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British cat: description of the breed. Description of the breed and character of British fold cats

It has been known for a long time, and there are many ads for the sale of kittens on the Internet. However, no professional nursery will confirm their existence. Official furry pet breeders' clubs consider this breed to be fictitious. Until now, there are disputes about breeding the lop-eared British into a separate breed.

History of the unrecognized breed

The Scottish Fold has been known since the beginning of the 19th century. These unique beauties are still very popular with people around the world. The main pride and feature of the Scottish fold are its ears bent down.

There are many stories about cats with unusual ears. One of them tells that in the 18th century a traveler brought an amazing lop-eared cat from China to Great Britain, which became the ancestor of a new breed. But this is not documented.

The official version is the story of the Scottish shepherd William Ross. His farmer neighbor had a cat with unusually shaped ears. In 1961, William and his wife purchased her kittens. One of them turned out to be lop-eared. This kitten laid the foundation for a new amazing breed.

Elegant Scots were brought to distant Russia only in the nineties of the last century. In local nurseries, in order to breed a new breed, they decided to cross it with the British Shorthair. As a result, British fold cats appeared.

From the Scottish they inherited beautiful curved ears, and from the British - a powerful strong body. Unfortunately, the breed is currently not officially recognized, and all British Fold kittens are classified as Scottish relatives.

Appearance

From his ancestors, the British Fold cat inherited only the best. These are pets with rounded features of the muzzle, expressive intelligent eyes, strong, flexible and muscular body. They can be mistaken for very cute teddy bears, they are very cute!

The muzzle of the British Fold is round and large. Cheeks are plump. Because of the rounded, forward-curved ears, the cat always has a slightly surprised expression on its face. The eyes of this breed are large and round. They are planted shallowly, at a distance of 3-4 centimeters from each other.

The following eye colors of these purrs are distinguished:

Classic copper;
Green;
Yellow green;
Golden;
Blue;
There are representatives with different eye colors.

The coat of the British lop-eared is thick and soft. This breed boasts a huge variety of colors. Blue-gray is considered classic.

Among the monochromes are:

Bluish gray;
Silvery or whitish;
Dark Ash;
purple;
Beige (or peach);

The coat color of this breed can combine two or three colors:

Smoky(each hair on top is two-thirds dyed ashy or silvery white);

tabby(brindle or patterned) - a color that implies a dark pattern or markings on the body of a lighter tone. Such rather rare cats have a pattern on their forehead that looks like the letter “M”, and on the back, paws and sides there are characteristic stripes and spots;

Bicolor- this is a combination of white with another (red, chocolate, black, gray, etc.);

colorful color(or Siamese). Cats with this coat color have a light (white or cream) body, and paws, ears, tail and muzzle are dark (black, dark gray or dark chocolate), it still looks beautiful;

Tortoiseshell- the most common type of color. Means a large number of shades and colors. Usually you can find black or gray cats with red and white patches.

The body of the representatives of this breed is strong and powerful, the back is strong. The legs are short and look deceptively clubfoot. The tail is thick, fluffy and even, with a rounded tip.

Character and behavior

Due to the fact that the British Fold is a cross between the Scottish Fold and the British Shorthair, these plush pets embody the traits and demeanor of both breeds. Cm. .

As a rule, boys are more like the British. They are self-sufficient, restrained and independent. They easily endure loneliness and do not like to be squeezed on the handles. However, they are not against communication, they like to play with teasers or ball balls.

Girls are much more gentle and friendly: they love their owner, adore children, get along with other pets. A person allows himself to be carried on the handles, stroked, comes to sleep with him or lie on his knees when he is sitting.

From their Scottish ancestors, they got one funny feature: they easily stand on their hind legs, looking out for what caught their attention.

These cats are extremely peaceful and patient. They are not aggressive, it is very difficult to make them angry, and when this happens, the pet does not attack, but warns. With other animals in the house they behave calmly and will not get into a fight first. If they are annoyed by another four-legged pet, then the British Fold will simply find a quieter place for itself.

Cats of this breed have another remarkable feature - they are extremely clean. They monitor the condition of their fur, claws and paw pads, removing the slightest dirt with great responsibility and diligence. If there are no conditions for putting yourself in order, the pet will become extremely irritable and uncommunicative.

Despite their peaceful, slightly lazy lifestyle and love of home keeping, the British fold love to walk in the yard, training their hunting skills on a bird sitting on a branch or on the ground, unsuspecting insects or lizards.

The cat can wait patiently for a long time for an opportune moment to attack, watching from the grass or from a chosen elevation. They also don't mind climbing a tree and resting on a branch.

Where to keep a pet and how to understand it

For representatives of the British Fold breed, space is needed. It is best to keep them in country houses with their own yard or in large apartments. These chubby cats are not very demanding on climatic conditions: they get used to heat or cold with equal ease.

It should be understood that, like all cats, British Folds are born predators, so you should not feed them in excess of the norm. Sometimes they can be greedy, having eaten all the goodies you offered.

Representatives of this breed have a strong character, but are very sensitive to the praise and blame of the owner. So, having scolded a pet for a prank, you can certainly notice him sitting somewhere in the distance, calmly licking his lips. Thus, the animal tries to calm itself.

Cats of this breed are very smart and quickly catch everything on the fly. One warning will be enough to stop even a kitten from jumping on curtains or tables once and for all.

It is worth paying attention to the condition of the animal's coat. If a cat licks itself before the appearance of baldness, then she is jealous of you for a new pet, to which, in his opinion, you began to pay more attention than to him.

But if the coat is in a unkempt condition, you should contact the veterinarian. Perhaps your cat is sick or has too much fur in her stomach.

Cat care

Representatives of this breed do not require special and frequent care. For long-haired pussies, combing once a week is recommended, and for short-haired pussies - once every two. This procedure is necessary to prevent the accumulation of wool in the pet's stomach. You can comb both with a stiff brush (with bristles) and soft (silicone).

Bathing them is not necessary: these cats are very clean. For prevention, you can wash them once a month.

Particular attention should be paid to the ears. The unusual structure of the auricle contributes to the accumulation of sulfur in large quantities. To keep them in order, veterinarians advise once a week to gently clean them with cotton pads moistened with boiled water or a decoction of herbs.

In food, the lop-eared British are unpretentious. You can feed both purchased food and natural food. The only thing is that you need to follow the right diet and provide your pet with all the necessary vitamins.

Health

The crossbreeding of two breeds, the Scottish Fold and the British Shorthair, gave their descendants potential health problems.

Quite often, kittens have problems with the spine:

fused together vertebrae;
fragile vertebrae;
depleted intervertebral discs.

The rest of the musculoskeletal system also suffers:

Shortened compared to normal bones;
Incorrect or thickened joints;
Problems with the joints of the paws;

In addition, cats of the presented breed, if crossed incorrectly, have hearing problems. Sometimes partially or completely deaf kittens are born. However, these problems can be avoided by crossing the British Fold with the Shorthair or Scots. Not all kittens, of course, will have amazing ears or the build of a given breed.

You can also carry out prophylaxis for the spine and joints of a cat:

Raise your pet as often as possible by the front paws. This exercise will develop the spine and prevent the bones from forming incorrectly;
Buy a house for the animal to climb on, or take your pet for walks. So his joints do not undergo deformation and exhaustion;
Make sure your cat gets enough vitamins and minerals for bones and joints.

It is worth noting that British folds are wonderful pets. They are ideal for single people and those with children, make friends with other animals or become an ideal companion for the whole family.

They are very calm and affectionate, caring for them will take a minimum amount of time and money. You can choose a pet of almost any color, depending on the personal preferences of the future owner.

The British cat is very popular all over the world. She attracts with her sweet and at the same time majestic appearance. The coat of British cats is plush and soft to the touch. There are two types of British cats: British Shorthair and British Longhair. In the article we will talk about the characteristics of this breed, the history of its origin, care and maintenance.

British cat: breed description

As you can easily understand from the name, the main feature of the British shorthair cat is the length of its coat. We will talk about how this variety of the “British” was formed and what features it has in this chapter.

The history of the breed

According to one version, it is believed that France was originally the birthplace of the British cat. It was from there that cats of this breed were transported to different parts of the world. Another version says that British cats are descended from Egyptian and Roman cats. From Rome, cats were brought to the British Isles, where they mixed with local wild cats. The British noticed a new type of cat with a beautiful and dense coat and decided to keep the animals under close observation.

The fabulous Cheshire cat from L. Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland" was copied from the majestic appearance of a British cat

So, on July 13, 1871, the first professional cat show took place in London, it was at it that the first British cats were shown. After that, the British beauties were seriously taken up by world experts, who were attracted by a beautiful and soft fur coat. In the 20th century, the British cat, thanks to the American felinological community, became known to the whole world. In Russia, the first British cats appeared only in 1980, and this breed gained popularity only in the 21st century.

breed standard

British cats are large, but at the same time graceful and graceful. They attract with their beautiful, deep, intelligent look and soft velvety coat, which you want to touch. For all their massiveness, British cats are excellent hunters, they easily climb high structures.

Table 1. British shorthair cat standard

Characteristics	Description
Weight	4-8 kg
Head	Rounded, wide, with cheeks; the nose is short, in the same vertical with the chin. The ears are straight, erect, small, rounded, set low. The eyes are rounded, orange in color (for point colors - blue eyes, for chinchillas - blue, lavender, green)
Body	Powerful, broad chest and shoulders
limbs	Paws are dense, small, massive, with thick claws
Tail	Thick at the base, with a rounded end
Wool	The coat is short, dense, with a thick undercoat

You need to know! British cats have strictly erect erect ears, so if a pet has lop-earedness, then this is direct evidence of a mixed breed, or your pet is a representative of another breed, for example, a Scottish fold.

Distinctive features of the British breed are a wide muzzle, a dense nose and full cheeks.

Color options

British cats have great variations in coat color. The blue color is mainly widespread, but this breed also has rarer ones, which is very much appreciated among breeders.

The main color options for British cats:

monophonic (solid). Strictly the same color skin and coat. With marks, spots, the cat will be removed from participation in exhibitions. The most common color is blue, but there are also black, purple, chocolate, red, white. Rare solid colors include cinnamon, fawn;

Magnificent color of lilac hue is a jewelry work of specialists. He is artificial

The white color should not have yellow tints. The color is difficult to obtain, when breeding, there is a high risk of giving birth to kittens with defects

Color "cinnamon" (cinnamon) - a rare shade. It is very valuable and is a shade of chocolate color.

The fawn color is even rarer. This is a clarified version of cinnamon. A very valuable color for breeders, because it makes it possible to obtain new light shades.
tortoise color. Magnificent, with a uniform combination of spots, inherent only in cats. It is desirable that there are shades of red or cream on the cat's face;
Only cats have tortoiseshell coloration. Males rarely appear with a complex tortoiseshell shade, while due to a genetic error they are infertile
silver and golden shaded. Animals with these rare colors are considered the most expensive because of their chic, evenly colored, rich coats. The main thing is that the pigmentation is 1/8 of the length of the hairline. Cats look like chinchillas, which is why they are called British chinchillas. Eye color in this color is blue, lilac or green;
One of the rare colors - silver

In the golden color no gray undercoat is allowed. In this case, the cats are recognized as defective and culled.
color point. The color is very similar to the Siamese and carries a combination of white and the main color (black, chocolate, red);
British color-pointed cat
tabby. The color is represented by a print on the fur of cats in the form of contrasting symmetrical stripes, spots, marble pattern on any minor color. Therefore, cats of this color are very similar to small tigers or leopards;
Color "marble tabby"
"whiskas". On the silvery coat, the presence of clear stripes throughout the body. The drawing should have contrast and clarity. This type of color is valuable among breeders;
Whiskas-colored cats became popular after the release of the commercial for the Whiskas food on television.
bicolor, "harlequin", particolor. The color carries combinations of two colors, where the maximum predominance is white.
Bicolor color

Character

British cats perfectly tolerate loneliness, but at the same time they miss their owner. Animals have an attachment to only one person, but at the same time lead an independent lifestyle. The British cat tries to avoid guests, in some cases it can even show aggression if excessive attention is shown to it.

You need to know! British cats have English manners, they are reserved, not intrusive, intelligent and have a sense of dignity, an inner core.

Cats of this breed are very calm, they can ask for affection when they want, but they prefer it to a minimum. Pets have a good mind and ingenuity. If you disturb the peace of the British cat, she will not use her claws, but will only warn you by hitting her soft fluffy paw that she does not need attention at the moment. Due to its well-mannered character, the furniture in the apartment remains intact, but this does not mean that the pet does not need a special claw sharpener.

These animals are always and in everything the first: the place on the bed is necessarily the central one, the armchair in the room is always the most beloved, the master's. And if the pet has chosen a place, then no matter how many times you kick him out, he will still return to him - even if it is your pillow.

British cats are calm, balanced, they love to lie on the couch, somewhere not far from the owner. A pet can come into the arms only at will to receive a portion of affection. It is necessary to educate kittens from an early age, otherwise then an adult will practically not be re-educated.

This breed has no problems with a tray. British cats are very clean, although they can be naughty if they are not satisfied with the filler. Therefore, the contents of the tray must be selected individually, taking into account the preferences of your pet. Also, the pet devotes more time to its appearance, so the British “aristocrat” washes all day long. For all their British restraint, these cats love to play, so stock up on a variety of toys and try to play with your pet.

British cats are not difficult to care for, but in order for the animal to be healthy and always look well-groomed, you need to give it some time. Twice a week you need to comb your pet, this procedure has a beneficial effect on the condition of the plush coat. A shorthair British cat should not be bathed often, just 2-3 times a year or if the animal has been outdoors is enough.

Monthly it is worth examining and cleaning the ears from the accumulation of sulfur and regularly wipe with eye drops or tea infusion of the eye. The presence of a scratching post is a must. Thus, you will protect your furniture and wallpaper from the sharp claws of the pet, and at the same time ensure that the British cat grinds the horny part of the claw.

At 7-8 months, British kittens have their first molt, so you should be patient and carefully comb your pet every day. At this age, kittens lose their baby undercoat in large quantities, but this is not considered a disease.

You need to know! The British cat needs to cut its nails once every two weeks to avoid ingrown and excessive length.

Feeding

Feeding a British cat should be balanced, rich in vitamins and minerals, and also contain proteins. Good nutrition will be the key to your pet's health and beautiful shiny coat. You can choose a diet for your pet among industrial feeds, it is advisable to stick to the choice of well-known companies and the line of holistic, super premium and premium classes.

Such feeds are completely ready for use and have a dry and soft (canned) appearance. If you have time to compile and prepare the diet yourself, then it is better to feed your pet with natural products. But just do not forget that it is necessary to include vitamins in the diet, which can be purchased at a specialized store for animals.

The British cat's diet should be balanced, nutritious and contain the necessary proteins, fats and carbohydrates that are healthy

Natural feeding involves the presence of:

meat products (beef, rabbit, turkey, chicken, offal);
sea fish boiled without bones;
quail, chicken eggs;
dairy products (milk, cottage cheese, low-fat cheese, kefir);
cereals in the form of porridge (buckwheat, rice, oatmeal, wheat);
vegetables (carrots, cucumbers, zucchini, cauliflower, broccoli);
cat grass and sprouted grains of wheat, oats;
vitamin and mineral complex.

You can not feed the cat foods that contain salt and sugar, as well as spices. Chocolate and other sweets are not suitable for the cat's body and will only harm your pet.

You need to know! Kittens drink mother's milk up to 1.5-2 months, then they can be fed with cow's milk, liquid cereals and boiled meat in the form of mashed potatoes. In adult cats, milk can cause digestive upset, so it should be given only as a treat, depending on the well-being of the pet.

More detailed information about the nuances can be found in a separate article on our portal.

Body features

British cats, like all purebred animals, are prone to a number of diseases. If you do not monitor your pet, you can miss the development of infection. For example, cats of this breed may be predisposed to:

to colds;
cryptorchidism;
skeletal deformities;
wrong bite;
deafness
blindness.

British cats have a good immune system, but it is worth taking your pet to the veterinarian periodically to avoid latent infection.

Owner reviews

The positive qualities of the British cat include its calm and balanced character, as well as independence. These animals can easily be at home alone for a long time. The pet does not make a lot of noise, only sometimes it makes it clear to the owner that it is time for lunch or that the toilet needs to be tidied up. In advance, you should purchase the necessary pet care tools, a scratching post, bowls for food and drink, toys, and a toilet.

British cats have their own special character, so you need to raise a pet from a young age, as soon as he appeared in the house.

Price

The price of a British cat depends on the purpose of the acquisition. Kittens purchased as a pet are usually cheaper than those purchased for breeding and exhibitions. The average price of a kitten with a pedigree is 20-30 tr., here gender, size, external data and titles of parents are taken into account.

It is better to buy a kitten in a cattery from a responsible breeder. The exterior of the animal is the main thing that you need to immediately pay attention to. The kitten should look harmonious, so the body and head should be proportional, and the bite should be scissors. Also, the kitten must have all the necessary documents. Kittens that are sold as pets usually go through sterilization (castration) right away.

Russian nurseries

In Russia, there are several catteries that breed British Shorthair cats at a professional level:

SunRay, Moscow region, Zeleny settlement;
Wonder Plush, Moscow;
Miracle Cats, Moscow;
Galeksy, Vladivostok;
Steppe Stars *RUS, Krasnodar.

Video - About the British Shorthair cat

British Longhair cats are a variety of the British cat and are considered an independent breed in modern times. When breeding a British shorthair cat, kittens with long hair, carrying the gene for long hair, dropped out, as they were a “marriage” of the breed.

Now, animals with long hair are considered a separate species and are very popular. British Longhair cats carry the blood of shorthair cats (must have their type and bones) and Persian cats (they inherited long hair from them). But this is not always the case, and often the animals did not fit the established standards, so there are still no well-established descriptions of exactly the long-haired "British".

The history of the origin of the breed

British Longhair cats appeared in the course of breeding new coat colors when crossing British and Persian breeds. The gene responsible for long hair has a recessive quality, so the first few generations were short-haired, but in subsequent breeding kittens were born with long hair.

Such kittens were considered "defective" and were culled, but some experts decided to go the other way and began to actively deal with British longhair cats. Thus, while breeding long-haired British cats, breeders tried to achieve the ideal look. However, hybrid individuals were born with severe skull defects and soft fluffy hair, so the breeders decided to "knit" only the most successful hybrids.

Exterior

In general, outwardly British Longhair cats are no different from British Shorthair cats, except for the length of the coat.

Table 2. Exterior of the British Longhair cat

Color options

Basic color standards:

tortoiseshell. The presence of a uniform combination of two colors (black / red or blue / cream);
British longhair tortoiseshell cat
"smoke" (smoke) . The presence of contrasting shades in color. The tips of the hairs are black, the undercoat is very light, almost silvery in color;
tabby . This species is distinguished by the presence of a marbled, striped, spotted pattern on the animal's coat. The ticked color carries no pattern. The main thing is the clarity of the pattern and the presence of the “M” sign in the area of \u200b\u200bthe eyebrows;
Golden ticked british longhair cat
bicolor. The presence of two colors (white / main);
color-point. The color is similar to the Siamese. A large amount of white is combined with the main color on the muzzle, paws, tail and ears.
British longhair color-point cat

Character

The character is not particularly different from the character of the British longhair cat. Long-haired "British" also like to be in the company of the owner, but at the same time they try to stay apart. Calmness, endurance and intelligence are inherent in these beautiful animals. Excessive caress is not acceptable for this breed, the "British" will come for it when they want. Also, the upbringing of a cat with character should be dealt with from an early age, immediately accustom the kitten to the tray. British cats are very smart and clean, so there are no problems with the toilet.

You need to know! There are no differences, except for the length of the coat, between the British Longhair and British Shorthair cats. By temperament, character, ingenuity, these species are absolutely the same, and everything depends only on the individual traits of the animal.

British Longhair cats do not require special care, but they should be combed regularly with a special comb so that tangles do not form. If you need to wash your pet, then you need to use only special shampoos for long-haired cats. You also need to take into account the temperature in the room and prevent the pet from being in a draft. During the molting season, the pet should be combed daily, starting from the head area and gradually moving towards the tail. It is better not to use slickers, as they injure living hair, and sometimes completely pull it out along with dead hairs.

Like short-haired cats, long-haired "British" cats need to cut their claws on time and clean their ears from sulfur accumulation. Eyes should be cleaned regularly. During periods of molting, give your pet drugs to remove hair from the stomach.

The coat of the long-haired "British" needs to be combed regularly, especially during the molting period.

Nutrition

The diet of the British Longhair is no different from that of the Shorthair. The main thing is that the nutrition is balanced and properly selected according to the physiological characteristics of the body. A long-haired pet can also be fed with industrial feeds, it is imperative to choose high-quality feed. With natural feeding, it must be taken into account that the cat is a predatory animal and needs a sufficient amount of protein.

Russian nurseries

The price of kittens in good nurseries varies from 25,000-30,000 rubles, depending on the purpose for which the animal is purchased. From titled parents with documents, kittens of a rare color are more expensive.

Russian nurseries:

BritFavorite, Moscow;
"Ariosto", St. Petersburg;
Galeksy, Vladivostok;
ReginaMargot, Krasnodar.

If your plans include self-breeding of British Shorthair cats, then the choice of a partner should be approached especially carefully. You can read about how puberty and mating goes on in cats and what to do with offspring can be read below.

Pros and cons of the breed

Among the advantages of the British cat breed are:

good health;
non-aggressiveness;
balanced character;
quick wits;
ease of care;
beautiful plush wool;
restraint;
attachment to the owner;
can tolerate a long absence of the owner;
life expectancy with good care is about twenty years.

There are not many cons, but they are:

uncontrollable character (by itself);
lack of sociability;
prone to colds;
detachment, only sometimes can allow affection.

British cats are smart, quick-witted, charming creatures that do not require much care and are suitable for busy people.

Video - British Longhair kittens

The lop-eared Briton is very popular with cat breeders because of its plush appearance, expressive eyes and affectionate disposition. And although the breed is still not recognized by official catteries, these cats are known and loved by many. If you plan to have such pets, then first you should understand the features of the species, the rules of maintenance and care.

Description of the breed

Lop-eared British cats have an original appearance. This animal is very beautiful, strong and has an unusual structure. A kitten is born quite large in size, and already at the age of two it reaches its maturity.

By the way, males are much larger than their females. On average, an adult pet reaches a weight of about 5-8 kg, British lop-eared women weigh a little less.

A distinctive feature of the British representatives is their beautiful round muzzle. A flexible and well-developed body gives the animal a powerful and imposing appearance. But the small curved ears, on the contrary, make the image cute and slightly surprised.

The British lop-eared cat has large round eyes, usually painted in honey color. Slightly less common are green, golden and blue.

As for the coat, it is smooth, fluffy, with a thick undercoat under it. British can be painted in different colors, but the following are considered the most common:

Single color. Most often it is a blue color, black and white, cream, red is less common.
Smoky. This coloring has one characteristic feature. The fact is that each hair is 1/3 colored in one color, and the rest is completely different, usually white or silver.
Turtle. This color is available in various shades. Most often these are black cats with red patches all over the body. Also blue, chocolate, cream color can be attributed to this species.
Colored or Siamese. Such pets have a light body, and the ears, muzzle, paws and tail are painted dark.
Tabby. This color suggests a variety of shades. Moreover, the body may have even stripes or be painted unevenly.
Bicolor. This variant suggests a white body, which may have areas painted in a different color, most often blue, black or tortoiseshell.

These are the main colors that are more common in the British breed. Naturally, non-purebred cats may have a different color.

Character features

Each representative of the cat family is individual and differs in its character, behavior and habits, the British in this case is no exception. There are quite calm and well-mannered pets, and there are cats who like to misbehave.

Since this breed appeared as a result of the selection of two different species, the character of cats can also be inconsistent. But it should be noted a few characteristic features that are in every British pet:

not afraid to be alone even for a long time;
does not like long hugs and caresses, therefore, having received the required number of strokes, he tries to eliminate himself;
loves to lie on his back, spreading his paws to the sides;
very clean.

After the acquisition, the cats quickly adapt and get used to the owners. They love children very much, even overly capricious and restless ones, so you can not be afraid to have a kitten in an apartment where a small child lives.

As a rule, this breed is very friendly and not aggressive, it is almost impossible to piss them off, but if this happens, then the cats will certainly use all their weapons: claws, teeth. But it is worth noting that the first lop-eared cats of the British never come into conflict, it is easier for them to leave the territory in which there is an unpleasant object.

The advantages of this breed can also be attributed to its cleanliness, the cat always looks well-groomed. The animal can lick its fur for hours on end. Any dirt on the body, to which it cannot reach, causes irritation, the cat becomes restless and restless.

Despite their calm nature, pets are not averse to playing and are unlikely to give up hunting. Moreover, they can lie motionless for quite a long time, tracking down prey, which highlights another positive quality in them - patience.

Photo gallery (British Lop-Eared)

Feeding rules

The British are not particularly picky in their choice of food, so feeding should not be a problem. But due to their massiveness, they require a larger dose than an ordinary pet. But due to the fact that this breed has a tendency to obesity, they need to be fed on time and dosed.

For a cat to be healthy and active, you need to properly compose a daily diet, it must be complete and balanced.

When choosing ready-made feed, you should give preference to well-known premium varieties, they have a large number of advantages:

the menu is balanced;
contains vitamins and mineral complexes;
it is possible to calculate the portion size based on the weight of the animal;
suitable for neutered and sterilized pets.

The only disadvantage of such products is the high cost, so not every owner of a British cat will be able to purchase such food on an ongoing basis.

You can organize feeding with natural products, but in this case, you should follow some rules:

boiled or boiled meat and offal (except pork and lamb), large parts must be cut into small pieces, otherwise the cat may choke;
various cereals, oatmeal, rice are more useful, while vegetable oils are allowed to be added to them;
boiled vegetables, except potatoes, as they contain starch;
sea fish, but add it to the diet no more than once a week, since such a product can cause urolithiasis;
low-fat dairy products.

If feeding is carried out exclusively with natural products, then it is necessary to additionally feed the animal with vitamins and minerals, it is especially important to do this during the growth period. In addition, it is necessary to provide the pet with clean drinking water, it should always be in the public domain and in the required quantity.

Cat health

Since the breed appeared as a result of crossing two different species, namely the Scottish Fold and the British Shorthair, their offspring inherited a number of unpleasant pathologies. The most common diseases in the British are associated with the spine, namely:

vertebrae fused together or very weak;
rapid depletion of intervertebral discs;
weak or poorly developed musculoskeletal system;
small bones;
thickened or irregularly shaped joints;
joint diseases.

It is also worth noting that British lop-eared cats often have hearing problems. Many kittens are born with complete or partial hearing loss. Although compliance with all the rules and requirements for breeding helps to avoid such problems. But in this case, there is a big risk that the resulting seals will not have the characteristic features of this breed in the form of a powerful body and curved ears.

it is necessary to regularly lift the cat by the front paws, this allows the spine to develop correctly and actively;
it is advisable to purchase a special house or other multi-tiered structure for the animal, where it could move freely, in which case the joints will be active, which means they will not be deformed and depleted;
vitamins and mineral complexes are necessarily included in the diet, they are essential for bones and joints.

Lop-eared British are wonderful pets. They are suitable for single people and for a large family with children. If there are other pets in the house, then there is no doubt that they will find a common language with them and make friends. Therefore, the purchase of a British kitten with small funny ears will be the right decision, he will become an indispensable member of the family. In addition, this fluffy baby does not require any special care.

From a large family of cats, the lop-eared Briton deserves attention - a plush toy with a kind character and good looks. This breed appeared in the 19th century, but the peak of popularity falls on the middle of the 20th century, when the first Briton was introduced to the public in Britain (hence the name of the breed).

The fold-eared cat was also called not by chance: the fluffy pet has unusual ears, strongly bent down. This is the hallmark of a thoroughbred cat.

The first lop-eared Britons appeared in Russia in the 90s of the last century and immediately won the hearts of millions of people who have kind and tender feelings for pets. An interesting fact: the lop-eared Briton has not yet been officially recognized.

This breed is a cross between the standard, from which they inherited a powerful body and short hair, and who passed on to the new generation the extraordinary ears that are the hallmark of a thoroughbred pet.

Appearance description:

a muscular body of a peculiar structure, covered with thick short hair resembling plush;
round head with strongly lowered ears;
flat forehead;
straight wide nose;
smart and unusually expressive eyes of a round shape;
chubby cheeks;
paws of small length;
average body size.

The weight of an adult lop-eared cat reaches 7-8 kg.

Fur color is varied. To date, there are 182 colors! Classic traditional - light blue color. Britons in black, chocolate, red, white, lilac and cream are also popular. Exotic representatives of the breed have a tortoiseshell and chinchilla coat color, as well as tabby and bicolor.

Features of the character of the lop-eared British

Representatives of this species, having the roots of traditional British and Scots, adopted the general character traits of each parent, and the result was an individual breed! Kind, cute plush creatures are a godsend for a family with small children and single citizens looking for a faithful and reliable friend in a pet.

They are unpretentious, quick-witted, smart and calm, do not show aggression and quickly get along with family members. I like to be friends with other pets, and even angry dogs with such a plush neighbor become friendly.

Features of the behavior of lop-eared British males:

cats are self-sufficient;
are independent;
can remain alone for a long time;
do not need excessive affection and "manual" gatherings;
active, love outdoor games;
restrained and undemanding.

Shorthair fold cat:

quickly gets used to the new owner and does not tolerate loneliness;
children like children and prefer outdoor games;
appreciates attention, affection and care;
allows himself to be stroked, carried on his hands;
inquisitive and resourceful.

Kittens of this breed quickly become attached to a new home and owner. They feel the mood of the owner and will not distract from important matters. An affectionate pet will remind you of itself only at the right moment. With this furry friend, life is easy and relaxed!

The short-haired lop-eared cat loves to stand on its hind legs, gracefully straightening its back, which is very unusual for representatives of the cat family. Such gymnastics is useful for the animal's spine, so smart cats find time to "stretch the bones."

Unlike other pedigreed cats, British lop-eared cats are afraid of heights, so they will not jump and jump from the top shelves of the cabinet. But to ride on the curtains, as on a comfortable swing, is a completely natural activity for these representatives.

If you do not want the cat to “work such miracles” during the absence of household members, educate him from an early age and do not allow him to show such manners that lead to unhappy consequences.

Clever Britons learn quickly and are quite obedient, but keep a calm tone when bringing up and in no case show physical measures. It is unacceptable to offend a four-legged friend, even if he deserved punishment for the act shown.

A fluffy pet is too defenseless to defend an adult. Also try not to allow children to bully the cat, because they are created for love, affection and friendship!

The amazing fold cat of the British breed is beautiful and smart, but also overly clean. Caring for plush fur spends every day, diligently cleans the claws and paw pads.

The pet is happy to take a walk on the street. Walking in the fresh air will benefit the cat, but before you let him out of the house, take care of protection:

vaccination according to the calendar against diseases transmitted from street cats;
flea collar and other wool treatment products;
twice a year, the animal must be given tablets from helminthic infection.

While walking on the street, the plush Briton will show hunting instincts: to catch birds, chase butterflies and guard a lizard hiding behind a stone. After waiting for the right moment, he will attack and, if successful, will demonstrate the prey to the owner.

Conditions for living lop-eared British:

apartments with a large area of internal premises;
private houses with a yard for walking.

Cats of this breed love space, they will be bored and uncomfortable living in a small apartment. They quickly get used to different climatic conditions.

Basic care for this breed

British cat care is standard. Not demanding, but sometimes need the help of the owner.

How to care for a British breed kitten:

The short-haired representative must be combed once a week to prevent wool from getting into the pet's stomach during licking. Periodically combing is carried out with a massage comb against wool, this gives the British pleasure!
The ears of representatives of this breed are very dirty, sulfur often accumulates in them. For cleaning, use cotton swabs and a special solution (in the pet store). Ears should be checked for contamination as often as possible. If you notice unusual dirt, a rash or an unpleasant odor, show the animal to the veterinarian.
Every day it is desirable to clean the cat's eyes from souring and plaque. For this procedure, cotton swabs and liquid for cleaning the eyes of the animal are used. Also prepare freshly brewed tea. Rinse with a slightly warm solution, gentle movements from the ear area to the nose. Change the cotton swab after each use.
Once or twice a month, it is recommended to trim the regrown claws. For a painless procedure, special tools for animals are used - a nail cutter or scissors with special edges. It is necessary to cut the claw with the provided distance, approximately 2 mm, so as not to touch the blood vessels. In case of accidental injury to the paw, disinfection is carried out using special means.
Bathing a lop-eared Briton is often not necessary. Enough 2-3 times a year bath procedures. The cat himself carefully monitors the coat and does not require additional care. You can wash the cat if necessary: if the coat is heavily soiled after a street walk. To clean the plush pile, special shampoos for short-haired animals are used. The water in the bath should be warm, about 40 degrees. After bathing, the coat is wiped with a soft towel. Try to avoid drafts to prevent hypothermia after bath procedures.

To create a comfortable life for a plush pet, it is recommended to purchase:

tray and special cat litter;
a bowl for water and a separate plate for food;
scratching post to prevent damage to upholstered furniture in the house;
carrying for kittens (if you plan to take a pet over long distances);
a place to sleep;
toys for animals.

British fold feeding

British breed cats eat in small portions, 2-3 times a day. Small kittens eat more often, and as they grow, the number of feedings decreases.

For the diet of pets of this breed, exclusively safe food products that do not contain harmful elements and preservatives are suitable. You can't feed a Briton with food from the table. If the owner does not have time to prepare individual dishes, you can put ready-made food for the pet, but only premium varieties.

What foods to give a lop-eared Briton:

boiled and raw meat of low-fat varieties;
offal;
boiled eggs;
dairy products with a low percentage of fat;
milk, only for kittens up to 3 months of age;
freshly cooked vegetables;
boneless sea fish;
cereals in meat broth.

Do not give to a purebred animal:

bones;
fat meat;
raw meat in an unprocessed form (freeze the product before feeding and pour over with boiling water);
milk for an adult Briton;
sweets, pastries;

All Britons, thanks to the appearance of a plush toy and good-natured character, are well-deservedly popular among cat lovers. It is impossible to look without emotion at such a fluffy fat man with a round face and the same round bright eyes. And if he is also lop-eared, then such a pet will immediately win your heart.

Is there a breed of lop-eared British

If you try to find this breed in the list of FIFe or other international felinological organizations, then you will fail. Officially, the breed "fold-eared Briton" does not exist (the British are divided into long-haired, both of which have beautiful erect ears). What kind of cats are called "fold-eared British"?

The history of the origin of the lop-eared cat breed

Inverted-eared cats were first officially registered in 1961. Kitty Susie became the ancestor of a new breed, which was later called the Scottish Fold (Scottish Fold). Cute plush cats with big bright eyes and a very balanced character quickly gained popularity and in 1976 were officially recognized as an independent breed. During the period of selection work, an unpleasant fact was revealed: when two lop-eared parents are crossed, the offspring has a number of genetic diseases and is not viable. Therefore, crossing was made with other short-haired breeds: Exotics, British and Americans. In this case, the litter could contain both lop-eared kittens (Scottish Fold) and babies with erect ears, they were called Scottish Straight (this variety later also received the status of an independent breed).

Currently, mixing Scottish cats with British Shorthair cats is prohibited, as this contributes to the development of genetic diseases. The British Fold does not officially exist. Under this name, Scottish Folds (Scottish Fold) are offered, but since the British were also in the ancestors of this breed, there is some reason for using such a name. Such pets touch with their appearance and conquer with a cute character, therefore they enjoy well-deserved popularity.

Photo gallery: British and Scottish cats

Shorthair British blue color Longhair British (Highland) golden chinchilla color Longhair Scottish cat with straight ears (Highland Straight) tabby color Longhair Scottish fold cat (Highland Fold) bicolor color Shorthair Scottish cat with prick ears (Straight) color red tabby Shorthair Scottish cat with erect ears (Straight) color red tabby (fold) gray point

Description of the appearance and character of British and Scottish cats

Despite the fact that these breeds are often confused, their appearance varies significantly.

British and Scots are different

Table: differences between British and Scottish cats

Comparative criterion	British cat	Scottish cat
Body type	Large, massive, rectangular in shape, weight from five to eight kilograms.	They are not massive, the body shape is more rounded, the weight is from three to eight kilograms.
Paws	Shorter legs with rounded paws.	Long, graceful.
Tail	Short and fluffy.	Longer.
head shape	Rounded, vibrissae pads are well defined, a small chin, but the British stand out with large plump cheeks.
Nose	Straight, wide, with a slight depression, smoothly passes into a wide forehead.
Eyes	Bright large, widely set, the color of the iris can be different, but the most common is rich amber.
Ears	Only standing, set wide apart.	They can be both upright and lowered with an inclination forward.
Wool	It can be both short and long. British Shorthairs are famous for their velor fur coat, which is very pleasant to the touch.
Color	For the British, light blue is considered classic. But now both breeds can have the most diverse coat colors (there are almost two hundred colors), including: black, lilac, chocolate, cream, white, bicolor, tabby, tortoiseshell.

British and Scottish cats differ in the shape of the head, the location of the ears on it, as well as the general structure of the body.

Video: why Scots and British are different breeds

Features of the character of British and Scottish cats

The British cat breed is distinguished by its independence, intelligence and truly royal calm, they are very devoted to their owner and may even show signs of jealousy, but are not intrusive; they can be restrained, almost indifferent, and can play with children with pleasure, provided that they are treated with respect. When hungry, this pet will not scream loudly or caress annoyingly, demanding food. He can sit down near the bowl and look indignantly at the owner, reminding him of his duties. In their demands, the British can be very persistent and stubborn, so you need to immediately learn how to find a common language with this pet.

The Scottish cat is often recommended for families with small children, they are absolutely devoid of aggressiveness and are very affectionate. Scots are friendly not only with people, but also with other pets; calmly endure a new society, but do not like to be left alone.

Both breeds are distinguished by cleanliness and intelligence; there will be no problems with accustoming them to the tray and order in the house.

Although these cats are not hypoallergenic, there is evidence of a good tolerance of their presence in the apartment, even for allergy sufferers. In any case, before purchasing a kitten in a cattery, it is better to test for an allergy of this particular animal.

Video: what breed of cats are lop-eared

There are differences in the behavior of British cats from Scottish ones. These differences are related to the structure of the body:

British women do not stand on their hind legs;
do not sit;
not afraid of heights.

Acquisition of a lop-eared kitten

Despite the absence of the British Fold breed, ads for the sale of kittens can be found quite often. This fact once again testifies to the undesirability of acquiring a kitten through advertisements or in the bird market. And yet, if you decide to get a kitten of a British or Scottish breed, it is better to buy it from a breeder or in a nursery. Experienced specialists better select a pair for mating so that future offspring are healthy and have an attractive appearance.

A kitten is purchased at the age of at least 10-12 weeks. By this time, he will have already received primary vaccinations, he eats on his own and uses the tray. The ears of newborns drop on the twenty-first day, so it is not difficult to distinguish a lop-eared kitten. The British are distinguished by shorter legs and have a clubfoot when walking.

The cost of a lop-eared kitten when buying through an ad will not exceed five thousand rubles. If you purchase a kitten from an officially registered breeder, you will receive the entire set of documents (baby's passport indicating the pedigree and date of birth, sale and purchase agreement and vaccination certificate) and the purchase price will be several times more expensive. The cost is influenced by the appearance of the future pet and the opportunity to participate in breeding the breed and in exhibitions.

Eye care: as it appears, it is necessary to remove a small dark coating from the corners of the eyes with a napkin.
Ear care: both upright and downturned ears need to be cleaned, earwax and dirt can accumulate on their inner side; once every two months it is necessary to inspect the ears and, if they are dirty, clean them with cotton pads moistened with hydrogen peroxide or a special liquid for cleaning the ears of animals. This operation must be performed carefully, without getting deep into the ear canal. If ear pollution appears frequently, this is a sign of a disease or the appearance of an ear mite. In this case, you need to contact your veterinarian.
Dental care is just as important for pets as it is for humans. For brushing teeth, special toothbrushes are used, a paste with the taste of cat treats, or at least introducing solid food into the diet, chewing which the cat will clean its teeth. Once every six months, it is desirable to visit a veterinarian - dentist.
To care for the claws in the house, there should be a scratching post, but if this is not enough, it is necessary to periodically trim the claws with a special claw cutter. It is not advisable to use scissors, as they can injure the skin of the cat's fingers.
Hair care consists of periodic combing. For a short-haired breed, once a week is enough, but it is better to comb the cat once again than to collect wool throughout the apartment. Brushing is usually a pleasure for pets, they perceive it as a massage, and the British like it, and combing against the coat, which is not usually characteristic of cats. Longhairs need to be brushed daily to keep them looking well-groomed and not leaving clumps of hair. In addition, once every six months, the cat should be washed in warm water (at a temperature of forty degrees) with special shampoos. Bath towels are used for drying, although some pets are fine with blow-drying.
A tray is used for a cat's toilet; what kind of filler to initially purchase is better to consult with the breeder. These cats are particularly clean and can be capricious when choosing a filler.

When purchasing a pet, you need to remember about dishes for food and water and carrying for visiting the veterinarian. If you get a special corner for a cat, she will be happy to live there.

The British and Scots are very fond of large space; if you have a private house with a garden plot - this is the best option for them to live

How and what to feed pets

Scottish and British cats are not picky eaters. The British, because of their massiveness, should receive a volume of food thirty percent more than ordinary cats. However, it must be remembered that this breed is prone to obesity. And given the problems with the skeleton and the tendency to heart disease, being overweight can adversely affect the health of the pet. Scottish cats have no tendency to obesity, but their diet should not contain fatty foods. In order for your pet to be healthy and live long, it is necessary to pay great attention to the correct preparation of a balanced diet.

The easiest way to solve this problem is to choose premium ready-to-eat foods. These feeds are already balanced, contain vitamin and mineral complexes and offer a choice of feeds for special purposes: for removing hair, for urolithiasis, for castrated animals. The amount of servings, taking into account the weight of the animal, is given on the product packaging. The disadvantage of such a diet is its high cost.

When organizing feeding with natural products, it should be borne in mind that about seventy percent of the diet should be protein foods. The diet can include:

all types of meat and offal, with the exception of pork and lamb; meat is given boiled or raw, but scalded with boiling water, and cut into small pieces so that the cat does not choke;
cereals - it is recommended to cook oatmeal or rice, they can be seasoned with vegetable oil;
vegetables are given boiled in small quantities; due to the starch content, it is not recommended to feed cats with potatoes;
sea fish of any variety, but not more than once a week due to the possibility of urolithiasis;
low fat dairy products:
- yogurt,
- cottage cheese,
- sour cream
- fermented baked milk (milk is not always suitable for adult cats).

When using natural food, be sure to add vitamins and minerals, especially during the growth period.

Whatever type of feeding you choose, your pet should always be provided with clean (preferably filtered) water.

Health status of British and Scottish cats

Both Scottish and British cats have good immunity and rarely get sick, but they are prone to hereditary diseases. These diseases are associated with the structural features of the body and each breed has its own.

Due to their powerful and heavy physique, British cats often suffer from diseases associated with abnormal skeletal development. This can be expressed as a deformity of the spine, carpal and metatarsal bones. There are complexes of physical exercises for cats suffering from diseases of the spine. But you need to consult a veterinarian about the system for conducting them.

There may be bony growths on the fingers. In this case, the cat begins to limp, and only surgical intervention can help him.

Shortcomings in skeletal formation sometimes lead to cardiomyopathy. This disease manifests itself already in an adult animal, therefore it is advisable to do an ultrasound of the heart annually for prevention and timely treatment.

For the Scottish breed, diseases of the joints are more vulnerable, which lead to a decrease in mobility (especially often this disease manifests itself in the joints of the tail). And they also have a predisposition to diseases of the kidneys and gastrointestinal tract. From British ancestors to the Scots, a tendency to cardiomyopathy passed.

With good care and timely treatment, your pet will live for at least twelve years, and quite possibly more. One of the important factors affecting the health of cats and cats is their timely sterilization or castration. (Now veterinary clinics offer a number of similar operations, each of which has its pros and cons) and if you are not going to breed the breed, then it is advisable to do this operation on time. The operation has no age restrictions, but a young animal tolerates surgery more easily, and hormonal changes will be less noticeable.

Video: castrate an animal or not

Features of breeding lop-eared cats

If you want to try your hand at breeding pedigreed cats, then it is better to start with studying at felinological courses, where the basics of genetics, veterinary medicine are given, they talk about the rules for holding exhibitions and about international felinological organizations. Before organizing the mating of your pet, it is necessary that he take part in the exhibition. Even if the cat did not take a prize, she received an assessment of her class, this could be:

Pet-class - an animal with a slight disadvantage that cannot be used in breeding work.
Breed-class - full compliance with the breed standard and in good health for procreation.
Show-class - not only compliance with the standard, but also a bright appearance that allows you to receive prizes at exhibitions.

Only after receiving the class, your pet can officially take part in the breeding work of the felinological club.

The difficulty in breeding lop-eared cats lies in the correct selection of partners. In no case should you knit lop-eared cats with lop-eared ones. In such mating, all offspring will have genetic diseases. In addition, the color of the animals is taken into account to obtain the best result.

It is desirable to knit young animals with more experienced partners at the age of about one and a half years (a cat - during the third estrus). To find a suitable partner, a felinological club is used and the act of mating is documented so that the born kittens have a correctly issued passport.

Table: advantages and disadvantages of British and Scottish cats

Advantages.

Disadvantages.

There are nurseries for breeding this breed in Russia, and these breeds are not very rare.
Not very high cost of acquiring a pet.
Very attractive animal appearance.
Friendly and non-aggressive character, good attitude towards children in Scottish cats. An independent and calm temperament is a good companion for British cats.
Getting along with other pets.
They do not have special requirements for care and nutrition.

They are prone to hereditary diseases.
Breeding the breed has a number of difficulties.
They do not belong to hypoallergenic breeds.