The Russian Blue: Quiet Nobility

by Marjorie Dorfman | More from this Blogger

27 Apr 2006 01:15 AM

The Russian Blue is a lean, medium-sized cat with a short, plush bluish-gray coat, which is in two layers. The undercoat is soft and downy and the outer hairs an even blue with silver tips. This tipping makes the coat appear to shimmer, and this quality is unique to this particular breed of cat. The eyes are always large, round, wide-set and bright green, and these cats are highly intelligent and playful, though they tend to be shy around people they do not know. They develop very close bonds with their owners. The Russian Blue, unlike other modern cat breeds, is naturally occurring, and it is believed to have originated in the port of Arkhangelsk, Russia, although there is no direct evidence to support this fact. Some legends tell of these cats being trapped for their luxurious "double coats," which are sometimes compared to a beaver or a seal. Its original name was "Archangel Cat' or "Foreign Blue," and it is believed that sailors from the Archangel Isles brought them to England and Northern Europe in the 1860s. It is also rumored that a Russian Blue was the favorite pet of Queen Victoria. First shown at the Crystal Palace in London in 1875, it was not until 1912 that the Russian Blue was given a class all its own among "blue cats."

During and following World War II, some cross breeding with Siamese occurred, but whatever traits may have incurred have been largely bred out. Russian blue breeding is almost exclusively done in the United States. They have been used to create other breeds The Havana Brown) or add a trait to create other breeds (the Nebelung). They are undemanding, gentle and loving cats, and it has been said that they can open doors and "teach their owners to fetch." Russian Blues are sensitive to the moods of their human companions and get along well with children and other pets.

A Russian Blue is a unique and loving animal.

Do YOU own a Russian Blue? Please share your experiences.

Learn more about Marjorie Dorfman

Marjorie Dorfman is a freelance writer and former teacher originally from Brooklyn, New York.

View Full Profile | More from this Blogger