Emma Jones
If you’re looking for a purring roommate for a quiet household and have some experience with cats, the Russian Blue might be the ideal cat breed for you. Once she has taken her people to heart, the bond is strong. However, the Russian Blue is not so beautiful from birth but is usually born with gray eyes and mackerel. Originating as a natural breed in Russia, the graceful animals are now admired by cat lovers all over the world.
Russian Blue: character
The Russian Blue likes to be left alone. She doesn’t like too much hustle and bustle around her. She turns out to be smart and very affectionate. However, you have to earn their trust: The Russian Blue chooses very consciously who they spend their time with. The silver paw is just as proud as a Russian and selective as a diva. She tends to be shy and distant towards strangers. But once the sympathy is established, the Russian Blue is a loyal soul. Their high level of intelligence enables them to perform amazing feats such as opening cupboard doors on their own. The Russian Blue loves to play, even into old age. Cat toys should therefore not be missing in the flatshare with the Russian Blue. Despite their considerable jumping ability, Russian Blue cats are very cautious – you don’t have to worry about damage to porcelain when she goes exploring.
Russian Blue: Attitude
Thanks to their calm nature, the Russian Blue is content as an indoor cat if there is a secured balcony. But she doesn’t want to be alone and needs her people and fellow dogs close by – plus regular stroking. She attaches great importance to a structured daily routine. When the opportunity arises, she loves to sleep under covers – preferably in bed.
Care of the Russian Blue
The coat of the Russian Blue is unique: only in this cat breed are the undercoat and topcoat of the same length. The fur, therefore, stands out slightly, and the colorless tips of the hair result in the characteristic shimmering effect. The cats hardly shed any hair, for grooming it is enough to brush them once a week. Give your cat massage sessions at the same time. Russian Blues are not prone to hereditary diseases. The Russian Blue life expectancy is quite high at up to 20 years.
Colors of the Russian Blue
The Russian Blue is a short-haired cat whose color is an elementary characteristic of the breed. Therefore, the breed standard only allows monochromatic blue-grey and gray animals. A slight tabby marking on the tail is tolerated.
History of the Russian Blue
Hard to believe: Russian Blue is a natural color. The first breeding animals come from Arkhangelsk; Sailors brought them to Britain in 1860. In 1875 the cats were presented for the first time at an exhibition. Already around 1900, the cats, now officially called Russian Blue, were popular both at the Tsar’s court and in British aristocratic circles. Since 1937, the Russian Blue has had the status of an independent pedigree cat. By crossing Siamese, British and European Shorthairs, it was possible to preserve the breed, which was almost lost after the Second World War. Today there are three breed types: the English variant, the Siberian-Scandinavian type, and the American Russian Blue, which is still not very common in Europe.
Peculiarities of the Russian Blue
As kittens, Russian Blue cats are also little whirlwinds – with age, the temperament also sets.