The Golden Chinchilla is a cat of an original and rare color, which is most common among the British, Scots and Persians. It was bred artificially by crossing representatives of different breeds.
These animals are extremely popular and invariably win “feline beauty” competitions. But in order to find a purebred pure golden chinchilla kitten, you need to learn about its characteristics and standard requirements.
History of the unique color
The first golden chinchilla kittens were born in a litter of silver chinchilla Persian cats. Breeders were interested in the unusual coloring, but were unable to find the gene responsible for it.
This is interesting. Silver chinchillas have a white coat, and the darkened ends of the hair create the effect of a thrown veil.
Experts decided that the golden pigment appears as a result of the interaction of a whole group of genes. And then the breeders began targeted selection to consolidate the desired trait in the genotype of the animals.
British golden chinchilla cats were bred in the UK. They were created by crossing a Golden Persian and a Smoky Briton. As a result of systematic work, a cat named Silver Lambkin appeared in 1889, who was recognized as the ancestor of this variety.
A little later, Scottish cats began to be crossed with Golden Persians and the British. Animals of this color looked very impressive.
This is interesting. Golden chinchilla cats are often called royal or royal.
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If the name of a medium-sized nursery appears, albeit not often, but regularly, then this nursery deserves attention - it is clear that not all offspring are exhibited. It is difficult to judge a small nursery by the frequency of occurrence of its name.
In order to determine whether breed characteristics are being improved in a nursery and whether the general breed type of animals is changing, it is necessary to collect information about several generations. Occasionally, nurseries “post” their illustrated history on the website (and in these cases, as a rule, it is such that it allows breeders to be proud of their breeding work), but, alas, one cannot count on such a “gift”.
Try to find old photographs in show reports in magazines and yearbooks. You can also contact the breeder himself. If he is confident in the stable progress of breeding in the nursery, he will not refuse to show you photographs of the grandparents of his animals.
— the incidence of hereditary anomalies and diseases is an indicator about which it is most often impossible to collect reliable information. Unfortunately, we usually have to settle for gossip and rumors (often exaggerated).
Evaluation of a specific animal based on exterior and pedigree
With good knowledge, and, what is especially important, understanding of the breed standard, assessing the exterior of an adult animal and its belonging to a certain intra-breed type is not so difficult. Since ideal animals practically never occur (and if they do, a good breeder leaves them in his nursery), then, most likely, the animals offered for sale will have some shortcomings
It is very important to analyze the true nature of the proposed animal's shortcomings. Without this analysis, it is impossible to understand how to correct this deficiency in subsequent generations.
For example, if the ears of a British cat seem too large (relative to the standard), then they may be really large in size, or they may be quite average in size, but incorrectly set (for example, without the necessary forward tilt, which hides the size of the ear).
And incorrect positioning, in turn, turns out to be due, for example, to the too early end of growth of the skull bones.
Genetics of color
A polygenic complex is responsible for the golden chinchilla color, providing a warm shade of the undercoat and a lightened background color:
- melanin inhibitor – absorbs hair pigment, starting from the hair root;
- agouti and tabby (tabby) - forms a pattern;
- erizer – gene eraser, gives the undercoat a warm shade.
The golden chinchilla color includes several varieties depending on the color of the hair tips:
- black;
- chocolate;
- lilac;
- faun (fawn);
- cinnamon (cinnamon);
- blue.
The golden color is a recessive trait in relation to the silver color. Kittens of this color can be obtained in the following cases:
- both manufacturers have a golden color;
- parents are silver chinchillas, but are carriers of the golden gene;
- one producer is golden, the second is silver, but his genotype contains genes for goldenness.
Characteristics and color features
Regardless of the breed, chinchilla cats should have hair with a smooth color transition from soft pink to dark at the tips. The undercoat can be of different shades: from light peach to red. There should be no dull or grayish areas on the body.
The color is considered chinchilla if the dark tip occupies 1/8 of the length of the hair. If 1/3 is painted, the color is called shaded, if 1/2 is called golden tabby.
In chinchillas, the pigmentation of the iris is usually green or bluish-green. There is a dark brown or black edging on the eyelids, lips and nose. The lobe is colored pink, the paw pads are black or brown.
Information about the breed and color of the cat is indicated in the pedigree. Special designations are used for this.
Breed:
- BRI - British;
- PER – Persian;
- SFL – Scots Fold Shorthair;
- SFS – long-haired Scots Fold;
- SCS – Scots with erect ears, shorthair;
- SCL – long-haired, erect-eared Scotsman.
Color:
- y – golden;
- a – blue;
- b – chocolate;
- c – lilac;
- n – black;
- o– cinnamon;
- q – faun.
Picture code:
- 11 – shaded;
- 12 – chinchilla;
- 21 – linx (tabby pattern on the face and paws);
- 22 – marble;
- 23 – brindle;
- 24 – spotted;
- 25 – ticked (each hair has more than two dark zones);
- 33 – point (reminiscent of the Siamese color).
At the end they put numbers indicating eye color:
- 64 – green;
- 61 – blue;
- 62 – yellow.
For example, a Scottish fold short-haired chinchilla of golden color with black tips of hairs and green eyes would be written as follows: SFLny 12 64.
Description of the breed
At the end of the 19th century, the first kitten was bred with plush gray fur. The work was assessed as experimental. Then additional research and crossings began, as a result of which the official ancestor of the British chinchilla Silver Lambkin appeared.
Silver Lambkin
Silver participated in numerous exhibitions, where he was a repeated winner and prize-winner. The cat lived for 17 years.
Afterwards, work was carried out on the color of the animals' eyes. Breeders tried to achieve a beautiful emerald color; mixing led to the fact that the fur became worse. Initially, only light gray colors were recognized, which were called silver.
After the ideal silver cat was bred, breeders began to develop other colors. Later, golden chinchillas appeared. At the end of the 20th century, the species earned international recognition and was included in the official list of breeds with its own standard.
Appearance
The British Chinchilla standard corresponds to the characteristics of the British Shorthair cat. The main difference is the wool.
Representatives of the breed have a large body with a wide sternum, a straight back, and well-developed hips. The muscle corset is strong.
Breed standard:
- a large rounded head with a wide forehead and a neat rounded muzzle with wide cheekbones and pronounced round cheeks;
- the nose is wide, short and straight, the nose mirror is pink or brick colored;
- small rounded ears at the ends are spaced widely apart;
- the neck is short, thick and muscular;
- the eyes are large and round, set shallowly and not very far apart, the color is rich emerald green, but there are blue-eyed and yellow-eyed individuals;
- well-developed muscular limbs are proportional, but short, making cats appear squat;
- the paws are round, thick and large, with tufts of hair between the toes;
- the tail is not very long, thick, with a rounded tip;
- weight: male - 5-8 kg, female - 3-4 kg (castrated or sterilized individuals can reach 10-12 kg).
The coat should be dense and dense, the undercoat should be well developed.
Character of the breed
Representatives of the breed do not like to obey. They can become attached to the owner, but they always put themselves in the same place with him. The animal is calm, prefers to observe the situation from the side, and intervenes only if necessary.
Pets are quite capricious, do not like excessive affection, and prefer to spend time alone. They are easy to train and quickly get used to the tray. The British almost never play pranks in the apartment and do not damage furniture or wallpaper.
Cats are characterized by slowness, thoroughness, and patience. The animal will not ask for food at the wrong time and wake up the owner unnecessarily.
Colors
There are three main colors of the breed.
Silver or silver is considered classic and is most common. The ground color is white, and the undercoat is black at the tips. Darkening occurs on the sides, back, and tail. The muzzle (eyes and nose) is outlined with a thin black outline, the paw pads are dark.
The golden color is distinguished by the presence of a golden-colored undercoat. The color is even, without spots, all color transitions are smooth. Shading occurs on the tail and back. The belly and chest are distinguished by a light apricot hue.
The shaded color differs from silver in having a darker undercoat and the presence of large dark spots. There are dark stripes on the paws and tail; there are no pronounced transitions on the body.
Experts also distinguish ticked colors (merle). Chinchillas can have this color mainly in golden color. Such individuals have bright blue or blue eyes, and their character is more impulsive.
Breed health
Cats have strong immunity and rarely get sick; if they are improperly bred or crossed with closely related individuals, genetic abnormalities appear.
The most common diseases:
- retinal atrophy;
- polycystic kidney disease;
- thickening of the wall of the cardiac ventricle.
In the presence of genetic abnormalities and hereditary diseases, individuals are excluded from breeding and are considered defective.
Golden Chinchilla Standards
For the first time, the golden chinchilla color was included in the standard of Persian cats. Now it is found in many breeds for which the silver chinchilla color is recognized.
Preference is given to cats with a uniform golden undercoat without a gray area at the roots. When the color first appeared, such animals were still used for breeding, but now they are increasingly not allowed to breed.
There is no single standard regulating the color of the golden chinchilla. Experts evaluate animals in accordance with documents approved for a specific breed by the World Cat Federation:
- British cats are stocky, massive and muscular. The head is round, with a wide skull and pronounced cheeks. The ears are small, set wide, and the tips are slightly rounded. The tail is thick and curves upward. The coat is raised, dense and short.
- Scottish - divided into fold-eared (Scottish fold) and straight-eared (straight). The first ones have small ears, the tips hanging forward. The limbs are short and thick. Straights have erect ears and can be small or medium in size. The limbs are slightly longer and lighter.
- Persian - distinguished by rectangular body lines. Legs are strong and short. The head is large, the forehead is sloping (other chinchillas have a rounded forehead).
Golden chinchillas have ears covered with dense and short fur. The eyes are very large and expressive.
Description and requirements for the standard
Despite the differences in color, the British chinchilla cat, regardless of the color of its coat, has a unique body structure. Representatives of this elite breed are characterized by large round eyes, pronounced cheeks, dense coat texture and a medium-sized head with small, rounded ears. Chinchillas have a short and wide nose.
As for the build, the chinchilla cat is distinguished by its medium body size, squat shape, flat back and powerful short paws, on which there are tufts of hair between the toes. The tail is short in length.
According to accepted standards, the color of a silver chinchilla is white with darkened edges, which creates the effect of the presence of silver on the animal’s fur. Due to the slight covering of black fur, it appears that the cat is wearing a black veil that extends to the back, paws and tail.
- The coat of the rodent of the same name is of medium size, in contrast to the fur coats of the British, which are shorter and fluffier.
- The head is round with small ears.
- The body is strong and wide. The tail is half shorter than the body.
- The paws and nose are short and wide. The nose is light brown and slightly flattened. Despite the general similarity of all individuals, there is a difference between cats with a silver chinchilla color, it is indicated by the amber color of the eyes in some animals.
- All representatives of the species have large, round eyes.
British
British chinchillas are usually smaller. They ripen late - full formation of the exterior is completed by 3 years.
The wool has a soft and silky texture. There are 2 varieties: British shorthair and longhaired chinchillas. The latter have elongated fur, which is inherited from Persian cats.
The most common are golden chinchillas with green eyes, but there are cats with blue and yellowish irises.
Diseases
Description of how to properly care for a chinchilla. This is the key to the longevity of a pet.
However, the breed from birth has a predisposition to:
- hypertrophied cardiomyopathy;
- obesity;
- retinal atrophy;
- polycystic kidney disease.
Sometimes there are problems with the respiratory system, teeth, and skin diseases. The cat must be vaccinated from the first months of life. Mandatory injections for a number of diseases are given annually.
Scottish
The Scottish chinchilla cat has the same color as the British one. She has a plush coat, a dense undercoat of a warm shade, dark lining of the eyelids, lips and nose, and brown paw pads.
The eyes are most often green, but can also be blue. These animals have soft, rounded body shapes, which provide developed muscles and thick hair.
Nutrition
The diet of the golden chinchilla breed has its own characteristics. The cat is prone to obesity because it leads a sedentary lifestyle. Low-calorie food must be selected. You can purchase it ready-made, with complexes of vitamins and minerals. If a cat eats natural products, then it is forbidden to give it fried and fatty foods.
Fish and meat should be chosen from low-fat varieties. Preference is given to rabbit, offal, and poultry meat. The diet should periodically include liver, heart (can be chicken) and kidneys. They are served to animals only in boiled form. The cat loves fermented milk products, but they can only be given in small quantities. Gradually it is allowed to add grains and vegetable oil to food.
The golden chinchilla should eat three times a day. For the growth of beautiful fur, vitamin supplements are added to the food. However, you need to choose them without biotin. It negatively affects the coat.
Persian
Persian chinchillas are slightly smaller than their counterparts. They are harmoniously built, distinguished by fine bones and elegance, but at the same time strong and resilient. In the USA, larger cats are bred, which are very similar in size and build to standard Persians.
The coat of Persian golden chinchillas is long and dense. The fur shimmers beautifully in the light. The cat may have emerald or bluish eyes with a brown rim. The soft pink nose is small and neat.
Character and behavior of elite pets
Chinchillas are considered the aristocrats of the cat family. They are distinguished by noble manners, a sharp mind and excellent memory.
The characteristics of golden chinchilla cats are determined by the breed:
Each animal has individual character traits. Therefore, the habits and behavior of pets may differ slightly from the description given.
Pros and cons of the breed
One of the main advantages that catches your eye at first glance is the coat. Thanks to him, the cat looks not just fluffy, but even plush. And the color is beautiful - we managed to get it thanks to long-term selection. But he made the breed popular all over the world.
An additional plus is a balanced, calm character. The British chinchilla is suitable for keeping both in a spacious private house in the village and in a cramped city apartment. And animals experience long-term loneliness calmly - they sleep, lick themselves, play, eat, instead of getting bored and acting up. Even if there is a multi-day move ahead, the British chinchilla will feel calm in a carrier bag or cage, while other representatives of the cat tribe will probably fall into hysterics.
The breed has only one drawback - its difficult character. These cats are not deprived of a love of freedom. No matter how the owner persuades and forces the pet to do something that it does not want, it will not cope with the task. Therefore, it is important from the first days after the appearance of a kitten in the house to begin raising it correctly.
Features of care and maintenance
Owners of golden chinchilla cats have to comb their luxurious coat at least 2 times a week to keep it tidy. During the molting period, the procedure is carried out daily.
Chinchillas have a two-layer coat. It must be combed in 2 stages: first along the hair growth, then against it. It is recommended to use a fine-toothed comb or a special glove.
Cats are bathed as needed, but not more than once every 3-4 months. Due to frequent washing, the coat becomes dry and brittle. Dry products are used as a replacement for regular shampoos.
Otherwise, care for golden chinchillas is standard:
The pet should have a separate place to rest, a variety of toys and a cat scratching post. Animals quickly learn to use the toilet, but the tray must be large and comfortable, since the golden chinchilla color is found in fairly large breeds.
For your information. Some cats like to walk on a leash or harness. However, most of them are satisfied with being in a confined space - a house or apartment.
Castration and sterilization
If the animal will not participate in mating, and the owner does not want to produce offspring, then it is worth doing the procedure of sterilization or castration. It will protect the pet’s health and prevent accidental mating. It is recommended to castrate and sterilize individuals who were born in marriage or have genetic diseases.
The operation is allowed to be carried out at 8-10 months, when the animal’s body is fully formed
Before the operation, it is important to examine the British person, since deviations in health can lead to complications
Caring for your pet after surgery
After surgery, your pet will need special care that will reduce the risk of complications.
For several days after surgery it is recommended:
- limit the animal's mobility;
- provide comfort;
- do not frighten or torment your pet;
- do not feed for 10 hours after anesthesia;
- put on a special device to maintain the seams;
- treat seams once a day for 14 days.
If a Briton feels unwell, the stitches begin to get wet, the temperature rises, etc., then he must be taken to the clinic immediately.
Feeding the animals
For feeding golden chinchillas, like other purebred cats, high-quality ready-made food with a protein content of at least 30-35% is suitable. They have a balanced composition and fully satisfy the needs of the animal’s body.
The following brands have proven themselves well:
- 1st Choice;
- Hills;
- Acana;
- Leonardo;
- Sanabelle Bosch;
- Pro Plan.
If the owner chooses a natural diet, then it is based on meat - turkey, chicken, veal. The meat needs to be frozen for 2-3 days. It is given raw, cut into pieces and doused with boiling water. These measures are necessary to destroy parasites and bacteria.
Cats do not refuse offal. Liver, lung, heart, tripe are suitable for feeding. They must be boiled for several hours.
Also included in the diet:
- rice and buckwheat porridges;
- boiled sea fish fillet (if you have problems with the genitourinary system, this product is excluded);
- boiled vegetables (zucchini, carrots, pumpkin, cauliflower);
- egg yolk (no more than 2 times a week);
- fermented milk products with low fat content (kefir, yogurt, cottage cheese, natural yogurt).
Pets are fed 2-3 times a day. Food from the human table is contraindicated for animals.
Important. The structure and appearance of the coat directly depend on the quality of nutrition. Errors in feeding lead to dull and brittle fur and prolonged molting.
Potential Health Problems
The health of the representatives of the breed is excellent - many decades of selection have not been in vain, experts tried to select the strongest and healthiest animals for breeding.
In fact, the only health problem is a predisposition to allergies. Therefore, only proven and high-quality food should be given, and new components should be introduced into the diet gradually, carefully monitoring the animal’s well-being. Spoiled or unsuitable food affects the entire gastrointestinal tract. In the most advanced cases, this leads to liver disease and diabetes.
In some cases, although less frequently, problems with the eyes (retinal atrophy) and the cardiovascular system occur. Therefore, it is important to ensure that older cats do not run around a lot - they need enough rest and it is not advisable to disturb them at this time.
Obesity may also occur. But only in cases where the owner feeds the pet uncontrollably and with inappropriate food. Gaining excess weight is dangerous; it often leads to the development of a whole range of serious diseases that shorten life. So, it is important to ensure that the cat eats not only high-quality food, but also in sufficient and not excessive quantities. Then the pet will live a long life and even in old age will be cheerful, active and cheerful.
How much does a royal chinchilla cost?
Pure golden color is quite rare. More often you can see kittens having the so-called halftone. In the metrics that are issued at 1.5 months, they are often noted as golden chinchillas. But after molting, which takes place in 5-8 months, the color changes.
For people who have a kitten as a pet, these nuances do not matter. But for those who breed or plan to participate in exhibitions, color purity is very important.
To avoid misunderstandings, you should:
- carefully study the requirements for color and its features;
- read reviews about breeders offering such animals;
- meet the kittens’ parents and evaluate their compliance with the standard.
Due to the difficulty of obtaining a color, a kitten is quite expensive:
- British chinchillas: pet class - 25 thousand rubles, show class - about 50-70 thousand rubles;
- Scottish and Persian cats: pet class - 12-25 thousand rubles, show class - from 35 thousand rubles.
Purebred kittens can be purchased at a specialized nursery or from a reputable breeder who breeds animals of this particular color.
Important. Finding a rare pet from an ad on the Internet is almost impossible. Chinchillas are bred only through competent breeding work.
There is a common misconception that there is an independent breed of golden chinchilla cats. Because of this, confusion often arises. For example, people who count on an easy-going Briton end up with wayward Scots. Therefore, it is so important to first find out all the nuances, and only then get a pet.
Golden chinchilla cats are very rare, unusually beautiful and intelligent animals. These are real fluffy “suns”, a find for lovers of luxury and chic.
Where and how much to buy a British breed kitten
- In Moscow, British shorthair kittens can be bought at the SunRay nursery. On the nursery website https://www.sunny-cat.ru/ you can see photos of available kittens, book a kitten and find out any other information.
- In Minsk, British kittens are offered by the Krembel nursery creambel.com
- In Kyiv you can buy a British kitten in the cattery “Devinore*UA” www.devinor.com.ua
- Complete list of British Shorthair catteries (in Ukraine and Russia).
The price of British Shorthair kittens may depend on the class of the pet, coat color, prestige of the nursery, and city. You can buy a British kitten “hands-on” for 1,000 rubles, but in a nursery it will be more expensive – from 2,500 to 60,000 rubles. Please note that you can be sure that your pet is purebred only by purchasing it from a certified nursery.
Video
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