Russian Blue
Russian Blue
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Russian Blue
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Russian Blue
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| The origins of this breed are disputed. Some experts believe that relatively longhaired, blue-coated cats lived along the shores of the White Sea in the Port Arkhangelsk region beginning in the 17th century. In the 1860s, an English or Russian merchant ship may have carried these cats to Great Britain, where they were shown in London as Russian Shorthairs, Archangel Blues (after Arkhangelsk Port), and Blue Foreigns beginning in 1871. Others theories hold that the breed originated instead in the Mediterranean region, like the Chartreux; hence the name Spanish Blue. The breed was officially named the Russian Blue in 1939. Following World War II, Russian Blues were crossed with British Shorthair Blues and particularly with Blue Point Siamese in order to restore the breed. |
| Gentle, somewhat reserved. Extremely soft-spoken, almost unintelligible. Very affectionate with strangers. Can be temperamental. Good physical condition, is firm in muscle tone, and alert. |
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Head
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Head : smooth, medium wedge, neither long and tapering nor short and massive. Muzzle is blunt, and part of the total wedge, without exaggerated pinch or whisker break. Top of skull long and flat in profile, gently descending to slightly above the eyes, and continuing at a slight downward angle in a straight line to the tip of the nose. No nose break or stop. Length of top-head should be greater than length of nose. The face is broad across the eyes due to wide eye-set and thick fur. |
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Eyes
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Large, fairly wide set, almond-shaped (almost round, barely oval). Colour: vivid green. Eye colour in kittens ranges from yellow to green. Definitive color is not attainde before the age of one. |
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Ears
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Rather large and wide at the base. Tips more pointed than rounded. The skin of the ears is thin and translucent, with little inside furnishing. The outside of the ear is scantily covered with short, very fine hair, with leather showing through. Set far apart, as much on the side as on the top of the head. |
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Nose
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Medium in length. |
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Neck
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Long, slender and straight. |
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Body
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Fine boned, long, firm, and muscular; lithe and graceful in outline and carriage without being tubular in appearance. |
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Paw
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Long and fine boned. Firm muscles, paws round or ova according to TICA or FIFe. |
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Tail
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Long, but in proportion to the body. Tapering from a moderately thick base. |
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Coat
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Short, dense, very fine, and plush. Stands out from the body. Soft, silky to the touch. Double coat with a very thick undercoat. Solid, uniform blue-grey colour, with silvery sheen caused by silver tapping. Slate grey nose leather and dark lavender paw pads. |
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Fault
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Square, round or Siamese-like head. Round or yellowish eyes. Weak chin. Massive, stocky body. Tail overly thick at the base. Close lying coat. Tabby markings, white spots. |
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Disqualify
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Kinked or abnormal tail. Locket or button. Incorrect number of toes. Any color other than blue. Long coat. |
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Character
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The standard for the Nebelung (more common in the USA) is the same as that of the Russian Blue, but its double coat is longer and of a lighter blue-grey shade. |
| No genetic problems. Healthy, alert, and physically fit. Dense coat ,makes Russian Blue hardy. |