The British Longhair
British Longhairs have been around with records of the breed dating back to the 1870s. The breed is also known as the "Lowlander" in other countries of the world which includes the US and the Netherlands. In Europe these lovely cats are called the "Britanica". Over the years and thanks to their charming and calm quiet natures the British Longhair has found their way into the hearts and homes of many people not only in the UK but elsewhere in the world too.
The British Longhair is known to be a quiet affectionate and loving cat with an independent side to their natures which in short means they are never overly demanding. The only real difference between a British Shorthair and a British Longhair is in the length of their coats.
The British Longhair is known to be an affectionate and loving cat by nature. They are laid-back with the one problem being they can tend to be a bit lazy. As such these charming cats are prone to putting on too much weight which can negatively impact their overall health and well-being. Never overly demanding the British Longhair enjoys living in a family environment and become totally devoted and loyal to the people they love.
As previously mentioned they are not known to be overly active but are known to have their share of "mad moments" which keeps owners entertained. Being so intelligent the British Longhair likes to mark their territory and therefore they enjoy being able to roam around in the great outdoors although cats should only be allowed to go outside if it is safe for them to do so.
Like other breeds the British Longhair likes a routine and doesn't particularly like it when this changes for any reason. They like to be fed at the same time of the day and don't appreciate it when furniture gets moved around the home which can often stress cats out. With this said being laid back by nature they tend to do things in their own time.
As previously mentioned they are not known to be overly active but are known to have their share of "mad moments" which keeps owners entertained. Being so intelligent the British Longhair likes to mark their territory and therefore they enjoy being able to roam around in the great outdoors although cats should only be allowed to go outside if it is safe for them to do so.
Like other breeds the British Longhair likes a routine and doesn't particularly like it when this changes for any reason. They like to be fed at the same time of the day and don't appreciate it when furniture gets moved around the home which can often stress cats out. With this said being laid back by nature they tend to do things in their own time.
The British Shorthair
During the Roman invasion many cats were introduced into the UK as a way of helping to control vermin. Over time cats the Romans bought with them mated with wild native cats and the result of these pairings was a native domestic cat. However it was only in 1870 that the British Shorthair we see today was accepted as a breed and their popularity grew and grew from then onwards. However their numbers were devastated by the two World Wars which saw them drop so low after the Second World War that the breed virtually vanished altogether. Thanks to the efforts and dedication of breed enthusiasts the British Shorthair was saved from extinction by carefully introducing Persians Russian Blues Burmese as well as other pure breed and non-pedigree shorthair cats into the mix.
The British Shorthair is known for their kind placid and affectionate nature. They love being involved in everything that goes on in their environment. They mature quite late which means they retain their kitten-like playfulness even as adult cats. They are also known to be very easy going laid back characters that generally get on well with everyone which includes dogs and other animals.
With this said British Shorthairs are not overly energetic and will happily lounge around the home if they can. They are not known to be very talkative cats but once they form a strong bond with a family this remains unbreakable throughout their lives and they are quick to let an owner know when it’s meal time. They love exploring the great outdoors but only if they live in a safe place. When kept as a pet in town they adapt very well to being kept as indoor pets providing they are given lots of attention and plenty of things to play with.
Because they are prone to put on weight very easily keeping a close eye on a cat's waistline is all important especially if a British Shorthair is not allowed outside. They are very intelligent cats and need enough stimulation to prevent them from becoming couch potatoes. Although not a lap cat the British Shorthair will happily sit on a newspaper when an owner is trying to read it or they like to lounge on a keyboard when people are trying to work on a laptop which is another endearing trait about the breed.
With this said British Shorthairs are not overly energetic and will happily lounge around the home if they can. They are not known to be very talkative cats but once they form a strong bond with a family this remains unbreakable throughout their lives and they are quick to let an owner know when it’s meal time. They love exploring the great outdoors but only if they live in a safe place. When kept as a pet in town they adapt very well to being kept as indoor pets providing they are given lots of attention and plenty of things to play with.
Because they are prone to put on weight very easily keeping a close eye on a cat's waistline is all important especially if a British Shorthair is not allowed outside. They are very intelligent cats and need enough stimulation to prevent them from becoming couch potatoes. Although not a lap cat the British Shorthair will happily sit on a newspaper when an owner is trying to read it or they like to lounge on a keyboard when people are trying to work on a laptop which is another endearing trait about the breed.