Russian Blue Cats

History

This cat is an all Blue variety, but the coat texture and colour are different from any other blue cat. It is a cat thought to have originated from Archangel (Archangel'sk) in Russia, hence its other name, Archangel cat. Cats with similar coat colour can be found in Scandinavia, so it is possible that the cat breed did originate in Russia and travelled to Europe by sailors and their ships.

Character and Temperament

Quiet, shy, loving and gentle is probably the best way to sum up this cat. Russians do not like noisy households as they are somewhat thoughtful and pensive - if they liked music, they would prefer Mozart to Wagner. They become very attached to their owners, and are quite content to be confined indoors as long as they have the company of their preferred human.

Type and Standard of Points

Russian cats should be medium to large shorthair cats. They are very graceful. The fur is unusual as it is a short plush, with a typically double coat; this probably derived from the cat's need for warmth in the cold Russian winters. More recently, white Russian cats have appeared, but this has not been considered a worthwhile breeding programme to follow.