Russian Blue

The history of the Russian Blue.
Although there are differences of opinion concerning the origin of the Russian Blue, it is generally assumed that his origin is in the surroundings of the White Archangelsk in the northwest of Russia. Nowadays Russian Blues also occur in the Caucasus area in Russia. It is supposed that trading sailors brought some blue cats to England from the North Russian port Archangelsk around 1860.   

These cats distinguish themselves from the British Blue cats by a longer and rangier body and a less round head.

 They have a rather small, triangular head with a long face. Striking is however their fur, which is exceptionally thick, short, silky and has a silver blue color. Especially the special fur texture, adapted to the pole climate in Archangelsk made the English cat lovers at that time very enthusiastic. That is why they were also called the "Archangel-Blue". Short-haired, uniform blue cats are also found in other regions, with the consequence that the Russian Blue cat is also called the Maltese Blue Cat, the Spanish Blue Cat and the Exotic Blue Cat. In 1880 the Russian Blue appeared on exhibitions for the first time. Despite of considerable differences in the same class, they were inspected as the British Blue Breed.

The British Blue was preferred by the British public and the inspectors of that time because of his fluffy fur and stocky appearance. The Russian Blue got into hot water and went out of fashion. Only in the beginning of this century the breed was valued again by the public and the inspectors. In 1912 finally both breeds were classified in the classes British Blue and Foreign Blue. Foreign Blue became more and more popular until the start of the second world war. Thanks to Mrs. Rochford three breeding cats remained in England. Because of the small population of the Russian Blue in England, crossings with other breeds took place, for example with Blue Siamese and British Blue cats. This, of course, harmed the breed; the specific characteristics disappeared more and more. The amber colored eyes of the original Russian Blue were no longer a characteristic for the breed. In 1950 the British standard of the Russian Blue was revised. Foreign Blue consists of “all types of uniform Blue Siamese cats” which only have little resemblance with the original Russians. In 1965 some Russian Blue breeders decided to give this breed the original appearance again. The standard was revised again. In 1967 the Russian Blue Association was founded. The standard mentions that the “Siamese type” is undesired.    

The character
The Russian Blue cat is often indicated as a “cat for individualists” or a “cat for experts”. The cat’s character also confirms this. It is a cat which makes a balanced impression and which radiates elegance. He is very attached to his owner. For an outsider he may come over as a bit shy. It is a cat which only has few demands concerning his surroundings, and is therefore extremely suitable for a flat. It is however a cat which wants to be respected. His voice is soft. In case of a close relation with his owner it seems like he answers the owner when he talks to the cat.

They hate noise and commotion but they don’t complain. Even if they are adults they still love to play. It is a strong breed with few health problems. In general this breed becomes really perfect, as far as it concerns his appearance, when he grows older.

Characteristics
The most striking characteristic of the Russian Blue is his double fur, which consists of very tight short hair, which some people compare to a young seal.

This fur shows that the Russian Blue cat originally comes from polar areas. The silvery lustre is caused by the uppercoat; the hair points in this area are less pigmented. The color can vary from light-, middle-, to dark blue.

The fur of an adult cat must be uniform blue. Kittens often have tabby stripes in their fur. After about a year they have completely disappeared most of the times. When they are born the kittens have blue eyes and it might last about two years before they get the desired green color. The body is long-drawn-out, strong but elegant with long rangy paws, elegant oval feet and a long, pointed tail. The soles are dark and the noose is slate-colored.  On the long straight neck there is a short, wedge-shaped and flat head. The marked whiskers may give the impression that the chin is located less to the fore. The ears must be large and pointed, almost transparent, wide at the basis and located straight on the head.      

The cat must make a balanced and harmonious impression. During the summer his fur can color a bit brown due to too much sunlight. 
 
This will disappear again. The hair loss isn’t that bad compared to other breeds. The color of his eyes can, for example when he is excited, turn a bit yellow, which is considered to be a fault on exhibitions. The judgment of this breed on exhibitions is often various and more controversial than with other breeds. This shows that the image which people have of the Russian Blue Cat can be very various, despite of the standard.

breedinfo & pictures provided by Cattery Yefpraksiya