Russian Blue

Race: Blue Russian

Nationality: Probably from Asia

Standards:
Weight: 3 to 5.5 kg
Type of hair: short double coat

Standards colors: Blue-gray color, plain and sharp with a silver reflection (tipping silver). Ghost
tabby marks are tolerated in kittens and disappear near the age of one. There are black and white
variations developed in Europe and New Zealand, recognized by the GCCF but not by FIFe and American
associations.

Origins and history: Since the 17th century, blue-furred cats lived on the shores of the White Sea in the
region of the port of Archangel. Towards 1860, an English or Russian merchant boat brought these cats
back to Great Britain , which were exhibited in 1871 in London under the names of Russian Shorthair,
Archangel Blue (in reference to the port of Arkhangelsk), or Blue Foreign. According to other theories,
this breed originated in the Mediterranean Basin, as the Carthusian, which is why they were nicknamed
Cat of Malta, Blue of Spain, etc. The name of Blue Russian was formalized in 1939. After the Second
World War, crosses were made with the Blue British Shorthair and especially with the Siamese blue
point in order to save the race. Its morphology recalls the oriental type. In Europe, particularly in 1960's
England, we witnessed the return of the original type with a shorter body and a darker coat. The
American breeders created a lighter cat, with head, body and legs very thin and with a lighter coat.
Otherwise, in the 80's in the United Stats, after different crossings, a Blue Russian with mid-length hair,
called Nebelung, which means "creature of the mist", appeared. This rare variety was recognized as a
new breed in 1987 by TICA.

Personnality: The Blue Russian is a bright, athletic and playful cat who loves the calm and hates noise as
well as agitation. Independent, careful and authoritarian, it does not tolerate constraint. Sociable but
reserved, he does not appreciate strangers. Sensitive, affectionate, and rather exclusive, with a soft
voice. He adapts well to life in an apartment, but since he is a great hunter, he appreciates a garden.

Note: Prolonged sun exposure tends to brown their coat. They are sexually precocious and the
English descent are supposedly more prolific than the American. Maintenance is easy: a polishing once a
week is sufficient. The eye color of the kittens is established late.