British cat color varieties. What is the eye color of British cats? Characteristics and description

Origin: UK

Recognition: FIFe, WCF, CFA, CFF, TICA, GCCF

Breed standard according to CFA classification

General information: an adult animal has a well-balanced, compact, powerful and strong body, not stretched out. The chest is wide. The limbs are short or medium length, the paws are rounded. The tail is thick at the base with a rounded tip. Round head, round cheeks, strong chin, wide, medium-sized nose. The ears are medium sized and set wide apart. The eyes are large and round, wide open. Short, but very thick and dense coat.

Cats look more powerful and massive, they have large cheeks. Representatives of the breed reach sexual development by 3-5 years. The animals give the impression of balanced proportions, with no feature exaggerated or revealing the weakness of other features.

Parameter	Description
Head	Round and massive. The muzzle is round, the outline of the skull is round. The neck is short and thick. Sloping forehead with a slightly flat area on the top of the head, not sloping.
Nose	Wide, medium length. In profile, a smooth slight bend is noticeable, but not very obvious.
Chin	Strong, well developed. In profile it forms a vertical line with the nose and upper lip.
Muzzle	Well developed, clearly defined round and large whisker pads.
Ears	Medium in size, wide at the base and rounded at the tips. The ears are set wide apart, but the rounded outlines of the head are not disturbed.
Eyes	Big, round and wide open. The eyes are set straight and wide apart. Usually bright orange, but point cats have blue eyes, chinchilla cats have eye colors ranging from blue, lavender to emerald green.
Body	Powerful, medium to large size, folded perfectly. Straight back, wide and deep chest.
Limbs	Short or medium length legs. The limbs are strong, strong, proportional to the body. The forelimbs are straight.
Paws	Strong, round. There are five toes on the front paws and four on the hind paws.
Tail	Medium length, proportional to the body. Wide at the base, slightly tapering and rounded at the tip.
Wool	Short, thick and dense, elastic to the touch, shiny. The fur does not lie tightly to the body. The undercoat is thick, the same length as the guard hair.
Color	All colors are allowed, with the exception of lilac, chocolate, colorful colors and their combinations with white. In kittens of solid colors, smoky, shaded, golden shaded, bicolor or calico, the ghost tabby pattern is allowed.

Flaws:

• pronounced stop;
• weak chin;
• light or too long undercoat;
• soft wool;
• stretched body.

Disqualification:

• eye color does not match color;
• adults have a green rim on the iris;
• tail defects;
• long or downy coat;
• poly- or oligodactyly;
• malocclusion, lack of teeth, jaw misalignment;
• abnormal color or pigmentation of the nose and/or paw pads;
• presence of stains or medallions;
• signs of illness or poor health.

Origin story

British shorthair cat is the oldest English breed, the history of which can be traced back to Ancient Rome, about 2000 years ago. The Romans valued cats for their endurance, excellent physical characteristics and excellent hunting ability. Short-haired cats were transported to Northern Europe and the cats eventually ended up in the British Isles.

It is assumed that cats of this breed were originally street cats, roaming the streets of the United Kingdom, living in barns, performing their function as hunters. A huge contribution to the development of the British Shorthair was made by cat lover Harrison Weir, who made successful breeding attempts in the 1800s. Thanks to his efforts, the British shorthair cats were presented at the first cat show at the Crystal Palace in London, after which they gained popularity.

After World War II, breeders actively began to preserve the breed, which was on the verge of extinction during the war years. To restore the gene pool, it was decided to cross the British Shorthair with other cat breeds, in particular with Persians and Chartreuse. As a result, modern British Shorthairs were developed - large animals with a massive head, a round muzzle and a calm character.

In 1871, the Breed Standard was drawn up, and from that moment the breeding of the British Shorthair began.

More than a century passed before breeders managed to develop the breed and improve its qualities. But as a result, the breed received worldwide recognition and the opportunity to participate and win in exhibitions at various levels.

Features of the British Shorthair

Cats are large in size and reach maturity by 3-5 years. Mature males weigh approximately 4-8 kg, castrated males can weigh 10-12 kg, and adult females - 3-5.5 kg, less often 7 kg.

Short, massive, round-shaped cats resemble a plush toy in their appearance. Even their fur is so thick and soft that it feels like plush to the touch. When stroking the cat against the growth of the fur, the fur moves behind the hand.

It is curious that cats with blue fur predominate, because mainly blue Persians and Chartreux cats participated in the breeding of the breed. In addition to the blue color, which is considered classic, there are other coat colors, the most popular are solid uniform black, gray-blue, lilac and tabby patterns, as well as tortoiseshell, smoky, two-color.

A distinctive feature of the breed is the smiling expression of the muzzle. Looking at animals, especially males, it seems that they are always smiling and happy with everything.

Personality of the British Shorthair cat

British Shorthair cats are relatively calm, balanced animals with an easy-going character.

They are very affectionate animals and become quite attached to people they trust. Moreover, they treat all family members well, regardless of age, and unlike some other breeds, they do not choose one person from the family as the leader. Cats are tolerant of small children.

Being gentle creatures, British Shorthairs love to be cuddled, sit next to each other, and follow their heels, but they are not intrusive, and they do not even particularly like to be held. Independent in nature, British Shorthair cats easily adapt to life without excessive human attention and to a monotonous, well-established life.

Gets along well with other animals, including dogs different sizes, birds, rabbits.

Representatives of the breed are not afraid of strangers and behave confidently if guests come to the house. They will treat the guest coldly, continuing to go about their business, or kindly, but not hostilely.

Representatives of the breed are quite clumsy and do not have the flexibility of a cat. However, they are smart and have a good memory. Having once learned to open a door, they will never forget the experience gained, making sure to apply it next time. Animals are easy to learn, so developing basic habits in cats, such as going to the litter box, will not be difficult.

British Shorthairs are cats with a moderate level of activity. They easily get carried away by play; kittens and young cats are especially playful. By the age of one year, the level of activity decreases, cats turn into homebodies, not prone to damaging furniture, behave with restraint and display the manners of an aristocrat.

Representatives of the breed are not prone to excessive meowing, their voice is quiet. They only meow when they need something.

Health

The British cat can be called a healthy breed; the animals are not predisposed to any serious illnesses. It is extremely rare for British Shorthairs to develop hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and polycystic disease.

Representatives of the breed are prone to obesity, especially spayed and neutered animals that eat a lot and lead a sedentary lifestyle. Therefore, to prevent obesity, you need to play with cats, get them interested in toys, involve them in independent play, and create a balanced diet.

With proper care, the breed lives a long life, enjoying healthy and joyful lives in families where they are loved and respected.

Unpretentious animals can be content with little. They need regular brushing. It is enough to remove dead fur once a week with a brush with rubber teeth, and daily during the shedding period, if you do not want to remove the fur that has spread throughout the apartment. You should brush with gentle movements, first against the growth, and then along the growth of the coat. It should be noted that representatives of the breed love to have their fur brushed.

There is no need for bathing, unless the coat is heavily soiled. Using dry shampoo will help keep the coat clean.

A natural balanced diet should be supplemented with a vitamin and mineral complex. The body must receive the required amount of calcium and other microelements, as well as B vitamins. Vitamins directly affect the quality of the coat. Thus, the vitamins contained in seaweed give brightness to the tortoiseshell, red color, but in lilac cats the color can acquire a pink tint, and in color-point, blue and cream cats the coat color becomes darker.

Feeding British Shorthair cats requires control; the animals are prone to obesity. It is important to choose high-quality food; you cannot mix different brands of dry food, canned food with dry food from another manufacturer.

The daily diet of the British Shorthair should be 70 calories per 1 kg of animal weight per day. The basis of the diet is dietary meat (about 30%), such as turkey or chicken. Along with meat, you can give buckwheat or rice, vegetables. You can alternate boiled sea fish, cleaned of bones, with meat. Fish should not be given in large quantities.

A small part of the diet should be fermented milk products: low-fat cottage cheese, kefir, sour cream, but milk can cause indigestion. Fermented milk products are given 1-2 times a week.

It is imperative to ensure free access to clean drinking water, especially when feeding dry food.

Kittens need to be fed 4-5 times a day. For adult animals, the daily portion is divided into 3 feedings.

How to choose a British Shorthair kitten

British breed kittens are sold at the age of 12-16 weeks. Babies may be shy at first, but as they get used to the person, they become loyal companions.

Externally, the kittens look plump and have a square build. Babies have small ears, round eyes, short and stocky limbs, a thick tail, and they have thick and soft short hair. The fur may appear to be sticking out, which is completely normal. After shedding, new fur grows to the same length. It is considered normal for a solid-colored kitten to have a tabby pattern, as the striping will disappear with age.

By ten weeks, kittens may lose their round shape and become disproportionate, but as they grow older, they will become slender.

Kittens are born with blue eyes, the eye color changes gradually, by 2.5-4 months the eyes become yellow, Orange color. The eyes are healthy and clear.

It is important to pay attention to general state health and appearance. Healthy cats have no bad breath, a clean nose, regular breathing, a scissor bite, pink and clean ears, a clean area around the anus, and a straight tail. Kittens behave actively and inquisitively, they are not characterized by lethargy or drowsiness.

It should be noted that you need to study the pedigree. In an ideal pedigree, ancestors should have the BRI coding, but it is considered quite normal to have ancestors with the PER, EXO, EUR coding, since Persian, exotic and European shorthair cats could have taken part in improving the breed. But the presence of the SFS encoding indicates that there were matings of British Shorthairs and Scottish Folds, which are prohibited by felinological systems.

British shorthair cat cost

The popularity of British cats has caused mass breeding of cats, and those who want to make money by selling kittens cross the British with others in appearance. similar breeds. As a result, the cats look British in appearance, but the character does not correspond to the breed.

Healthy, purebred kittens with good prospects for the future cannot be bought from a random advertisement or on the market for pennies. “Elite” British Shorthair kittens are expensive. Prices for British Shorthair kittens vary between 15,000-50,000 rubles, and the cost may be influenced by color. Silver kittens with a tabby pattern are more expensive than others. Despite the prevalence of the breed, you will have to spend time finding a kitten of the desired color.

Trying to save money, you can find cheap options, but the risk of buying a sick kitten, an animal with a weakened immune system, without vaccinations and deworming, without documents is huge.

On a note

There is no British breed fold cat, this expression became widespread due to the illiteracy of some people, and successfully went to the masses. Without going into the details of genetics, you should remember that there are British Shorthair and Scottish Fold breeds, and if breeders offer to buy a British Fold, and often the prices for such cats are inflated, then you need to walk past such people. Scottish Folds and British Shorthairs are prohibited from breeding with each other, so there cannot be a British Fold breed.

The British cat is an unusual breed and quite popular among both domestic and foreign breeders. This is a powerful and well built pet with little to no evidence of documentary information origin story.

History of the origin of the breed

There are several versions and different assumptions of the genealogy that try to explain the emergence of the “British”, but they do not claim to be documented and the only true ones. It is assumed that cats of this breed were brought to different countries from the territory of France on merchant ships, where sailors kept such animals to protect the transported food from rodents.

In the 19th century, exotic breeders paid close attention to the graceful and outwardly very attractive “British” cats, but a special contribution to the development of the breed was made by Harrison Fair, with whose direct participation the first exhibition with a British shorthair blue tabby cat was held in 1871. In 1950, the breed was approved in America, and the British cat deservedly gained worldwide fame. “British” were brought to our country in the last century, but they became popular relatively recently.

Description and appearance of a British cat

The breed is characterized by the presence of a well-developed body and head, as well as many different colors. Some of the most popular colors include solid blue-gray, black and chocolate, as well as tabby and its varieties including spot, stripe or merle.

Breed standards

The breed is distinguished by a rounded head with fairly well developed and pronounced cheeks, wide in the cheekbones. The neck is thick and short. The short nose has a wide and straight shape, and also forms a vertical line with a strong and level chin. The ears are small, rounded, set wide and low on the head. The eyes are large, round in shape, well open and fairly wide set. Eye coloring depends on the characteristics of the main color.

This is interesting! The second name for the “British cat” is a positive or optimistic cat. It is believed that this is the only cat breed that can smile. This feature is explained by unusually plump cheeks and a protruding tongue.

The body is squat, cobby-type, with a straight and short back, as well as a broad chest. The shoulder part is wide and massive. The limbs are short, powerful and thick, ending in round, strong and dense paws. The tail is thick, medium in length, rounded at the end and wide at the base.

The short and thick coat has a shine. The coat is quite dense, with a thick undercoat. It should be remembered that the British Fold breed does not exist in nature.. All "British" breeds belong to the "British Shorthair" and "British Longhair" breeds.

British cat character

True “British”, unlike most other breeds, are independent animals. An adult pet can easily tolerate loneliness and almost never fawns over its owner or asks to be held. However, the British cat loves its owner very much and gets bored when apart.

Important! A “Britishman” is a true English gentleman, characterized by characteristic restraint and self-esteem.

The breed is very distrustful of strangers and prefers to keep a sufficient distance from strangers. This is a calm, moderately affectionate and absolutely non-intrusive pet, naturally intelligent, clean and very smart. Loyal "British" dogs do not scratch or bite, and are somewhat melancholy, so the breed is well suited for keeping in a home where there are small children or elderly people.

Lifespan

Good health, and as a result, the life expectancy of anyone pet, are the result of competent animal husbandry. British cats belong to the category of healthy and strong breeds that can live in conditions home care more than ten to fifteen years. It should be remembered that it directly depends on large quantity external factors, including good nutrition, quality care and regular veterinary examinations.

However, it is very important to take into account some nuances that will allow the “British” to shine at exhibitions or participate in breeding.

Care and hygiene

An unusually attractive coat is the main advantage of all “British” dogs, so caring for your pet in this area will require quite careful and competent care. A couple of times a week you need to comb your British cat using a special massage slicker brush.

This procedure will allow you to promptly remove all dead hair and at the same time plays the role of a kind of massage. Short-haired animals can be washed a couple of times a year or when dirty. Long-haired specimens require more frequent brushing.

Important! Even if you have a scratching post, it is important to trim the nails of an adult “British cat” to half their total length about a couple of times a month.

British cats require daily eye care. Hygienic measures should be aimed at removing natural secretions using a damp cotton pad. Movements should be carried out in the direction from the outer corner to the nose. Preventive ear examinations are performed every two weeks. Accumulated dirt and earwax must be removed cotton swab or a disk soaked in a special hygienic solution.

Inspections are carried out daily oral cavity domestic cat for the detection of tartar and other pathologies. It is recommended to accustom the kitten to hygiene procedures in the form of brushing teeth with special means.

Diet - what to feed a British cat

The structure of the coat, as well as its condition and general well-being of the British cat largely depend on a properly formulated diet. The composition of the feed should be as complete as possible and contain not only what is necessary for the animal nutrients, but also microelements and vitamin complexes.

The diet can be represented by ready-made food, as well as natural products. The type of food and its components must be selected based on the age and gender of the pet, as well as its health status and preferences.

This is interesting! At an early age, the need for mother's milk persists for up to one and a half months, after which the animal can be gradually transferred to cow's or goat's milk, milk semi-liquid porridges, as well as scraped or thoroughly ground beef.

If there is absolutely no opportunity to prepare your kitten’s food yourself, then it is advisable to purchase special ones, focusing on the age category.

IN natural diet an adult animal must include:

• lean meats such as chicken, beef, rabbit or turkey;
• meat by-products, represented by kidneys, lungs, liver and heart;
• boiled low-fat sea fish, cleaned of bones;
• quail eggs;
• buckwheat, rice, oatmeal, semolina and wheat porridge;
• sprouted grain crops, represented by wheat or oats;
• special cat grass.

From three months natural nutrition must be enriched with special vitamin and mineral preparations, the quantity and composition of which varies depending on the age characteristics and physical activity of the pet. It is strictly forbidden to feed your cat “from the table” regular food..

Diseases and breed defects

The real "British" are characterized by a rather strong immune system, but different hypersensitivity to cold and drafts, so it is enough.

British cats are extremely rarely affected by various mutations or diseases of a genetic nature, and therefore are among the healthiest and most robust breeds of domestic cats currently registered.

This is interesting! British cats, compared to other breeds popular with breeders, are least susceptible to various oncological diseases, and castrated animals live much longer than their relatives who are capable of having offspring.

TO breed defects refers to insufficient fullness of the cheeks, due to which the main charm of the “British” person, represented by thick plush cheeks, disappears. Common faults of the breed include excessively long or soft hair, too pronounced stops or whisker pads.

Animals with a severe underbite or an anomaly in the position of the jaws and teeth, as well as skeletal deformation and cryptorchidism, are excluded from breeding work. It is prohibited to use for breeding animals with deafness, blindness, strabismus, eyelid abnormalities, or significant deviations from color standards.

The calm and independent British Shorthair cat is quite self-sufficient and does not particularly need the constant presence of its owner. They tolerate loneliness well - business and working people choose them for this quality.

How else does a British cat differ from its relatives, what kind of care does it require and how much money should be allocated for it, what kind of food do they prefer - you will find answers to these and other questions in our article.

Character and description of the British cat

How to cope with loneliness 5

If you leave for work early in the morning and return only in the evening or at night, this breed is for you!

British cats do not experience any discomfort when you are not around. They will always find a toy and activity to relieve boredom. They will not suffer without you and do dirty tricks to attract attention - this is not a royal matter. But they will greet you emotionally when you return. When leaving for work, do not forget to leave your pet food, water and a clean litter box.

How much shedding 4

Don't be fooled by the fact that the British cat is a short-haired cat - she sheds.

Sheds often and a lot. Be prepared to pick up hair from around the house and brush your pet daily.

Activity/playfulness 2

The British Shorthair cat is an excellent choice for those who cannot and do not want to play with their pet for hours.

This breed is only active as a kitten. A matured animal is calm, balanced and will not run around, knocking you down, climb curtains or jump on cabinets.

Does he like to purr 3

Discreet British cats are not affectionate purrs - they do it rarely and very quietly. However, some representatives of this breed meow a lot and loudly.

If you want a cat to rub against your legs, sit on your lap and purr soothingly, take a look at other breeds.

How to treat children 4

British cats are tolerant of children, but indifferent - they are not drawn to small family members. The British will never become toys for children.

It is important to explain to children from the first day that they do not need to squeeze and carry the British in their arms - they can tolerate it, but they do not like it. Do not be afraid that the cat will harm the child - cats simply hide in secluded corners of the house from overly intrusive toddlers.

How to treat guests 3

The plush beauties are wary of strangers - noisy and overly active guests can scare them, which forces the cats to hide in a shelter.

Tell your guests to give your cat time to watch them from a safe distance so they may have a chance to pet your pet.

How to treat other animals/dogs 3

The British cat is selfish and jealous. She won't be happy about your idea of ​​getting a new pet.

If a British cat is taken into a house where there are already other animals, he will be able to coexist with them. But, on one condition - they should not bother His Britannic Majesty too much. With calm dogs and cats, British cats live peacefully - they are not aggressive by nature.

Easy care 4

It will be difficult for those who are not ready to brush their cats regularly, at least once a week - they will have to deal with hair throughout the apartment.

There will be no difficulties with toilet and scratching post training - this cat immediately understands where to do its business and sharpen its claws.

Intelligence 5

Cats of this breed have incredible intelligence. If you take a British dog, be prepared that he will train you, not you.

You may get the feeling that these cats understand human speech - they do what their owner says. But, if they consider it reasonable and necessary. They, like dogs, can understand and follow commands, love to fetch toys and run after the ball.

Soreness 4

Health is the weak point of British cats.

They have a predisposition to certain genetic diseases. Buy kittens from trusted breeders and be sure to ask for the results of their genetic tests.

History of the origin of the breed

The breed appeared naturally. The ancestors of the modern British cat were the cats of Roman legionnaires, whom they brought with them to the island during their conquests. This was a very long time ago - in the 1st century AD. The Romans needed cats to protect food from rodents.

The Romans left British soil in the 5th century, but the cats remained. At first they were street animals and farmer's pets, captivating the British with their plush charm, strength and endurance. Then, when breeding purebred cats became fashionable in Victorian England, these street animals were taken as the basis of a new breed - the British Shorthair cat. The first representatives of the breed had a classic blue color.

The breed barely survived two World Wars; most of the cats died of hunger in those years. Breeders revived the breed after the end of World War II by crossing the surviving British with other breeds. During this selection, a separate breed branch emerged - the British Longhair. These cats are still bred, but they are recognized by only one International Felinological Organization - TICA.

British Shorthairs are included in all international cat registries. Thus, the American Cat Association (ACFA) was the first to recognize the breed in 1967. In 1979, it was recognized by the International Cat Association, and a year later, in 1980, by the Cat Fanciers Association.

Appearance

Description of the exterior and characteristics of the British cat breed is found in all major international standards. Let's see how the British are described in the European WCF system.

Description of the breed according to the WCF standard

• Body. Muscular, stocky, dense and squat. Medium to large size. Sexual dimorphism is pronounced - cats are much larger than cats.
• Rib cage. Massive and wide.
• Back. Straight, short.
• Shoulders. Wide, massive.
• Hips. Wide.
• Head. Round shape. Massive with well-developed cheeks (in cats this feature is more pronounced). Cheekbones are wide. A mandatory feature is a round forehead.
• Muzzle. Short. Not narrowed. The chin and nose are vertical. Smooth transition from nose to forehead. Mustache pads are large and round.
• Nose. Straight, wide and short.
• Chin. Strong, smooth.
• Ears. Rounded, small in size. Set wide and low.
• Eyes. Round, big. Wide set and wide open. The eye color is rich, matching the color of the coat. Most often - orange (gold). A green rim around the pupil is not allowed. The expression in the eyes should be serious and appraising.
• Neck. Thickened, short.
• Limbs. Muscular, short.
• Paws. Round, strong, with tightly clenched fingers.
• Tail. Wide at the base. Medium length, thick. The tip is rounded.
• Wool. “Beaver” type – plush, elastic. Short, dense, with a pronounced thick undercoat. Brilliant. Longhaired Britons exist, but they are not recognized by most international feline organizations.
• Color. All colors and color point without white are allowed. The classic color is blue.
• Weight. Females - 2.5-5.5 kg, females - 4.5-8 kg.
• Height at the withers. From 28 to 33 cm. Not measured at exhibitions.
• Average life expectancy. From 10 to 16 years.

A distinctive feature of an adult British cat is the presence of full cheeks (the so-called jowls) and a “Cheshire cat smile.” Only British cats can smile.

Experts refer to breed defects as:

• pinching. This is what they say when the quills of British cats stand out too much;
• “exotic” muzzle. If a short nose goes into the forehead through a noticeable hump, this is the case. Following the deformation of the nose, the proportions of the cheekbones and eyes change;
• muzzle close to domestic cat. Expressed in a flat forehead, large brow ridges and a long nose;
• "fox face" There is no fullness of the muzzle, typical of the British, but there is a narrowed nose. Often accompanied by malocclusion.

Photos and colors of British cats

Any colors for British cats are acceptable, but color point and white are not allowed.

The uniform color of the animal implies uniform coloring of all hairs without exception. But there may be some shadedness, haze and shimmer, which is not prohibited by the breed standard.

Experts identify 30 types of colors of British cats! Of the single-colored ones, the most popular are British kittens: black, white, blue (gray), cream, red, lilac (a combination of pink, gray and gray colors).

Of the bicolors, the most common combinations are silver-blue, harlequin, tabby and ticked. The latter is one of the varieties of tabby, which is also sometimes called the Abyssinian color. Looks like freckles - very cute!

Whiskas coloring is at the peak of popularity these days (remember those same cats that starred in popular commercials?). In fact, this coloration has the official name “mackerel”. Whiskas' brindiness is ensured by the obligatory three wide stripes on the back and thin stripes along the body of the animal. Moreover, the main color of whiskey is silver, and the stripes are always darker.

British cats are called "cats for businessmen" - this breed can be afforded by busy city dwellers. In addition, they are quite unpretentious and do not require too much space or attention. However, proper care and maintenance are the key to the health and longevity of your pet.

Grooming

Use a furminator or a soft brush to remove dead hairs. You will have to try especially hard in. If you do not brush your cat regularly, mats may form. The active process of changing coat will be too noticeable on furniture and clothes, so the British kitty should be combed daily.

But that's not all. Cats constantly lick themselves and their stomachs become clogged with bezoars (dead hairs). There is no need to wait for your pet to get rid of them himself, because hairballs can clog the intestinal lumen. During the molting period, give special tablets or food that absorb the fur in the pet’s stomach.

Kittens and adult animals do not need to be bathed unless absolutely necessary. This is a mandatory procedure for show-class pets; they are bathed before exhibitions. Regular cats wash if the wool is heavily soiled (dye, oil). But, even in this case, it is best not to bathe the pet entirely, but only to rinse the areas of contamination.

Caring for your eyes, ears and nose

Light discharge from the eyes of a British cat is normal. But, these secretions can leave an unwanted tear trail on your pet's fur. Remove these tears with a cotton pad soaked in a special eye care product. Saturate the pad and gently wipe the area around the eyes. The direction of movement should be from the inner corner to the outer. If discharge from the eyes becomes profuse, colored, or foul-smelling, contact a specialist immediately.

A healthy British cat's ears do not need to be cleaned often - they should be kept clean. The owner is required to regularly examine the ears in order to notice signs of illness in time: pimples, dark brown wax spots, redness. If such signs are detected, you should take your cat to the veterinarian.

If your pet has increased ear wax, you will have to clean the ears once a week. This should be done carefully with a cotton pad soaked in a special ear care product. You can lubricate a cotton pad with Vaseline. Be careful not to insert the disc too deeply to avoid damaging the eardrum. For very heavy contamination auricle, treatment is carried out with a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide.

A healthy animal's nose should be clean and free of discharge. British kittens may have crusts in the corners of their nostrils - this is a dried secretion. They are removed with a damp swab or cotton pad soaked in regular boiled water room temperature. Nasal discharge, redness, microtraumas (cracks) are a reason to consult a doctor.

Dental care

The main thing that owners should take care of is to ensure sufficient load on the teeth. With natural feeding, cats are given large pieces to stimulate chewing. For animals receiving dry food, your veterinarian may recommend a special brand of food. This promotes self-cleaning of the mouth and teeth. Teeth are brushed with a special brush and toothpaste no more than 1-2 times a week - kittens need to be gradually accustomed to this. As a result of this procedure, the gums are massaged and soft deposits are removed. Tartar is removed only in the clinic, as prescribed by a veterinarian.

Nail care

Regularly inspect your animal's claws for the presence of fungus for preventive purposes. only needed when they are overly branched. If the cat moves a lot, climbs trees and special play complexes, and is accustomed to, then there is no need for this procedure.

How much money do you need for care and maintenance?

What to buy for a kitten

Required set:

1. Bowls for food and water. Deep ones won't work. Choose wide ones with a low side. Ceramic ones with a ribbed bottom are best. Price: from 100 to 350 rubles.
2. Tray. A tray will do closed type or a large open one (without bars) with sides curved inward - the British have large paws and love to dig. Price: from 800 to 4000 rubles.
3. Comb and massage mitten. It will cost you 350-550 rubles.
4. Choose stable models or those that are mounted on the wall. Price: from 250 to 950 rubles.
5. Toys (to play with your pet and keep him occupied while you're away). Price: from 100 to 1500 rubles.

Additional accessories:

1. Bed. It will cost 300-1200 rubles.
2. Carrying. The best ones are plastic models with a soft mattress inside - they can be used instead of a house. Price: from 1200 to 4500 rubles.
3. Ribbed rubber mat under the tray. Helps keep your home clean. Price: from 300 to 500 rubles.
4. This grooming device costs 600-1200 rubles.
5. Harness. For walking outside. Price: from 600 to 1300 rubles.
6. . Price: 300 – 500 rub.

Every year, the care and maintenance of a British cat may require from 20,000 to 35,000 rubles.

The total amount will depend on the chosen feeding method, the brand of food, the type of tray filler, the need for professional grooming, the number of visits to the veterinary clinic and the animal care products used.

Video on caring for a British cat:

Health and illness

The British are strong cats, physically well developed. But during breeding work, the breed developed a predisposition to a number of hereditary (genetic) diseases.

Genetic pathologies

1. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Pathology that cannot be treated. This is a disease of adult animals that is easier to prevent than to treat. Her symptoms:

• anorexia;
• loss of interest;
• weakened heartbeat;
• difficulty breathing, breathing with sounds;
• sudden paralysis of the hind limbs;
• bluish color of paw pads.

1. Christmas disease (hemophilia B). Characterized by increased bleeding after injuries or surgery.

Non-hereditary diseases

1. Gingivitis. It usually begins with inflammation of one tooth, which progresses over time without treatment. At the second stage, the pathology will affect 25% of the teeth, at the third stage – 30%. Then advanced periodontitis sets in, the gum tissue recedes and the disease spreads to the roots of the teeth.
2. Claw fungus. Outwardly, it looks like spots on the nails and their deformation. Periodically and systematically inspect your pet's limbs.

Preventive measures

Main preventive measure- This !

Thanks to vaccination, you can reduce the risk of contracting panleukopenia, calcivirosis, rhinotracheitis, rabies, and chlamydia.

Traditionally, kittens are vaccinated between 2-3 months or 8 months, when teeth change. It is important to follow the vaccination schedule recommended by your veterinarian.

First, the animal is given . If worms are detected after 10 days, repeated deworming is carried out and after another 10 days they are vaccinated. If worms are not detected in the feces immediately, then after 10 days they are vaccinated as usual. Do not forget to quarantine for about 2 weeks after each vaccination.

Rabies vaccination is carried out immediately after changing teeth and is repeated annually.

Of course, the vaccine is powerless against genetic pathologies. To be on the safe side, you need to carefully get to know the kitten, ask the breeder for information about the health of its parents and demand the results of genetic tests.

On average (excluding the cost of sterilization/castration surgery), treatment and preventive measures will require from 3,500 to 5,000 rubles. in year. Add a one-time payment to this amount veterinary passport– 100-200 rubles; the cost of the sterilization/castration operation is 1500-3000 rubles; chipping – 950 rub.

Genetically healthy British cats can live up to 15 years. Lifespan depends not only on health, but also on housing and feeding conditions.

British plush cats - the pride of Great Britain - have been winning the hearts of cat lovers for many years. Their popularity is growing day by day. truly English: they are characterized by aristocracy, intelligence and self-sufficiency.

Many people imagine the British to be of only one color - blue. However, like Scottish, British cats can have a wide variety of colors (see photo below). Today, more than 250 varieties of colors are known, and this is not the limit. Rare combinations of shades are highly valued both among professional felinologists and among ordinary breed lovers. Even a cat couple with a classic monochromatic color may have a kitten of a rare color. To organize the variety of colors of British cats, they are divided into types and groups according to the main color, pattern and type of pigmentation.

Cat breeding has been going on since the late 19th century. From this time on, serious work of breeders began to breed animals of both different colors and breed varieties. So, initially these cats had short, thick hair with the same thick undercoat, but crossing with Persians made it possible to breed semi-long-haired pets. The colors of British cats with long hair correspond to the colors of short-haired cats. Despite this, the British are a natural breed that has not undergone too many changes in type.

If you want to know in more detail what the color of British cats can be, a photo and description will help with this.

Colors of British cats: table with photos

#	Color code (BRI)	Color code (BRI)
					W - numbers from 61 to 64
	Plain (flat, solid)
	Tortoiseshell (tortie)
	Smoky (smoky)	NS/AS/BS/CS/DS/ES - numbers 22,23,24; FS/GS/HS/JS - numbers 11, 12
	Shaded silver color	NS/AS/BS/CS/DS/ES - numbers 11,12; FS/GS/HS/JS - number 11 and 12
	Golden shaded	NY - 11.12
	Patterned (tabby)	N/A/B/C/D/E - numbers 22,23,24; F/G/H/J - numbers 22,23,24
	Silver patterned	NS/AS/BS/CS/DS/ES - numbers 22,23,24; FS/GS/HS/JS - numbers 22,23,24
	Golden patterned color	NY - numbers 22,23,24
	Bicolor, van and harlequin	N/A/B/C/D/E - numbers 01,02,03; F/G/H/J - numbers 01,02,03
	Colorpoint	N/A/B/C/D/E - number 33; F/G/H/J - number 33
	Colorpoint with a pattern	N/A/B/C/D/E - number 21 and 33; F/G/H/J - also number 21 and 33

Solid colors

The solid color of British cats is uniform, without spots, patterns or any white hairs. The coat looks and feels plush, thick and soft.

The following solid colors are available:

Blue or gray color

Classic and most common. It is this color that comes to mind when it comes to British cats. The coat of this color should be uniform, while the undercoat may be slightly lighter than the main color, but whitish hairs are unacceptable. The lighter blue color is especially valuable. Kittens are allowed to have stripes that disappear over time. The color of the iris in British babies is gray or blue, but with age it becomes a rich amber color.

Black color

This rare color, it is difficult to obtain and is classified as “capricious”. It often happens that a kitten born black changes its coat color to chocolate as it ages. The pigmentation of the coat, undercoat and skin is rich. In this case, the color of the undercoat and coat should not differ. It is believed that the more unbleached colors the ancestors have in their pedigree, the richer the black color will be. The rule of mating like with like, without experiments, so as not to harm the breed, applies here.

White color

The white color of a British cat's coat should be pure, without yellowness or spots. Kittens may have blue or black stripes on their foreheads, but they disappear with age. Eye color coding is indicated by a number, thus 61 – blue (or) blue eyes, 62 – orange, 63 – odd-eyed, 64? green. I wonder what the name itself is “white”? It’s not a color, but its absence, which is why in the group of solid shades, white stands alone. It is quite difficult to breed animals with perfectly white fur, and obtaining such a color is associated with a high risk of producing unhealthy offspring. Yes, the parents white there is a high probability of producing offspring with deafness. Since 1997, breeding work with white color has been stopped.

Cream color of British cats

This is a bleached red that is produced by the presence of a bleach gene. This shade of wool belongs to the oldest types of solid colors, but in Lately it has become rare in breeding. The cream-colored British must have a clear (pastel) shade, intense color, and color i.e. "hot" cream is considered a disadvantage. Kittens have a tabby pattern, while residual tabby markings are acceptable for adult animals. The nose and paw pads are pink. In terms of wool quality, cream British are not inferior to blue and lilac.

Chocolate color

Should it be rich and deep? the darker the shade, the better. This color is called differently Havana, or chestnut.

Recently, breeders, as a result of careful selection of offspring, i.e. future producers have achieved high quality wool, in no way inferior to classic blue. The fur of such cats looks like a mouton. For the British, the standard recognizes all shades of chocolate: from light milky to dark “bitter”. The eye color of the chocolate-colored Briton is dark orange or copper, with rich colors being a priority. The nose should be the same color as the coat: chocolate or light chocolate.

Lilac color

Lilac coat color of a British cat? this is a combination of gray, pink and blue flowers and it looks like clarified chocolate. The animal's nose, as well as its paw pads, match the tone of its coat. Eyes orange-copper shades. The lilac color is presented in various variations: from cold lavender to warm pink-gray. The undercoat of cats of this color may be slightly lighter in tone than the outer hair, but a pronounced contrast is not acceptable. Kittens often have a residual pattern (moire) that disappears with age. The quality of the wool of lilac British cats resembles a blue mink coat, the color of which is mixed with a little pink dye. The nose, paw pads and lining of the mucous membranes are pink-purple in color, which darkens slightly with age.

Red (red, gold)

The red color of the Briton was introduced from Persians and other exotic cat breeds that have a red tint to their coat. These cats often have tabby markings on their foreheads. The eyes of British cats with red fur have a rich orange color. The shade of the nose and paw pads is red, brick. A significant drawback of the red coat of the British is the uneven color distribution; for example, a cat's tail often has a lightened tip, so it is quite difficult to meet a Brit with a uniform red color. In view of this, the standards allow for a small, weakly defined tabby pattern.

Cinnamon

Quite a rare, highly desirable color, the name of which is translated from English as cinnamon. The shade is similar to a lightened chocolate color. Cinnamon-colored kittens are born quite rarely, because... The gene for this coat color is recessive. Cinnamon Britons always have pink paw pads and noses, but brown or milky ones? no longer cinnamon.

Faun

No less rare and desirable color for breeders. Looks like bleached, faded cinnamon.

It was recognized as an independent color in 2006.

The color is very interesting for breeders because of the possibility of breeding even lighter colors. The cat's belonging to a faun is confirmed by a DNA test. Individuals with a similar, but not confirmed color are classified as blue, cream, or discarded.

Tortoiseshell colors

Tortoiseshell variety of color? These are combinations of spots of solid color that leave a mosaic pattern on the cat's fur. various combinations. Intense solid colors? black, chocolate and cinnamon? goes with red, in turn, diluted options: lilac, fawn and blue? with cream. This type of coat color is typical only for cats.

The tortoiseshell coat color appears gradually. A newborn kitten may have a few spots, but as they grow, the number will increase. Young British cats may have a gray undercoat or a somewhat muted red tint, but the final color develops by the age of one year.

Tortoiseshell cats are rightfully considered the queens of any cattery, because... they can produce offspring with a variety of colors.

Variants of tortoiseshell colors of British cats:

Black turtle

This is a harmonious combination of proportional red and black spots of different shades. The hairs are dyed evenly. Black color should be saturated, and red, accordingly, bright and intense. Both shades should be present on the paws and head of British tortoiseshells. According to the standard, mixed spots are acceptable. A red “tongue of flame” (scorch mark) on the muzzle would be desirable. It is not desirable to have patterns on red spots.

Chocolate turtle

It is a combination of chocolate and red shades in identical mosaic proportions. The general requirements are the same as in the previous case: intense, saturated color, harmony in arrangement, evenly colored hairs, tan on the face and absence of a pattern.

Cinnamon turtle

This is a combination of cinnamon and red spots on the coat. The color requirements are the same as for black and chocolate turtles.

Blue or bluish-cream turtle

Combines blue and cream spotted pattern, the spots should also be proportional. The tone of this color can be either light cream or medium blue. Creamy tan markings on the face of this type of color are welcome.

Lilac (option: lilac-cream) turtle

This is a uniform combination of lilac and cream shades, respectively. Colors must be clear. A cream-colored tan leading to the nose is desirable.

Faun turtle

Combination of fawn coat color and cream spots. The basic requirements are the same as for other British tortoiseshell colors.

Tabby colors

Tabby colors include brindle, merle, and spotted patterns on the agouti-type coat. Tabby color also implies the presence of the following important elements:

• Ticking? the presence of zonally colored hairs that make up the background, and the hairs of the pattern are painted in the same color almost to the very base.
• The so-called “sign of the scarab”? pattern on the forehead in the form of the letter "M".
• The presence of a light spot, similar to a fingerprint, on the auricle.
• The outlines of the mucous membrane of the eyes and nasal planum are in the main color.
• A necklace on the chest (at least 3 stripes), curls on the cheeks and rings on the tail and paws.
• There are 2 rows of double spots on the belly.
• The pattern is clear, saturated, not blurry, painted in any primary color or mosaic (for tortoiseshell Britons), contrasting with the main background, which is several shades lighter.

Types of tabby colors

The tabby pattern does not depend on the main coat color; it is a dark color pattern on a light background. There can be as many color variations as there are colors in general.

Without subdividing into types of patterns, we can distinguish colors:

• brown tabby? The main part of the coat is copper-brown in color, and the pattern is rich black.
• blue tabby distinguished by a background light blue tint and deep blue markings
• For chocolate tabby The coat is characterized by a bronze shade and a deep chocolate color pattern.
• lilac tabby different pattern lilac color and a beige background shade.
• red tabby: dark red color pattern and intense red coat tone.
• cream tabby? pattern in rich cream shades, coat color is warm pale cream.
• silver tabby colors, or silver tabby: silver black, blue, chocolate, red, lilac-silver, creamy silver. The pattern is a deep, rich shade of the main tone, and the area outside the pattern has a silver or pale silver tint to the main color (for example, silver cream or silver blue. The letter “s” is added to the pattern code).

Tabby colors, depending on the pattern, are divided into:

Tiger (mackerel) tabby

This color is considered an ancient natural pattern, and is quite widespread among cats. Along the spine, from head to tail, a narrow solid stripe of the main color is visible. And along the entire surface of the body there are vertical parallel stripes. The more there are, and the narrower they are, the better. They must be clearly distinguishable from the main background. A Briton must have the letter “M” on his forehead. A continuous line leads to the back of the head from the outer edge of the eye. There is a “necklace” on the neck, narrow stripes on the cheeks, double button-like spots on the cat’s belly, and even narrow rings on the tail and limbs. Despite the fact that this color is one of the dominant ones in the group of tabby colors, British breed it is quite rare, and real British "tiger cubs" are highly valued among professional breeders.

Spotted Tabby

The basis of the spotted pattern is a tiger pattern. In spotted Britons, under the influence of polygenes, the stripes are interrupted, forming small round spots on the coat along the entire body, which can be of different sizes, but always of the same shape and evenly spaced. The scarab sign, as in the previous version, is required. There are intermittent stripes down to the neck and along the back. In kittens, a continuous stripe on the back is allowed, but with a tendency to form spots. There are open and closed rings on the chest, neck and tail of the cat, and a colored tip of the tail. There may be rings and spots on the paws. On the cheeks? stripes.

Marble tabby color

It belongs to the classic, popular designs. Essentially, this is a mutation of the striped variant. The pattern resembles a cut on marble. All its elements should be contrasting, symmetrical, and have a rich color. There must be an “M” mark on the forehead. Narrow stripes run from the outer corners of the eyes to the back of the head, and from the back of the head a “butterfly” pattern begins, spreading to the neck and shoulders. On the cat’s cheeks there are narrow rings twisted into a spiral. Three parallel lines run along the back from the shoulders to the tail. There are pronounced stains on the sides, and a “necklace” on the neck and chest. Are there “buttons” located in the area from the chest to the stomach? two parallel rows of spots. The paws and tail have clear, evenly spaced rings, and the tip of the tail is dark.

Thorby color (short for tabby and torty)

This is when a tortoiseshell-colored animal combines, in addition to a spotted mosaic, tabby patterns that cover the entire body of the cat and have all features. If the color is uniform, there are no stripes and characteristic features tabby, the cat has a normal tortoiseshell color. The color of the torby is distinguished by the expressiveness and clarity of the tabby pattern, which goes evenly and appears above the tortoiseshell (both red and black) color.

Abyssinian or ticked tabby

The color is named after the Abyssinian breed, where it is most pronounced. With this color, the hair should be evenly colored with stripes of dark main and, accordingly, light background shades. This is called tikkig. Each hair has double or triple ticking. Moreover, there should be no patterns, stains or designs on the wool. Markings are only allowed on a lightened belly. The presence of a “necklace” on the chest should be minimal.

Smoky colors

The smoky coat colors of the British are quite common and numerous. The peculiarity of this color is that, under the influence of an inhibitor gene, the guard hairs are colored only on top, and the hair from the roots and undercoat is devoid of pigment. This zonal staining is called tipping. There are 2 subgroups in this group: smoky type and chinchillas.

The smoky should not be confused with the agouti color. Smoke type cats have a completely colored nasal surface and should be free of body patterns. The tipping of the hair is quite deep: it should be painted over 4/5 of the total length. The main characteristics of the Smoky British are: pronounced contrast, the undercoat is as close to white as possible, and the tips of the coat are rich in color. The photo does not fully convey this color of British cats: at first it seems that the cat has a solid color, but only in person can you appreciate all its beauty, since when it moves, “silver” appears, which is hidden under the plush fur.

Varieties of smoky color

Black smoky

Coat of contrasting shades: from smoky black to silver on the sides. The undercoat is whitish, with black specks visible on the back and sides. The muzzle and legs are black, without patterns or marks.

Blue smoky

Wool of contrasting colors: from smoky blue to silver. The muzzle and paws are blue, without any markings. The undercoat is closer to a white shade, and the fur on the belly, chin, and bottom of the tail is silvery-white. The Chocolate Smoky has a smoky chocolate-colored coat that fades to silver on the sides. The fur on the chin and underbelly is silvery-whitish. The undercoat is close to white, the muzzle and paws are the color of chocolate, without markings.

Lilac smoky

The shade is distinguished by its lilac color in contrast with the white undercoat. The sides fade to silver. The chin, belly and underside of the tail are silvery white. The muzzle and legs are lilac without markings.

Red smoky

implies a red tint to the coat with a white undercoat, the chin and belly are silvery-white. The muzzle and legs have a uniform red hue. Tabby fur is not allowed.

Creamy smoky

With a creamy-smoky color, white contrast predominates in the area of ​​the sides with a transition to the belly and bottom of the tail. The undercoat is white. Paws are cream colored and tabby patterns are not allowed.

Tortoiseshell smoky colors

Do they look like mixed shades with a combination of derivatives of the main ones? black and red? colors. Tipping can be of any intensity. The predominant color of the undercoat is white. The collar, ears and sides are silvery.

Silver colors: typed and shaded

These types of colors develop on a genetic background agouti.

Silver shaded (shading color)

This color is characterized by 1/3 coloring of the hair. It is characterized by a white undercoat and black tipping. Tipping in the head and tail area is mandatory. The areas of the chin, chest, bottom of the tail and belly should have a predominant white tint. The coloring is uniform, which gives the impression of a dark cape. The cat's eyes, nose and lips must be edged with black. Let's allow a light pattern (open rings) on the tail and legs. Eye color can be green or green-blue.

The following colors are available in the silver-shaded version:

• shaded silver-blue;
• silver-lilac;
• silver-red;
• silver cream;
• silver chocolate;
• tortoiseshell shaded.

Silver Chinchilla (Silver Veil)

A color in which the pigment is distributed over only 1/8 of the hair's entire length. It is characterized by a predominance of white undercoat. There is black tipping on the back, tail, head area, sides and ears. The main requirement for silver chinchillas is an even distribution of tipping. The areas of the chin, chest, belly and underside, tail, and mustache are white. There is a dark rim on the lips, nose and eyes. Eyes in this color are green or bluish-green.

For black color, the name chinchilla is used, and for the remaining colors of the silver line, the main color is indicated: blue chinchilla, red chinchilla, etc. For the silver colors of British red line cats, the name “cameo” is added: smoky cameo, veil cameo, shaded cameo.

The deep, pronounced tipping in silver color types allows the pattern to emerge, which results in the appearance of silver tabbies with different patterns (spots, stripes or marbles). So, for example, silver marble (blue, black, etc.) are the well-known so-called “whisky” types.

Golden colors

The golden series of colors of British cats is divided in the same way as the silver. This type was developed relatively recently, which explains many controversial issues in classification. In the golden variation there cannot be red and cream shades of wool.

The undercoat of golden cats is not white, like silver cats, but a rich, warm cream or apricot color. The hair has black (optionally: brown) tipping on the head, back, tail and sides. The cat's chin, ears, chest and belly are soft apricot, nose? brick, paw pads dark (brown to black). The tipping on the tail is deeper than on the rest of the body. The eyes must be green. The mirror of the nose is reddish in color. Tabby markings are acceptable on kittens. In adults? the letter "M" on the forehead, as well as closed rings on the legs and tail and an open necklace.

Color point

The color of British color point cats is distinguished by special colored markings.

The British inherited this unusually attractive type of color from the Siamese. The coloring is most intense in remote areas of the cat's fur, but in other parts it is lighter, but not pure white.

Accumulations of pigment (markings) are called “points”, and the overall color in relation to the main body is called color point. The Siamese color gene is recessive and in order for it to appear in the future, both parents must have it. The gene is also linked to blue eye color. Breeding British color point dogs is difficult. Kittens are born pure white or close to white, so it is unlikely that you will be able to find a color point in a photo of British kittens of all colors. The marks begin to fade over time.

The color gene of the Siamese is combined with all the colors of the British breed. If it “works” with solid colors, then it is called color point, if in combination with tabby colors it is links point, and the combination of the pattern on the points with silver? has the name silver lynx point, respectively shaded colors? This is a shaded point.

Solid color points are characterized by a diamond-shaped face color, and the color of the markings should be identical in color with pronounced borders at the transitions. The rest of the body is painted in light colors, and the lighter the better. The muzzle mask should not extend to the back of the head in any way. The paw pads and nose are completely consistent in color with the main color of the markings.

The number of colors of color points is the same as for solid ones:

• seal point (markings are dark brown);
• Choklit (all chocolate shades);
• blue point (bluish markings);
• lilac point (warm lilac shade);
• red point (warm red markings);
• cream point (cream markings);
• cinnamon point (golden cinnamon markings);
• fawn point (beige-sand markings).

Tortoiseshell color-points

In these colors, in most variants, the color of the markings repeats any of the main shades, and the spots on it are red or cream shades. The coat color is light cream or beige. The pads and the nose are in the main tone of the points.

The following colors of tortoiseshell colorpoints exist:

• seal-torty-point;
• blue cream;
• Chokli-torti;
• Lilac cake;
• cinnamon cake;
• faun-tortoise.

Tabby point (links) colors

They are distinguished by the presence of a tabby pattern on the points: the letters “M”, a pattern around the eyes, pronounced spotting in the whisker area, spots on the ears. The body of the links is heavily lightened, without drawings. On the cat's front paws there is a pattern in the form of open rings running from the toes upward. There are stripes on the thighs and hind legs to the hocks? solid shade. Paw pads and area around nose to match markings. Lynx-point colors are presented in all the variety that only tortoiseshell and point colors can have.

Silver color points

This group of color point colors includes smoke point and silver tabby point. The colors differ from other variations in the lighter shade of the body and markings, as well as the presence of a whitish undercoat. The requirements for this line are the same as for color points, but the contrast is not as pronounced and intense. Smoke points may have shadow stripes, which is not a fault.

Shaded point and chinchilla point color

It is quite difficult to distinguish a point chinchilla from a chinchilla color, but it is quite possible: a point chinchilla is characterized by blue or blue eyes. Also, the tipping tone is slightly lighter in relation to the points. The requirements for these types of colors are the same as for tipped ones. The contrast between the point markings and the rest of the body is not so important.

Interestingly, golden colorpoints are very rare, so their description is controversial.

Colors with white - particolors

Particolor colors in the British breed are distinguished by their originality and uniqueness.

The group of particolors includes all colors and their combinations with varying degrees of white. Particolors should be distinguished from bicolors: if the former have colored spots of a non-solid color and/or patterns, then the latter are distinguished by monochromatic colored spots. Following the standards, at least 1/3 and no more than 1/2 shades of white are bicolors (minimum 1/3 and maximum 1/2 white of the total body surface) and particolors; more than 90% white? Harlequin cats (about 5/6 white) and Vans (maximum amount of white).

For bicolors, it is ideal when the cat's chin, chest area, belly and inner surface of the paws are white. There should be a closed white “collar” on the neck, and the letter “L” on the muzzle. The top of the animal's head, shoulders, tail, etc. are painted. “cloak” on the back, which should not have whitish inclusions. Approximately this distribution in the standards is desirable and more preferable.

At the Harlequins on the white back, head and thighs there are clearly defined large or medium-sized colored spots of various shapes. Ideally, the neck, chest, belly, paws and chin areas should be white. The tail is completely painted.

British cat color van distinguished by a large amount of white. Two spots on the cat's head are required, separated by a whitish line. In this case, the ears should be white, the tail should be colored. In the color of the bathtubs, 1-2 small colored spots on the body are acceptable.

Tricolor turtle with white is gender-linked, so only cats can be tri-colored. This color has the following feature: the black and red spots are not mixed, as in the tortoiseshell color, but are isolated and outlined.

Mitted- This is a color not recognized in the British breed and is therefore considered a fault. In such animals, white spotting occupies no more than 1/4 of the total surface. Also characteristic is a white stripe down the chest from the chin, a white groin and belly, the so-called. "socks" on the paws.