British Longhair Cat Breed Information

Group

Long Haired

Weight

3-7 kg

Length

30-35 cm

Lifespan

18-20 years

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About the British Longhair Cat

Reviewed by:

Dr. Charlotte Francesca Stiles

Veterinarian

The British Longhair is a loyal and loving cat that is popular amongst many cat-adoring households. With a sweet nature and a sweet face to match, they’re the perfect household cat for anyone looking for a relaxed breed in comparison to some of the high-energy choices.

Friendly and adorable-looking, the British Longhair cat has a brief history and is crossed with its British Shorthair counterparts and Persian cats. This guide will hopefully provide you with everything you need to know about this wonderful breed.

What Is the History & Origin of the British Longhair Cat?

Originating from Great Britain back in the early 20th century, it’s a cat that, according to The International Cat Association, is crossed with both British shorthairs and Persian cats. This is a crossover that’s been happening for some time, but it’s the breeding of a Persian’s long-haired genetic that made the British Longhairs what they are today.

The British Longhair was recognised as a breed by TICA in 2009; however, it’s worth noting that some of the registry organisations don’t consider this cat type to be a breed of its own.

What Is a British Longhair Cat Breed?

A British Longhair cat is a medium-sized cat that comes from Great Britain. They have a distinct facial structure that’s similar to their Persian parent, so whilst it is a British Longhair, it’s not exactly the same as the British Shorthairs. They have round faces and a fluffy coat that’s perfect for cuddling up in the evenings.

They’re affectionate cats that come in a variety of colours depending on their parents and their colour coat and patterns.

Who Is a British Longhair Cat Best For?

As affectionate and loyal cats, they make perfect household animals for most cat owners or those that are looking to own a cat for the first time. They’re not particularly demanding, so they will be ideal in households where owners don’t have the time to be in the home all day.

Anyone looking for a cat that’s not particularly needy will find the perfect companion in this British Longhair.

What Does a British Longhair Cat Look Like?

British Longhairs have round faces that are partnered with large round eyes, and it makes for an adorable-looking face. The plush coat adds to the cuteness, and despite their fluff, they’re fairly muscular underneath.

Coat

Their coats are straight and fairly dense, meaning you’ll need to do some digging to get down to their skin. As a result, they look a lot larger in stature than they actually are. With coats that are soft and thick, they have an undercoat that’s thick too.

Colours

They come in many colours, such as golden, lilac, chocolate and black.

Patterns

The British Longhair has a few different patterns that include colourpoint, ticked and bi-colour, so there are plenty of options available when combined with the colour combinations too.

British Longhair Cat Grooming & Shedding

Grooming can be fairly challenging, and as such, you’ll need to give them a brush a few times a week using a bristle brush in order to get through the thick undercoat.

It’s not necessarily the ideal solution for first-time owners, but you can learn as you go; just work in small sections and comb through the coat with care. Brushing more frequently will reduce the number of hairballs they cough up.

How Do British Longhair Cats Behave? A Look at Their Temperament and Personality

One of the major benefits of this sweet cat is that they have a mild and calm temperament, which makes them ideal for certain cat owners who maybe don’t always have the time or energy to keep their cat entertained.

Some would even consider the British Longhair to be fairly lazy, but they can also have a playful side too.

These cat breeds, in particular, are very sweet and loving. They love affection, despite being fairly independent around the home. They’re also incredibly intelligent, which means they’re going to pick up commands fairly quickly.

Living Needs

The British Longhair breed is fairly laid back in temperament, and when it comes to their living needs, they’re not exactly fussy. They can suit any environment as adaptable cats, and they have an easygoing nature that makes it easy for them to live in any household environment, whether there are young children present or it’s a single occupancy household.

British Longhairs can be lazy, so they need their owner to be motivating at times to get them moving. Providing cat trees for climbing and interactive cat toys for these cat breeds is going to be helpful!

What Are Common Habits and Activity Levels of British Longhair Cats?

As independent cats compared to other pets, you’ll have no problem leaving them alone whilst you go to work or socialise. As long as you’re introducing separation from the British Longhair kitten from an early age, you should have very little issue with this breed.

They love to show their affection to their owner, which any cat owner will love.

Habits

These cats love to chat, and they’ll often laze around most of the time until encouraged to play. They like being on their own, or alternatively, they’ll happily chill out within their human owners too.

Activity level

With a fairly low activity level, it’s important to motivate them to do some physical activities that are going to keep them active.

Vocalness

Compared to other pets, the British Longhair is a frequently vocal cat, which might not be the best match for those looking for a quiet and peaceful life!

What Is the Weight, Height, and Size of a British Longhair Cat?

The British Longhair is a fairly average cat in its height, weight and size in comparison to other household animals.

Height

British Longhair cats tend to have a height of around 30-35cms.

Weight

Their weight can tend to be anywhere between 3-7kgs. It’s a good idea to aim for this average when it comes to maintaining the weight of this breed.

Size

The British Longhair is medium-sized, so it will be perfect for anyone looking for a cat that’s not too big and not too small.

Are British Longhair Cats Easy to Train?

As this cat breed is highly intelligent, teaching them the basic commands, along with general housetraining, should be fairly easy to do when it comes to these food-loving cats. They’ll also appreciate treats given to them when it comes to training them.

Socialisation is important, meaning you’ll want to introduce this breed early on with other cats and any humans they’ll be used to seeing on a regular basis.

Does the British Longhair Cat Have Any Common Health Issues?

The British Longhair isn’t a cat breed that’s faced with too many health problems in their life, although like all cats, they are predisposed to a few health issues. With that being said, it’s important to be aware of diseases like polycystic kidney disease.

It’s also important to get your British Longhair checked at the vet regularly, vaccinate them, and treat them for both ecto and endoparasites.

What Is the Lifespan of a British Longhair Cat?

On average, the British Longhair can live to around 18-20 years. That’s a long time in comparison to other cat breeds and is considered one of the best for having a long and healthy life. As long as you’re keeping them indoors and at a healthy weight, there’s no reason for them not to live for that long.

How Much Does a British Longhair Cat Need to Be Fed?

Managing the weight of British Longhair kittens is important because once they reach adulthood, they become a lot more challenging to maintain due to their thick coat, making it difficult to notice them gain or lose weight.

They’re also a breed that is prone to becoming overweight, so exercise is a must when and where possible – ideally on a daily basis!

How Much Can You Expect to Pay for a British Longhair Cat in Australia?

The British Longhair is similar to the popularity of British Shorthair cats, and as such, they tend to be similar to the British Shorthair in cost. From a reputable breeder, you can expect to pay anywhere between $800 and $1,200.

Make sure that you’re buying from a reputable breeder to avoid any issues with the health of the cat.

British Longhair Cat FAQs

Are British Longhair cats hypoallergenic?

Most longhair cats are going to be considered off-limits when it comes to those with allergies because they’re heavy shedders when it comes to their dander. This includes the British Longhair cats. Due to their short but thick coat, they produce the allergens just like any other cat breed, which will cause the reactions of those allergic to cats.

Are British Longhair cats a good choice for first-time cat owners?

The British Longhair breed is one that’s a great option for those who are looking to be an owner of a cat for the first time. They have very few health problems, and other than brushing their fur coat, you shouldn’t really come across any major challenges when owning these cat breeds.

Do British Longhair cats suffer from separation anxiety?

Whilst British Longhairs have their independence and can be on their own for a few days alone, they may not like you being away any longer, which means you might want to consider this cat breed if you’re going to be away for long periods of time.