Five Cat Breeds Which Originated In The UK
Of course, domestic cats are not native to the UK. All our pet cats are developed from African species of wild cats, and the origins are lost in the mists of time. The only truly British cat is the Scottish wildcat. However, there are some breeds which originated in the UK in the sense that the breed, when it became separate and recognised, started in this country.
Here are five of those breeds
Manx Cat – Tail-less Cat, and Oldest British Breed
Legend has it that the Manx lost its tail when Noah closed the door to the Ark a little too hastily, chopping off the cat's tail. But in truth the real origins of the famous tail-less cat from the Isle of Man are unknown. Theories have included the possibility that tail-less cats swam to the island from the English mainland, that they came with the shattered Spanish Armada in 1588, or that they arrived on merchant ships from the Far East. Whatever the truth of their origin, the isolation of the Isle of Man allowed the tail-less trait to be perpetuated, and the Manx has been recognised as a breed for a very long time, definitely since before the 1700s.
A true or 'rumpy' Manx should have only a small hollow where a tail would have been. Cats with residual tails are also born, and depending on tail length, these are known as Risers, Stumpies, and Longies. Unfortunately the mutation responsible for the lack of a tail in the Manx is also implicated in defects in the cats' skeletal development. As a result, like-to-like matings of completely tail-less Manx often result in the kittens dying before birth or shortly afterwards. This means that Manx breeders have to be extremely careful, and while the GCCF accepts the Manx breed, it has often been said that this is for historical reasons, and if it was a new breed they would refuse to register it.
The Manx is a stocky cat with a strong, muscular body. These cats are quiet, placid, and good-natured, and make excellent family pets. They have quiet voices, and emit a 'trilling' sound when talking to their owners. They are often said to be doglike, as they enjoy fetching and retrieving.
The Manx cat is fairly rare these days, and not often seen at cat shows. Nevertheless, if bred carefully, these can be healthy, happy household pets.
British Shorthair – Popular Show Cat
The British Shorthair has been around since the 1800s, and is one of the very first breeds to have been given a standard and actively bred. The ancestors of the British Shorthairs were ordinary moggies, both street cats and rural farm cats. They were selectively bred for early cat shows, starting with the British Blues. But other more exotic breeds came along, and by 1950 the breed was almost extinct. However, dedicated breeders began to work to bring it back, and by the 1970s it was a popular show cat again. It is now the most popular breed in the UK.
The British Shorthair is muscular, cobby, and strong-looking, with a dense, weatherproof coat. In personality these cats are very down-to-earth; they are friendly, but dislike being picked up all the time. They are sensible, reliable cats, which will fit in well in most households and require little extra care.
Cornish Rex – Curly-Coated Cat
Although curly coated cats have always turned up from time to time, the modern day Cornish Rex cats began in the 1950s. A litter of farm kittens in Cornwall was found to contain a lovely cream male kitten with wavy fur. The kitten was mated back to its mother and found to breed true, and it was established that the gene responsible for the curly coat was recessive. The cats were not instantly popular, and in fact almost died out in Britain. However, a few had been exported to the USA, and descendants of these were imported to re-establish the breed. In 1967 the Cornish Rex finally achieved GCCF Championship status in the UK, and has been moderately popular ever since.
The Cornish Rex looks rather foreign, with a slender body and wedge-shaped head. These are playful, affectionate, high-energy breeds, a little like the Orientals which they resemble in looks. Their short coats are easy to care for, and they are very attached to their owners, to the extent that they have earned the nickname 'Velcro cats'.
Devon Rex – Another Curly-Haired Cat, but Unrelated
In 1966, in Devon, a curly-coated kitten was born to a non-pedigree queen that had been mate with a stray curly-coated tom cat. This kitten was then mated with Cornish Rex females, but surprised everyone by only producing straight-coated kittens. It thus seemed as though a different gene was responsible for the curly coat, and eventually it was realised that a completely unrelated Rex breed had been discovered. The gene for this breed was also shown to be recessive, a breeding programme was established, and by 1967 the Devon Rex was recognised by the GCCF.
The Devon Rex coat is very different from that of the Cornish Rex, with a looser, more open type of curl. Devon Rexes have triangular faces and huge ears, giving them an elfin-like appearance. These cats are active, mischievous, and playful, and can be very lovable.
Scottish Fold – Cat With Unique Ears
Scottish Folds all trace their parentage back to a barn cat from Tayside in Scotland, which in 1963 gave birth to a litter of kittens with folded ears. The GCCF initially accepted registration of the new breed in 1966, but then suspended it in 1971 due to concerns that the folded ears could give rise to health problems. The breed was imported into the USA, and eventually achieved recognition by the CFA and TICA, but not by FIFe or the GCCF. The problem is that the Fold gene seems to affect cartilage beyond the ears, sometimes causing skeletal problems and other abnormalities. For this reason, cats with folded ears should never be bred to each other, and it is vital to buy a Scottish Fold only from a reputable breeder who understands the issues involved. But in character these are calm, gentle cats, and can be a pleasure to own.
