhaired kittens with excellent pedigrees. In today’s world, there is often no need to visit the cattery in person. Video calls make it possible to make a remote purchase based on video and photo materials demonstrated by the cattery owner. Of course, this refers to high-quality kittens. Shipping to another city is straightforward, so there’s no need to worry about the kitten’s safety. When choosing this method of purchase, pay attention not only to the condition of the kittens and their parents but also to the documentation provided. Additionally, review the sales agreement that outlines the responsibilities of both parties in the event of the animal’s death during shipping or the discovery of genetic diseases. Otherwise, the principle of purch

Health and Illnesses

A fairly healthy breed, but there is a predisposition to certain ailments that are best understood in advance. These include, first and foremost, a tendency to gain weight quickly and obesity. Holistic pet food and an active lifestyle can significantly help avoid this issue. Before choosing a kitten from a nursery, take a look at its parents. If they are too large, purchase a cat exercise wheel right after buying the kitten to help keep your pet fit. Like many other breeds, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is diagnosed quite frequently in British Shorthairs. In this condition, the walls of the heart thicken, reducing the overall volume of blood being pumped, and weakening the heart muscle. Unfortunately, the illness is incurable, but timely diagnosis and care can help prolong life even with HCM. Another concern is the development of tartar. While it isn’t fatal, it can lead to an unpleasant odor from the mouth and digestion issues due to poorly chewed food. One of the most dangerous problems for the breed is blood type incompatibility. If one parent has blood type A and the other has type B, the offspring will live only a few days before dying. Additionally, kittens have a rela