Russian Blue

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Russian Blue
1 year old Russian Blue male (American Style)
Alternative names
Archangel Blues
Country of origin
Russia
Breed standard
CFA standard
FIFe standard
TICA standard
AACE standard
ACFA standard
ACF standard
CCA standard
Notes
The ACF and GCCF also recognize Russian Blues in white and black, however the CFA does not.

The Russian Blue is a type or breed of cat that has a silver-blue coat. These cats are known to be highly intelligent and playful but tend to be timid around strangers. They also develop close bonds with their human companions and are highly sought after due to their personalities and unique coat.

Contents

[edit] Origin

The Russian Blue is a naturally occurring breed that originated in the port of Arkhangelsk, Russia.[1] They are also sometimes called Archangel Blues.[2] It is believed that the first Russian Blues were first brought from the Archangel Isles to England and Northern Europe in the 1860s by sailors. The first recorded showing of the breed was in 1875 at the Crystal Palace in England as the Archangel Cat. The Russian Blue competed in a class including all other blue cats, until 1912, when it was given its own class.

The breed was developed mainly in England and Scandinavia until after World War II. During and following World War II, due to a lack of numbers of Russian Blues, some people started cross breeding it with the Siamese. Although the breed was in America before the war, it was not until after World War II that American Breeders created what is known as the modern Russian Blue that is seen in the US today. This was done by combining the bloodlines of both the Scandinavian and English Russian Blues. The Siamese traits have now been largely bred out.

Although they have been used on a limited basis to create other breeds (such as the Havana Brown) or add type to a breed in creation (the Nebelung), Russian Blues themselves are short-haired, blue-grey cats.

During the early 1970s, a solid white Russian Blue (called the Russian White) was created by the Australian breeder, Mavis Jones, through the crossing of a Russian Blue with a domestic white cat.[3] By the late 1970s, the Russian White and Russian Black colors were accepted by cat fanciers in Australia as Russian cats (in different classes). However, in North America, the Cat Fanciers Association, does not recognize either variations of the Russian Blue; only The International Cat Association recognize the Russian Whites and Russian Blacks but in the provisional classes.

[edit] Physical characteristics

The Russian Blue has a lean elongated body and a short, plush, blue-grey coat. The color is a bluish-grey that is the dilute expression of the black gene. The coat is known as a "double coat," with the undercoat being soft, downy, and and equal in length to the guard hairs, which are an even blue with silver tips. Only Russian Blues and the French Chartreux have this type of coat, which is described as thick and wonderfully soft to the touch. The silver tips give the coat a shimmering appearance. Its eyes are almost always a dark and vivid green. Any white patches or yellow eyes in adulthood are seen as faults in show cats.

Russian Blues should not be confused with British Blues (which are not a distinct breed but rather a British Shorthair with a blue coat), nor the Chartreux or Korat which are two other naturally occurring breeds of blue cats, although they have similar traits.

[edit] Behavioral characteristics

The Russian Blue is known for being very intelligent and active animals. They have been known to open doors/windows, play fetch, and are sensitive to basic human emotions. They enjoy playing with a variety of toys and develop extremely loyal bonds to their loved ones. The Russian Blue is also known for getting along very well with other pets and children in a household. They are known also for being quiet and clean animals that are normally shy around strangers, unless they are brought up in a very active household. The males are known to be more active and outgoing than the females according to many breeders.

[edit] Hypoallergenic?

According to some anecdotal evidence from breeders and others, the Russian Blue is hypoallergenic.[4][5] However, no cat is completely nonallergenic.[6]

See also: Cat_allergy#Hypoallergenic_cats

"It is important to dispel two myths about Russian Blue cats" (source: http://www.mishablu.com/AboutRussianBlues.htm)

   "1) Russian Blue cats are NOT hypoallergenic. They are just like any short haired cat which means 

if a person is allergic to cats, they will also be allergic to Russian Blues." (http://www.mishablu.com/AboutRussianBlues.htm)

   "2) Russian Blues DO shed just like any other short haired feline.  Every house cat must shed its fur 

in order to keep its coat in good condition.+ (http://www.russianblue.info/russian_blue_faqs.htm) "Every cat sheds, however you'll find that the Russian Blue sheds very little, provided they are on a good balanced diet. You may see more shedding in spring and fall, while the cat changes seasonal coats."

[edit] References and Sources

  1. ^ >Breed Profile: Russian Blue (html). Retrieved on 2008-05-06.
  2. ^ Alderton, David (1992). The Eyewitness Handbook of Cats. Dorling Kindersley, p. 182. ISBN 1-56458-070-9. 
  3. ^ History of the Russian White (html). North American Russian White Association. Retrieved on 2007-11-29.
  4. ^ Breeder statement: Russian Blues are hypoallergenic (html). Retrieved on 2007-11-30.
  5. ^ They don't shed, … makes them a good choice for people who may have allergies to other breeds. (html). Retrieved on 2007-01-17.
  6. ^ No cat is truly hypoallergenic. (html). Retrieved on 2007-11-30.

http://www.russianblue.info/russian_blue_faqs.htm http://www.mishablu.com/AboutRussianBlues.htm)

[edit] See also

Russian White, Black and Tabby

[edit] External links