The beautiful white British cat looks amazing. Snow-white valuable beauties are popular all over the world; they are often sold to elite homes of wealthy people. They require special, expensive care and close attention. Breeders overcome difficulties in breeding purebred British dogs with a white, uniform coat color, so this species is considered rare, but in demand.
History of the origin of the breed
Historians are convinced that this cat breed was one of the first to appear. Moreover, there is information that animals were brought to Great Britain by the Romans. In ancient images you can see short-haired cream cats, as well as animals whose fur has other shades.
There is another version, according to which the Sacred Beauties came to England from France. The inhabitants of this country always took cats with them on voyages so that they would not allow rats and mice to eat the supplies. When stopping at British ports, the animals accidentally ended up on land.
Believing or not these theories is up to each person. One thing you can’t argue with is that snow-white fluffies are actually incredibly beautiful and gentle.
Description
It was the impeccable white color of the fur that gave the cats their original name – British White. The fur that covers the entire body of these aristocratic animals has a uniform color throughout the body, from the tip of the paws to the cute ears.
In adult British cats, the coat color does not have any additional spots of shade. There are several types of British cats that have solid colors.
Fold white
This breed of cat belongs to the Scottish White Fold, which are direct relatives of the British. Unknowing people believe that this is just a variety of the same breed, but Scottish cats exist as a separate species.
Description of a white British man
The cutest cats are white breeds with blue eyes. They are soft and loyal.
Features of white color
White color is something unusual and incredibly beautiful. Getting kittens that are “snowy” is problematic. Sometimes breeders, under the guise of white, give away slightly ashen animals - they also look amazing, but still this is a little different. A white British cat with blue eyes resembles the first fallen snow - pure and untouched. This applies to all wool. There can be no talk of any inclusions. Only the pink legs (tufts) create a slight contrast.
Important! White Britons always take better care of themselves than everyone else. Scientists are convinced that animals subconsciously understand their value, so they try to maintain their snow-whiteness at the proper level.
White British kittens
Newly born babies may have small gray stripes that appear in different parts of the body. Over time, the marks lighten and then disappear completely. This is due to the fact that animals of different shades take part in mating. White British babies cannot be born because there is a high risk of deafness in babies.
By the spots, by the way, you can roughly determine the color of the parents. If the stripes are bluish, then either the tom or she-cat is purple. If the markings are gray, black or some other color, then some individual had that shade.
British cats and their colors
The British cat breed is one of the most popular today, including due to its color variety. Everyone can choose a charming kitten to suit their own taste, because the standard allows for any colors in the breed, and breeders are actively working to further expand the palette.
A little about the breed
Owners consider these cats ideal: the British have become the personification of the best qualities of pets. Their purely English sense of self-esteem is reinforced not only by their charming appearance, but also by their physical strength, bright character and high intelligence. The British are real aristocrats of the cat family.
White British cat - aristocrat of street origins
Since 1982, the standard has defined the main characteristics of cats of the British breed: large (males - about 7 kg, and females - about 5 kg), massive animals with wide bones, strong short legs. Particular attention is paid to the head of the British - large and round, with a developed chin, short nose, small ears and large expressive eyes. Representatives of the breed can be either short-haired (the famous “plush”) or semi-long-haired. By nature, they are confident, courageous, intelligent and self-sufficient cats.
The breed was initially bred not through hybridization or the consolidation of spontaneous mutations, but was built on the best specimens of a large aboriginal stock that had undergone long-term natural selection and had a wide gene pool.
Video: these cute Brits
British color palette
It is unlikely that any other cat breed will have such a variety of colors - the British have more than 250 of them. The modern standard names only nine solid (solid) colors:
- blue;
- black;
- red;
- lilac;
- chocolate;
- cream;
- cinnamon;
- faun;
- white.
Photo gallery: solid colors of the British breed
Blue or gray British - a classic of the breed
The black Brit looks mystical
The white British man is not as simple as he seems
The creamy Brit is the epitome of sophistication
Chocolate color is also called havana or chestnut
The lilac color is very delicate and complex in color scheme
The British Red is a ginger cat that brings good luck.
Fawn color is one of the rarest and most expensive
Cinnamon is a fashionable color whose name translates as “cinnamon”
In addition to solid colors, a large number of color types are recognized in the breed, among which the following are especially popular:
- bicolor;
- patterned;
- tortoiseshell;
- smoky;
- shaded;
- colorpoint.
Video: British breed cats of different colors
White British history
The blue shorthair remains a classic of the British breed - the famous plush beauty with amber eyes. But it is unlikely that cats of this color prevailed among the ancestors of modern British women. According to legend, the ancient Romans brought strong and hardy cats to Britain, which took root there well. Most likely, then the main color of the cat guard of rodent fighters was originally striped, inherited from their wild ancestors. Local residents willingly took the unpretentious animals home, and their numbers grew quickly, as the mustachioed and striped animals successfully destroyed not only mice, but also rats. Through natural selection, animals developed characteristics that helped them survive in cold climates and perform the main cat service:
- thick, tightly packed wool;
- powerful bones, strong build;
- independent disposition;
- good health.
Modern Britons are also not averse to hunting
The variety of cat colors was gradually created by owners who left kittens of unusual colors from their favorites. The birth of white kittens from ordinary parents was a rare occurrence, and such babies were especially valued.
The first non-systematic attempts to create a breed date back to the 19th century - in 1871, British Shorthair cats of various colors, including white, were shown to the English public. It created a sensation at the big exhibition at Crystal Palace. Systematic selection of the British began already in the 30s of the last century and was temporarily suspended by the Second World War.
In the post-war period, the British population had to be restored, even adding blood from other breeds, in particular Persians. This provided the genetic basis for the subsequent appearance of long-haired British cats. Blue British by the middle of the last century were a kind of breed standard, but enthusiasts of color diversity defended this strategy for the development of the breed.
In the 60s, British cats already had about a hundred officially recognized colors, and snow-white took one of the most worthy places among them. Now the breed is recognized by all felinological organizations in the world.
Color of adult cats
British white cats are undoubtedly beautiful, but other shades look no less impressive.
Popular colors are:
- tortoiseshell;
- silver and golden shaded;
- patterned;
- plain and smoky;
- lilac;
- black.
These colors of British cats are truly fascinating.
Tortoiseshell tone
In this case, the coat should have an equal number of tones, and there should be spots on the face. Only cats are tortoiseshells. Beauties can boast a combination of shades such as chocolate/black/brown along with cream/red, as well as lilac/blue. Breeders rarely manage to obtain a tortoiseshell shade.
Silver and golden shaded
The main color can be seen on the back, head, tail and ears. As for the chest, belly, paws and collar, light gray predominates on these parts, which is similar to lilac.
Patterned or tabby
British tabbies can have a variety of body patterns such as leopard spots, distinctive stripes and large markings. At the base of the head, the fur may have a completely different shade - this is the norm. Pictured Britons are divided into many subspecies.
Plain and smoky
Monochromatic cats are those whose coat, including the undercoat, has the same tone. If there is at least one small inclusion, then the animal cannot be called monochromatic. Smoky beauties have a slightly lighter undercoat, due to which the color of their coat “plays” in the sun.
Lilac color
The fur of young kittens resembles a pink color, which transforms with age and becomes light purple. Only the undercoat differs in animals, which has a much lighter shade. As for the eyes of such kittens, they are copper or orange. It is very difficult to get a purple coat color - you need real luck.
Black color
Not only the coat and undercoat have a black (charcoal) tint, but also the skin. This color is rare, but only because kittens that are born charcoal may turn brown or chocolate as they age.
There are many rare colors that are rarely seen. So, there are Britons with dark markings, but the main color can be gray or brown. Many people like such “mixes,” but, unfortunately, “ordering” them is problematic.
British white color standards
The main requirement of the breed standard for the white British color is its ideal purity and uniformity. The fur should be bright white, without any tints, spots or inclusions of a different color, and each hair should be uniform in color from root to tip, without signs of ticking or smoke. The nose and paw pads can only be pink. But the permissible eye color varies, and the category of the animal’s breed code depends on it:
- BRI W 61 - white with blue eyes;
- BRI W 62 - white with orange eyes;
- BRI W 63 - white with multi-colored eyes;
- BRI W 64 - white with green eyes.
The dominant gene W (White) is responsible for the white color of cats.
The letter W in the code means White, and in any category, brightness and saturation of eye color is welcomed, which looks especially impressive against the background of white fur. By the way, only white Britons can experience such a phenomenon as heterochromia (difference of eyes), when one eye of a cat is blue and the other, for example, orange.
Photo gallery: white British dogs
Blue-eyed white Britons, contrary to popular belief, are not always deaf
Heterochromia is characteristic only of white British cats.
The green-eyed white British is very rare. The yellow-eyed white British is the most common variant in the breed.
Character
The white British cat is a real aristocrat.
The main character traits are:
- calm;
- restraint;
- equilibrium;
- indifference (sometimes).
Animals do not like excessive attention, they do not like to be loved and cuddled. “Business people's cats” is what they are sometimes called. These four-legged animals cope well with the absence of their owners, but greet them with great joy.
Unobtrusiveness and obedience are the middle names of these animals. Climbing on curtains, scratching their claws on furniture and getting mad - this is not about them. Once you show them a claw clipper and a toy, you can be calm.
The British get along well with children. If a child starts to pester you, the cats simply turn around and leave. Aggression is something that representatives of this breed never show.
Important! The British have a good sense of what mood their hosts are in, so they either appear at the right moment or, on the contrary, disappear.
British white cat care
White British kittens must be litter trained from childhood. They remember very well that they need to go to their toilet, so they don’t shit in the wrong places. To avoid problems, from a young age you need to examine your cats eyes, ears, teeth, and also brush them regularly. In the morning, the four-legged eyes may turn sour, so you will need to carefully wipe them with a damp cloth.
Sometimes cats tear their fur. This is due to the fact that lumps collect in the stomach. To eliminate the problem, you need to give the animals a special paste or food from time to time.
British white cats can boast of luxurious fur; in order for it to remain that way, a number of rules must be followed:
- Bath the animal several times a year (maximum 4 times) using special shampoos.
- After bathing, be sure to dry the coat with a hairdryer, as if styling.
- Once a week, brush your pet with a soft brush that does not tear the hairs.
- Coughed clumps should be cut off immediately.
Features of white British cats
White British people are wonderful, amazing and unique. But maintaining the image of an ideal cat is not as easy as it might seem.
You will have to look after a white cat like a small child.
Fur coat maintenance and care
For everyday care of white fur, it is better to choose cosmetics with a natural composition. Such products (shampoos, sprays, powders, etc.) are not cheap, but they do not damage the fur or irritate the skin, which in white cats is very sensitive and prone to allergies.
Preparations for the care of teeth, ears and eyes should also be used with caution. British Shorthairs do not have eyelashes, so their eyes require extra attention. Just do not wash them with tea leaves - it will leave stains on the white fur that cannot be removed.
A dirty white cat is a sad sight
Try not to bathe your cat with shampoos too often - washing once every three months is optimal. In between bath procedures, you can keep your white coat clean using dry cleaning products or special sanitary napkins. And, of course, do not forget about normal hygiene - regular combing (weekly for short hair and two or three times a week for long hair, especially during the molting period).
The delicate pink skin of white British dogs is very sensitive to weather conditions, insect bites, and chemicals.
When feeding a natural diet, do not use foods that can stain the white coat, such as beets or carrots. It is not recommended to overfeed British cats - these cats have a tendency to become obese.
Breeding
Purposeful breeding of snow-white British cats is not an easy task, and it is only accessible to experienced breeders. Especially when the goal of breeding work is to obtain not only beautiful, but also healthy offspring. The main reason for breeding difficulties lies in an interesting genetic phenomenon - epistasis. Its essence is that genes, interacting, are able to influence each other, and one of them can suppress the others. This is exactly what happens in cats, when the W gene responsible for white color overrides the action of all other “color” genes. Relatively speaking, the cat seems to be wearing a kind of camouflage white robe, under which its true colors are hidden.
The birth of white British kittens is always a holiday
If you do not thoroughly know the pedigree of your white beauty, you will never be able to guess even approximately what kind of kittens she will give you. In order to somehow predict the colors of their fur coats, you need to have information about the colors of their ancestors in several generations, or find out the potential of a white cat in practice by analyzing its litters from different cats.
The difficulty of obtaining white offspring also lies in the fact that it is impossible to select both white sires - the risk of giving birth to deaf kittens is too great, and congenital defects of vision or smell may also occur.
Participation in exhibitions
Preparing for white British cat shows is a difficult, but very interesting process. Such cats, especially short-haired ones, always look great at cat shows, but only their owners know how much work it takes. Experts are demanding about the quality and condition of the fur of such animals: ten points out of a possible hundred are allocated for this aspect.
With equal breed potential, the cat whose fur will be better prepared for the exhibition will win. The white color of a cat's coat should be ideal: a cool shade, without the slightest hint of yellowness - it is especially important to get rid of the spots that form on the bottom of the paws, under the tail and on the face of a white British cat.
Conventional white coat care products are usually not enough. Special exhibition cosmetics are needed, including for lightening problem areas. But it is aggressive in its composition, so it should be washed off immediately after the exhibition.
If you want your cat to become a champion, you will have to try hard
Important breed nuances
The most common anomaly of white blue-eyed cats of all breeds is deafness. Even a cat with different eyes may not hear in the ear located on the side of the blue eye. This often happens, but not always - scientists say that only a third of blue-eyed British cats are born deaf. To avoid perpetuating the problem in the offspring, deaf animals are excluded from breeding, and mating white cats with white cats, as we already know, is strongly discouraged.
Blue eyes in a white cat are an ambiguous sign of deafness
Precisely because the pedigrees of white offspring may contain ancestors of very different colors, newborn kittens quite often display dark spots or stripes, most often on the head. This is not a defect, but an age-related feature - by about a year the color should even out and become pure white.
Judging by the stripes on its head, the white kitten had blue Britons in his family
Cost of kittens
White British kittens are not common, but they do occur. They sell them at a price of 40,000 rubles. The price varies depending on the level of breeders. If you are buying animals for mating, it is recommended to pay attention to the British breed. Four-legged animals have practically no disadvantages, but at the same time they are not considered elite. Therefore, the cost for them is in the range of 22-27 thousand rubles. There is another type of breed called pet. Kittens of this class are very beautiful, but they do not meet all the requirements and standards, so they are sold for 6-10 thousand rubles.
If pedigree does not matter, you can buy a “furry friend” for just a few thousand rubles.
Interesting Facts
White British Shorthair cats are unusual. There are a number of unusual facts that few people know about, but in vain.
Among these:
- Short-haired breeds do not have eyelashes on their eyes. In addition, the eyeballs are located disproportionately in relation to the body, but this does not in any way affect the visual perception of the world by animals.
- Cats have excellent hearing. This is possible due to the nerve endings located in the eyes, due to which any noise immediately enters the auricle.
- The British have an excellent sense of smell, which is fourteen times stronger than that of other felines. This is due to the antennae, which are also responsible for the sense of smell.
- Representatives of the breed are real sleepyheads, because they must sleep at least 14-16 hours a day to recuperate. Some animals spend 18-20 hours sleeping.
- The British are hardy animals, four-legged excellent hunters and can easily catch a mouse or rat.
- Cats rarely meow, which is explained by their reserved and calm nature.
Regardless of what kind of British dog you buy: white, with a silver tint, black, brown or with a different coat color, he will become a true friend and family favorite.
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