Cat Information index - covering cat insurance for every breed and cat breeding and showing information

SHORT HAIRED CATS

SHORT-HAIRED RUSSIAN BLUE

This is one of the Foreign breeds of short-haired cats, very attractive to look at, with a soft close-lying coat of a seal-like appearance. It is thought that these cats came to Britain many years ago, being brought from Russia by sailors on cargo ships trading between Archangel and this country. They were known as the Archangel cats of the Blue Foreign Type, and it was not until after the last war that the name Russian was adopted. It must be appreciated that the Russian Blues seen in Britain today are the result of many years of selective breeding, and that the name ‘Russian’, like ‘Abyssinian’, does not imply country of origin.
They have slender bodies, flat and narrow skulls with receding foreheads, and vivid green eyes, almond in shape, set rather wide apart. The faces on the graceful slender necks should be long, with large and pointed ears, wide at the base. There should be very little hair inside the ears. The colours of the coats vary from medium to dark blue and must be the same all over. The fine bones and slender well-proportioned bodies make these cats look extremely distinguished.
The hind legs of this breed are much longer than those of the British short-hairs. The dainty feet should be small and oval. In an endeavour to bring this breed to perfection, various out-breedings have been tried, but not always with great success, although matings with Blue-pointed Siamese have given some improvement.
Good Russian Blues have been bred in Denmark, and they are typical of the breed, with lustrous coats of good colour, well-shaped bodies, and excellent eye colour. Some have been sent to Sweden and exhibited there most successfully. It would be a good thing for British breeders if some of the Danish stock could be brought here and mated with the best of the breed, but there is the question of the six months’ quarantine, which makes importation an expensive business. Also the long solitary confinement is a great trial to a cat.
The Russian Blue makes a hardy, affectionate and intelligent cat.

Standard Points

Colour Clear blue, even throughout, and in maturity free from
tabby markings or shadings. Medium blue is preferred. 20

Coat and
Condition Short thick and very fine, standing up soft and silky like
seal skin. Very different from any other breed. Coat is double
so that it has a distinct silvery sheen. The texture and appearance
of the coat is the truest criterion of the Russian Blue. 25

Body, Build
and Tail Body long and graceful in outline and carriage. Medium
strong bone. Tail fairly long and tapering. 25

Leg and
feet Legs long. Feet small and oval.

Head and
ears Head short wedge, with flat skull; forehead and nose straight,
forming an angle. Prominent whisker pads. Ears large and
pointed, wide at base and set vertically to the head. Skin of
ears thin and transparent, with very little inside furnishing. 15

Eyes Vivid green set rather wide apart, almond in shape. 15

Faults White or tabby markings; cobby or heavy build; square
head; yellow in eyes. Siamese type is undesirable.