Cats are perhaps the most popular pets and some of the oldest domesticated. Today, everyone is accustomed to the fact that there is a huge variety of breeds. Some prefer simple Russian "murok", others - on the contrary, exotic, rare and not so.
Among certain breeds of cats, there are natural ones that, in the course of the evolution of the animal world, became such, and there are also bred by selection. Purrs also differ in the type of coat - short-haired, smooth and long-haired. Many people want to have a fluffy cat, the owner of long hair.
Angora
Such breeds exist in variety. The first, which is remembered right away, is a white long-haired cat (Angora breed). This is a natural look. The breed is domesticated and cultivated. Although now the clubs breed mainly Turkish Angora obtained from cats brought from Ankara Zoo. These are not those classic representatives of breeds, but half-persons. Actually, Persian cats were bred from them by selection .
Angora wool is silk, flowing, lengthening to its end and thicker on pants and tail. Her tail resembles an ostrich feather. Wool has almost no undercoat. These animals are very graceful. Their nature is extremely inquisitive, and they are also affectionate and complaisant. Breeders of such cats note their very melodic voice. Among the peculiarities of Angoroks can be attributed deafness found in white individuals.
British: the nature and opinion of the owners
Another popular option is the British Longhair cat breed. She descended from the Shorthair British. All representatives of this species are very friendly and seasoned. British longhair cats easily adapt to the society in which they live. But at the same time, they are quite self-sufficient and proud.
Absolutely not in conflict, even with all their discontent they only show their attitude, wagging their tail. The owners note aristocracy in the behavior of the British, as if they only allowed to admire their grace and thoroughbred. Adult representatives lead a very measured lifestyle, but kittens are quite ready to play and have fun.
British longhair cat: breed description
They are mostly medium in size, have a wide chest and a muscular body. In this case, the limbs are quite short with round thick legs. The tail of the British is dense, rather short. Widely spaced ears are medium-sized and short. The peculiarity of the representatives of this breed is the eyes. They have an almost regular round shape and are large enough.
Persian
The breeds of black longhair cats are not diverse. More often this color is found in smooth-haired or animals with short hair.
First of all, we can name the already mentioned British. They have a dark and black color. It should also be said about Persian cats.
The color of the Persian is absolutely black, without the slightest specks of a different color. The coat is extremely long. The constitution is very powerful and dense in the area of the front legs on the stomach and chest and on the shoulders. There is a fairly dense undercoat. Long black hairs flow over him with a silk cover.
Cats of this breed have a strong muscular and strong body, which rests on short thick legs with a thick edge. Pillows are also black. On the face of the animal a flat snub nose. The eyes are completely round, mostly bright orange or copper. The ears are small and round. The tail is unusually short, but fluffy. Here the mustache is long and also black. Like all cats of elite breeds, the Persians are majestic and calm. They prefer a measured life to games with the owner.
Owners claim that there are no problems with these cats in adulthood. They should only be properly looked after. With kittens, like babies of other breeds, there are some problems associated with behavior.
You can meet the Persian and not black. Indeed, today the breed has many diverse and unusual colors. Among them there are tortoiseshell, spotted, red and even blue.
Burmese longhair cat: description and opinions of the owners
This cat has a double color. It is very similar to the color of the Siamese cat, with the difference that it is not cream with dark brown muzzle and legs, but almost white with gray-brown spots in the same places. And, of course, we should not forget that today we are interested in long-haired breeds. Burmese cats have rich fur. Moreover, it is very interesting that, according to the breeders, such a cat is born completely white and only at the age of 3-4 months gradually begins to acquire its future color. According to the owners, representatives of the breed are playful, affectionate and unpretentious.
Maine Coon
Maine coon is a very interesting and recently fashionable and popular breed of longhair cats. Beauties of enormous size, like a lynx. They were bred from wild members of the family. Outwardly, perhaps, they are more like an ordinary cat, only extremely large and with a muzzle, like a wild one. The ears, like a lynx, are long and have tassels at the ends.
The colors of Maine Coons are very diverse. The owners are very proud of such rare cats, striking everyone with the size of a pet. These cats are very smart, clever and a bit capricious, or rather, wayward. Breeders themselves note their selectivity in food and a clear division in the hierarchy of family members.
Norwegian Forest
What other long-haired breeds are there? These cats are quite diverse. For example, Norwegian Forest. One of the oldest species obtained from a variety of outbred cats living in northern Europe. In general, fairly large cats with long and dense hair have always been found in these areas. They became the progenitors of the Norwegian forest species. She really looks like a simple purebred cat, only her face looks more like a wild reed cat. Its coloring is mainly brindle, gray-brown.
Therefore, anyone who wants to acquire a thoroughbred cat and surprise these acquaintances should understand that this is unlikely to succeed with the forest one. Only a specialist can distinguish it from the usual one. An elongated muzzle with large eyes set close to the nose, large ears - these are the main differences between a forest beauty and an ordinary one. The character of the representative of this species is extremely independent and freedom-loving.
Although at the same time she is quite calm, intelligent and sociable to the extent permitted by her.
Longhair gray cat: breed with Iberian
And, of course, do not forget about the Siberian cat. Our compatriot, one of the oldest natural breeds. She has a long and very thick coat with a dense undercoat, since her homeland is Siberia and the Urals. She is friendly, hardy. The character is playful and inquisitive. The “Siberians” have a beautiful, slightly sharp little muzzle in the fringe of the hair, like the manes of a lion. The tail is also fluffy. And its tip, also like that of a lion, has a thickening like a brush. The colors of the Siberian cat are tiger, gray and brown. They are also red, and blue, and spotted. So there is no specific standard for color. All the uniqueness lies precisely in the location of spots on the wool.
Beauty and showiness is what attracts people to long-haired breeds. Siberian cats are still very smart and insightful. The owners of such pets claim that they do not bother a person, but they necessarily appear when the owner needs affection. There is also an opinion that it is the Siberian who can help relieve pain and even have a therapeutic effect.
Neva Masquerade: description and opinion of breeders
Another Russian breed of longhair cats is the Neva Masquerade. This is a relatively new species, it was registered in the 90s of the last century. The Neva cat has thick hair, which is more fluffy. Only the tail is covered with a really long pile. The northern breed, selected in St. Petersburg, should have a dense undercoat, but not too long coat on the body due to the high humidity of the climate in the homeland. The colors of this breed are not very diverse. But still not the same for all cats. The color is a little similar to the color of the Siamese, but can vary from light beige to bright orange, almost red. There are almost always spots on the face, as if wearing a mask.
Cats are especially large in this breed, they can reach almost ten kilograms in weight. Cats are neat and tidy to fanaticism. But their character is accommodating, friendly and gentle. They play well with children and endure their not always tactful behavior. Breeders even advise families with babies to get exactly Neva masquerade cats.
Conclusion
These are far from all long-haired breeds. These cats are quite numerous. With the development of club breeding and fashion for cats brought and bred in other countries, the number of breeds is only increasing. Of course, there are feline representatives who do not have a chic fur coat. But still, many people prefer to purchase precisely fluffy long-haired beauties. It always seems that they are more comfortable and beautiful, although, as you know, there is no friend for the taste and color. Nevertheless, the luxurious glossy hair of long-haired representatives always attracts attention.