Valnika is our cattery name.  We are Valarie and Willy, breeding quality russian blues since 2003.

 

My goal is to produce quality russian blues that conform to the highest show standards and combine beauty with personality and excellent health.

 

My show cats are exhibited in the Cat Fanciers Association primarily and I do occasionally show in TICA, in the Gulf Shore Region and South Central Regions respectively.

 

Our cats are raised in a loving environment, they receive lots of love and attention, and top quality nutrition as a top priority.

 

Typical Characteristics of the Russian Blue

The most outstanding features of the Russian Blue is its coat.  The 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 not allowed.  Kittens are born with ghost markings, faint tabby stripes, which 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 in color while others show pale lavender shades preferred show specimens and breeding prospects.  

 

Overall, the russian blue is slender, fine-boned but muscular cat with long legs, dainty paws, and a long, tapering tale.  A male generally weighs 9-10 lbs, female 5-8 lbs.  The eye color is vivid green, but vary from deep emerald green, but also vary from a deep emerald hue prized in fine show cats to a pale, almost yellowish green appears.  Kittens are born with blue eyes that turn yellowish, but at the age of 12 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 is assured itself that everything is allright.  Reluctant and little shy by nature, it needs to be well socialized as a kitten, they are easily startled by sudden movement or noise.  A kitten 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 each 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 you 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 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.

 

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 Genectic 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 diversity, for a brief time blue point Siamese was 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.  Occasionally, a pointed Russian Blue (Blue Point) pops up in a litter - a throwback to that brief Siamese outcross 50 years ago ( a recessive year that can appear anytime).