Russian Blue Cat Colors

Russian Blue cats are distinguished by their long, lean bodies and their short, plush coats. The Russian Blues that are accepted officially by most cat breed associations have a unique shimmering blue-gray coat. The only other breeds to have this coloration are French Chartreux, Korat and the British Blue, which is the British Shorthair with a blue coat. Russian Blues are known to be lovable and family friendly.

  1. Russian Blue History

    • The Russian Blue breed of cats originated as a naturally-occurring breed found in Arkhangelsk, Russia. Sailors brought the breed, which was then called the Archangel Cat, to England and Northern Europe in the 1860s. The breed developed in England and Scandinavia until World War II. Breeders then began to bring in other breeds, like Siamese, into the bloodline because there was a shortage of true Russian Blues during the war. These outside additions have been bred out since then. American breeders combined the English and Scandinavian types to create what is now recognized as the modern Russian Blue.

    The Blue Color

    • Russian Blue cats are famous for their blue-gray coats. This coloration is attributed to the diluted expression of the gene that makes other cats' coats black. The diluted color gene washes out the black and instead makes it appear blue in the coats of the cats that carry and express this gene. The silver tips of Russian Blue cats' guard hairs give their coats a shimmering appearance. Their undercoats are described as being soft and downy. The hair of the undercoats is equal in length to the protective guard hairs, so Russian Blues are said to have a "double coat."

    Russian Blues Today

    • Russian Blues are accepted in every major cat registry. The breed has split slightly in Europe and America. European Russian Blues have become larger and more heavily built than their American counterparts. Russian Blue show cats must have dark green eyes and uniformly colored fur. Yellow eyes and white patches on the fur are considered to be flaws. Cats of this breed that are kept as pets are known to be intelligent, active, playful and able to form strong bonds with their owners.

    Other Colors

    • Some cat registries and associations officially recognize Russian Blue cats that come in different colors. Most other associations do not. The Australian Cat Federation and New Zealand Cat Fancy simply call the Russian Blue breed "Russian." They accept cats that are blue, black and white. Russian Whites are expected to have a pure white coat with a translucent sheen and Russian Blackss must have a dense, glossy and jet-black coat. These differently colored cats are expected to have the same body structure and characteristics of Russian Blues.