THE BRITISH LONGHAIR
AKA Highlander
What best characterizes the British longhair breed is this mid-length and thick coat. The Highlanders inherited this fur from their Persian ancestors, who were also crossed with British shorthairs. This long coat therefore first appeared by chance and the British longhair shorthairs were kept as "derived" pets, unwanted and excluded from breeding. Indeed, many feline associations still refuse to recognize the British longhair as a full breed today. Many shorthair cats carry the recessive longhair gene. This is why it can still happen today that animals with long hair are born, even if the parents have short hair.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
A ball of hair!
The history of the British longhair is closely linked to that of the British shorthair. Both breeds correspond to the same breed standard, however, the British longhair is distinguished by its long, soft coat. Their colors and characteristics are similar. Among the 300 color variations, there is something for everyone! Silvery-colored animals are particularly popular.
Like their short-haired cousins, Highlanders have a sturdy body, which doesn't have to look big, but muscular. The rather short legs of the British longhair, its broad and strong chest, its round skull and its short muzzle are in perfect harmony with the rest of the body.
Unlike many other longhair cats, their muzzle is short and wide, with a slight indentation at eye level. As with the British shorthair, the ears of the British longhair are small and round. His big dark eyes and fur make him look like a teddy bear.
TEMPERAMENT AND CARE
A big happy ... and hairy potato!
The British longhair combines the main characteristics of the British Shorthair and the Persian. They are calm animals with a balanced character and they are perfect for staying indoors. Like most cats, they like to have attention, close contact with their owner, and regular moments of petting and play.
It is indeed important to take the time to play with the animals that live indoors. The British longhair is considered a particularly intelligent cat who likes to be stimulated.
A LITTLE MORE LOVE TO GIVE
A long coat requires more care than a short coat. To avoid hairballs and tangles in the undercoat, it is often sufficient to use a cat brush once a week, and more frequently for animals that are molting or have an even longer coat.
True to their image of very clean animals, cats take care of their coats themselves. The tongue of the cat with horny papillae is ultimately the most effective instrument for care. This therefore means that these cats swallow a significant amount of hair when washing. In order to promote the natural elimination of these hairs you must opt for a suitable diet.
