Classic British cats are recognizable for their fur rich gray shade. But there are many varieties of this breed, including luxurious black British women, whom many consider not only mysterious, but also mystical.
Description
The British are considered one of the oldest breeds, and their homeland is England. According to some reports, they came to this country with French sailors, and remained there to live. For many years they were ordinary street cats, and only nature was responsible for their breed. During this time, they developed some genetic features that are inherent in this particular breed. That is, the animal had a huge body, large rounded eyes, and also a very dense and water-repellent coat.
In addition, British cats are quite neat and smart animals, which allowed them to become favorites of the British. Already at the end of the XVIII century, breeders began to carry out the crossing of these handsome men with representatives of other breeds. At first, their color was only blue, but over time it turned out to diversify the color scheme. And at the end of the XIX century certain standards of cats of this breed were established. These are the two main colors that are responsible for the formation of secondary shades: black and red.
A gene such as zumelanin is responsible for the formation of black color. However, for its appearance it is necessary that the British cat has two genes: B and D, but gene B must dominate. In addition, the British can be smoky. Among them, it is worth noting cats with a black smoke color. Their fur is black only at the ends themselves, but at the roots it is white.Paws and face are completely black.
However, a real British cat has a uniform color, without any transitions or shades. The same applies to undercoat. Animal hair can be both long and short. Black British cats are slightly different from their gray relatives.
- They have a tougher and brighter coat, which appeared in animals due to black pigmentation.
- The body of the British is quite dense, with a broad back and short legs.
- The front legs have five fingers, but the hind legs have only four fingers.
- The tail is long and thick.
- The muzzle of a round shape is placed on a wide neck. In addition, there is a fold on it, which only representatives of this breed have.
- The ears of the British are small, with rounded tips.
- Their eyes are huge, wide open.
- Cats can weigh up to 10 kilograms, but cats weigh no more than 6 kilograms.
Character Features
Despite the color of these handsome men, which makes them mysterious and strict, the British are quite affectionate and sociable. They have a great reaction and a keen mind. They quickly get used to a new place of residence, and also become attached to their owners. However, in front of strangers, they like to show off and show their self-sufficiency. They won’t even allow themselves to be stroked, they will keep a certain distance.
Representatives of this breed in close contact with people can affect their state of health. This is especially useful for those who suffer from hypertension or cardiovascular disease. Although the British love affection, they never feel lonely. These beauties can perfectly cope with their loneliness, playing with a tail or any toy. Therefore, these cats are often brought up by busy people who love animals, but do not have much time to play with them.
Content
British cats are quite unpretentious animals that can live in a house up to 15 years. To do this, follow just a few of the simplest rules of care.
Particular attention should be paid to their thick coat. Once a week this animal needs to be combed. To do this, you can use a special comb with “droplets” on the tips of the teeth, so that the animal does not hurt. But during the molting period, this must be done much more often, every two days. In addition, you need to accustom to combing from childhood, you can do this as early as 2 months, when a fluffy pet begins to explore everything around.
Such cats love to lick themselves, which is very dangerous during molting. After all, the hair will settle in their stomach, resulting in problems with the intestines.
To prevent this from happening, you need to give your pets special pills or pastes that will help your hair dissolve in their body.
Already from the age of six months, you can start bathing the British. This should be done as they become contaminated. However, for their health, bathing should be done no more than 2 times a year. You can use a special shampoo, which is sold in any veterinary pharmacy. In the most urgent cases - for example, participation in various exhibitions or heavy pollution, pets can be bathed more often.
In addition, having brought home a small kitten, it is necessary to take care of his housing. He can equip a small corner: to build or buy a special house. You can install it in a place convenient for the owners, but if the pet does not like it there, then it will be necessary to give way. Otherwise, the proud Briton will live wherever he wants.
Do not forget about the toilet, so that in the future to protect yourself from unnecessary efforts to clean the entire house. You need to teach him from the first appearance in the house.
However, special efforts will not be required, since cats are clean. When buying a toilet tray, you need to pay attention to its dimensions. The tray must be large, as the cats themselves are rather big. It is better if the toilet is closed.
The cat should also like the filler, otherwise it will not go to the toilet. Therefore, when buying the British, you must definitely ask the breeders what they used. If there is no such information, then you need to buy fillers that do not soak, so that the pet does not spread dirt throughout the house.
It is imperative to take care of the claws of your pets. They must either be trimmed regularly, or set a scratching post in the house so that the pet does not damage the wallpaper or expensive furniture.
It is best to trim the claws in special institutions, because doing it yourself can damage the cat's blood vessels.
For black British need annual vaccination, as well as treatment for various parasites. This is especially important if the pet is walking on the street. You can buy a special collar for him or use suitable drugs. In addition, it is necessary to hang a tag with the address or telephone number of the owners on the collar - in case the Briton is lost.
Be sure to monitor the health of the animal. Indeed, despite the excellent immune system that they inherited from their ancestors, the British are susceptible to disease. It can be heart diseases, for example, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which is incurable. But to prevent it is still possible. To do this, you need to do ultrasound once a year for your pet. It would be better if the same doctor begins to observe the cat.
Black Britons are prone to dental diseases, so they must be monitored with particular zeal. That is, buy special toothpastes and regularly brush your teeth, as well as remove tartar on time. After all, if this is not done, then they can lose up to 30 percent of all teeth.
What to feed?
British cats are very prone to obesity, so you need to ensure that they do not overeat. You can feed them with both natural and industrial feeds. However, do not mix them, as this will lead to problems with the stomach.
You do not need to buy only those foods that are intended for the British. First of all, you need to pay attention to their contents, as well as to your pet. After all, all feeds are completely different, for example, for castrated or sterilized animals you only need to buy special feeds, where there is no phosphorus or calcium in the composition. In addition, it will be better, you get dry rather than wet food. Feed your pets 2 times a day. After eating, wash the dishes and pour only fresh water, which should be plenty. So you can avoid overeating the animal.
If natural feeds are used during feeding, they should consist of the following products.
- Raw meat. You can give veal or turkey. No need to cook meat, as it will lose all its benefits. Simply pour over boiling water and immediately put in a bowl.
- Fresh or boiled vegetables. This may be a pumpkin, and zucchini, and a cucumber.
- Sea fish, best without bones.
- The eggs.
- Cottage cheese.
- Sea kale, which will make the British coat more silky to the touch.
- Mineral and vitamin supplements, which can be purchased at a veterinary pharmacy.
Be sure to protect your pets from any sweets and pickled products. No need to give them anything fried or smoked, as this can lead to the most unforeseen consequences.
Breeding
This process is not only troublesome, but also pleasant, because as a result, small kittens will be born. Puberty in cats of this breed occurs 9 months after birth. However, immediately do not knit. It is necessary to give your pet a good strength. Mating is best after 15 months of life, since if you do it earlier, then all babies can die during childbirth.
Mating should be carried out only after the second or third estrus. The cat should be left with the cat for several days. On the first day, animals only get to know each other.British pregnancy lasts up to 9 weeks. The first signs are swollen and pink cat's nipples. In addition, she eats a lot, and after 5 weeks her stomach will significantly increase.
Be sure to take care of the place of birth. It must be fenced off from the rest of the space and lay a soft cloth.
After giving birth, the cat is important to praise, as well as give her something tasty, then change the litter.
To obtain black offspring, the owners will need to work hard, especially in choosing a partner. Let's consider some rules:
- for mating, only black individuals are selected;
- there cannot be gray relatives in the pedigree;
- both pets must be absolutely healthy and have the necessary vaccinations;
- cats must be treated against parasites before mating.
If the owner does not know how to get the desired result, then it is best to contact specialists who will be able to find a worthy partner for your beloved pet. In addition, you can familiarize yourself with the breed compatibility tables compiled by leading experts.
- If one pet is black, and the second is tricolor or bicolor, then the future offspring will be half of their black kittens, and half of the bicolors.
- If the mating will be carried out between bicolors and tricolors, then their offspring can be unpredictable. Half of the kittens will be bicolor, 25% will receive a black color, and the second 25% will be born almost white.
What to name a kitten?
When a small kitten appears in the house, he must be given a nickname. However, you should not rush too much with this. It is necessary to look at the baby, study all his habits, and only after that choose a nickname for him.
The name for the boy should emphasize not only his beauty, but also his color. For example, it may be Black, Black or Moor. Also interesting are such names as Graphite, Dart, Schwartz, Hippopotamus, Beetle, Cosmos, Noir.
The girl can be called Bagheera, in honor of the black panther from the cartoon, or Knight, which means night. The name of Nyukta sounds very beautiful, the name of the Greek goddess of the night.
Other names:
- Currant;
- Shadow;
- Spacey;
- Chanel
- The night.
All this does not mean that the name should match only the color. For example, having brought a baby into the house, you can notice that he was distinguished by something, and the nickname itself will stick to it. After 4-6 months, the pet will respond to it.
Summing up, we can confidently say that any pet in the house requires appropriate care and attention from its owner. Only in this case, the Briton will look at 100%.
All about the British Shorthair breed see in the next video.