Written by Lotta Kragh

History

The Russian Blue is a natural breed that probably has originated  from the Archangel Isles in northern Russia. The breed has had many different names since its first appearance but it was originally known as the Archangel Cat or Foreign Blue. The name Maltese cat has also been used. It is said that they were brought by sailors from the Archangel Isles to England and Northern Europe in the1860's. In 1912, the Russian Blue was given a class of its own in cat shows. From its early origins until after World War II, English and Scandinavian breeders worked to develop the foundation bloodlines for the contemporary Russian Blue. Although Russians were imported to the United States as early as 1900, there is little recorded work with the breed in America until after World War II when American breeders combined the English and Scandinavian bloodlines to produce the Russian Blue we know today.

Type and Characteristics

Body

The Russian Blue is a medium-sized, short-haired cat. The body should be longstretched and elegant in lines and posture. Bonestructure should  be medium coarse and neck long and slender. The legs should be long and slender with small, oval feet. The tail should be moderately long, straight and tapering towards the point.

Head

Short wedge, the scull longstretched and flat, forehead and nose straight forming an angle where they meet. Face should be broad at eyelevel. Cheeks  should be well developed. Strong chin. Ears should be large and rather pointy, almost as wide at base as tall and vertically set. Eyes should be large and  wide set, slightly oval and intensely green.

Coat

The most charesteristic feature for a Russian is its soft, lustrous, bright blue double coat, which is thick and plush. The colour should be blue-gray, even and without shades or stripes.

Temperament

The Russian Blue is often called the quiet cat in literature, but I do not think that owners will agree. The Russian is generally quite talkative and has many different expressions for different occassions. It is not an intrusive cat but rather one that will hide at first when strangers come to the home. It chooses the people it would like to get to know and at that time, could charm almost any catfan. The Russian is quite playful even in older ages rooming around the home after a small piece of paper or a pingpongball. It is a good family cat since it chooses to go away  when too heavily courted.

More Breed Descriptions on the Net

CUI Members and other Links

CFA Breed Profile Russian Blue

Send us your URL so we can add it to our list