British Fold Shorthair cat origin, history, personality and food
Cats are wonderful companions. Like humans, they have different personalities, some are more quiet and shy, others are joyful and funny, but they all need attention, care and lots of love. The British Fold Shorthair cat is one of the most beloved cat breeds with a gentle character and behavior. They are part of the medium to large cat weight category, but despite their robust appearance it’s easy to take care of them. When reaches maturity, British Fold can weigh up to eight pounds, while a female can reach about six pounds.
British Fold Shorthair are very quiet cats, so they will not bother you too much in the house. You can say that they have a British temperament, so they are very chiseled and confident. After familiarizing with the home and people around, these cats will be very affectionate, but they will not suffocate you with their love. They will be very playful but will not overdo it. You will notice that they won’t jump on you all day, but if you let them for a couple hours alone they will come to you and rub off your pants. They will not “meaw” very much, but they have a habit of making continuous and prolonged purrs.
What is remarkable for these cats is that they are just as cute as both young and adults.
British Shorthair Cat – Origin and history
British Fold Shorthair is one of the oldest breeds of cats in the UK, having as ancestors cats imported by the Romans during the Roman Empire.
From the mist of ancient history, it is said that the Romans, after taking over the British territories and starting to practice agriculture, around the year 400, brought a lots of cats to guard the rodent crops. Romans brought these cats and paired with wild autochthonous feline specimens, resulting in a new species: robust and strong, able to handle the adverse climate of UK.
Initially, they were noticed for the ability to hunt, later being appreciated by their calm, patience and enjoyable company.
The British Shorthair cat served as a model for the Chesire Cat character in “Alice in the Wonderland” and “The Shoe Pussycat” – a popular image that will probably remain impressed by the minds of children.
Also around the same time, Harrison Weir – the father of all cat exhibitions – has begun to select the finest British breed of common race cats. British Shorthair was the name given to these felines in order to distinguish them from other countries specimens, such as the Orientals and long-haired cats (originary from Angora).
In 1871, world witness the first feline that took place at Crystal Palace in London, and British Fold Shorthair was the first race to be exhibited. Probably the most impressive exhibition prize was given by the referees to a British Fold Shorthair female with tiger blue fur, at the venerable age of 14 years. Since then, the race has become the most popular of all races shown at Crystal Palace’s feline shows.
After the Second World War, some British breeders, attracted by the idea of improving the physical appearance of British cats, paired them with Persian cats. Consequently, the British Shorthair specimens appeared in a rich coloristic variety, their shapes became more rounded.
British Shorthair cat – General appearance
The British Fold Shorthair cat is a medium-sized cat to the sea. The average weight of this cat is 15 pounds (7 kg) – males reach about 15-20 pounds (7-9 kg), and females 8.5-13.5 pounds (4-6 kg). The body is very well proportioned from all points of view: it is massive, compact and robust, rounded shapes leading to some “plush bears” as they are still called.
One of the most characteristic features of British Fold Shorthair cats is facial expression “joyful”, this cat seems to “smile” all the time, which often raises the astonishment and admiration of those who see it for the first time. The head is perfectly round, the short and thick neck, the broad chest, the solid shoulders. Elbows have strong muscles, are thick and moderately long, and the tail is generally short and ends with a rounded tip. Ears, medium to small in size, are wide at the base, located at a distance, well covered with fur and tufted hair. The cheeks are prominent and beautifully pointed, the nose is short and straight, and has a firmly defined chin.
The large and rounded eyes, distant, highlight a strong but at the same time calm and balanced character. The color of the eyes is very clear, with shades of golden to black, with the exception of white varieties – whose eyes are blue, golden or even in different colors – and those with pointers (blue eyes); (Silver Tabby, Spotted, Mackerel) and shaded (Silver Shaded and Chinchilla) – whose eyes are golden or green.
Normally, British males are a bit bigger than females. Very fluffy but not soft, the short fur of these cats retains their original, thick and plush characteristics, providing the cat with protection against the cold and humid climate in the UK. British Fold Shorthair fur is unique: short and thick as a carpet, requiring little care. That’s one more reason why British cats are not hard to take care of.
The typical color of British Shorthair cats is blue. Over time other color variations have also emerged: silver, red, cream, black and white, bi-color. The last recognized colors are chocolate and lilac, the latter having a gray-pink hue. Another new breed is British Shorthair Silver Tipped – the cats have the undercoat of a silver-white fur and the peaks of the fur colored in another hue (black, blue, etc.), that is, their fur resembles that of Chinchille . The latest variety is British Colorpoint, whose fur and model resembles that of the Siamese.
A baby British Shorthair, although very robust and growing very fast in weight, develops physically and mentally only between 3-5 years. Due to the fact that it matures so hard, British Shorthair cats retain their excellent physical shape for a long time and the life expectancy is significantly higher than with other cats. Some cats can live up to the astounding 20 years of age!
British Shorthair Cat – Behavior and Personality
The British makes you happy at first sight using his face look. It is usually calm, not aggressive, but not apathetic. It is playful and likes to play with people but it is not destructive at all. She is said to possess the love and calm of the Persians, but also the intelligence of the Europeans. Proud and independent, British Shorthair is a
courageous, very loyal, very intelligent and affectionate cat.
Being known as a lazy cat, the British Shorthair feline does not require attention from the masters, but it is a pleasure to play if they are appealing. He has the habit of silently following his master from one room to another as a puppy until he is seated somewhere, and she will find her place next to him. Her silent character recommends her as a companion for less active masters or for those who are always left home.
He is not a curious animal, which means that curtains, furniture, and home bibluses will be safe with her.
Endowed with limitless patience, British Shorthair cats have a good understanding of their children and other pets. A British Shorthair will have to be exaggerated enough to be determined to take off his claws. And if you take such a kitten when you become a parent, you can rest assured that they will achieve the increase together. British Shorhairs can be considered longevives, as they often reach the age of 20.
The British Shorthair cat is quite rare and discreet. Only when he or she wants something will find the right time to express himself (he is hungry or feels a danger, or simply wants affection).
She does not seem to be disturbed by the strangers who visit her family as long as they admire her from a distance and do not try to touch her without her own will. So he will not be hiding under the bed if an unknown person appears in the house, but will behave as usual, treating the new person either with sympathy or with coldness and indifference (but never with hostility).
British Silver varieties (Silver Tabby, Silver Shaded and Chinchilla) are more temperamental and agitated, while diluted color variations, such as blue and cream, have a quieter and more affectionate temper.
Representatives of the breed are recognized for their high intelligence, as well as for the extraordinary ability to store information, with excellent memory. Once they have learned to open a door, they will never forget that method. Also, this cat immediately adapt to the daily rules of the house.
British cats being docile are also easy to train. Over the years many British Shorthair have appeared both in Hollywood movies and in commercials on small screens. (eg the famous commercials of cat food Sheba and Whiskas).
Although British cats are very attached to their masters, they know to keep their distance when they feel it is the case. They often have an aristocratic, reserved attitude that betrays their typical British temper.
British Shorthair Cat – Food and care
British Shorthair is a fairly healthy race that does not have specific health problems. A routine annual routine check is recommended after eight years of age, including teeth cleaning and blood tests to check liver and kidney function.
The robust, rounded appearance of the cat proves its pleasure to eat. Therefore, it is advisable to carefully monitor the quantity and quality of the diet that the animal consumes. Otherwise, the cat will become overweight soon. It is recommended that the food be of the highest quality.
Sterilized cats have fattening tendencies. To help them stay fit, it is advisable to receive low-calorie food. Castrated cats often need to be given special food. It would be desirable for sterilized specimens not to exceed two meals per day, administered at fixed hours (morning and evening).
British Shorthair Cat – Cleaning
The British Shorthair cat does not require complicated care. It is enough to brush two or three times a week to remove dead wires and once every two weeks to clean the ears.
British Shorthair Cat – In UK
In UK, there are plenty of British Shorthair cats so you can get one of any color you want. It is good to check if the breeder from which you take your kitty is registered with the national cats association.
The price of a little British Shorthair varies depending on the parents. The best British Shorthair can vary between 400-1000$ a cat.
The most important advice we can give is to take an accredited feline, not from ad on sales-buy sites, and you will certainly enjoy a healthy and beautiful British Fold Shorthair cat.
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