Russian Blue
Other names: Russian, Maltese Blue, Norwegian Blue
#12
Wamiz's Top Breed
This elegant feline with a dark blue coat, which appears to be sprinkled with silver, loves to cuddle. Quiet and reserved, the Russian Blue will be the perfect companion to anyone that will offer their time and a tranquil home. This cat is not designed for a hectic and busy life.
Key facts about the Russian Blue
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Origins and history
Like many other cat breeds, mystery surrounds the origins of the Russian Blue. No one knows whether it is Soviet, British, Scandinavian or even Mediterranean! One of the first hypotheses, and the most frequently cited, is that several individuals were imported from the Russian port of Arkhangelsk by sailors who sold them to the British in 1860. Like other breeds, the Second World War nearly wiped out the Russian Blue, but British and Scandinavian breeders kept them going. Several cross breeds, particularly with Siamese, changed the standard of the Russian Blue in the '50s. In France, this gorgeous cat appeared over the last century but was only officially recognized in the 80s. Due to the of the colour of their coats, they were for a long time outshone by the Chartreux or even British breeds.
Physical characteristics of the Russian Blue
Adult size
Female : Approximately 12 in
Male : Approximately 12 in
Weight
Female : Between 4 and 7 lb
Male : Between 7 and 11 lb
Coat colour
Black / seal, blue / grey-slate, white
The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) permits all the above colours. Other federations - such as the American one - only permit blue. In competition, judges generally look for the clearest shades of blue. Blue and white coated cats appear shiny as their hairs are silver tipped. Seal coloured cats have hairs that are black at the root.
Type of coat
Their coats are short and dense as they have a thick undercoat.
Eye colour
Their eyes should be as intense green as possible.
Description
Russian Blues are elegant cats with graceful and muscular bodies. Their small round feet tip their long, thin legs. Their tails are thick at the base, and gradually narrow into a tapered point. Their physique is well proportioned, and their faces are angular. The corners of their mouths are slightly raised, giving them their charming smiles. Their straight noses and wide foreheads meet at a convex angle at their eyebrows and their ears are as long as they are wide.
Good to know
There is a variety of Russian Blue with mid length fur. They are known as Nebelung cats, which means "creature of the mist" in German. This variety was born in the 80s in the United States. The blue color is still dominant, although generally a lighter shade but, like its cousin, the Nebelung only exists in blue.
Temperament
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Affectionate
Very loving towards their owners, the Russian Blue can curl up in their owners lap for hours on end.
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Playful
This calm breed can still be active and playful when they want to be. They are also very good hunters.
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Calm
Russian Blues are very calm cats, who love to spend long winters days in front of a fireplace or the next best heat source!
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Intelligent
You may need to tempt them, but they can be good learners due to their liveliness.
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Fearful / wary of strangers
Quite timid in nature, they can often be wary of unknown people. It generally takes some time for them to adapt.
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Independent
They’re generally very attached to their owners and absolutely hate being left alone. A person who has lots of time to dedicate to their cat would be their ideal owner.
Behaviour of the Russian Blue
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Chatty
Their noises are usually sweet and melodious. In general, females are more chatty than their male counterparts but their meows are still so quiet that often they are considered mute!
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Need for exercise / Sporty
Like all cats, they need daily activity. However, they are generally quite quiet cats and as they normally have big appetites, the use of an interactive bowl is recommended. This will occupy them and regulate their consumption, so it’s perfect for the Russian Blue!
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Tendency to run away
As they’re usually clingy cats, they will rarely venture far from their owners.
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Greedy / Gluttony
Russian Blues have a big appetite, and they’re generally fond of the finer things in life.
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Is the Russian Blue right for you?
take the testCompatibility
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Russian Blue and cats
Their calm nature allows them to easily adapt to life with other cats. However they must be introduced well at the start of their relationship to make sure they get along with each other.
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Russian Blue and dogs
This elegant breed gets on very well with dogs, provided that they are properly presented to one another and that the cat has enough high hiding spots in the house to retire to when needed.
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Russian Blue and children
Due to their calm and timid nature, they don’t really get on that well with children because they generally don’t like the noise.
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Russian Blue and the elderly
Maltese Blues are a perfect cat to keep an elderly person company. They are renowned for easily adapting to living in apartments, as long as they’re sufficiently stimulating and offer them high points and cozy corners!
Price
A Russian Blue kitten costs between £350 and £800 depending on their lineage, upbringing, age and sex. They cost around £25 / month to keep them healthy, and to provide them with high quality food.
Grooming
A simple weekly brush is enough to maintain the beautiful silver fur of the Russian Blue. A weekly ear and eye cleanliness check is also required.
Shedding
This breed doesn’t lose much hair. Regular brushing will prevent the formation of hairballs in the cat’s intestines.
Nutrition of the Russian Blue
Due to their big appetites, their food should be chosen with care, taking into account their age and activity levels. Using an interactive bowl to distribute the food will regulate their food intake and therefore limit weight gain. It is important to choose a nutrient-rich and good quality food. They are also very fond of small “homemade” dishes.
Health of the Russian Blue
Life expectancy
13 to 20 years on average. They are generally robust cats.
Strong / robust
Their fur allows them to resist cold weather. Historically, they were hunted due to the excellent insulating and waterproof qualities of their fur.
Tendency to put on weight
Their big appetites can cause obesity if not monitored and controlled. Interactive bowls are highly recommended to manage their food consumption levels.
Common illnesses
The Norwegian Blue is not subject to any hereditary diseases, and is not predisposed to other particular disease. They are still at risk of developing the same illnesses as other cats though, such as oral problems.
Reproduction
The GCCF permits cross breeding between two Russians Blues only.