British Shorthair - breed description

There is a fairly large number of feline breeds. They are characterized by their own characteristics, character traits, behaviors, and other features that distinguish them from each other. All this fully applies to the British Shorthair breed.

History of origin, formation and development

The homeland of these cats is considered to be the UK. It is not difficult to guess about it myself, since this moment is enclosed in the title itself. If we talk about the historical background of the origin of these cats, there is very little data on this subject. Therefore, there are many versions about the origin of the breed. One of them is associated with the Romans. It is believed that they brought these cats to the British Isles during their victorious campaigns. This happened quite a long time ago, since there is evidence that as early as 43 BC.the Romans had regularly attacked the British.

Similar cats possessed a number of indisputable advantages. They had a short coat that reliably protected them from moisture and insects. This feature allowed them to quickly get used to the new climate. By the way, he left his mark in the process of the long formation of the external features of the breed. The same applies to the physiological characteristics of cats of the British breed.

For a long time, the population of Britain was engaged in the search for methods and methods of dealing with the rodents who inhabited the islands in large enough numbers. This cat undoubtedly helped in this matter. She possessed decent endurance, strong enough physical strength, had excellent health. In the fight against rodents, they have established themselves as great hunters. One could only envy their agility while catching mice.

Having mastered quite well in the new territory, the cat began to show interest in itself not only from the position of use. She attracted attention with her excellent appearance. The graceful lady was already such that rarely could anyone leave indifferent when she appeared. This situation was observed only by the beginning of the 16th century.Official cat shows with the participation of this breed began to be held even later. This happened only at the end of the 19th century. To be precise, for the first time this happened on July 13, 1971. By this time, the criteria by which cats were evaluated were already formed, and evaluation standards were developed. Since then, felinology as a science has received its further intensive development.

Works on selection began to be carried out with enviable consistency. In the case of the British, only the best breeds were selected. In parallel with this, measures were taken to consolidate the basic qualities inherent in British cats. When forming the breed, Persian cats played a certain role. It was from them that the Briton received and retained some elements of the outlines.

The number of individuals contributed to the war. Two world wars made adjustments to the number of existing individuals, significantly reducing it. Unfortunately, wars take away not only human lives. During them many animals die. To restore their numbers, breeders took strengthened measures. Crossed different breeds.For this purpose, representatives were used that are closely resembling the British in their outlines. These include Persian, Scottish cats, other representatives.

Despite this, the British are considered to be one of the most natural breeds. Transformation was carried out insignificant and was aimed only at improving the external characteristics. This circumstance is one of the reasons why the British have simply excellent health.

It is worth noting that the Briton is the first breed that received official registration in Britain.

Description of breed standards

A characteristic feature is the power of the individual. This is more characteristic of cats. Naturally, cats look more graceful, have smaller sizes and are not as powerful as cats. Breed of quite large size, with a developed chest and muscles. For all of them is characterized by squat. The head is round, with a location on the muzzle of thick cheeks.

The breed is generally characterized by the following features:

1. No abrupt transitions from one part to another in appearance can be noted.The elements of the muzzle are represented by wide cheekbones. Cheeks are well developed. Between the ears is a flat platform. The head is connected to the body with a short neck. The neck is framed by pronounced skin folds. More such you will not meet at one breed.
2. The nose is medium and wide in its parameters.
3. The head of the British is equipped with a strong chin.
4. The ears are located on a broad base, with medium sizes and rounded tips. Their wide landing is marked.
5. The Briton is marked by the presence of rather large eyes. If they are fully disclosed, then it can be noted that they are almost round. Eyes have a wide arrangement. The breed is characterized by various distinctive features and one of them is the presence of bright orange eye color. At birth, kittens have blue or blue eye color, which further undergo a certain transformation. There may be blue and green eyes. In any case, it should be different purity and saturation.
6. The size of the body, most likely, can be called large. In any case, above average, that's for sure. The body of the animal with a flat back and a broad chest, which is also a hallmark of this breed.
7. In cats, short or medium limbs with well-developed muscles.Paws are rounded in shape, relative to the body and have proportional dimensions.
8. The tail has proportional parameters with medium length.

Wool and its features

The climate of Britain is very difficult to call comfortable. This led to the fact that cats have a well-developed coat of wool. The undercoat is also quite thick. The coat is evenly distributed throughout the body. The rigidity of the average character, closer to the soft characteristic. Fit the hair to the body loose, with the formation of the pronounced "hedgehog". This is most pronounced when the cat is in a sitting position.

Wool has a dense dense structure. Having a great resemblance to plush, the representatives of this breed secured the name of plush cats. The character of the undercoat has, as already mentioned, a very dense structure. The presence of a short cover allows the cat to look after the coat independently with great efficiency.

Cats of the British Shorthair breed can safely participate in exhibitions if they have the following types of color:

• Monochrome option.
• Tortoiseshell color.
• Cats with patterned color.
• Smoky animals.
• Bicolor (main color combined with white tone).
• Chinchilla.
• The color inherent in Siamese cats is blue point.

Little about varieties

Varieties can exist only in one version. He is represented by a British cat with long hair. Sometimes it was possible to celebrate the birth of just such kittens. This could be the case if a Briton interbred with a Persian cat. Such experiments on the part of English breeders have taken place. Sometimes this could happen to the true British. This led to the possibility of establishing the gene responsible for long hair. Though he is considered weak, he is sometimes able to prove himself (the appearance of a longhair kitten when both parents carry a similar gene). Long-haired British do not cause any problems. Their wool is not capable of being very confused and does not require special care. Some mistakenly believe that there are lop-eared Brits. This opinion is considered to be fundamentally wrong, since such a breed does not exist. Such kittens can be seen after crossing a short-haired British with a Fold Scottish cat. But this is not a separate breed.

Becoming an adult cat

The body of the British gets full development rather late. The body will receive maximum sizes only by 3 years, and the final development will be completed only in 6 years.

Mating

At the age of one year to cross cats can not. The female body is not yet ready to bear the fetus. In such situations, cats during childbirth may even die. With early crossbreeding, by two years, cats lose the ability to reproduce offspring. Having turned around, the female shows all the features inherent to caring mothers. She completely gives herself to care and education of kittens.

Cats are castrated and cats are sterilized if they do not want to have offspring.

Kittens

Kittens resemble adults in miniature. It is not yet possible to predict future parameters. Physiologically, kittens develop extremely unevenly. The paws can first increase, and then the head and torso. There is a reverse sequence. Do not be afraid of this and attribute it to the pathology. Uneven development - the normal state of the British. The kitten's coat is shiny, dense and thick in nature.

Care

1. The British have no special requirements for their maintenance and care. There is no need for increased attention to hygienic procedures. Cats themselves are able to perfectly look after themselves. They carefully lick their short hair. But weekly combing is still necessary. This is required to prevent clogging of the stomach with hair. Of course, during the molting period it is necessary to comb it more often.
2. Those cats who take part in exhibitions on a permanent basis should not be exposed to the sun for a long time. Otherwise, the tips of wool hair will get a reddish tint.
3. Briton different pronounced cleanliness. It is enough to accustom them to the tray in time and there will be no problems with the place of departure of natural needs.
4. A Briton is bathed only if for some reason he has become very dirty.
5. We should not forget to clean the Briton’s ears twice a month. The presence of a light, odorless earwax indicates excellent health.

Feeding

Cats of this breed are real gastronomic gourmets. On occasion, they are not against abundant, nourishing and tasty food.It is not necessary to overfeed cats, it is better to keep constant control over their body weight. This is important, as the British are prone to obesity.

Representatives of this cat breed can suffer from constipation. The fight against this condition is to add a few drops of vaseline oil to the food. A daily addition in the amount of 2 ml will be sufficient.

Feeding cats can be a variety of products. It can be either dry food or natural food. It is only necessary to monitor its diversity and balance of its components.

Important! Natural milk should be given only up to the age of three months. In the future, it should be replaced by dairy products. This may be kefir, sour cream or yogurt.

Bowl should be wide in size. From it, an animal with a round head, will be comfortable to eat.

Character

Immediately it should be said that to find two Britons with absolutely identical character is almost impossible. On him a certain imprint impose conditions of detention and education. Of course, it depends on the one that laid mother nature.

Particularly close attention is paid to the education at the beginning of the life course of kittens. Curiosity is shown moderately. Every effort to emphasize a sense of self-worth. The breed is independent and does not allow anyone to rule over themselves. The cat is always inclined to do exactly what she sees fit.

Self-sufficiency determines the circumstance in which constant attention to the cat person is not required. The Briton is suitable for those who are at work for a long time and are not able to pay enough attention to the cat. Sociability and friendliness - the distinctive features of the British. When the owner goes to work, she kindly escorts him, and when he comes home, he kindly greets him at the door.

The cat will never show aggression, but in return requires warmth and affection. If this is not enough for her, she will close and go to herself. When communicating with the cat should be borne in mind that they are well aware of the intonation of the human voice. If a person speaks evil to her and is on high voices, she can take offense.

The family member who pays the most attention to a cat automatically becomes its owner.As a sign of gratitude, they constantly approach him and sit on their knees. But here they are expressed to the guests expressed coldness. They sort of think about what the subject is.

It will not work for a child to use a cat as a toy. No, they will not offend the baby. They will simply go back and will not participate in such games.

Diseases

Nature itself has given the British good health and resistance to various diseases. But we shouldn’t forget about carrying out preventive vaccinations.

Video: British shorthair cats