Russian Blue Cat Breed Information

The ancestor of a modern Russian Blue cat could purr at the feet of the Russian Tsar Peter the Great, according to Irina Turina. Since then, the Russian Blue has become a popular show breed and a favored family pet all over the world.

  1. History of the Breed

    • Breeders argue about the history of the Russian Blue. The most common theory states that British sailors brought grey-blue cats with tall, sleek bodies from the Archangel Isles of Russia in the 1860s, according to the Cat Fanciers' Association Web site.

    The Breed Development

    • Previously all cats with blue coats competed in the same class in British shows. Russian Blue cats got a separate class in 1912, according to cfa.org.

    The Breed Name

    • First breeders called it an Archangel cat, later it became Maltese or Exotic. Only in 1965 the breed got the name of the Russian Blue, according to Turina.

    The Breed Description

    • The Russian Blue cats have slim bodies with long legs and short silver-blue coats. The head is wedge-shaped with large ears. The eyes are emerald-green. The Governing Council of Cat Fancy in the UK controls the standards.

    Their Character

    • The Russian Blues have a very calm demeanor. They choose to be friends with one or two family members. They tend to be cautious with strangers.