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British Shorthair Vs British Longhair

The British Shorthair and British Longhair are wonderful animals, especially if you’re looking for a first cat. In addition to being robust little felines with very few health problems, these cats are blessed with some of the most attractive character traits of any cat you’ve ever met.

Although they may seem a bit distant at first, both breeds are tremendously affectionate, very loyal, and tremendously good company; They are also low-maintenance, patient, and non-destructive, with an independent nature that makes them a very good choice for a cat owner who is at work during the day.

what you need to know about british short hair

The British Shorthair is essentially the latest refinement of the standard British domestic cat. its ancestors are the European wildcats that inhabited ancient Britain and the Egyptian domestic cats imported by the Romans when they invaded the British Isles.

The result was a breed of hardy shorthair cats, friendly to humans but downright diabolical mouse-catchers. In the 19th century, one of the earliest cat fanciers took a liking to the anonymous domestic cat and decided to create a pedigree breed from this stock (along with a mix of Russian Blue for its beautiful blue-gray coloration).

The result was the first British Shorthair: a handsome, muscular cat with a “cobby” (locked) setup and an engagingly expressive face. The standard British Shorthair has a rounded head with a modest degree of brachycephaly (although not enough to compromise the animal’s health), large round eyes, and wide-set ears. Their nature is loyal and affectionate, although they prefer a more carefree way of showing it. they are an intelligent race, but their intelligence is not the kind that leads them to mischief. they are eminently trainable and enjoy learning simple games like “fetch”.

what you need to know about British long hair

The British Longhair is a close cousin of the British Shorthair. Known as British or Lowlander in Europe, they are the result of breeding between standard British shorthair and longhair cats. in the early 20th century, imported longhairs were crossed with British shorthairs to produce the British longhair.

If you’re a fan of long coats, the result really is the best of both worlds: the loving yet independent nature of the British Shorthair, with a little of the lush locks of the Persian or Angora.

It is a medium-longhaired breed with a dense, fluffy coat and an attractive cobby pattern. The British Longhair is affectionate and friendly, although like the British Shorthair, this cat prefers to show love in a less physical way. his british longhair is apt to follow him around the house, learn his routine and wait for him when he gets home. Lap time and hugs may be limited, but you’ll get endless companionship and love. One caveat is that these kittens, unfortunately, can suffer from some of the health problems that often plague cats of Persian ancestry.

later in this article, we’ll discuss these issues in more depth.

let’s talk about price

British Shorthair Cats

The cost of a British shorthair cat varies. the usual figure quoted in the uk is £1200 for a show quality pedigree kitten. pet-grade kitties tend to be less expensive. British Shorthairs in the United States cost a roughly equivalent sum, around $1,500 to $2,000. British Shorthairs in Australia appear to be much less expensive; expect to pay a modest $1000 aud if you are based in the lucky country.

If you’re prepared to accept an older cat, you can usually get a retired cat (a former breeding animal or a show cat that can no longer tolerate the pressures of fame) for about one-third the price of a kitten

The least expensive option is to rehom a British Shorthair who cannot be cared for by their current owners. again, this usually means taking on a mature cat. You can occasionally find British Shorthairs as rescue animals (check local shelter websites and BSH-focused adoption registries), but they tend to be in short supply and go very quickly. they are such winning animals that people cannot resist them for long.

British Longhair Cats

The British Longhair cat is not currently recognized by the General Council of Feline Fancy, the UK’s leading cat registry, and therefore cannot be shown at gccf events. They are recognized by other bodies, including the International Cat Association. prices tend to vary a lot; Generally I would expect to pay around £700 or so on the low end and up to £1000 for a Tica registered kitty with a good set up.

US prices are proportionally similar, with breeders asking around $1000. Australian prices are lower, with some kittens as low as $600 aud.

verify that the breeder is properly registered before purchasing. Please note that while the GCCF does not yet recognize this breed, people who keep British Longhair cats often keep other cats as well, and therefore may have a GCCF registry that you can follow. Also note that the registry of this breed is inconsistent between organizations; the name used for the British Longhair by one authority may refer to an entirely different cat when used by another. you’ll have to do a little homework when you find a breeder.

how about character and temperament?

British Shorthair Cats

I can’t praise the British Shorthair’s character enough. they are a very drama free breed. unlike other intelligent breeds like the Siamese, their brains don’t cause them any problems (in general). They are a bit aloof at first, but quickly warm to their keepers and become quite attached.

I think my British shorthair cats tend to stick to me. As a rule, they don’t want to climb on my lap, but they will follow me around the house, sit at my feet in the kitchen while I drink my coffee, wait by the door when I come home from work, and quietly follow me from the bedroom. per room while I do my nightly chores.

They’re not clingy cats at all, more like house supervisors, wanting to be around you at all times but not demanding that you sit down and provide them with a lap to hog on.

British Longhair Cats

The British Longhair has a temperament very similar to the British Shorthair: independent yet affectionate, deeply loyal and very affectionate. Just like shorthairs, they are likely to follow you from room to room and love to hang out with you to monitor all your activities.

they’d rather keep an eye on you from the arm of the chair or on the bookshelf than sitting on your lap. Sorry, long-haired fans, but you may need to keep your hands off those glorious locks: this breed likes minimal petting, though it seems they share the British Shorthair’s love of tummy rubs.

I’ve found the British Longhair to be talkative but easygoing – they’ll come and talk to you and can be quite pushy if they need anything, but they have much softer voices than most cats. this laid-back breed is very non-destructive and patient.

any problems or health concerns?

British Shorthair Cats

The British Shorthair is a stocky cat. they’re ridiculously healthy, with none of the problems you’d expect from a pedigreed cat. I would go as far as to say that a bsh kitten purchased from a good breeder may be healthier than any random domestic crossbred, simply because good breeders take such good care of their animals and are diligent in choosing good stock.

The British shorthair cat can suffer from any of the conditions that afflict domestic cats in general, and is slightly more prone to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a heart condition that is particularly common in males. there is a slightly elevated risk of hemophilia in this breed.

The main health problem of the British Shorthair is a tendency to “spread into middle age”. They are laid-back kitties with a low activity level and their laziness only becomes more pronounced as they get older. Overeating is usually a big problem with this breed and they can become obese if not corrected. however, in every other way, British short hair is often a picture of badass health.

British Longhair Cats

The long-haired Brit is only slightly less indestructible than her cousin. Unfortunately, the Persian in this breed has brought more than just a fabulous coat: there is also a degree of susceptibility to kidney disease, specifically hereditary polycystic kidney disease (PKD). this causes cysts to form in the cat’s kidneys until eventually they can no longer function.

Unfortunately, there is no cure; however, this condition can be managed to minimize the impact on the cat’s well-being and prolong its life. like the British Shorthair, the British Longhair is somewhat prone to hemophilia and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Also, like the British Shorthair, the British Longhair is prone to becoming too sedentary later in life and can develop weight problems if not fed carefully. it may be necessary to develop an exercise program to keep your cat in good shape as he ages. They are otherwise very healthy, although they are subject to the same types of health problems as any cat.

how heavy and big are they?

British Shorthair Cats

The British Shorthair is classified as a medium-large breed. their blocky configuration and bulky muscles make them much heavier than you might expect. this breed is dramatically dimorphic: males are very heavy compared to females. As kittens, they start out about the same size, but the boys outgrow their sisters very quickly.

British Shorthairs reach most of their adult weight in their first year of life, but most continue to grow until they are three to five years old.

Once they have reached their full adult weight, the healthy range for a female British Shorthair is 4kg to 6kg and 6kg to 9kg for a male. if your british shorthair weighs much more than this, he is likely to develop obesity-related problems.

British Longhair Cats

The British Longhair is also a larger breed of cat. their generous coats make them appear even larger than they are. like their shorthaired cousins, they are surprisingly dimorphic: males are much taller and larger than females. their growth follows a similar course to the British Shorthair, with kittens starting life very similar in size and diverging as boys grow faster than girls.

A British Longhair kitten will gain, very roughly, just under a pound of weight a month in the first few months of her life, while a male kitten might gain around 750g a month.

The healthy weight range is very similar to that of British Shorthairs: around 4kg to 6kg for a female cat and a thick 6kg to 9kg for a tom. these cats do grow, but if they are well over the upper limit, you should consult your veterinarian to make sure your pet does not need to change his diet.

Are you able to live with children and dogs?

British Shorthair Cats

would recommend the british shorthair to a family with youngsters. they are patient, affectionate and good with children. The long-suffering British Shorthair becomes very attached to the younger members of the family and tolerates a lot of playful attention.

The British Shorthair gets along well with both dogs and other cats, but he’s just as content to be the only feline in the house. still, I would recommend introducing a dog to this breed with the usual caution – while they are extremely laid back and patient, it is stressful and upsetting for any cat to deal with overly friendly or aggressive dogs.

Once your dog has been properly trained not to do things that will upset the cat, the British Shorthair will make a very gentle companion for your canine friend. highly trained dogs that can be left alone with a cat will greatly benefit from their company while you’re at work.

British Longhair Cats

The British Longhair is also an affable and social creature. He is a fantastic cat for families with other pets or small children, as he gets along well with dogs and other cats. (although not small mammals).

very young children should always be supervised around animals; In the case of the long-haired Brit, that beautiful long coat will be a magnet for little fingers. be attentive and explain to your child that it is important to be nice to the kitty.

The tolerant nature of this breed means that it responds to stressors by withdrawing from uncomfortable situations and staying out of reach of a curious youngster. As with any breed, British Longhairs and dogs need to be introduced with care; dogs should also be properly trained not to chase the cat or harass it in other ways. a friendly, well-trained dog and a well-socialized British Longhair will generally hit it off like a house on fire.

what about the toilet?

British Shorthair Cats

In addition to the usual care you would give any cat, there are some specific things I would recommend you do with your British Shorthair. one of them is a weekly brushing. People often assume shorthair cats don’t need this type of grooming, but the British Shorthair really does benefit from a regular brushing or combing session.

My personal preference is one of those metal combs, but any brush or comb made for short coats is fine. the dense coat of this breed produces a lot of loose hair that your cat can swallow, causing hairballs.

during the spring, when your cat sheds, you should try to groom her at least once a week. brush your cat’s teeth every week or so to prevent dental problems. monitor her weight and make sure she gets enough exercise.

British Longhair Cats

British Longhairs require slightly more maintenance. this breed is prone to matting on that long coat, making brushing imperative. Ideally, I would recommend brushing every other day. You will need to pay special attention to areas that the cat may have difficulty cleaning. like their cousins, this breed can develop dental problems, which should be addressed with regular brushing.

address this breed’s tendency to obesity by monitoring any weight gain and making sure she eats a moderate amount of high-quality cat food; You can also help your British Longhair by making sure he gets plenty of exercise. games are a great way to provide this.

I like fishing rod teaser toys for both British Shorthairs and British Longhairs: both have a pretty ferocious prey response that is often the only thing that can overcome their tendency to be lazy. I also like those puzzle toys that reward activity with a treat.

final verdict

Any of these wonderful breeds would make a great first cat. They are not teethers, scratchers or furniture destroyers. both breeds are highly trainable and generally do not suffer from bouts of annoyance or hostility. although they love being around you, neither cat will require constant attention. They make a good first cat for just about any household: ideal for a family household, especially one with dogs or young children, but also a splendid companion for a working single who can’t be home during the day. They have a low activity level and can happily entertain themselves with any toy you leave out, or just nap until it’s time to park by the door to greet you when you get home.

If I had to pick one, I’d be more inclined to recommend the British Shorthair over the British Longhair as your first cat. The British Shorthair requires less maintenance than the Longhair. this is partly due to the logistics of dealing with all that extra fur, but also due to their propensity for kidney disease. They are lovely cats but require a little more maintenance than the British Shorthair.

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