12 Issues You Did Not Know Concerning the Russian Blue Cat

Russian Blues are an beautiful, naturally occurring breed. Whereas it’s tempting to name any grey cat a Russian Blue, these cats have a singular look and character that endear them to devotees. Legend has it that the breed originated within the Archangelsk area of northern Russia and was dropped at England by sailors. Queen Elizabeth I is alleged to have had a grey cat, and the younger Romanov Tsarevich Alexei, who suffered from hemophilia, is alleged to have been comforted by a Russian Blue introduced by a sailor.

1. Russian Blues have been first exhibited on the Crystal Palace in England

Russian Blues have been first exhibited on the Crystal Palace in England in 1875 below the identify Archangel or Maltese cat. A blue cat, Bayard, was imported by Mrs. Carew-Cox. Russian Blues weren’t imported to North America till the early 1900s

2. Russian Blues have been bred with Blue-Level Siamese after World Warfare II to bolster the strains

Some Russian Blues are a throwback to Blue-Level Siamese that have been used to re-establish the breed after World Warfare II, resulting in the well-known Dunloe line; some blue home shorthairs have been additionally used. Through the years, the strains have been established and refined. Along with Dunloe, Miribu, Molleby, Felinist, Finlandia, Nordic, and Katzenburg produced excellent strains of Russian Blues; well-known catteries comparable to Velva and Wynterwynd are nonetheless energetic; and Donna Fuller of Tsar Blue died solely just lately. On a private observe, my Russian Blue, Katzenburg’s Tekla, was from the final litter bred by Ingeborg Urcia, and he or she was the final surviving kitty earlier than we misplaced her in 2020 on the age of 17½.

Early “basis” cats—these accountable for establishing the breed—included Pavel of Braheborg and Bayard, in addition to Blue Moon of Molleby and Velva’s Williwinky.

3. Orange eyes have been as soon as acceptable within the Russian Blue look.

Katzenburg’s Tekla, Sally Bahner (U.S.) / Cats.com

However the usual shortly modified to inexperienced because the Russian Blue requirements turned extra refined. The eyes of kittens are blue and steadily change to inexperienced, though some could have a yellow ring. Cats with lighter coats could have eyes which can be a much less vivid inexperienced.

4. Not all grey cats are Russian Blues.

Shelters and adoption organizations usually label grey home shorthairs as Russian Blues to make them extra marketable. In fact, the true option to decide whether or not a cat is a Russian Blue is to view a pedigree. A accountable (and the operative phrase right here is “accountable”) breeder at all times consists of the pedigree when a kitten or cat is bought. As a result of Russian Blues are thought-about a minority breed and are seldom left exterior unsupervised, the possibilities of a Russian Blue “combine” are slim to none. Granted, look-alikes or “wannabes” abound, however when you’ve skilled the true factor, you’re hooked for all times.

However wait—two different breeds do come attired solely in blue coats: the Chartreux and the Korat. Nevertheless, British Shorthairs and Oriental Shorthairs even have blue coats amongst their different coloration varieties.

5. The coat of a Russian Blue is just not strong grey

Look intently. The coat of a Russian Blue is distinguished by its silver tipping, which might be extra obvious in a darker coat. The result’s a silvery sheen that nearly seems as if it have been sprinkled with confectionery sugar. The cats are recognized for his or her thick “double coat,” a smooth undercoat topped with a denser hair coat, leading to an attractive, plush really feel.

6. Russian Blues additionally are available White and Black

Snezhny Dunoe (Snow), Yasmin Wijnands / Cats.com

Although not acknowledged in all cat associations, there are certainly White and Black Russian Blues. Nevertheless, a white Siberian home was integrated right into a breeding program in Australia; Russian Whites and Blacks are extremely popular there. There are even Russian Blue Noticed Tabbies. The coat of a Russian Black is described as a dense, shiny black to the pores and skin, with black nostril leather-based and paw pads. They’ve the genes for a black coat, in addition to particular modifier genes to lighten the black.

Not all registries acknowledge all “Russian” cat colours or place them in the identical class. For instance, the Cat Fanciers’ Affiliation (CFA) and Fédération Internationale Féline (FIFe) solely acknowledge Russian Blues. The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF), the UK-based affiliation, acknowledges Russian White and Russian Black cats, and the American Cat Fanciers Affiliation (ACFA) has distinct breed requirements that separate Russian Blues from Russian Shorthairs in blue, white, and black colours. Some Russian Blacks and Whites are accepted on a “provisional” foundation, pending acceptance into an affiliation.

7. Completely different registries have totally different requirements.

Within the US and internationally, there are the Cat Fanciers’ Affiliation (CFA) and The Worldwide Cat Affiliation (TICA). Throughout the US, there are the American Cat Fanciers Affiliation (ACFA) and Cat Fanciers’ Federation (CFF). The Russian Blue has been a mainstay of acknowledged associations for a few years.

The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) is UK-based; Fédération Internationale Féline (FIFe) and World Cat Federation (WCF) are umbrellas for numerous nationwide registries. The Federation for the Administration of the Official Feline (LOOF) is the French state registry. In Australia, there’s the Russian Cat Council of Australia (RCCA). Nederlandse Raskatten Vereniging (NRKV) is one in every of many independents (not below any of the above umbrellas). In keeping with Maartje Schoenmaker, Alyona Russian Blues, “Unbiased registries” exist throughout Europe, however not all are acknowledged by the umbrella organizations.

8. There are typically two distinct “seems” to Russian Blues: the American/Scandinavian and European/English/Australian.

Barbara Metamorfoza*PL, Anna Stelmaszczyk (Poland) / Cats.com

The American/ Scandinavian “taste” has a extra refined construct and lighter coat. Ears are set extra to the aspect, and the muzzle is narrower. Variations rely upon the requirements of a given affiliation.

The European “taste” is stockier with a darker coat (higher to point out off that silver tipping), with extra distinguished whisker pads and higher-set ears. Once more, there are variations among the many associations,

9. Russian Blues are very clever and bond very intently with their individuals.

Russian Blues’ candy nature makes them straightforward to dwell with. They shortly be taught your routine and at all times acknowledge you with a vibrant chirp. They are often shy and react cautiously when the doorbell rings. As with all cats, correct vitamin and common vet checks are important to their well-being.

10. Russian Blues are a wholesome breed.

A accountable breeder will fastidiously display screen cats for any well being points and supply a well being certificates upon buy. Cats with any well being considerations usually are not used for breeding.

11. Opposite to varied claims, Russian Blues usually are not hypoallergenic.

Gray Silk Uslada, Marina Kovaleva (Russia) / Cats.com

Nevertheless, they could be higher tolerated by allergy victims as a consequence of decrease ranges of glycoprotein Fel d 1, which lessens the histamine response.

The actual perpetrator in cat allergy symptoms is just not the fur, however somewhat tiny allergen particles present in an animal’s dander (useless pores and skin flakes), saliva, and urine. Individuals with allergy symptoms and cats can co-exist by following some commonsense procedures: preserve the cats out of the bed room (yeah, a tricky one…); bathe your cat repeatedly or use wipes or sprays designed to assist with allergy symptoms; use a HEPA filter; wash your arms after petting (and keep away from rubbing your eyes); and vacuum repeatedly utilizing a double or micro-filter bag.

12. The definitive e-book on the Russian Blue breed is “That is the Russian Blue” by the late Ingeborg Urcia of Katzenburg cattery and its subsequent replace, “The Russian Blue Cat.”

The books are chock-full of historic details about Russian Blues and embrace plenty of older pedigrees and cattery mentions. They’re each nonetheless out there on Amazon, though somewhat pricy. One other good useful resource is “Russian Blue Cats As Pets: The Full Proprietor’s Information” by Karola Brecht.