If you are crazy about cats with soft and sumptuous coats, the British Longhair should please you! This is the long-haired variant of the British Shorthair. This royal feline also inherited the rounded silhouette and the gentle and easy-going temperament of the Shorthair. This cat adapts to life in an apartment and in a house and will delight a family with children as well as a single or elderly person.
Breed Overview
Height:
12–15 inches
Weight:
8–15 pounds
Lifespan:
10–15 years
Colors:
Wide variety of colors
Suitable for:
Singles, families, people living in an apartment
Temperament:
Affectionate, friendly, independent, gentle, gets along with dogs and other cats
Do you want to know more about this superb breed and discover all its secrets? All the answers to your questions and even more are down below!
British Longhair Cat Characteristics
Energy
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A high-energy cat needs a lot of physical and mental stimulation to keep healthy and happy, while a low-energy cat needs minimal physical activity, but still needs mental stimulation. When choosing a cat, It’s important to ensure their energy levels match your lifestyle.
Trainability
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Cats that are easy-to-train are more willing and skilled at quickly learning prompts and actions with minimal training. Harder-to-train cats are usually more stubborn or aloof and require a bit more patience and practice.
Health
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Certain cat breeds are more prone to various genetic health problems, and some more than others. This doesn’t mean that every cat in those breeds will have these issues, but they do have an increased risk, so it’s important to understand and prepare for any additional needs they may require.
Lifespan
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Due to their size or potential genetic health issues of a specific breed, some cats have shorter lifespans than others. Proper nutrition, exercise, mental stimulation, and hygiene also play an important role in your cat’s lifespan and quality of life.
Sociability
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Some cat breeds are more social than others, both towards humans and other cats and animals. Cats that are more social have a tendency to rub up on strangers for scratches or jump on laps for cuddles, while cats that are less social shy away, hide, are more cautious, and even potentially aggressive. No matter the breed or gender, it’s important to socialize your cat and expose them to many different situations.
Purebred cats, and especially those as magnificent and sought after as the British Longhair, are not within the reach of all budgets. Prices vary depending on the breeder, parent pedigree, and your location. Be careful if you come across a breeder or an online seller who offers you a purebred kitten at a fraction of this price: they are often unscrupulous breeders who do not provide the best breeding conditions for their animals or offer purebred cats without any papers.
Be sure to check animal shelters too, as there are often little furry wonders eagerly awaiting a forever home.
Temperament & Intelligence of the British Longhair Cat
Purebred cats can inherit breed-specific physical and behavioral traits from their parents, but it’s impossible to accurately predict your kitten’s temperament. Much depends on its socialization, environment, and breeding conditions. However, be aware that the British Longhair is generally a calm, reserved, easy-going cat, very affectionate towards their favorite human, and tolerant of the presence of other pets in the house.
Image By: sab_k, Pixabay
Are These Cats Good for Families? 👪
Absolutely! The British Longhair is friendly, even patient with young children. It is a cat that loves to curl up in a ball on its owner’s lap, which is particularly comforting for people living alone.
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?
The British Longhair generally has no problem cohabiting with dogs and other feline friends. Like all cats, he can be more independent at times but does not really enjoy solitude for too long. If their owner is often away, they will greatly appreciate having another four-legged friend to play with all day long!
Things to Know When Owning a British Longhair Cat:
Food & Diet Requirements
The British Longhair needs to eat dry kibble, wet food, or a combination of the two to thrive and maintain the beauty of their coat. Their diet should consist of high-quality proteins, fats, some carbohydrates, and essential vitamins and minerals. You will also need to adjust their portions based on their age and level of daily exercise.
If your cat does not go outside, consider offering them some cat grass to improve their intestinal transit and facilitate the elimination of hairballs.
The British Longhair is not a very energetic cat: they would rather nap on your lap or on their favorite pillow than chase the laser pointer! However, as they are a breed that is quick to gain weight, you will need to stimulate them physically and mentally. Provide them with a whole range of accessories and interactive games, make them a jungle gym, and buy a multi-level cat tree. And above all, spend time every day playing with your kitten: this will strengthen your bond while keeping them slender and in top shape!
Training 🧶
The British Longhair is intelligent and curious: with a little patience, you can teach them many tricks, such as fetching the ball or his favorite stuffed animal, sitting down, and even giving a high-five! Of course, cats can’t be trained exactly like dogs, but they can be taught tricks by rewarding them with treats or using a clicker.
You won’t be surprised to learn that the beautiful fur of the British Longhair needs a little more care than that of a shorthaired cat.
Brush your cat once or twice a week to avoid knots and tangles in the undercoat. During shedding, you will need to brush him more frequently to remove layers of dead hair.
Additionally, long-haired cats tend to have more hairballs, given how much hair they ingest daily. So, to help your kitty eliminate their hairballs more easily, provide them with a small pot full of cat grass. However, if your cat is regurgitating hairballs very frequently, you should visit the vet for a checkup.
Health and Conditions 🏥
British Longhair cats can develop similar inherited conditions as Shorthairs, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and polycystic kidney disease (PKD). Obesity is also a disease to be feared for these lazy cats.
Minor Conditions
Obesity
Serious Conditions
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Polycystic kidney disease
Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD): This inherited disease is also common in British Shorthairs and Persians. Kidney cysts develop very early, even at an early age, and can be detected very easily by ultrasound.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM): This is the most common form of heart disease in felines, and British Shorthair and Longhair cats are predisposed to developing the disease. A regular cardiac ultrasound is the best way to detect the disease early enough. On the other hand, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy cannot be treated, but early diagnosis opens up treatment options that could prolong the life of your beloved cat.
Male vs Female
There is little difference between the male and female British Longhair apart from the fact that the male tends to be a bit heavier and bulkier than the female.
As for the behavior of your future kitten, male kittens have a reputation for being more playful and dynamic, while small females are known for being shy and reserved. But in truth, this can be the case for all kittens, regardless of breed and sex. Within a litter, very different temperaments can be observed between the little ones. Therefore, close observation of their attitudes is preferable to making a choice rather than focusing on sex.
3 Little-Known Facts About the British Longhair Cat
1. The British Longhair Breed Was Created By Accident
World War II almost sounded the death knell for the British Shorthair, which until then had been very popular in the United Kingdom. To save the breed, breeders have made crosses between several breeds, including Russian Blue, Persian, and Burmese. However, these crosses led to cats with longer hair, initially rejected from breeding. Fortunately, other breeders selected them to create the new breed of British Longhair that we know today.
2. They Have Hundreds of Possible Color Combinations
British Longhair cats have an (almost) endless combination of coat colors. Their color shades range from classic black and brown to blue, lilac, fawn, and cream, to cinnamon and red. Besides, black, white, and tricolor cats look similar to long-haired domestic cats.
3. The British Longhair Tends to Be Chubby
Due to his aversion to exercise and greediness, the British Longhair cat is prone to being overweight. Avoid giving them too many treats, watch their portions carefully, and provide them with interactive toys and a cat tree to play with.
Image By: AlexDonin, Shutterstock
Final Thoughts
The British Longhair cat’s gentle and lovable personality, chubby face, and independent nature make them a top choice for families or single people. But before acquiring one of these wonderful felines, be sure to find a breeder you can trust. Once you can all on your own, rest assured you’ll have a friend for life!
Featured Image Credit: Dora Zett, Shutterstock
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Genevieve is a biologist and science writer. Her deep love for capuchin monkeys, pumas, and kangaroos has taken her worldwide to work and volunteer for several wildlife rehabilitation centers in Bolivia, Guatemala, Canada, and Australia. As a Canadian expat, Genevieve now lives in Argentina, where she wakes up every morning to horses and cows saying hello from the vast plain next to her home office window. She is the proud mom of three rescued dogs , Lemmy, Nala, and Pochi, and a frisky kitten, Furiosa. Having the privilege of sharing her knowledge and passion for animals of all kinds is what makes her fulfilled and happy.
