The sparkling, silvery blue coat and brilliant green eyes
of the Russian Blue draw immediate attention to
this shorthaired breed. But it’s the intelligent and playful
disposition that makes the Russian Blue a perfect pet for most
households.
The Russian Blue is a gentle cat with a somewhat shy nature
around strangers. They are devoted to and affectionate with
their loved ones. Sensitive to their owner’s moods, the Russian
Blue will greet you at the door, find a quiet seat next to you,
or fetch a toy at playtime. In fact, “fetching” is a favorite
pastime for Russians and their owners! Pull out the vacuum
cleaner, and the Russian will find a safer and quieter location.
Relatively quiet-voiced (except perhaps at mealtime), the
Russian Blue appreciates a pat on the head, a window from
which to watch the birds, and, of course, the comforts of
home. Minimal grooming is required; regular nail clipping,
good nutrition, an occasional combing, and lots of petting
keep your Russian Blue pet looking spectacular.
Little is known about the origin of the Russian Blue breed,
though stories are legendary. Many believe the Russian Blue
is a natural breed originating from the Archangel Isles in
northern Russia, where the long winters developed a cat with
a dense, plush coat. Rumors also abound that the Russian
Blue breed descended from the cats kept by the Russian
Czars. Assuming the Russian Blue did migrate from northern
Russia, it was likely via ship to England and northern Europe
in the mid 1860s.
First exhibited at London’s Crystal Palace in 1875 as the
“Archangel Cat,” the original Russian Blue competed with
all other blue cats. In 1912, the Russian Blue was given a
separate class for competition as breeders in England and
Scandinavia worked to develop the foundation bloodlines for
the contemporary Russian Blue. Although Russian Blues were
imported to the United States in the early 1900s, it wasn’t
until after World War II that North American breeders began
combining the European bloodlines to produce cats with
plush, silvery coats, emerald eyes, and the distinctive profile.
From the 1960s, the Russian Blue began gaining popularity
and has become a favorite at cat shows and at home.
One of the features of the short, silky, dense coat is the plush
feel and the lack of constant shedding. The coat color is an
even, bright blue, and each guard hair appears as if dipped
in silver – giving the Russian a silvery sheen and lustrous
appearance. Russian Blues are registered in only one color
– blue – and one coat length – short. In contrast to the blue
coat, the Russian Blue has large, rounded, wide-set eyes that
are vivid green. The head shape is a broad, medium wedge
with a flat top and straight nose in profile. Large ears are wide
at the base and set rakishly toward the side of the head. The
Russian Blue is a medium-sized cat, fine-boned, long, and
firmly muscled.
What makes the Russian Blue more than “any other grey cat?”
The many years of selective breeding and careful registration
of ancestry via pedigrees allowing only blue shorthaired cats
has resulted in a breed with a distinctive appearance and a
unique personality that sets it apart from other cats...making
the Russian Blue an entertaining and affectionate companion
to its family and friends.
When choosing your Russian Blue you should look for
a reputable breeder, who will undoubtedly have a series of
questions for you designed to make sure that you and the
Russian Blue are compatible. Do not be surprised if there
is a wait of some sort. These wonderful family members are
worth it. Usually breeders make kittens available between
twelve and sixteen weeks of age when they have had sufficient
time with their mother and littermates to be well socialized
and old enough to have been fully vaccinated. Keeping your
Russian Blue indoors, neutering or spaying, and providing
acceptable surfaces (scratching posts) for the natural behavior
of scratching are essential elements for maintaining a healthy,
long, and joyful life. For more information, please send
inquiries to CFA at cfa@cfa.org.