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Abbreviation:

Russian Blue

FIFe:

RUS

Place of Origin:

Russia

Ancestors:

Domestic cats

Breed type:

Short-haired cat

Body type:

Moderately Oriental

Weight:

3 - 5.5 kg

Colourful variety:

Blue, black and white

History: Unless the breed is originated in Russia, its origin is not established with all certainty. Most likely, cats with blue hair appeared two hundred years ago in the surroundings of Archangelska, the Russian port town near the White Sea. In the middle of the 19th century, the English merchants took with them to the UK, where they were first named Archangel Cat. Later, due to the Russian Revolution and the lack of interest the English people in anything Russian, the breed was nicknamed Blue Foreign.

After World War II, only a few cats survived like typical breed specimen. Therefore, Siamese had to be crossed with blue badges. As a result, the Russian Cat became too soft and began to look more and more like a blue Oriental short-haired cat with a smooth, suited coat. That's why, in the mid-1960s, a group of cat lovers decided to try to re-breed the original Russian type and their efforts were successful. Today, the Russian Blue cat has little match with Oriental Cats. Besides England, breeding of this breed spread to Sweden and the United States of America and to the rest of Europe. The Czech breed of Russian Cats belongs to Europe's top.

Temperament: The nature of the Russian Blue Cat is quite unique and it cannot be compared to any other breed. Although they are long time very playful, they are otherwise very calm cats. They like comfort and it can lie for hours in a well-chosen place. Most of them do not like noise and shout, they like a quiet life. In families with adolescent children they will not feel too happy. Russian Cats are not too friendly with strangers, but they are very close to family members. With other cats, they usually get well, as well as with dogs.

Body: A relatively long body may not look too coarse or too gentle. It has an elegant look. The legs are long, with small oval paws. The long tail fits into the tip, but it must not be too wide. The broad head with a strong chin makes a short wedge. The very large ears have a wide base and are set high. The inside of the ears is very low or not even covered. The nose has the smallest profile and extends without the crown of the skull. Widely spaced eyes are almond-shaped. They must not be too small.

Coat: The double coat of the Russian Blue Cat is short, soft and silky. However, the coat should not be too smooth or tight. She must quit to emphasize the fine structure. It cannot be compared to any other breed.

Care: The Russian Blue Cat's coat is occasionally brushed with a soft brush. Excessive combing or work with a rubber glove outside the moulting period can damage the delicate undercoat. It is necessary to clean the ears, if necessary and cut claws regularly.

Colour variants: Russian Blue Cat is found in more colour varieties, FIFe recognizes it only in blue.

• Blue: This is the oldest, most well-known and most popular colour. The coat should be blue-grey with a gentle silver touch. The suggestion of pattern or presence of white colour is considered as a mistake. Blue-grey are also the pads of the paws and the nasal mirror. The eyes should be intensely green colour.
• White: The coat is pure white, the noses and the pads of the paws are pink. Eyes can be green, blue or multi-coloured (one eye green and one blue).
• Black: The coat is pure black, the nasal mirror and the paw pads are dark. Even with this colourful variety, the eyes are characteristically green.