Russian Blue - Proud, Beautiful and Faithful Soul

Russian Blue - Proud, Beautiful and Faithful Soul 

If you have previous experience with cats and are now looking for a purring roommate for a quiet household, the Russian Blue may be the ideal feline for you. Once they know that you are their human friend, the bond is unbreakable. Perhaps not as beautiful as a kitten as some breeds, with dull grey eyes, however, once fully grown, the natural breed from Russia enjoys admiration from cat lovers all around the world. 

Russain Blue Character 

The Russian blue likes to be left alone mostly and they aren’t keen on too much hustle and bustle going on around them. They are however very intelligent and caring, although you have to earn their trust. The Russian Blue chooses very carefully with whom it spends its time. The cat is just as proud as a Russian human and as picky as a diva. They react shyly and distantly to strangers, but once the empathy is built up, the Russian blue is as loyal as they come. Their high level of intelligence enables them to perform astonishing tricks such as opening cabinet doors independently. The Russian blue also has a very keen eye for playing, even into old age, therefore cat toys must always be readily available.

Russian Blue Posture

Thanks to its calm nature, the Russian blue is satisfied as a house cat when there is a secured balcony. However, they do not want to be alone and need people to pander to them with strokes and petting. They attach great importance to a structured daily routine, however, when the opportunity arises they are perfectly happy cuddling on a bed all day. 

Care of a Russian Blue 

The fur of the Russian blue is unique, only with this specific cat breed is the undercoat and top coat the same length. The fur stands out slightly and the colourless hair tips give it a characteristic shimmer effect. The cats hardly lose any hair, so for grooming, it is enough to brush them weekly. Russian blues are not prone to hereditary diseases, therefore, the life expectancy is quite high at up to 20 years.

History of the Russian Blue 

It's hard to believe that the Russian blue is an organic colour change. The first cats that were bred came from Arkhangelsk, and they brought sailors to Great Britain in 1860. By 1875 the cats were first presented at an exhibition, and by the 1900s the Russian blue was a very popular breed around aristocratic circles. The Russian Blue has had the status of an independent pedigree cat since 1937. By crossing Siamese cats with British and European shorthair’s it was possible to preserve the breed that was in fact almost lost after the Second World War. Today there are three breeding types, the English variant, the Siberian-Scandinavian type and the American Russian blue, which is still not widely kept in Europe.

Colours of the Russian Blue 

The Russian blue is a short-haired cat, the colour of which is an elementary breed characteristic. Therefore, the breeding standard only allows monochrome blue-grey and grey cats. A slight tabby drawing on the tail is accepted.

Profile 

Breed - Russian Blue 

Origin - Russia 

Size - Medium-sized 20cm shoulder height, 40cm length 

Weight - 2.5 - 6kg

Anatomy - Muscular and slim 

Head shape - Angular with big ears 

Eyes - Almond-shaped, bright green/ emerald 

Fur and Colour - Shimmering grey

Grooming - Weekly brushing 

Particularities - Very sensitive, not a beginner cat 

Character - Calm, playful, affectionate and intelligent