All about black British cats: standards, genetics and features of breeding the English breed

Cats of the English breed are characterized by solid colors. Most often you can find British gray-blue shades. But even a black cat doesn’t look like a “black sheep” against their background. His thick and evenly colored coat looks very impressive.

Let's find out whether there are any peculiarities in the breeding and character of black cats, as well as what signs are associated with these animals.

Origin of black British cats

Breeders are convinced that monochromatic representatives of the breed appeared on our planet several thousand years ago. And if at first they could only be found in Rome, then later the animals began to be found in England, where they were brought by accident. Despite the fact that smoky and blue shades of fur predominated, black and white cats could also be found.

At the beginning of the 19th century, it was decided to assign certain colors to the breed. Then in 1898, Harrison Wyer, a famous breeder of that time, developed charcoal, chocolate and red.

Tortoiseshells

Tortoiseshell cats are a favorite among breeders. From these mothers you can get a wide variety of offspring. Their unique color, also called torti, combines two groups of colors at once - red and black, and this is possible only in females. Tortoiseshell cats can only be born as a result of a genetic anomaly - mosaicism. Such animals are infertile and have the XXY genotype.

The tortoiseshell color consists of black and red spots evenly distributed throughout the body (or derivatives of these colors, for example, blue and cream, chocolate and cream, lilac and cream, etc.).

There are a huge number of British tortoiseshell species:

1. Classic turtle (black-red, chocolate-red, lilac-cream, fawn-cream, cinnamon-red, lilac-cream).
2. Smoky turtle (black and red smoky, chocolate red smoky, etc.).
3. Tortoiseshell tabby, or torby (black and red tabby, chocolate red tabby, etc.).
4. Tortoiseshell color point, or tortie (tortie point - black tortoiseshell, blue cream point - blue tortoiseshell, etc.).
5. Bicolor tortoiseshells or calicos (black and red bicolor tortoiseshell, etc.).
6. Bicolor tabby tortoiseshell, or torbico (marbled, striped, spotted bicolor tortoiseshell).

A tortoiseshell kitten can be born from parents of different color groups, for example, the mother is red and the father is black.

Black British breed standard

A real black British cat can easily be confused with another breed. To prevent this from happening, you should know about all the features and nuances that will help you not to be deceived.

The head is a distinctive feature of all British people. She is large, round, with wide cheekbones and pronounced cheeks. The nose is always straight and short, and the forehead is flat and close to oval in shape. If you look at the chin, you can see that it seems to complement the whole picture with its massiveness and directness.

Important! If the animal's jaw is slightly narrowed, then it is not a British black cat, but a crossbreed or a representative of another breed.

Particular attention should be paid to the ears. They are small in size and slightly rounded at the tips. The ears are positioned in relation to each other at a ninety-degree angle. Particularly distinguished are the eyes of a cat - wide, large and open. The iris of the eye can change its shade in the first year and is established when the animal matures.

Many people define British people by their short and low body. Regardless of the gender of the animal, they are all massive and powerful. The same applies to strong and thick paws, as well as a dense, medium-length tail. The fur of felines is shiny and iridescent, with a thick undercoat. True Britons are so plush that sometimes it is impossible to reach their skin.

The emergence and development of the breed

The history of the appearance of the breed goes back more than 2 thousand years. In those distant times, the Romans, who conquered Britain, brought with them domestic cats to fight rodents. British cats have taken root well both on the European mainland and on the islands of Great Britain.

This cat breed is distinguished by its special endurance and good health; they are excellent hunters and unpretentious eaters.

Round eyes and a rounded muzzle, as well as short, elastic, plush hair, have become the main characteristic features of this breed. Such cats were distinguished by their special endurance and good health; they were excellent hunters even of large rodents (rats). Unpretentiousness in food and a special aristocratic appearance won the hearts of cat breeders.

For the first time, as a separate breed, the British Shorthair was presented at the First London Exhibition in 1871. At the same time, the first exhibition rules for evaluating animals were introduced and breed standards were developed. Since then, felinology has begun to develop widely throughout the world.

During the period of two World Wars and the Great Depression, the number of these purebred cats greatly decreased. To restore them, breeders were forced to use representatives similar in phenotype. The British were mated with various breeds, for these purposes the following were used: Chartreux, Scottish and Burmese, as well as Russian Blue and Persian cats. Since 1950, the British Shorthair has been recognized as an independent breed. Today this breed is recognized by all felinological organizations in the world.

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This amazing animal has characteristic structural features of its body parts.

Features of wool

Black British cats become this way due to the amount of melanin in the hairs of the coat. The substance presented can be of two types, based on the gene - gene A is responsible for pheomelanin, and gene B is responsible for eumelanin. To achieve charcoal, you need to work on eumelanin. In addition, the intensity of the color is also important, and the D and C genes are responsible for it. In order to get a truly black Briton, the B and D genes must be in dominant quantities in the body.

At the same time, they also pay attention to the amount of pigment, which directly affects the hardness. Black representatives have more of it, so the fur coat is dense, and the pile cannot be called plush.

Black British kittens are a real rarity. The reason is that up to six months, and sometimes more, the coat color is brown or brown. And only after this the fur coat begins to change its shade. A true British black cat should be dark as night. The same applies to the nose mirror, as well as the paw pads. Any inclusions indicate a crossbreed and do not meet the breed standard.

Birth of black kittens

To get “coal” kittens, breeders need to try hard. It is worth choosing such parents, in whose pedigree there were as few four-legged crosses as possible, interspersed with a red tint or brown. It is best if the cat and cat have a solid color. And their parents are of the same tone. The ideal option is purebred black cats. However, even in this case, there is a possibility that the kittens will have some tint or remain brown. This happens all the time, so “coal” representatives are a rarity and a great success.

Golden chinchilla

An even rarer, difficult to breed, but very beautiful, “sunny” variety of the British cat. Its color is so named because of its similarity to the fur of real chinchillas.

This cat wears a bright apricot-colored coat with black or blue “spraying.” The brighter the gold, the more valuable it is. Gray shades are not allowed. The nose and paw pads should match the base color. The eyes are necessarily green, except for the pointed subspecies. The colors differ in the degree of coloring of the hairs.

Golden shaded

Shaded is when only the upper third of the hairs are colored in the main color. In all other respects, the animal looks like it has a solid color, only slightly “dusted.” This effect is achieved due to the fact that each hair has a colored tip. The undercoat is peach or apricot.

Golden veiled

Veiling is when the top 1/8 of the hairs are colored. In all other respects, the animal looks the same as with a solid color, only in a barely visible transparent “veil”. This effect is achieved due to the fact that each hair has a colored tip. The undercoat is peach or apricot.

Eye color in black Britons

All Britons have blue eyes, but only up to four months. After this, the shade changes to gold. Some kittens may have green eyes, but breeders note that in this case the likelihood that the baby will turn black at the age of 6-7 months is zero. Just as there is no combination of blue eyes and a “charcoal” fur coat, there is no such combination, but with green eyes. According to the breed standard, the iris can be of all shades of gold, ranging from bright yellow to reddish. Nothing else is allowed.

Breeding

Veterinarians recommend that animals be tested for blood type compatibility before mating, otherwise the offspring will die or the kittens will develop serious health problems.

To get dark cats, it is advisable to choose plain-colored parents. If you cross blacks with reds, the litter may contain tortoiseshell kittens. The eyes should also only be dark yellow. It is advisable to choose breeding individuals of the same size. Before mating, animals must undergo deworming and visit a veterinarian to identify hidden ailments. Pets should be introduced to each other on the male's territory. Mating should be carried out after 2-3 heats in a cat, not earlier than 1-1.5 years.

Character of cats

Breeders note that the color of the coat does not affect the character of the pet in any way. At the same time, the owners fundamentally disagree with this. They are convinced that black cats are mysterious and unusual. In addition, four-legged animals are proud, self-sufficient and independent, although sometimes they need the company of people.

Animals don't like being forced to do anything. Therefore, if a “furry friend” does not want to be held or does not want to be in a room where there are people, then there is no need to force him to do so.

Representatives of the breed with black wool are energetically strong. Sometimes they sleep in one place for months, and then suddenly move to another. Many cats, when a person is sick, sleep with him or cuddle with him, helping to cope with the illness.

Price

Purebred kittens with documents and a decent pedigree cost about ten thousand rubles. There are many advertisements on the Internet in which they are willing to give you a kitten even for a thousand rubles, but no one can guarantee that you are buying a truly purebred animal. Just like no one will give you documents.

Therefore, we can say that the price depends on what exactly you want to purchase. If you only need a cat with the appearance of a Scottish Fold, then you can look through advertisements on the Internet. But if the breed and its purebredness are important to you, then it is best to go directly to the nursery.

Contents of a Black Briton

Contrary to popular belief that the British are difficult to look after, the reality is completely different. If you follow simple rules of care, a four-legged animal can easily live up to 18, and sometimes 20 years.

General Content Rules

There are just a few nuances that you should pay attention to.

Namely:

1. Avoid hypothermia of animals and do not place their houses in drafts. Representatives of these breeds have weak eyes. Therefore, at the slightest breath of wind, their eyes begin to water and sour.
2. Visit a veterinarian regularly, especially for owners of animals over 10 years old, and get vaccinated.
3. Feed your cats correctly.
4. Do not allow frequent matings (for cats), this weakens the immunity of fluffies, they begin to get sick often.

Feeding a British cat

Caring for cats involves proper feeding. This can be high-quality dry food or canned food, as well as natural food.

Important! It is strictly forbidden to combine drying with food from the table, because this will lead to serious problems with the gastrointestinal tract.

First you need to decide, and then carefully select your diet. If preference is given to dry food, then it is better to choose the holistic or super-premium lines. Many brands offer food specifically for the British, taking into account their age.

At the same time, veterinarians advise choosing food based on the four-legged lifestyle. If the animal is overweight, then it is worth purchasing appropriate food. If the cat does not leave the house, therefore, it is necessary to purchase appropriate food. It's all written on the packs. In addition, veterinarians working in specialized pet stores will always give advice and help, so this will not be a problem.

Some owners worry that their British black kitten will go hungry while they are at work. Therefore, they leave the drying directly in the bowl, pouring it with a mountain. This cannot be done because, firstly, the feline’s stomach will quickly stretch out, and secondly, they will get used to the fact that they can eat as much as they want, and then they will not leave their feeder. Considering that the British are prone to obesity, doing this is strictly prohibited.

As for natural nutrition, in this case it is better to give preference to fresh meat. It could be rabbit, veal or turkey. It is advisable to avoid pork as it is too fatty. Before serving, the treat can be doused with boiling water and given to the animal immediately. To make food more nutritious, it is recommended to use vegetables. It could be pumpkin, zucchini or carrots. Some people grind the meat in a meat grinder, then grind the vegetables and make vegetable-meat balls, which the four-legged animals eat with pleasure.

Animals must be given eggs at least a couple of times a week. The same applies to dairy products. True, there should not be an excess of them. To maintain the charcoal shade of the coat, you can add kelp to your food from time to time. If the cat is repelled by the smell, then it is worth buying vitamin complexes that contain these algae and giving them.

You should forget about food from the table. British black cats, like representatives of other colors, begin to get sick if they consume fat, salt and spices in excess. All this is present in the food that a person eats. All this is prohibited for animals.

Grooming

Many people believe that the British Shorthair black cat's coat does not need to be looked after. However, it is not. If the animal is not combed at least once a week, the hairs will begin to tangle and cough. Therefore, this procedure cannot be avoided. To do this, it is better to buy a soft brush that will not injure the skin. During the molting period, procedures become more frequent, but they depend on the amount of undercoat being combed out. In order for an animal not to be afraid, it must be taught from childhood. Although, if you choose the right comb, there should be no problems with scratching.

Cats should not be bathed frequently. If the animal walks along the street, then “bath days” must be organized 2 times a year. For bathing, you should take shampoos designed specifically for black Britons. These cosmetics are sold in pet stores.

Who is the color suitable for?

Many owners are attracted to the black pet because of its mystery and mystery. The owner, purchasing a coal kitten for his home, receives a devoted, affectionate friend for many years. These are independent, balanced, clean animals suitable for large families with small children. Good-natured until old age, they gladly participate in children's fun. For a frequently busy owner, such a cat is simply luck; he takes loneliness calmly and will not get bored, act up and climb on tables. Affectionate and sociable, the black British Shorthair cat has incredible positive energy.

Pros and cons of color

The lucky owners consider coal beauties simply ideal animals; they find many advantages in their behavior and manners:

• They rarely get sick and are carriers of immunity.
• They are affectionate towards their owner and remain loyal.
• Long-lived, sometimes up to 20 years.
• Independent, do not require much attention.
• They are clean, behave intelligently, do not misbehave, and are not vindictive.
• It has been observed that communication with them has a beneficial effect on health:
• For those suffering from hypertension;
• For people with heart disease;
• Relieves stress, absorbs negative energy accumulated during the day.

There are practically no negative traits in the behavior of handsome black men; the shortcomings are only in disqualifying vices. You can buy a kitten for a high price, which, having matured, will not retain the purebred characteristics of a black British cat.

How to choose a Black British kitten

To choose a black kitten, it is best to seek help from experienced breeders or those who already have similar animals. Otherwise, you need to rely only on your knowledge. First of all, you need to understand that the final color of British cats is formed with age. In childhood, babies are all dark, they have small ears and wide open eyes. If the “children” have purebred and “coal” parents, then you can try your luck and buy a “child”, in the hope that the shade of the fur coat will not change with age.

Don't go for cheap

Many people, wanting to buy a black cat, start saving. This circumstance plays into the hands of dishonest sellers who, under the pretext of a discount, sell animals a little cheaper, but at the same time, making a good profit for them. As a result, it turns out that the “coal” kittens lost their shade by six months, and only the name remained from the British. You should buy purebred fluffies exclusively from trusted people, whose names are well-known to many. In this case, sellers must show all documents for the parents.

Important! Black British cats are expensive. This is due to the complexity of breeding the breed, so there can be no talk of any price reduction in this case.

Read the breed standard

To avoid mistakes, you need to know the breed standard. The British have many distinctive features that you need to know. The main ones are that the eye color changes only by three to four months, and the shade of the coat, which will remain forever, can be observed only by six months. Therefore, it is worth buying an animal either at this age or earlier, hoping for a miracle.

Feeding

British cats are not picky when it comes to nutrition and will eat almost anything that is offered to them. Therefore, it is necessary to create the right diet and feed your pet natural and high-quality food in order for him to be healthy, beautiful and active. Many people mistakenly believe that there is nothing better for cats than fish. Such a diet will not bring the necessary nutrients and vitamins to the animal’s body.

Pet stores offer a large number of types of food, both dry and wet. Some companies develop a special balanced diet intended only for this breed. Preference should be given to more expensive products; they contain more natural meat, fresh vegetables and nutrients.

If you are a supporter of natural products, you need to prepare daily portions yourself. Your cat should receive the necessary proteins from meat, natural fiber from vegetables and herbs, and you can sometimes add eggs and dairy products. From time to time, your pet needs to buy vitamins, which a veterinarian can recommend after an examination. Also, fresh water should always be freely available in the house.

Breeding work

It is quite difficult to obtain high-quality charcoal-colored offspring from the British, so when selecting parents you should trust only professional breeders.

Breeding Black British

Basic rules for choosing parents for black kittens:

• both must have a black standard color without shades or spots;
• they already had offspring;
• Several generations are described in the pedigree for an accurate study of heredity.

Jet-black Britons can also be present in the litter of parents of other colors, however, the maximum chance of their appearance is the choice of black parents who do not have ancestors with light colors, spotted or tabby in their pedigree.

Issues of castration and sterilization

According to breeders, sterilizing a cat helps prolong its life. However, it is better to carry out the operation before puberty; at a later stage, stress is possible, which can contribute to the development of serious diseases.

It should be remembered that sterilized animals are more susceptible to obesity, so their diet should be low in calories.

Exterior

Black British men have a strong, massive body with a straight back. The legs are short, the chest is wide. The body is of medium size, not elongated.

Other exterior features are described in the table:

The coat can be long or short (plush), with a good undercoat. In the first case, pets have fluffy “pants.” The coat should be black to the very roots. The color of the undercoat is to blend with the main tone. The weight of males is from 5 to 8 kg, females - 3-5 kg. The British live up to 15 years.

Tabby

The Tabby (Tabby) color allows cats to have patterns of different directions, sometimes the coat can even be ticked or marbled. The main signs of a Tabby are the letter M located on the animal’s forehead (scarab sign), dark stripes near the eyes and on the cheeks, and rings on the neck and chest.

Tiger (mackerel) tabby

The brindle (mackerel, striped) color option is considered the most common among tabbies. A line of the main coat color runs along the entire spine. From the name it is clear that the pattern is made up of dark stripes. A clear and separated pattern is a requirement made by specialists. If this rule is violated, the animal is rejected. The eyes are bright - red and copper.

Spotted Tabby

The British spotted tabby cat is distinguished from others by horizontal dark lines extending from the eyes. There are also stripes on the animal’s cheeks. A dark broken line runs along the spine, and on the sides there are a large number of dark spots and dots. The tip of the tail is dark, with striped rings running along its entire length.

Spotted tabby color

Marble tabby color

The British merle tabby color is considered classic. It is characterized by light silvery sides with dark spots or stripes. The pattern looks very impressive, since it is not interrupted or intersected anywhere. On the back of the head there is a pattern in the shape of a butterfly, and the letter M, standard for the color, is located lower than usual, closer to the nose. Eye color is copper with smoky rims. The British Marbled cat looks expensive and elegant.

Thorby color (short for tabby and torty)

Torby (tobry) is a color that combines two color varieties: patterned and tortoiseshell tabby. A spotted, marbled or striped pattern arrangement is allowed. The standard assumes that the British tortoiseshell tabby color has rings on the neck, stripes on the legs, the letter M on the forehead, which is characteristic of all tabbies, and rings along the entire length of the tail. In kittens, identifying this type of pattern is problematic, but as they grow older, at about 12 months, the lines become clearer.

Abyssinian or ticked tabby

For many, this coloring of a cat looks like it is uniform, but it is not. The color is original, since the top part of the coat looks like a light dusting, and this shade is identical to the color of the lower part of the undercoat. Most often these colors are blue, black and chocolate, but others are also allowed.

Reviews

Some owner reviews:

• “I fell in love at first sight. Our Vaska is a very beautiful cat, and prone to narcissism. He can sit in front of the mirror for an hour and look at himself. There are no problems with him. Sometimes he confuses a scratching post with a sofa, and his toys with my books.”
• “When our son was born, we had to take Jason to his parents in the village. The cat constantly hissed at the baby, which did not stop him and the child continued to climb towards the cat. In the end, the inevitable happened - our son was scratched all over, and the cat moved away from us.”

Color point

The color point color is not common for British cats. It is in demand among breeders and has a wide range of acceptable colors.

British color point

Against the main light background of the whole body, the darker muzzle, tail, ears and paws stand out (it’s not for nothing that color point is also called Siamese color). The presence of any drawing on the body is unacceptable. The coat is short and dense with a white undercoat.