The German Longhair is an extremely rare cat breed. This is actually unfair, because these attractive cats love the company of people and are straightforward to keep. As the name states, the breed originates from Germany. Special features are its long shiny fur and a harmonious physique.
German Longhair Cat
© Sabine / stock.adobe.com
A German Longhair cat on the prowl.
Table of contents
Appearance: Fluffy and muscular
With its abundant fur and muscular stature, the German Longhair looks very similar to the Siberian cat upon first glance. However, it is more closely related to the Persian.
The German Longhair is a medium-sized cat breed. A female weighs between 3.5 and 5 kilograms, whilst a male weighs 4 to 6 kilos.
The German Longhair Cat’s Fur
Medium-length to long fur is typical of this breed. It has a silky sheen. The undercoat becomes very thick especially in winter. Many also have a crest on the back.
Like the Siberian or Maine Coon, the German Longhair also has a type of ruff made up of longer fur. The tail is bushy and the paws have hairs between the pads. Hairs on the rear legs are also longer, almost like knickerbockers.
All typical feline fur colours and markings can be found with this breed. All eye colours are also possible.
Balanced proportions
All in all, the German Longhair is a very harmonious sight: Its proportions are balanced and everything fits together. There are no extremes with this breed.
Breeders describe the body as long and rectangular, with medium-length, muscular legs. Its chest and throat are strong and well developed. The tail is also of medium length and the paws are big and round.
The head is also round in shape. It is longer than it is wide with a broad, obtuse snout section. If the face is observed from the side, a gentle curved profile with a slightly arched nasal bridge can be seen.
The medium-sized ears are wide apart. They are broad at the base and end in a rounded tip.
The eyes are also relatively far apart. They are large, oval-shaped and slightly slanted, making the German Longhair’s gaze appear friendly and open.
Character: Even-tempered and friendly
The balanced proportions are reflected in the breed’s steady character. German Longhairs are considered people-focused, friendly and easy-going.
However, they are by no means phlegmatic or boring. Despite their noble origin, they basically behave like normal cats.
Care and housing: Ideal indoor cats
Cats of this breed can be well kept as indoor cats due to their steady nature. A secured balcony where they can grab some fresh air is ideal. If you have a garden, outdoor access is of course also possible.
The German Longhair also copes very well with children and enjoys playing and stroking sessions. As long as you get them used to dogs, they too are usually no problem for the breed.
The German Longhair Cat requires little support with grooming
Although the German Longhair’s coat is long and thick, it isn’t prone to matting. Hence, these cats don’t need any help with grooming for most of the year. You should brush the fur two to three times per week during the moulting period in spring.
Otherwise, keeping a German Longhair isn’t particularly complicated. Like any other cat, your German Longhair will probably also be happy if you spend a long time cuddling and playing with it.
You can find suitable cat toys in the zooplus online store.
Health: The German Longhair is robust
German Longhair breeders have always paid attention to healthy parent animals and high genetic diversity. This has made the breed very robust and healthy. According to current knowledge, there are no known diseases typical of the breed.
A German Longhair can of course get a normal cat disease or be infested by parasites. So ensure your cat has the required vaccinations and is taken to the vet once a year for a health check.
Breeding and purchasing: Where can you buy a German Longhair?
Are you keen on this attractive, easy-going cat breed and would like to take one into your home? You may get a German Longhair from a reputable breeder. You might even find a breeder specialising in this rare breed.
Search for the combination “German Longhair cat” online, because there is also a dog breed called the German Longhair.
How much does a German Longhair cost?
A German Longhair cat costs around 900 to 1,000 euros.
Before the purchase, check that the kittens, the mother and father cat are accommodated in a species-appropriate manner. A responsible breeder has nothing to hide.
Also make sure the paperwork is complete and that the kittens are no younger than 12 weeks of age when they are handed over. Kittens should be vaccinated, microchipped and dewormed.
Pedigree cats are also offered for sale online. Unfortunately such animals are often kept and ‘produced’ in questionable conditions. Hence, animal welfarists advise against purchasing cats online.
With a bit of luck, you will strike gold in your local animal shelter. It’s not at all uncommon even for pedigree cats to end up in animal shelters. Animal homes generally give cats away for a low nominal fee.
History of the breed
Only two cat breeds have German origins: the German Rex and the German Longhair.
Previously, breeding of longhair cats was primarily a hobby of the rich across Europe, because cats with long fur were very expensive.
Even towards the end of the 19th century, all longhair cats had a similar head and body shape to normal domestic cats. They largely differed from their short-haired counterparts simply in terms of having longer fur. Then the Persian cat appeared with its flat face and the original longhair cat was at threat of disappearing in Europe.
In the 1930s, the zoologist Friedrich Schwangart wanted to revive the old longhair type. In order to differentiate it from the Persian, the feline expert suggested the name ‘German Longhair’. However, the Second World War brought breeding to a standstill.
It was not until the start of the 2000s that breeding of the original longhair cats was resumed. In 2012, the German Longhair was officially recognised by the World Cat Federation (WCF).
Did you know? All cats with long fur were previously called Angora cats in Germany. This name was also used for Persian cats and partly remains to this day – although the Turkish Angora is an independent cat breed.
Conclusion
The German Longhair is incredibly beautiful with its silky fur and is straightforward to keep. Its friendly nature should win over every cat fan.
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