Numerous breeds of cats are divided into long-haired and short-haired. Among the latter of great interest is the British cat. The history of its appearance is lost in the depths of centuries, and the subsequent fate is very difficult and often even tragic.
Origin
There are two legends about the origin of this breeds.
- According to the first, the ancestors of the "British" came from the mainland along with the Roman legionaries, during the period of wars of conquest, which the Roman Empire waged. It was at the very beginning of the new era. As usual, cats defended the food reserves of the advancing army from rats and mice. After the colonization of the British Isles, the Romans began to build fortresses there, which also stored grain and other products. Some time later, the legions left Britain, and the animals remained.
- Second version more modern. According to her cats got to England from the French ships. Sailors took them with them to sail to rescue food supplies from rodents. Of course, during the stay in the port cats could get on the beach and stay there.
For the first time a gray British cat becomes famous in 1898. But the breed received official recognition only after 84 years. For a long time, breeders worked on its improvement. At the beginning of the 20th century, for this purpose, English cats were crossed with Persian cats, which were very popular in society.
During the two world wars, the population size declined significantly, at some time it was even on the verge of complete extermination. Since the mid-50s, attempts have been made to restore the breed. To this end, Russian blue and Cartesian cats were brought to England. And only in the 70s the threat of extinction was removed.
The breed standard was approved in 1982.
Breed description
In accordance with the standard British gray cats must comply with the following parameters.
- Dark gray or light gray coat color.
- A strong body with powerful muscular legs and a large spherical head, almost without a neck.
- On the shoulders of a pronounced fold of skin, like a collar.
- The muzzle is round, the nose is straight, it may be slightly flattened. The eared cat has small low-set ears, eyes wide open, their bright color usually corresponds to the shade of the fur of the animal.
- The tail is not long, at the base a little wider, thick along the entire length, with a rounded tip.
- The coat is short and thick, with a dense undercoat, similar to plush in texture.
- The mass of cats can be from 2.5 to 5 kg, cats a little more - on average from 4.5 to 8 kilograms.
Character
The “British” are true gentlemen with English restraint and dignity. This breed has a calm, balanced and friendly character, as well as high mental abilities. Not bad for learning, cats understand what the owners want from them, and obey the requirements. They love their owners, are attached to them. They treat children quite calmly, they can let them play with them, they do not bite or scratch.
However, excessive long-term attention is not tolerated, trying to slowly leave and hide somewhere in a secluded corner.
They go reluctantly on hands, they don't allow themselves to be ironed. To strangers feel mistrust, try to move away from them. Cats love cleanliness and try to maintain it, “do their own thing” only in a specially designated place, do not spoil wallpaper and furniture. If they remain alone for some time, they do not arrange pogroms in the apartment. Of course, the little kitten, as befits all babies, constantly plays and runs, but the adult cat (especially the cat) begins to be lazy with age, move less, prefer to lie down or sit more, sleep a lot.
You need to try to stir them up, make them run (you can even drive a little around the house), since this breed has a predisposition to being overweight.
A characteristic feature - in adult cats, puffed cheeks (flews) stand out. And the expression of the faces of them is that they look smiling ("Cheshire cat").
There is a version that the British character was the prototype of this character from the fairy tale “Alice in Wonderland”.
Maintenance and care
British cats do not require constant attention and communication from the host, they can be completely alone for a long time. Therefore, they are quite suitable for busy people. However, the pet's nutrition, health, and well-being will need to be taken care of. Therefore, before taking a purebred animal into the house, you should think carefully and decide who will take care of it and when.
It will also require some costs - for good food, hygiene products, preventive examinations at the veterinarian, vaccinations.
What you need to buy for a cat:
- bowls for food and water;
- deep and wide tray with a filler, as well as a rubber mat under it;
- scraper;
- special comb for wool;
- carrying, it can also serve as a house where the cat will hide.
Cats of the British breed should be regularly combed - 1-2 times a week, and preferably during the molt daily. If this is not done, the whole house will be covered with wool. In addition, when licking fur coats, animals swallow hairs, and they can gradually clog the stomach, which leads to diseases. The feeding mode is set twice a day - in the morning and in the evening.
To maintain the health and vitality of the pet give a variety of foods.
- Meat and offal should be about 80% of the diet. Give in the form of ground beef.
- Sea fish - only boiled and boneless. Give no more than 1-2 times a week.
- Cottage cheese, dairy products - Spread in a separate bowl.
- Eggs - better quail. Give raw or scrambled eggs, once a week.
- Vegetables - raw, stewed, boiled. It is necessary to grate, mix with meat, fish.
- You can add to the diet a little cheese, vegetable oil.
To strengthen the teeth is sometimes useful to give the meat, cut into pieces.
Adult cats are inactive, lazy, sleep a lot and are prone to obesity. Therefore, in no case can not overfeed them. An optimal daily rate has been developed, it is 5% of body weight. This volume is divided into 2 times and strictly adhere to such a power system. Can be given to cats and dry food industrial production. It contains all the necessary nutrients for the animal. The volume of the portion, the age category is usually indicated on the package.
Disease prevention
Most often, the disease in cats arise from inadequate care or improper nutrition. Timely vaccination also plays a very important role. Vaccinations of kittens and adults are done according to the instructions of the veterinarian. In no case should they be neglected.
It is important to closely monitor your pet, in time to pay attention to any negative changes in his behavior. If something is wrong, immediately show a specialist. Let even the alarm be false. Better to be safe than to start the disease and then heal for a long time.
With the attentive and caring care, cats of the British breed can live at home up to 16 years. They have strong immunity, at the moment they are considered the healthiest and strongest cat breed of all registered. In addition, it is very beautiful and intelligent animals.
See a video about gray British cats below.
