British Longhair
Also called BLH, British Semi-longhair, Lowlander, Highlander (older name, not the Highlander breed)
From United Kingdom (England); the long-coated counterpart of the British Shorthair, which traces back to Persian crosses made in British Shorthair lines.123
A friendly guide, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.
At a glance the quick version
Registries give no weights. Figures are those Wikipedia gives for the British Shorthair, whose body type the Longhair shares; a secondary breed guide gives 3-8 kg overall. Males are clearly larger.
Coat and looks how to spot one
semi-long, dense double coat
A sturdy, compact and powerful cat with a broad chest, short strong legs and a round, massive head carrying small, wide-set ears and big round eyes. The coat is semi-long and thick with a proper undercoat, standing off the body rather than lying flat, and it feels firm rather than woolly. A full ruff, fluffy britches and a well-furnished tail are wanted.456
Personality what they are like
A relaxed, steady companion that likes being near its people without pestering them. It is usually quiet, patient and self-contained, and tends to get along with considerate children and other pets when introduced gradually.32
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Low to moderate. Short daily play sessions and a sturdy scratching post are usually enough for this laid-back cat.3
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Brush a few times a week, and more often during the spring and autumn moult. Pay attention to the ruff, belly and behind the ears, where the thick coat can tangle. Much less work than a Persian coat, but more than the British Shorthair.3
Home where they are happiest
Happy as an indoor cat; provide comfortable resting spots and a solid scratching post.3
Company who they like around
Enjoys company but is independent enough to cope with ordinary working days.3
The story where it all began
Persians were bred into British Shorthair lines in the early and mid 1900s to improve head type and coat density, and longhaired kittens kept turning up from these matings. For decades those kittens went into Persian programmes, but in the later 20th century breeders began to keep them as a longhaired British, which registries such as FIFe, WCF and GCCF now recognise with their own standards.327
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
The long coat comes from a recessive gene, so two British Shorthairs can produce a longhaired kitten if both carry it.3
- 2
FIFe covers the British Longhair and British Shorthair in a single combined breed standard.4
- 3
In the GCCF scale of points, coat texture and length count for 25 of the 100 points, as much as body, legs and paws together.6
- 4
The CFA does not accept the breed and treats an overly long or fluffy coat as a fault in its British Shorthair standard.3
Recognised by the official bits
- FIFe
- Fully recognised, Category 3, code BLH (standard shared with the British Shorthair)7
- WCF
- Has its own breed standard, code BLH (updated 2023)5
- GCCF
- Has its own British Longhair (BLH) standard of points, updated October 20246
- TICA
- Shown as the British Longhair in TICA shows, including championship classes8
- CFA
- Not recognised as a separate breed3
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a British Longhair. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery 2 days
- Deshedding springBrush more while sheddingevery day
- Nail trimevery 3 weeks
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- Litter scoopevery day
- Litter changeevery week
- PlayDaily playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 11every year
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my British Longhair, and at what times?
Feeding schedules vary by age, weight and the food you choose. Please ask your vet or a good breeder for a plan tailored to your cat. Furry Diary's starting plan does not cover feeding times, so rely on professional advice.
What should a British Longhair eat, and which foods are dangerous?
A balanced commercial cat food is best, but avoid dangerous foods like chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, chives, xylitol, and raw meat or eggs. Always check the ASPCA list of toxic foods and consult your vet for specific dietary needs.9
Does a British Longhair need baths?
Baths are rarely needed for this breed. Only bathe if your cat gets very dirty or sticky, as the coat is semi-long and dense. Regular brushing keeps it clean, so a bath is usually not part of routine care.10
How often does a British Longhair need brushing?
Brush a few times a week, and more often during spring and autumn moult. Pay special attention to the ruff, belly and behind the ears to prevent tangles. Furry Diary's starting plan suggests brushing every 2 days and daily deshedding when shedding heavily.3 Furry Diary plan
How do I trim a British Longhair's claws, and how often?
Trim claws every 2 to 3 weeks, using proper cat nail clippers and only the sharp tip. Start with one or two claws per session to build trust. Furry Diary's plan suggests every 21 days, but follow your vet's advice on technique and frequency.10 Furry Diary plan
How much play does a British Longhair need?
This laid-back cat enjoys short daily play sessions and a sturdy scratching post. Activity needs are low to moderate, so a few minutes of interactive play each day keeps them happy. Furry Diary's plan includes daily playtime.3 Furry Diary plan
How do I look after a British Longhair's teeth and ears?
Brush your cat's teeth daily if possible, or at least every other day as Furry Diary suggests. For ears, check weekly for dirt or redness and gently clean with a vet-recommended solution if needed. Ask your vet for specific ear care advice. Furry Diary plan
How long does a British Longhair live?
British Longhairs typically live between 12 and 16 years. With good care, regular vet checkups and a loving home, many enjoy a long, healthy life. Senior years usually start around age 11.3
Is a British Longhair good with children and other pets?
Yes, this patient and self-contained breed usually gets along well with considerate children and other pets when introduced gradually. They are quiet and steady, making them wonderful family companions.32
Can a British Longhair be left alone?
Yes, this independent cat can cope with ordinary working days. They enjoy company but are not needy, so they are fine alone for reasonable periods. Provide comfortable resting spots and a scratching post for their comfort.3
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- Wikipedia - List of cat breeds en.wikipedia.orgused for origin
- Wikipedia - British Shorthair en.wikipedia.orgused for weight, history, temperament
- Zivalce - British Longhair zivalce.siused for lifespan, care, temperament, history, CFA status
- FIFe breed standard British Longhair/Shorthair fifeweb.orgused for body, coat, colours
- WCF breed standard British Longhair (2023) wcf.deused for recognition, body, coat, colours
- GCCF British Longhair standard of points (Oct 2024) gccfcats.orgused for recognition, coat, colours, fun fact
- FIFe - Breeds fifeweb.orgused for recognition
- TICA breed standings - British Longhair ticamembers.orgused for TICA show classes
- ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.