Mary Allen
This old breed of cat was already popular at the court of the tsars and was given away from royal house to royal house. Find out everything about the origin, character, nature, keeping, and care of the Russian Blue cat breed in the profile.
The Appearance Of The Russian Blue
The body of the Russian Blue is long and medium slender. Contour and posture should be graceful. The coat of the Russian Blue is “double”; In technical terms, this means that the topcoat and the undercoat are of the same length. This creates a short, soft coat with an unmistakable, plush texture. The color is blue with a silvery sheen. The nose leather and the balls of the feet should also be blue. Any shade of coat, white patches, or tabby ghost markings is undesirable. White and black Russian Blues are also bred today, but they are logically not – or not yet – recognized by the FIFé.
Ideally, the eyes should be a lively, bright green. They are also quite a wide set and almond-shaped. The flexible ears of the Russian Blue are large and pointed. The standard calls for them with a broad base and set perpendicular to the head. The whisker pad is particularly prominent and gives this breed a distinctive facial expression.
The Temperament Of The Russian Blue
The nature of the Russian Blue is considered affectionate and gentle, but her friends also attest to another face. Namely, that of a wild, untameable who is better not to get too close without being asked. Yes, mysterious and unapproachable, that’s just the way she is, and at the same time typically kitty, the fans rave. The Russian appreciates cuddles and likes to cuddle, but basically, she is reserved and shy around strangers. This unobtrusiveness, paired with cuddliness, is what makes them very special for many cat lovers.
Keeping And Caring For The Russian Blue
As far as keeping is concerned, the calm pedigree cat is relatively uncomplicated. The short coat requires little maintenance. An extensive brushing action once a week for a massage and to remove dead hair – that’s really all that’s needed. Living with other cats is usually not difficult either. The Russian Blue usually knows how to defend its position and behaves confidently, calmly, and evenly towards its peers. Even if the cats are reserved and extremely independent, they should not be left alone too much. If you keep the agile velvet paw as a pure apartment cat, then the following applies variety. Climbing opportunities and preferably a secured balcony should be available.
Disease Susceptibility Of The Russian Blue
The Russian Blue is generally a healthy cat. Like any other cat, they can also become ill, but as a rule, they are not very susceptible to hereditary diseases. In order for the cat to remain healthy, it must be vaccinated against cat flu and cat disease every year. If the Russian Blue is allowed to roam freely, it also needs vaccinations against rabies and leucosis.
Origin And History Of The Russian Blue
This old breed of cat was already popular at the court of the tsars and was given away from royal house to royal house. Every country she came to – Denmark, Italy, England – immediately claimed the beautiful blue one, and so it was that she was known by a variety of names for a long time, although her origin, it is said, was in Russia.
It was not until around 1900 that a uniform name was agreed upon: Russian Blue in all languages, i.e. simply Bleu Russe in France or Blue Russian Cat in England. After World War II, the breed’s population dwindled to just a few, so desperate breeders crossed into Blue Point Siamese to preserve them. Unfortunately, the texture of the fur and the typical stature of the Russian suffered as a result. Breeders today try to breed out the Siamese touch again through selection.
Did You Know?
The Russian Blue is said not only to have spread through the royal houses. Much earlier, so cat lovers like to tell, the velvet paw had already traveled to many countries. Before the turn of the millennium, by the Vikings, she came to the western world. The fascinating cat also rattled from place to place on bumpy paths in the covered wagon of traveling salesmen, and later she sailed the seven seas as a ship’s cat and mouse catcher.