About the Breed: Russian Blue

Looking for a breed known as much for its brains as for its beauty? You may very well be looking for a Russian Blue. One of the cleverest of all cat breeds, these elegant silvery-grey shorthairs have emerald-green eyes that positively radiate with intelligence and charming faces that appear to be smiling at some secret joke. Easy to care for, easy to live with, Russians don't need a lot of space to feel content, and while they may appear shy at first acquaintance, they quickly blossom into friendly, affectionate companions once they get to know you.

Breed History

Believed to have originated in the Archangel Isles in northern Russia, these cats have very little written history prior to the late 1800s. Russian folklore abounds with stories of these cats as good-luck charms and healing influencers, while other stories indicate they were the beloved pets of Russian royalty, not to mention two English queens. Thought to have been brought to England by sailors, Russians participated in the early English cat shows, but at the time they were called Archangel Cats and competed with all the other solid blue cats. From the early 20th century until World War II, Scandinavian breeders took the lead in developing the breed. After the war ended, U.S. breeders began importing cats from Europe and gradually combined the English and Scandinavian bloodlines to produce the Russian Blue we know today.

Traits

Few other breeds can match the Russian Blue for sheer intelligence, and when it comes to mechanical aptitude, they are at the top of the list. Every closed cabinet, every shut drawer, even sealed canisters or jars represent a tempting challenge to a Russian Blue; owners should never be surprised to find an unexpectedly open door, drawer or jar. It's wise to divert their attention with intellectually-stimulating puzzle toys as well as interactive games. However, they are also loving companions who will seek out a spot on your lap or even ride through the house on your shoulder.

Best suited to quieter environments, many Russians do thrive in noisier households and make friends with other animals. It is typical for a Russian to hide under the sofa when a guest enters the house, but soon its natural curiosity will take over and it will come out to investigate the newcomer. Very sensitive to their owners' moods, Russians will clown around in an attempt to cheer you up or offer gentle purrs and head butts to a crying child. They are good pets for older children, who will let the cat take its time feeling comfortable around them.

Physical Attributes

The luxuriously dense, plush coat of a Russian usually catches your eye first, especially if it is sparkling in the sunlight. The silver tips appear to glisten when the light hits them. Run your fingers through the coat and you'll see that they leave little "footprints" behind. The intensity of the green eye color usually deepens with age. Other features include a medium-long, graceful body, a modified wedge-shaped head with a two-plane profile, and large ears, broad at the base and set far apart. These are medium-sized cats, with males rarely exceeding 10 pounds and females ranging from 5 to 8 pounds.

Grooming

Russian Blues are clean cats who require very little in the way of grooming. Combing two or three times a month will help keep shedding under control and aside from that, you need only keep the claws trimmed and the eyes and ears clean. Occasionally, a coat may become oily or greasy and benefit from a bath; in this case, consult your breeder for product recommendations as every coat is slightly different.

Breed Future

Popular all over the world, this healthy, natural breed is not known to have any specific genetic problems, but some believe the relatively small gene pool may make the cats more susceptible to certain diseases. In addition, Russians have large appetites and if not provided with frequent, interactive exercise, are at risk of becoming obese, which can lead to many other health issues in and of itself. Monitor your Russian's food intake carefully.

Source Information

The information on this page about the Russian Blue breed was sourced from the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA). For more detailed information about the Russian Blue breed standard and characteristics, please visit: https://cfa.org/breed/russian-blue/

If you're interested in adding a Russian Blue kitten to your family, please visit our Available Kittens page or contact us for more information.