Nebelung

The Nebelung is a characteristic and elegant cat, which seems to have escaped out of a fairy tale. The name Nebelung (German for fog creature) perfectly suits his mist-colored fur.

Origin
The American basis of the Nebelung was created by Siegfried (1984) and Brunhilde (1985). Elsa, the mother of both Siegfried and Brunhilde, was a black short-haired house cat whose father resembled a black angora cat. She was serviced by a tomcat which showed similarities with a Blue Russian. Six kittens were born out of this nest, one with half-long-hair, named Siegfried (see below). Siegfried was a special cat. He had the characteristics of a Blue Russian, however combined with half-long-hair.
Five months later Elsa gave birth to a nest with the same father. Seven kittens were born. Two of them had half-long-hair. One of them was black and the other was blue (Brunhilde).

Brunhilde had silky hair which was lighter than the Siegfried’s hair. Cora Cobb was so impressed by these kittens that she felt that this could be the possible beginning of a new breed.

Cora therefore contacted a geneticist within TICA. This geneticist Mr. Solveig Pfleuger indicated that the breed could best be described as a half-long-haired Blue Russian.

Supported by Mr. Pfleuger Cora Cobb started to write the breeding standard according to the directions of the Blue Russian, however with one difference: Hair length.

In 1995 Cora meets a lady who saw a Russian Nebelung, born out of two Blue Russian parents on a show in Moscow. This confirms the suspicion that the Nebelung is just as natural as the Blue Russian, but because of the fact that the long-hair gene is recessive it only manifests itself rarely.

Some time passes, before Cora discovers the origin of this Russian Nebelung and can buy a Nebelung from this breeder
(Cattery Zimnji Den), Winterday Georgin of Nebelheim.

The Nebelung is acknowledged by the TICA, TCA, WCF and the independent catteries in Holland. At this moment there are Nebelung breeders in the USA, Russia, Germany and Holland and these countries co-operate on a broad genetic basis.

The Blue Russian (the only breed which is allowed to use for crossings with Nebelungs) is used for broadening the breed. Kittens out of these crossings may only be used for breeding Nebelungs.

Character Nebelung
The Nebelung is a happy, playful, affectionate and intelligent cat. Despite of the fact that it concerns an active cat, he can live inside the house as well. The Nebelung is very attached to his owner and reserved towards strangers. It is a cat which loves company from people or congeners.

Appearance and care
The breeding standard of the Nebelung is identical to the standard of the Blue Russian, except for one difference: hair length. The ears are positioned high on the head, the almond-shaped green eyes, the jagged profile and well-developed whiskers together with the characteristic half-long-haired double fur characterize this breed. The fur doesn’t need much care, despite of the length. Brushing now and then is necessary, but this doesn’t need to take place daily.

Kittens
In Holland there are some breeders who breed the Nebelung. This only takes place on a small scale, so that the kittens will get enough love and attention. That is why you sometimes need to be patient if you wish to purchase a kitten.