Meet the Breed: Classic British Shorthair & the Golden British Longhair cats

TICA's definition of the British Shorthair

These genial British cats are friendly and affectionate, enjoying attention in an undemanding manner. The happy-go-lucky males command respect but welcome attention from everyone while the more serious females are true British ladies expecting proper form and etiquette from those whose attentions they accept. These loyal and devoted companions are not lap cats but want to be where you are, snuggling up beside you on the sofa. While not very active cats, they do have their mad moments to chase around acting the clown-like kittens. These intelligent cats are quiet and unobtrusive ruling their indoor kingdoms with a calm demeanor. They definitely look before they leap and do not engage in high-flying acrobatics. They are tolerant with children and dogs but do not like to be carried around, preferring to maintain their dignity with their feet firmly on the floor. They are quite content with their own company, quietly amusing themselves in your absence and waiting patiently for your return.

Chocolate Classical British Shorthair

Black Classical British Shorthair

Red Classical British Shorthair

Cream Classical British Shorthair

White Classical British Shorthair

Classical British Longhair Point

Lalic Classical British Shorthair

Fawn Classical British Shorthair

Cinnamon Classical British Shorthair

Blue Classical British Shorthair

The British Shorthair has a short, extremely dense plush coat with a crisp feel to it making you want to bury your hands in its luxurious pile. The British Longhair adds length to the dense coat so it stands out from the body emphasizing the cat's imposing lines. In most colors, large, round eyes ranging from deep gold through copper are set into the smiling face. In pointed cats the eyes are blue while deep green eyes shine in the silvers. The classic Blue remains the most popular color however the breed comes in a rainbow of colors.

The British are medium to large, compact, powerfully built cats with a broad, full chest, short strong legs and a short, thick tail tapering slightly to a rounded tip. The British Shorthair has a massiveness that the plush coat emphasizes while the British Longhair cuts an imposing figure as the full coat swirls around the rounded, muscular body. Their round heads have short noses, chubby cheeks and prominent, rounded whisker pads creating an enigmatic smiling look to the face. The round eyes are wide open and, combined with the smile, give the cat an amused air as it watches over its dominion-the look that Lewis Carroll captured so well in the Cheshire Cat! Maintaining the British Shorthair coat in top condition is easy as the coat does not tangle. A quick comb through easily removes any loose dead hair. A little extra combing in the spring and fall ensures seasonal coat changes do not leave any dead hair to turn into mats. The British Longhair coat takes more work but a daily combing prevents any tangles. It is a good idea to bathe your British Longhair regularly to keep the coat in peak condition. If you plan to bathe your cat, start when the kitten is young and maintain a regular routine so the cat learns to enjoy this extra special time with you. These cats love food and with their sedentary ways can quickly gain weight so it is important to keep a careful eye on their portions to make sure they do not get fat. They are a heavy, solid cat ranging from 9 to 18 pounds but that weight should come from their massive muscular bodies, not from an excess of food. Encouraging them to play burns calories off while toning muscles: Teaser toys provide lots of gymnastic entertainment; training your cat to fetch adds running to their day; and chasing a laser light pen gives their muscles a real work out.

British cats are not hypoallergenic. It is your responsibility to find out if you are allergic to pet dander.

What's the difference between the Classic British and the Golden British cats?

The main differences between the Classic and the Golden British cat varieties are their color (coat and eyes), size and temperament. The Golden Brits were created by cross breeding the Classic British shorthair and the Persian to obtain the long coat and the rare coat colors of gold and silver. The goldens are smaller in size and weight, and their personality is more outgoing and people oriented.

Lilac Golden British Longhair Cat

Cinnamon Golden British Shorthair Cat

Black Golden British Longhair Kitten

Chocolate Golden British Shorthair Cat

Blue Golden British Shorthair Cat

Golden Point British Longhair Cat

Attributes	Classic British Cats	Golden Britsh Cats
Life Span	12-20 years	12-20 years
Size	Medium - Large	Small - Medium
Weight	8-16 lbs	6-12 lbs
Temperament	Gentle, chill, laid-back, very friendly, self-sufficient, get along with other pets	Gentle, chill, laid-back, get along with other pets, very friendly to the point of being a Velcro cat
Activity level	Low	Medium
Affection level	Medium	High
Shedding level	Low (longhair), Medium (shorthair)	Low (longhair), Medium (shorthair)
Coat color	Black, white, red, blue, cream, chocolate, lilac, cinnamon, cream, fawn	Black golden, blue golden, chocolate golden, lilac golden; Rare: cinnamon golden, fawn golden, red golden, cream golden
Eye color	Yellow, copper, blue (rare)	Green, blue (rare)

If you are looking for British Longhair Kittens for sale, British shorthair kittens for sale, please check our available kittens page. If you have not seen the exact color combination you are looking for, please apply for our waitlist. Luda can't wait to meet you!