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From: Eric Johnson <[email protected]>
Subject: rec.pets.cats:  Russian Blue  Breed-FAQ
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Last-modified: 12 Mar 1997

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                             The Russian Blue

    _________________________________________________________________

    Author: Eric Johnson, [email protected]
    Copyright (c) 1996 by Eric Johnson.  All rights reserved.

    _________________________________________________________________

   "The Doberman Pinscher of Cats," one judge exclaimed as he placed this
   elegant creature on his judging table. The Russian Blue male stretched high
   on his slim long legs, gracefully extended his lengthy muscular body,
   turned his majestic head toward the spectators and imparted a serpent type
   gaze with his vivid green eyes. Oohs! and Ahs! were expressed by the
   captivated spectators, overwhelmed by the countenance of this magnificent
   breed. The Russian with his regal bearing, instantly loses his dignified
   pose when a fluffy feather comes into view. Like a kitten he playfully and
   swiftly snags the feather with lightning accuracy. He tilts his head to one
   side and prankishly swats at the feather with a subtle sense of humor that
   never ceases to delight and amuse.

  -- Marge Jackson, _CFA Yearbook: 1988_

    _________________________________________________________________

 Size and Appearance

  The Russian Blue is a medium-sized, short-haired cat. It is fine
  boned, and it has graceful lines. The coat is, of course, blue -- with
  silver tipping on each hair that gives a lustrous appearance -- and
  the coat is thick and plush. The eyes are green.

    _________________________________________________________________

 Personality and Temperament

  Russian Blue cats are intelligent, quiet, and sensitive. They are
  clean and shed very little. They love to play with small toys around
  the house, and they enjoy jumping and climbing, but -- unlike some
  other playful breeds -- Russians are rarely destructive. Because they
  are intelligent, they can train their people to perform simple tasks
  such as throwing toys so that the Russians can retrieve them. They are
  agile, light-footed cats that may seem to fly around the house with
  the grace of a dancer.

  Russian Blues easily bond with their people and are loyal to those who
  love them -- frequently following them from room to room to be near
  them. Russians show their affection in a variety of ways. Some enjoy
  leaping onto the shoulder of their person and riding there. Other
  Russians are eager to butt heads with their person. These sensitive
  cats seem genuinely hurt when they come to their people to show
  affection and are put aside.

  Because the basic temperament of Russian Blues ranges from slightly
  reserved to quietly shy, they may be cautious or nervous around
  strangers. Russians prefer to take their time to investigate new
  people. In addition, although they are basically gentle cats,
  neglected or stressed Russians may become fearful and temperamental.

  It pays off to put time into developing an affectionate relationship
  with a Russian Blue. People who have known other breeds often remark
  on the special close and deep bonding that they feel with their
  Russians.

    _________________________________________________________________

 History

  The Russian Blue is a natural breed (that is, it is not the result of
  crossings with other breeds). As its name suggests, the Russian Blue
  is believed to have originally come from Russia. Since the cat was
  thought to have been brought to England on ships that left the Russian
  port on Archangel Isle, the breed has been called the Archangel cat.
  Although evidence of its Russian origin is anecdotal, its dense coat
  is consistent with a northern climate. In England in the late
  nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the Russian Blue was
  sometimes known as the Foreign Blue because its body type resembles
  that of foreign (European) breeds; it has also been called the Maltese
  cat.

    _________________________________________________________________

 Health

  Typically, Russian Blues are hearty, healthy cats, and with proper
  diet, exercise, veterinary care, and affection, they are capable of
  living well into their teens and beyond. There are no genetic problems
  associated specifically with the Russian Blue, and as a breed they are
  not prone to any particular illnesses, but, as with any breed, some
  lines may be prone to certain health problems. Russians are good
  eaters, and therefore it is easy for them to gain weight and become
  much too heavy; it may be advisable to measure and limit the food
  intake of adult Russians.

    _________________________________________________________________

 Showing Russian Blues

  Some Russians seem to enjoy showing, and most Russians will tolerate
  showing, especially if it is done on a regular basis starting when
  they are kittens. However, because they tend to be a shy breed, many
  Russian Blues are not eager to travel to peculiar-smelling show halls
  and to be handled by strangers. Under the stress of a show, they can
  become frightened and upset.

    _________________________________________________________________

 Formal Description and Show Standards

  The breed standards for the Russian Blue are similar in each
  association in North America (ACFA, CFA, CFF, and TICA), but the
  European standards (FIFe and GCCF) are significantly different from
  the North American standards -- and from each other. Those who intend
  to enter Russian Blues in competition should obtain a copy of the
  standards from the association in which they will exhibit. The
  following is based on the standards of the ACFA.

  _General_:
         The Russian Blue cat is distinct from all other breeds. The
         truest criterion is its soft, lustrous, bright blue double
         coat. Handling a Russian Blue feels like running a silk scarf
         through your hands. Gentle and shy, often playful in manner,
         its voice is soft and sweet. They prefer gentle but firm
         handling and are easily startled.

  _Head and Neck_:
         Forehead high, top of skull flat and narrow, smoothly curving
         into back of neck. Face broad at eye level, looks broader due
         to thick fur at side of head. Medium length straight nose looks
         upturned from almost any view except profile due to light
         reflection. Neck is long but does not appear so in repose, due
         again to thick fur.

  _Ears_:
         Rather large, almost as wide at the base as they are tall and
         set far apart as much into side as top of head. Ears look
         pointed as hair tufts finish off where slightly rounded tips
         stop. Inside furnishings cover approximately one-half of the
         otherwise bare, translucent ear area. Outside of ears
         completely covered with short, fine hair.

  _Eye Shape and Set_:
         Almost round, just oval enough to show oriental slant. Set one
         eye width or more apart.

  _Body_:
         Fine boned, long, svelte and graceful. Appears heavier in
         repose due to supple skin and lie of thick coat. Muscular in
         the manner of a swimmer rather than that of a wrestler.

  _Tail_:
         Straight, rather long, tapering from rather thick base.

  _Legs and feet_:
         Long, fine-boned legs with small, neat, well-rounded feet. Cat
         appears to stand and walk on tiptoes.

  _Coat Texture_:
         Short, dense, fine and plush. Lies out from body due to thick
         undercoat.

  _Color; Coat, Nose, Skin and Pads_:
         The coat is an even, bright blue throughout with lighter,
         lavender color preferred. Guard hairs are silver tipped thus
         giving the coat a lustrous appearance. There must be no white
         anywhere on the cat. Ghost tabby markings are permitted on
         kittens. Nose leather is charcoal grey, body skin is pale blue
         and pads are rosy flesh pink.

  _Color; Eyes:_
         As vividly green as possible at maturity. Russian Blue kitten
         eyes change rapidly through yellow to green. By four months, a
         green ring should appear around pupil. Cats whose eyes are not
         completely vivid green should be penalized, the amount
         determined by the quantity and vividness of green as well as by
         the age of the cat. No green in eyes -- full penalty.

    _________________________________________________________________

 Russian Blue Breeders and Clubs

  Lists of Russian Blue breeders and their advertisements can be found
  in magazines such as _Cat Fancy_, _Cats Magazine_, and _Cats USA_.
  Information about the Russian Blue Society and its newsletter can be
  obtained from Patt Knudtson, 1602 Southbrook Drive, Wadena, MN
  56482-2144 (218-631- 3421).

    _________________________________________________________________

 Buying a Russian Blue

  Like the price of other breeds of cats, the price of a Russian Blue is
  based on the cat's quality, and various breeders may have
  significantly different prices. A pet quality Russian Blue kitten will
  be sold for one price. The price for a show quality cat or kitten will
  be much higher -- especially for top show quality. The price of
  Russians sold for breeding (they may or may not be good show cats)
  will also be much higher than that of a pet quality cat. Anyone who is
  considering purchasing a Russian Blue should contact a breeder for
  details. If possible, it is ideal to personally visit a breeder: not
  only to see a cat that might be purchased, but also to see other cats
  with the same blood lines.

    _________________________________________________________________

 References

  "America's Russian Blue," _Cat Fancy_, July 1983, pages 28- 33.

  "Breed of the Month: THE RUSSIAN BLUE," by J. Anne Helgren, _Cats
  Magazine_, March, 1996, pages 54-55, 60, 75.

  "Breed Profile: The RUSSIAN BLUE," by Diana Doernberg, _Cat Fancy_,
  July, 1996, pages 32-33 plus insert. [INLINE]

  "The Cats of Wynterwynd . . . Russian Blues," by Dorothy Holby, _Cat
  Fancy_, November, 1986, pages 40, 42-45.

  "Poetry in Motion," by Marge Jackson, _CFA Yearbook_, 1988, 131-138.

  _The Russian Blue Cat_ by Ingeborg Urcia, 1992.

  _This is the Russian Blue_ by Ingeborg Urcia, 1983.


    _________________________________________________________________

   Russian Blue FAQ
   Eric Johnson, [email protected]
   Last updated on December 7, 1996

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