British Longhair Cat, a Silky Coated Cheshire Cat!

Color

The British Longhair Cat is available in many colors with the only disqualifying pattern issue being any appearance of a locket (a patch of contrasting color on the chest). The eyes coordinate to the coat color, except for silvers, where copper is acceptable in addition to green.

Grooming

The British Longhair coat takes more work than the shorthair variety but daily combing will help to prevent tangles. British Longhair cats will benefit from regular bathing, which will help keep their coats tangle free and beautiful.

It is best if you start bathing your British Longhair while the kitten is very young and maintain a regular routine so the cat learns to enjoy the bath as a special time with you and not something to be feared.

Personality

These cats are friendly and affectionate. They enjoy attention and are generally undemanding pets. The males have a way of commanding respect but they are still people lovers who welcome attention from everyone.

The females however have a more serious disposition and are very dignified ladies, demanding the proper decorum and respect from their admirers. While these loyal and devoted beauties are not lap cats, they still crave affection and will usually want to be wherever you are, curling up next to you on the sofa or sitting with you when you are on the computer.

While not very active cats, they do have occasional spurts of kitten-like mischief, running around at high speed and acting like clowns.

Appearance

The British Shorthair is one of the oldest breeds of English cats. When between 1914 and 1918 the shorthaired cats were outcrossed with Persians, the British Longhair came to be. It was a long time before it was recognized as its own breed, but now it is one of the most popular cats in Europe.

According to the T.I.C.A. "The British Shorthair has a short, extremely dense plush coat with a crisp feel to it making you want to bury your hands in its luxurious pile. The British Longhair adds length to the dense coat so it stands out from the body emphasizing the cat's imposing lines.

In most colors, large, round eyes ranging from deep gold through copper are set into the smiling face. In pointed cats the eyes are blue while deep green eyes shine in the silvers. The classic Blue remains the most popular color however the breed comes in a rainbow of colors.

The British are medium to large, compact, powerfully built cats with a broad, full chest, short strong legs and a short, thick tail tapering slightly to a rounded tip. The British Shorthair has a massiveness that the plush coat emphasizes while the British Longhair cuts an imposing figure as the full coat swirls around the rounded, muscular body.

Their round heads have short noses, chubby cheeks and prominent, rounded whisker pads creating an enigmatic smiling look to the face. The round eyes are wide open and, combined with the smile, give the cat an amused air as it watches over its dominion-the look that Lewis Carroll captured so well in the Cheshire Cat!"

The British Longhair Cat as a Companion

The gentle, good nature of these beautiful creatures makes them an ideal family pet. Neither standoffish nor too clingy, the British Shorthair is friendly and very loyal. Getting along well with well mannered children and other pets, the only thing that will usually upset this calm breed is too much handling. These cats are happiest in a loving household where their rights are respected, but where they can initiate loving contact frequently.

British Longhair cats love their food and tend to be less active than most, so they can gain weight rapidly. It is important to keep a careful eye on their portions to make sure they don't become obese. They are sturdy, solidly built cats, ranging from 9 all the way up to 18 pounds but that weight should be due to their naturally muscular bodies rather than just fat deposits due to overeating.

They love to play, to get out those fishing toys and laser pointers to have some fun with your British Longhair and help keep your cat in tip top shape at the same time!

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