Russian Blue Cat Description

Originally called the archangel cat, the Russian blue was first shown in England in 1875. The Russian blue has many features that are similar to that of the American domestic shorthair cat, but a close study of the cat's features and personality makes this cat easily distinguishable.

  1. Features

    • The Russian blue cat always has clear, dark green eyes and a coat that is a solid, bluish gray. The individual hairs may be tipped with white or silver, which gives the Russian blue's coat a signature color and shine. The fur itself is short and thick, and the foot pads may be mauve or lavender pink. This breed's ears are set far apart and are wide at the base.

    Considerations

    • Russian blues were not produced through breeding. They are a natural breed that was thought to originate on the Archangel Islands of Russia. After the breed arrived in England, they were bred to reinforce the desired traits. For a brief period after World War II, when the breed's numbers had declined drastically, blue-point Siamese were introduced to increase the genetic ranks. Due to this relatively consistent breeding, Russian blues have a very uniform look, with the exception being the occasional Russian blue that shows darker points on its paws and muzzle due to the Siamese influence.

    Personality

    • The Russian blue is a curious, intelligent cat that can become very attached to the members of its family. They require a great deal of attention from the people that they are bonded to, but they are more indifferent and even aloof with strangers. They are not suitable for homes with many cats due to their independent personality.

    Russian Blues at Shows

    • Due to their independent personality, some Russian blues are not good for cat shows. Some members of the breed will become stressed and exhausted, and some will even become hostile. They can be easily overwhelmed by the new smells and sites and the presence of strangers can increase the stress that they feel. You should take care to show only cats that can deal well with this kind of stress.

    Misconceptions

    • Many people believe that any smoky-gray cat is a Russian blue. However, despite their resemblance to the American domestic shorthair, Russian blues are a distinct breed. A purebred Russian blue always has a pedigree, and it will always have the signature gray fur and green eyes. Similarly, if a cat has a parent that is not the same gray color, it is not a Russian blue.