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Part
of the fun of having a pedigreed cat is learning
more about the breed - its history, its characteristics,
what makes it unique among cats...
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I
am a passionate student of the Russian Blue breed and
I enjoy reading and researching as much as I can. I'd
like to share with you some of the information I have
gathered about my beloved breed.
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Typical
Characteristics of a Russian Blue
The
most outstanding features of the Russian Blue is its coat.
The coat is its short dense coat of a bright blue color in
which each hair appears to be silver tipped. A so-called double
coat. Each movement of the cat is a silvery sheen. The true
beauty of the Russian Blue can be seen in natural light. No
white is allowed anywhere on the body, and other markings,
stripes or lockets are allowed, but kittens are born with
ghost markings, faint tabby stripes, what should fade with
maturity. Also, while all Russians are solid blue, there is
quite a variation in the shades of individual cats - some
are dark, almost blackish color while others show a pale lavender,
the lighter shades being preferred show specimens.
Overall, the Russian Blue is slender, fine-boned but muscular
cat with long legs, dainty paws, and a long, tapering tale.
A male generally weights 9-10 lbs, female, 5-8 lbs. The eye
color is vivid green, but also vary from a deep emerald hue
prized in fine show cats to a pale, almost yellowish green.
Kittens are born with blue eyes which turn to yellow, but
at the age of twelve weeks or later, a green ring appears
in the otherwise yellowish eyes.
When strangers arrive, the Russian Blue will probably watch
from a safe distance until it has assured itself that everything
is allright. Reticent and a little shy by nature, it needs
to be well socialized as a kitten. If a Russian Blue kitten
is intended to be a show cat, special attention should be
given to its socialization. A youngster that has been raised
in a family environment will be friendly and outgoing and
not easily disturbed by such things as the vacuum cleaner
or the family dog.
Personality
Russian
Blues are very intelligent and can be trained quite easily.
Russians are very playful and loving to their companions.
They are known to teach their companions how to fetch and
open doors. They adapt well to children and other pets. They
are also known for their natural smile. Cleanliness ranks
very high with the Russian Blue. It likes its litter pan fresh
and sweet smelling, and will let its owners know if no uncertain
terms with the box does not meet its approval.
A Russian Blue is a good choice for the modern home because
their undemanding nature fits perfectly into today's busy
schedules. They will entertain themselves if left alone for
the day and be a contented companion upon your return. The
Russian requires a minimum of grooming with periodic nail
clipping and a coat that can be kept looking good by frequent
petting and an occasional combing. Many Russians seem to enjoy
being combed or brushed as it allows them additional time
with their owners.
But beyond appearances, the real pleasure of the Russian Blue
is its unique personality which sets it apart from other cats
and makes it an interesting, entertaining and affectionate
companion to its owners and friends.
The
History of the Russian Blue
While little is know about the neginnings of the Russian Blue,
many breeders believe they originated in Archanglesk (Archangel
Isles) in the northwest corner of Russia. In the early 1860’s,
they were brought by sailors from the Archangel Isles to England
and Northern Europe on lumber ships. That’s how they
reached most of the European countries.
Historians
are not sure how they reached Australia or when they reached
the U.S.
The
Genetic Background of the Russian
Blue
The
breed that we know as the Russian Blue is not a man-made breed.
It is a natural breed which early breeders discovered and
fell in love with. They selectively refined and defined its
distinguishing traits including its wonderful blue color while
still keeping the line pure.
The
hardships during World War II forced many breeders of Russian
Blues to stop breeding or actually set their cats free to
fend for themselves. By the end of the war, there were so
few pure Russian Blue cats left that the gene pool was decimated.
To recover and rebuild genetic diverisuty, for a brief time
blue point Siamese were used as an outcross and bred to the
remaining Russian Blues.
Slowly
the breed was re-built and now
as a whole has a consistent look to it. The mating of two
Russian Blues will almost produce another blue-colored Russian
Blue. Occasional a "pointed" Russian Blue pops up
in a litter - a throwback to that brief Siamese outcross 50
years ago.
More
Information About Russian Blues
CFA's
Breed Profile
CFA
Russian Blue Standard:
CFA
Russian Blue Breed Council
CFA
Russian Blue Breed Article
List
of Russian Blue Breeders
Top Show Russian Blue winners and other Russian Blue information
Recommended
Reading
One
of the books I find most helpful was The Russian Blue Cat
by Ingeborg Urcia, Ph.D.
I
highly recommend it.
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