Emma Jones
German long-haired cats are a real rarity as the only German breed with half-long fur. The long-haired velvet paws not only enchant with their harmonious physique and the classic cat face: their uncomplicated character makes them the ideal family cat that likes attention and is willing to cuddle.
The character of the German Longhair Cat
The nature of the German longhair cat is considered balanced and friendly. Their open-mindedness doesn’t just apply to people: this easy-going breed likes to live with other cats and also gets along well with socialized dogs. The German long-haired cat seeks the company and attention of its people, which is also welcome to show up in regular petting sessions.
Attitude and care
A German long-haired cat usually does not present you with any particular challenges in terms of keeping and care requirements. Like most cats, she likes to roam around outside, and being outdoors is good for her. However, their balanced character and moderate temperament also allow them to be kept as indoor cats. In this case, however, make sure there is enough activity and variety: We recommend, for example, socializing with a second cat with a harmonious character. This is especially entertaining if your velvet paw regularly spends several hours alone in the apartment.
A species-appropriate and balanced diet are important for the German long-haired cat: It not only contributes to health but also makes the soft fur shiny. The semi-long hair is easy to care for in a healthy animal and does not tend to tangle. If the coat looks shaggy, the cause may be a lack of necessary nutrients, e.g. B. vitamins of the B group of fatty acids.
Colors and markings of the German longhair cat
The German Longhair cat comes in all colors. The basic colors black and red also appear in brown and other variants due to genetics or dilution. These include blue, chocolate, caramel, cinnamon (also known as cinnamon), cream, fawn, and lilac.
A special feature within this breed is white cats: their color pigments are suppressed by a gene variant called the W allele. The fur appears white, but kittens sometimes retain a patch of their original color between the ears.
All patterns are possible with the coat of the German Longhair cat, many of which fall under the term “tabby”, which is generally used for tabby coat markings. Depending on the width and shape of the stripes, tabbies are spotted, brindle, or ticked. A ticked tabby cat appears monochromatic at first glance and the pattern is only recognizable as a shimmer.
The eyes of the German Longhair cat show all common colors: green and amber or yellowish-brown tones are most common, blue is rare.
History: the rediscovery of the German longhaired cat
The beginnings of breeding this special breed of cats go back to the end of the 19th century: At that time, unusual cats were particularly popular, which differed from the classic domestic cat, e.g. B. by a long-haired coat. At that time, long-haired cats were generally referred to as Angora cats in Germany, but as Persian cats in Great Britain. There and in France, Persian cat breeders soon aimed for an increasingly broad head and the typical short snout with the upturned nose.
In Germany, the zoologist Prof. Dr. Friedrich Schwangart the appearance type of the German long-haired cat: It should not show any breeding extremes and should retain the original type of the long-haired cat. His specifications still shape the breeding goal of the German Longhaired Cat to this day, even though the breeding of this breed almost fell into oblivion after the Second World War and only a few specimens existed. It was not until 2005 that a small group of breeders took care of the German Longhair cat – in the meantime, this uncomplicated and lovable cat breed is enjoying increasing popularity.
Peculiarities to health and breeding
The health of the German long-haired cat is considered to be robust, breed-specific diseases are not yet known. If cared for properly, they can live to be 12 to 15 years old. Animal health insurance can still prove to be useful because even a breed with a strong immune system like the German longhair cat is not immune to every infection. Insurance cover is particularly recommended if you allow your German Longhair cat to go outside regularly, which increases the risk of injury. If you would like to welcome a German Longhair cat as a new family member, you can get a lot of information from the German Longhair Interest Group, an association of breeders and friends of this lovable breed. In addition to tips on husbandry, there is also information about the current litter plans of the breeders.