Cats of the British breed lop-eared basic information. British fold cats

Among many people who are still planning to get a kitten, but do not fully understand the breeds, there is an opinion that only the British Fold cat exists in nature, as well as the Scottish representatives of the cat family. But such an opinion is erroneous. Professionals of the breeding cattery, where, by the way, it is recommended to purchase a pet, will no doubt confirm that these are the names of completely different breeds, and only Scottish cats can be lop-eared, since the British are characterized only by straight ears. For this reason, you should understand how British and Scottish cats differ. To a professional, the differences between cats are obvious.

Many people know about the Scottish Fold feline. This breed of Scottish fold cats today enjoys considerable popularity among both professionals and pet lovers. Lop-eared Scots simply captivate with their grace and aristocracy. But their main unique and distinctive feature is their ears, bent forward and hanging down from their heads.

The history of the appearance of the breed originates in Eurasia. In literary works of the 19th century, one can find the first mention of a pet with curled ears. For example, one of the sources indicates that a cat or a lop-eared cat was brought from China to England. However, there is no additional information about this fact.

Directly in Scotland, lop-eared pets became known in 1959. This year, William Ross at the farmer, his neighbor, saw a pet with unusual ears. In 1961, the cat had offspring. Then the farmer gave William Ross a white lop-eared kitten. It was this pet that became the founder of a new breed.

Scottish fold cats came to Russia relatively recently - in the 90s of the last century. Breeders were puzzled by the question of breeding an unusual breed. As a result, the decision is made to cross a British cat with a Scottish one with folded ears.

This is how the British Fold cat was bred, the description of the breed, the nature of which will be given in more detail below, in Russia. They are characterized by curled ears and a massive British body. However, to date, this breed is officially unrecognized. All kittens born with the above parameters are called Scottish Fold.

Appearance

A little higher, the answer to the question was given - are British cats lop-eared, and now they will be described external characteristics these animals. British Fold cats and cats are beautiful, strong and muscular pets with rounded shapes, graceful and flexible body. They are large from birth. Around 2-3 years old, the pet reaches maturity. In adulthood, cats weigh about 5-8 kg. Cats are inferior to them in weight.

You can see that the British lop-eared cats, the description of the breed of which is now given, are characterized by a rather cute muzzle. Its somewhat rounded shape further enhances the feeling of power and strength of a pet. But slightly curved ears soften the appearance of the cat somewhat and give the face a cute and surprised expression. The eyes of the animal are round and large. Eye color mostly has a copper tint. However, there are animals with greenish, golden, blue, and sometimes multi-colored eyes.

It should be noted that lop-eared cats, the price of which is sometimes high, have a very delicate coat with a thick undercoat.

The majority of fans believe that cats of this breed are exclusively blue, a classic shade. But in fact, the animal is characterized by different colors:

Above is a description of what a British cat looks like, this will avoid mistakes when choosing and buying an animal. The following is a description of some breeds of Scottish Fold cats.

Scottish fold

It should be noted that the Scottish Fold cat breed gave cute, beautiful creatures with a wonderful character, able to quickly adapt to people and new surroundings. Cats of this breed are very loyal, and, when in the family, they build a close relationship exclusively with 1st person. It is to him that they pay special attention, sometimes they even follow him from one room to another. However, they, in turn, require the same attention from the owner.

Characteristics of the Scottish Fold breed:

highland fold

It should be noted that the Highland Fold cat breed is characterized by a compact torso of medium size and a weight not exceeding 4 kg. The body is rounded, proportional, ending in a flexible tail, which tapers to the tip, the legs are of medium length with round paws. The head is beautiful, having a rounded shape with a strong-willed chin, a shortened nose with a small dimple located at the transition from the nose to the forehead and a well-developed jaw.

The eyes are huge, widely spaced, perfectly combined and in harmony with the shade of the coat. The coat is long and dense, uniform, of various shades, becoming a little wadded in adult animals, which refers to a slight drawback.

The Highland Fold is a good-natured cat, loving its owners to the point of madness and treating family members with deep respect and reverence.

They are great with children and get along well with all pets. Cats are smart, quick-witted and playful, they will never be able to cause any harm to children during the game, they do not tear curtains, they do not scratch furniture. They have absolutely no aggressiveness, which is inherent in certain breeds.

Summing up this article, I would like to note that lop-eared cats are very unpretentious and smart, and you can find the answer to the question - how much does a lop-eared cat cost without any problems on the Internet. Cats of this breed get along well with people and even dogs. Lop-eared cats are recommended for purchase as one of the best pets.

Purebred individuals that meet the standards of the Scottish Fold breed are considered to be lop-eared kittens born from a cross with a Scottish Straight. And those whose second parent did not have lop-eared ancestors and belonged to the British Shorthair family are considered mestizos and are not allowed to show. It is they who are commonly called the lop-eared British. But officially such a breed does not exist, it is not recognized, and its standards are not set by felinologists.

Mating of representatives of the Scottish and British breeds is prohibited. Therefore, they are not crossed in special nurseries; you can only buy such kittens from your hands. British fold, according to experts, bred without complying with the rules of the international community. This point of view does not prevent such a variety of cats from being widespread and in demand, but leads to numerous disputes and confusion.

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History of appearance and features

The first fold cat was born in 1961. She had a white color and belonged to William Rossa. This feature, caused by a spontaneous mutation, was very popular with people, who put a lot of effort into preserving it.

It was soon noticed that when two lop-eared individuals were crossed, their offspring born had a large number of pathologies. Therefore, now animals with bent ears are knitted exclusively with straight ears. As a result of this, two types of kittens are born. It is impossible to immediately say what shape the ears of the animal will be, you need to wait 3-4 weeks.

Appearance

In the exterior of the lop-eared British, the features of the breeds of each of the parents are reflected. A typical representative of the breed has the following characteristics:

• Strong body. These cats have strong, muscular paws, somewhat short in relation to the general proportions of the figure, and a powerful chest.
• Scarf under the chin. A fold of skin, overgrown with fluffy wool, they inherited from the British.
• Round muzzle. The ears are turned inwards and the eyes are slightly protruding. They can be blue, green, yellow and copper, or even multi-colored. The combination of these features with a hooked nose gives the representatives of the breed a defenseless and touching look.
• Short coat with thick undercoat. It can have different colors, including unusual ones. There are white, black, smoky, tabby, chocolate, lilac, blue, red and tortoiseshell colors.

British fold give the impression of plump and squat animals. But in fact, they are nimble, like all members of the cat family, and strong muscles are hidden under their fluffy fur. The optimal weight of an adult animal is 7-8 kg.



British fold cat

Difference from Scottish Fold cat

A kitten that was born as a result of a mixture with a British Shorthair cat has a noticeable external difference from a Scottish Fold cat. According to the description, its differences from a purebred representative of the breed are as follows:

• a more massive skeleton derived from an English ancestor;
• ears, to a lesser extent pressed to the head.



Scottish fold cat, characterized by a less massive skeleton and grace

The nature of the lop-eared British

Lop-eared British are undemanding to the climate and can easily endure both heat and cold. These cats are very cheerful and playful, they prefer space and active games, like to chase the ball or track down "prey". This is due to their highly developed hunting instinct.

They are calm about staying at home alone, they are able to independently find something to do. Despite this, cats have a strong craving for communication with the owner, like to spend a lot of time with him. But to a stranger, they will not be so supportive and are unlikely to easily allow themselves to be stroked or picked up. The trust of representatives of this breed must be won gradually. Among the British lop-eared cats there are also proud haughty touchy. But they are all devoted to their master and can even attack guests if they show hostility towards any of the household members.

Cats and cats differ in behavior. So, males do not like to be picked up or forced to play. They are touchy and even vindictive. Females, on the other hand, prefer to be in the center of attention, are more supportive of affection, and are friendly to children. They like to communicate with other animals, and if they annoy them, they will not get into a fight, but will prefer to find a more secluded place.

Just like their Scottish ancestors, representatives of this breed are distinguished by their ability to stand on their hind legs for a long time, considering something that aroused their curiosity. They are characterized by increased cleanliness. If suddenly the animal stopped licking, then this is a signal that it does not feel well. And if he is too zealous in washing to such an extent that bald spots form in the wool, he is very nervous or jealous of the owner. If a lop-eared cat feels unloved, he may lose his appetite, he will have apathy.

British Fold care

Kittens of this breed from birth have strong immunity and good health. As a result, they do not require any special care. The main thing in caring for them is regular combing. It is advisable to do this once a week, and during the molting period - once every two to three days. Particular attention should be paid to cleaning the eyes and ears, which, due to their shape, can get dirty and fester.

It is necessary to monitor the condition of the pet's claws. It is required either to cut them regularly, or to teach the cat to use a scratching post. Bathing cats, including British Fold, is not recommended. If the animal is very dirty, it must be washed very carefully, making sure that the water remains slightly warm. Be sure to use a special shampoo.

Health

It is important to remember that the lop-eared gene manifests itself not only in the form of this feature, but also leads to disorders in the musculoskeletal system. Joint diseases are the main problem of Scottish folds, but it can also occur in their descendants from a cross with the British. If a kitten manifests this hereditary disease, then he will need injections of chondroprotectors that alleviate the condition. It is impossible to cure these deviations. Therefore, when choosing a pet, you should pay attention to the shape of its hind legs and tail.

When feeding a British Fold cat, a number of fundamental principles should be followed. Their diet should be:

• balanced;
• permanent;
• strictly dosed.

Frequent food changes can cause digestive problems. This breed is prone to obesity, so the amount of food offered to the animal must be strictly fixed. Veterinarians do not recommend overfeeding the lop-eared.

It is necessary to accustom the cat either to special feeds or to a specific type of natural food. It should be prepared without the use of fatty and spicy ingredients, avoiding the addition of excess salt. The best choice would be:

• poultry meat;
• beef;
• vegetables;
• low-fat cottage cheese.

You can add cereals and cheeses. If it was decided to stop at special feeds, then you should give preference to premium brands and make sure that they include all the necessary vitamins. With proper nutrition and care, a pet can live up to 15 or even 20 years.

Before describing such a popular cat breed as the British Fold, it is worth answering a very simple question: does it exist at all?

Oddly enough, but it is precisely this breed that actually does not exist. Here you will find out what types of cats are passed off as British Fold by animal breeders.

It turns out that lop-eared individuals are the result of a quirk of genetics when a pair of purebred "British" suddenly has a lop-eared kitten.

Also, the appearance of this species was influenced by the features of breeding breeds in our country. So, as a result of the mating of fold-eared Scottish cats and the British, mixed offspring were born: some of the kittens were with hanging ears, and some were with straight ones. They were classified as follows: lop-eared - the Scots, and the second - the British. Thus, often “lop-eared Britons” appear. Such cats cannot win prizes in exhibitions, as they are, in fact, a plembra.

So why do cat breeders sell them? The first reason may be simple deception. They try to sell a kitten culled from a litter as a purebred individual, however, in the documents issued with the animal, it will be indicated that the cat is not suitable for breeding the breed. There is also an unhealthy habit of selling "lop-eared Brits" already neutered or neutered. In the case when there is a special BRI coding in the pedigree of the lop-eared cat, in addition, in the sales contract breed class is indicated(the ability to breed an animal), you should immediately contact the club that issued this pedigree for the animal, as it is a fake.

But if you buy an animal for the soul and joy in the family, then a cat without documents cannot be expensive, no matter what breed it looks like. Perhaps its former owner does not know exactly what breed the animal is.

How to distinguish a lop-eared Scot from a "rejected" British?

The latter has a more "heavy" constitution. Powerful withers, strong paws and tail distinguish this breed from others. The cat may look like a kind of sturdy bear cub with a low-set head. In profile, the transition to the nose from the forehead looks smoother, there is no stop, that is, a sharp transition with a dimple. But the Scottish cat looks graceful and light, has longer limbs, no withers, and the tail gradually tapers to the tip.

It is impossible to distinguish one breed from another by color, since the color of the animal can be any. It will be great if you are also shown a photo of the parents of the purchased kitten. It is by them that one can judge the breed of a pet.

So, it became clear that the breed called "British lop-eared" even as an experimental not recorded anywhere. So, there are some dangers in buying such a pet. The first, far from the most terrible, is the inability to participate in pedigreed cat shows, he will be able to show himself only in the class of domestic cats. Also, as already mentioned, there can be no question of breeding a breed, as well as obtaining a pedigree for its offspring.

And if the future owner cares little about exhibitions and fame, the second point is more unpleasant. A lop-eared British shorthair kitten, obtained as a result of a genetic failure from accidental mating, can have all certain diseases, such as osteochondrodysplasia. Description of the disease: characterized by paw deformity and the skeleton of a kitten, lethargy and inactivity, lameness. But it can also happen to adults. And the worst thing is that this disease is almost incurable. So, having bought and fallen in love with the whole family of the “fold-eared Briton”, there is a chance in the future to observe his suffering due to genetics.

Description and characteristics of the breed

What are the coat colors of the lop-eared British

Care

British fold cats do not require special care You just have to follow a few simple rules. About once a week, you need to carefully comb the cat's coat with a special comb, trying not to touch the undercoat. And when the molt comes, combing the cats by the owners should be done daily. To clean wool, you can use a special dry shampoo. Bathing in water should be done very rarely, about once every 3-4 months or in the case when the cat gets very dirty.

Now you know what is meant by the “British Fold” cat breed, what difficulties it can have when buying, and what character traits it has.

Photo of a British fold cat

If on the Internet you come across an offer for the sale of purebred lop-eared British cats, then in no case do not respond to it. Such an animal will definitely not be purebred for the reason that the lop-eared "British" do not exist. Only cats of the Scottish breed can have kittens whose ears are bent forward and down.

Are there British Fold cats?

A British cat may have a lop-eared kitten. But this will be confirmation that my mother was knitted not with a Briton, but with a Scottish Fold (Scottish Fold cat). There is also a possibility that the female herself is not purebred, and among her direct ancestors there are "Scots".

Scottish fold (Scottish fold cat) has small ears folded forward and down, rounded at the ends

It is worth remembering clearly: lowered ears are a hallmark of the "Scots". But in British Shorthair cats, this sign is the basis for rejection when obtaining a certificate of conformity to the breed.

The breed standard for British shorthair cats is small, rounded, wide-set and always erect ears.

Why there was confusion with breeds

Lop-eared "Scots" are often mistakenly referred to as "British" - the reason is in a similar appearance, and also in the fact that for a long time the crossing of these two breeds was allowed.

British cats appeared in England in the 19th century. No one specifically bred them, they appeared naturally among outbred animals. The breed was first recognized by the public in 1898, when its representatives took part in the Harrison Ware exhibition, held in London at the Crystal Palace.

As for Scottish cats, their history began in the 1960s. Even the progenitor is known - this is the snow-white cat Susie. She was born with drooping ears, and the owners (British William and Mary Ross) decided to fix this unusual feature. The cat began to be bred with different cats, and only when crossing with a British male did a litter appear in which all the kittens had small ears tightly pressed to the head. For several decades, the descendants of these first kittens also continued to be crossed with the "British" (lop-eared kittens were obtained in about 15% of cases).

To date, the breeds of British Shorthair and Scottish Fold cats are closed - that is, kittens obtained by crossing them are not recognized as purebred. This is due to the fact that further interbreed mating of cats began to lead to the appearance of kittens with strong deviations from the standards of both breeds - with too elongated bodies, massive paws, and the wrong set of ears (they were not lop-eared, but they did not stand straight, like the "British ").

How to distinguish between "British" and "Scottish"

Ears are not the only feature that distinguishes Scottish and British Shorthair cats. The "British" are slightly larger, they have a characteristic round head and developed cheekbones, which makes them look somewhat cheeky (they are often affectionately called "teddy bears" for a reason).

Photo gallery: what purebred British Shorthair cats look like

Externally, British cats are large, strongly built, broad-boned. "British" - quite playful and inquisitive cats British cats with a smoky color and "tabby" (tabby - striped, mottled) look very unusual The "British" have large round eyes that are bright orange or blue.

"Scots" have a less heavy skeleton and generally seem more graceful than British cats. The paws of the Scottish Fold are much thinner and longer, and the tail is narrower and more mobile.

Photo gallery: what purebred Scottish Fold cats look like

All Scottish Folds have short, soft-touch (like plush) coats. The tabby color in cats is called "tabby" Today, when the lop-eared gene in the "Scots" is fixed, it is forbidden to cross them with other breeds, including with the "British" The color of the eyes of the "Scots" should match the color of the coat (for example, red cats should have amber eyes)

Table: comparison of British and Scottish cats (according to WCF standards)

The cat in the photo has two features at once, which are only found in the "Scots" and definitely not found in purebred "British" - these are ears pressed to the head and green eyes

It is important to note that there are some differences in the nature of cats of different breeds. British cats are more phlegmatic than their Scottish counterparts. They themselves make it clear to a person when they can be played with or caressed, and the rest of the time they prefer not to be touched, left alone. If you pester them, they can “show their claws”. Scottish cats are easier to "squeeze" and are playful even in adulthood.

Photo gallery: comparison of two breeds

Only the Scottish fold cat can have short ears pressed to the head, the British always have them upright "British" - strongly knocked down and squat cats, and "Scots" - muscular, but lighter, embossed Powerful paws with large round pads are one of the features of the "British", the "Scots" limbs are longer and thinner The British cat has a shorter tail with a round tip. The "Scots" like to sit in a "column", while the "British" rarely notice this

Anyone who wants to buy a purebred lop-eared cat should remember that among the “British” there can be no representatives with ears pressed to the head. By breed standards, they must have erect ears. Only Scottish cats are lop-eared.

The cat brings comfort to life and to the house. This ball of wool, without saying a word, can calm, cheer and even inspire. Before you buy, find out a detailed description of the British Fold cat breed. Only after familiarizing yourself with all the intricacies of care, character and other things, you will understand whether it is worth getting such an animal or you still need a different breed. This is especially true for families who wish to buy a British for children.

The history of the British Fold cat breed dates back to the time of the Second World War. The British had many catteries, where there were animals very similar to British cats. However, the merciless war did not save these animals. And after the end of hostilities, the breeders had, downright bit by bit, to collect the lost breed. For this were taken: Persian cats, exotics and French blues. The result exceeded all expectations. A completely new breed. The lop-eared cat breed is a new pet with a unique character.

Over time, it was exported to other countries: Holland, Belgium, France. Animals came to the territory of Russia much later, in the early 90s of the 20th century.

Peculiarities

Representatives of the British Fold breed have a peculiar body structure. A wide, straight nose is located under a flat forehead. The head is rounded. Dropped ears (lop-eared). Short legs and rounded paws. In combination with a short and thick coat, the cat looks like a plush toy..

The gender difference is visible to the naked eye. British cats are much larger than cats, they are large, muscular. Yes, and on the muzzle is noticeable. While cats, although broad-boned, are small, squat, and their muzzle expression can be called “motherly”.

Behavior

The behavior of the British will be determined by character. This species has a rather mild character. British lop-eared cats have a calm character, do not differ in whimsicalness, intelligence at the highest level, as well as intuition.

Their nature allows them to get along with people and other animals. Dogs are not a barrier to this, they perfectly find a common language. But, don't get confused, they don't have the rear leg stand feature. Yes, and the British are not very afraid of heights, when compared with cats, with which they are confused.

Differences

Since the English Fold is very similar to the Scottish Fold, animal lovers often confuse the two. To avoid confusion, it is worth knowing what their difference is. And the difference in everything, after reading this, you will understand how different animals are. Differences in all of them:

• Appearance.
• Character.
• Communication with others.
• Fears.

At first glance, the photo of the Briton shows the difference, because British pets are earthy and stocky. The neck has more distinct features, and the tail is much longer. Oddly enough, but the ears of these animals are also different.

controversial points

The lop-eared Briton is a rather controversial cat breed. And the dispute lies in the very shape of the ears. British cats have straight ears, but not lop-eared.. Straight, rounded and erect ears are characteristic of this breed. At the time, they could be confused with Scottish cats. Since, this breed has 2 types of ears, one of which is straight ears.

The paws of the British look massive, because of their length. The head of the cat is round, has large sagging cheeks and well-defined cheekbones. The English cat is distinguished by its rounded tail.

Scottish Straight © shutterstock

Character

The character of the British is suitable for those who want to have a friendly, intelligent cat, albeit a demanding one. Seeing her for the first time, you will be discouraged by her restraint. But as soon as she enters into your confidence, you will instantly fall in love with the character of this breed. She is highly devoted which over time will develop into an attachment. Further, it combines the 2 best qualities for animals. It is peace and activity. They seem to complement each other, preventing the animal from showing itself as a hyperactive pet.

Communication with children in these breeds is also different. The Briton is like a "Queen". She will not run with a child, jump for a ball, or “hunt” for a twitching object. She tends to lie on a soft couch and feel pleasant strokes of the owner. The difference is visible in unusual habits.

The British do not stand on their hind legs, do not sit and are not afraid of heights. They prefer to climb somewhere higher and condescendingly observe what is happening.

English pets mature much later than Scottish cats. At the same time, there is a noticeable gender difference. Males leave their characteristic growth up to 3 years, while kitties cope with this task until the 1st year.

Own territory

British fold animals can be called lovers of personal space. Yes, they need solitude, to be with themselves. Unlike other cats, this breed will not be scared away by rustling bags, they are quite bold. On such attempts to scare away, get, as a maximum, a surprised face.

Once again, it is worth noting that pets get along well with other animals, they are not jealous.

If you are told that an animal chooses its owner, you can smile - this is not about the British. Pets tend to look at what is happening from above, they can climb to a height and watch what is happening, like an emperor.

Care

Appropriate care is needed to preserve the beauty of the breed. These pets are just like picky gourmets. You will have to work a little on the supply and diet. You always have a choice: dry food or self-cooking. The advantage of dry food is that manufacturers take into account all daily norms and create a balanced diet. The second case - feeding with natural products, provides for the premature preparation of the diet. Pets love:

• Meat with a low percentage of fat.
• Dairy products.
• Bird meat.
• Vegetables.
• Cereals.

Rules

When serving, pay attention to the temperature of the food. It should be within 27-28 degrees. Don't pour too much. Be sure to have clean drinking water in the bowl. Replace every day. The coat of the animal also requires proper care. otherwise you will have to collect it throughout the apartment. Combing should occur at least 3 times a week. If the pet has short hair, once will be enough. Washing should be once every six months. Before bathing, make sure that the collected water does not exceed 40 degrees. After washing, wrap with a towel, hiding from drafts.

Just like a child, a cat needs to look after its ears. When swimming, be careful not to get water in there. In addition, clean your ears. To do this, you will need a cotton swab previously moistened with hydrogen peroxide.

dangers

How your pet will feel is up to you. If it worsens, you should pay attention to the diet. Their amount of food intake is 30% more than that of a simple cat. If you see health problems, adjust your diet. In addition, the lack of attention will also make you anxious. After all, they are very fond of attention, and if it is not enough, then dirty tricks will begin because of insults.

The life of a cat or a cat is equal to 12 years, but this is provided that you follow him, for his nutrition. Especially, you need to pay attention to him at the age of 10. It will not be superfluous to consult a veterinarian and adjust the diet.

Prohibitions

As already noted - it is forbidden to mix 2 different breeds. Otherwise, there will be problems with the musculoskeletal system. If you have a cat that was obtained by crossing two breeds, contact your veterinarian when growing up. Such species have problems with their legs, it is difficult for them to carry their body, since the legs are thin and longer than usual. At all, This breed tends to get diseases in a hereditary way., problems with the skeleton. If, however, the pet underwent surgery, there may be increased bleeding.

Acquisition

Before you decide to buy British cats with curved ears, you should evaluate your options, both financially and in terms of pet care. Yes, the price of one kitten of this breed can be different. It depends on many factors:

• Purebred.
• Age.

It is clear that blue cats will be significantly more expensive. When buying, you can not worry about the young age of the pet. Especially for toilet training.