Russian Blue Introduction
Russian Blue cat or soviet cat is considered the most regal gem of the cat world. Cat with long nose, short, thick and silver tipped blue colored fur that shines in light along with emerald green eyes that glows in the night light. Due to these beautiful features this cat were kept as pets at the palaces of Russian Czars and was the favorite cat of Queen Victoria.
Their smiles have the ability to capture the attention of people. These are medium sized cats with fine bones. If physicality is concerned, the Russian Blue falls under the same category of cats like the Korat and the Oriental Shorthair. As the name suggests these elegant cats’ have their origins in Russia and are also called by the name Archangel Blues.
History
The most common story about these cats is that Russian Blues originated in Russia and were brought to Britain in 1860 by British sailors from the White Sea Port town of Archangel in North of Russia. There is no evidence to prove these claims, but their thick coat is enough proof to prove that these cats were designed for surviving in the colder conditions and blue shorthair cats are still found in Russia.
That cat blue doesn’t mean that the Russian Blue are related to other solid blue cat breed primarily the Korat, Chartreux, and the British Blue also called as British shorthair. All these breeds have different type of coat and personalities. The Korat, Chartreux and Russian Blues all share the silver blue shine. The Russian Blue also have other color such as russian blue tabby mix or blue and white cat.
This cat made its first appearance in 1871 when these cats were displayed at the Crystal Palace in London. At this cat show it participated under the name Archangel Cat. The Russian Blues of that era were very different from the ones we see today. They possessed short hair, solid blue colored coat that was thick, shiny and dense.
These cats were allowed to participate with other blue short haired cats and were classified into one category of cats, but the Russian Blue always lost the competition to the British Blue that was more popular in those times. The Governing Council of Cat Fancy finally decided to acknowledge this breed and it was in 1912 that the Russian Blue was granted its own class. It was during the World War ll these cats were destroyed and were almost extinct.
In the year 1940 and 1950 two different breeders worked to establish the breed by crossbreeding the Russian Blue with the blue point Siamese and the British blues. Due to the influence of the Siamese the Russian Blue from Britain had a moderate and foreign type body, which was more extreme.
In 1965 British breeders decided to restore the Russian Blue to its original form and in 1966 the show standards were altered and the Siamese type was not acceptable. These breeders decided to breed the Scandinavian cats with green eyes and good head type with the British Russian blues, which had the silver blue coat and stylish body. The result they achieved was consistent to a large extent.
Russian blues landed in America in the early part of 1900s, but it was only in 1947 serious breeding of this cat breed started in the US. Due to various inconsistencies in the breeding program and availability of other blue cats, the Russian Blue didn’t receive the attention that was required. Import from UK improved the stock of Russian Blues and the situation is such that now American Russian blues are exported to European nations.
Cats Traits
The most striking feature that stands out in this cat is their double coat that is silky, thick, and dense that stands out. It is believed that you can even draw pictures on their fur with your fingers and the image will stay on until you decide to smooth their fur.
The guard hair has a silver tip that provides the coat with a shine. Along with the shiny coat these cats also have nice green eyes that make this cat breed exceptionally beautiful. The head is broad with a medium wedge and a flat top. The ears are large at the base and are set at the side of the head.
These grey cats green eyes are medium sized cats weighing in the range of 8 to 15 pounds with males heavier than females. The average life expectancy of this breed is 10 to 15 years.
How much is a russian blue cat? These cats can be purchased in the price range of $500 to $800 from a reputed breeder.
Personality
Russian Blue is gentle and sometimes shy with strangers. These cats are very devoted and affectionate towards their loved ones, and are very sensitive to their owner’s mood. They will greet you at the door and enjoy sitting next to you. These cats enjoy a game of fetch and enjoy sitting on the window pane for watching birds chirping.
They are good companion cats and will follow you around the house. They have different means to entertain themselves, but will enjoy your company. They hate changes in their environment and will generally stick to usual routines. These cats are very particular about their litter boxes and will make their displeasure known to you.
Russian Blue Health and Care
Health wise these cats suffer from no specific problems and are genetically sound breed since they are naturally occurring breed. Even though they have thick double coat you need not brush their hair daily. Weekly once brushing is enough to remove loose hair.
They enjoy human company and will happily sit through the brushing and grooming sessions. These cats love food and will eat more than what is required leading to obesity and related health problems. The best way to prevent overeating is to provide them with limited food at regular intervals or at assigned times.
Russian Blue Cat Behavior
Russian Blues are easy to train and will learn all the tricks quickly. These intelligent cats will learn all your commands quickly and will stick to your orders. They are good companion cats and get along with everyone in the house including children. They will show their happiness when you come home from work making you very happy.
These cats can sometimes be shy towards strangers and in new environments. They are very particular about their hygiene. These are talkative cats, but can meow occasionally.
Russian Blue with Children and Pets
Russian blue cat can get along well with children and even have the ability to make a crying baby laugh. This sensitive nature of these cats is loved by everyone. They love playing with other pets in the house like ferrets, dogs and other cats.
Russian Blue is an intelligent, affectionate, and curious cat breed and is well-known for their friendly nature.
From their distinct blue-gray fur to their playful and curious personalities, Russian Blue cats make amazing companions. They are devoted to their owners, forming deep bonds and constantly seeking affection and attention. Russian Blues are also known for their intelligence and good manners, easily adapting to new environments and learning tricks like fetching or walking on a leash.
However, potential owners should be aware that Russian Blues have high activity levels and may require plenty of playtime as well as regular grooming due to their thick double coat. Overall, Russian Blue cats make wonderful pets for those who can provide them with ample love and care. But ultimately, it’s up to you as the owner to decide if a Russian Blue cat is the right fit for your household. Just remember, every cat is unique in its own way – so do your research and make sure you’re prepared before bringing a new furry friend into your home!
