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Russian Blue

Russian Blues, with their silver coats, flashing emerald eyes, and shy smiles, have captivated cat fanciers since the late 19th century. Their first recorded show appearance was at a London cat show in the Crystal Palace. A newspaper account of the show notes "a very handsome cat, coming from Archangel...particularly furry.... They resemble mostly the common wild grey rabbit." The primary sources of Russian Blue information in this period are the journals of Mrs. Carew-Cox, a British cat fancier who acquired her first "Archangel Cat" in 1890 and worked with them through the turn of the century. She describes blue, shorthaired cats from Northern Russia with short, silvery fur, large ears, wide-set eyes, and lean faces, who are both intelligent and sweet. This sounds very similar to someone describing today's Russian Blues.

Little is known about the true origin of the Russian Blue. They seem to have originated on Archangelsk Isle in northern Russia. Legend suggests that they lived in the wild and were hunted for their soft, silver coats. This may account for their intelligence, keen senses, and cautious nature, which would have been essential to their fight for survival. The Russian Blue is also believed to have been a royal favorite in the homes of several Russian Czars and English Monarchs. Other folklore has the Russian Blue as a healing charm for an ailing Russian prince and riding with the Cossacks into battle. While a Russian Blue comforting his favored friend is entirely believable, this quiet, demure cat riding horseback into battle is highly unlikely.

Breed History

Although several Russian Blue fanciers are actively searching for historical information, little is known about the Russian Blue in the early part of the 20th century. The focus of this article is to provide a chronological overview of the Russian Blue in CFA by highlighting Russian Blue achievements and breeders. Catteries mentioned were selected for their contributions including significant breed developments, consistent quality, and tenacity. Many others, too numerous to mention, have worked to promote and improve this lovely breed.

The two developments that had the most influence on our lovely breed were the combination of English and Swedish lines to produce a consistent Russian Blue look and the focused effort to improve the Russian Blue show disposition. These two efforts took place over a period of 30 years. This consistent look allowed breeders to strive to produce the perfect Russian Blue and the judges to easily recognize our most perfect examples. Many of us learned the hard way that a beautiful Russian that is bad-tempered at shows is not really a show cat, and may not be the best parent for the good-natured show cats we hope to produce. Without these changes, Russian Blues would never have reached the success they are currently experiencing.

Russian Blue breeders are also very persistent. There are several breeders who have worked with the Russian Blue for over 20 years, and a few who have been working with them for over 30 years. Many of these same breeders have proven their dedication to quality by consistently producing top CFA winners, numerous grands, and Distinguished Merit cats. They also like to promote their breed to the public and with new breeders who are interested in showing and improving this breed. Although they can be fairly competitive, Russian Blue fanciers often put aside personal interests and work together to keep this breed healthy and vibrant.

Modern Russian Blue history really starts after World War II in Europe. During the 1950s, American breeders were working primarily with either English or Swedish bloodlines. The English lines were noted for their pale, plush coats, silver tipping, and refined boning, while the Swedish bloodlines were noted for their beautiful head type, elegant bodies, and emerald green eyes. Until breeders began combining these bloodlines, Russian Blues in the show ring varied greatly in style, with few cats displaying all the qualities of the perfect Russian Blue.

In the 1960s, breeders began combining the English and Swedish bloodlines to produce the cats that became the foundation for the modern Russian Blue. In 1964, GC Maja Acre Igor II of 3 R's became CFA's first Russian Blue Grand Champion. From only 117 registered cats in 1965 to over 700 registered by 1970, the Russian Blues were enjoying a surge of popularity as they became more uniform in appearance and more competitive at shows.

The Russian Blue is a short haired cat of foreign type, but is not as extreme as the Siamese and other orientals. The body is long and graceful with medium strong bone. Legs are long with small oval paws and the tail is fairly long and tapering. The short, wedge-shaped head is topped by large pointed ears, set vertically to the head. The Russian Blue has prominent whisker pads and vivid green almond shaped eyes. The coat of the Russian Blue is quite different from that of any other breed, being short, thick but fine and standing up soft and silky with a silvery sheen. A good Russian Blue should have an elegant appearance with an aristocratic expression.

The Russian Blue is a gentle, affectionate cat easily distinguished from other breeds. One of the most outstanding features of the Russian Blue is a short, dense coat of an even, bright blue color with each hair dipped in silver. This silver tipping gives the Russian a silvery sheen and lustrous appearance that can best be appreciated in natural light. Russian Blues come in only one color, blue, and one coat length, short. The density of the coat causes it to stand out from the body and allows patterns to be traced in the coat which remain until you smooth them away. In lovely contrast to the blue coat, the Russian Blue has large, rounded, wide-set eyes that are a vivid green. The head is sometimes described as cobra-like which aptly describes the broad, medium wedge and flat profiles. The large, pointed ears are wide at the base and set rakishly toward the side of the head. The body of the Russian Blue is fine-boned, long, and firmly muscled. The clean lines and graceful carriage of the Russian Blue give it a regal appearance all its own.

Those attracted by the physical beauty of the Russian Blue find the disposition of these unassuming cats equally appealing. Russian Blues are quiet, clean cats who are playful and loving companions. Despite their shy nature, Russians are devoted and quite affectionate towards their loved ones. They are very intelligent and have been reported to open doors and teach their owners to fetch. Sensitive to the mood of the house, Russians will ‘clown' to quiet a crying baby or sit patting your face to chase away the blues. They get along well with children and other pets.

A Russian Blue is a good choice for the modern home because their undemanding nature fits perfectly into today's busy schedules. They will entertain themselves if left alone for the day and be a contented companion upon your return. The Russian requires a minimum of grooming with periodic nail clipping and a coat that can be kept looking good by frequent petting and an occasional combing. Many Russians seem to enjoy being combed or brushed as it allows them additional time with their owners.

While the Russian Blue may at first glance look like any other grey cat, a more careful look will show them to have a special appearance that is all their own. They have been said to look as if they are smiling and that the reason for that smile is known only to themselves. But beyond appearances, the real pleasure of the Russian Blue is its unique personality which sets it apart from other cats and makes it an interesting, entertaining and affectionate companion to its owners and friends.

Russian Blues are noted for its short, plush, silvery blue coat, brilliant green eyes, and semi-foreign body type with long legs and body. This is a graceful, playful breed with a quiet, somewhat shy temperament. They are generally reserved with strangers, but fiercely loyal with family. Some Russian Blues are born with "ghost stripes" as kittens, but these generally fade with age to the familiar, solid silvery blue of adulthood.

This breed's most distinctive feature-its beautiful double coat-is silky, plush, and so dense it stands out from the body. You can literally draw pictures in the fur with your fingers and the patterns will remain until you smooth them over or until your feline friend tires of the game and walks off. The coat's guard hairs bear silver tipping that reflects light, giving the coat a silver sheen. Combined with the vivid green eyes, the Russian Blue is a strikingly beautiful breed. Even though it's short, the dense double coat does require some grooming to keep it looking its best. Although blue is the only color accepted by the North American registries, in Australia, New Zealand, and England, other colors are recognized.

GENERAL:	the good show specimen has good physical condition, is firm in muscle tone, and alert.
HEAD:	smooth, medium wedge, neither long and tapering nor short and massive. Muzzle is blunt, and part of the total wedge, without exaggerated pinch or whisker break. Top of skull long and flat in profile, gently descending to slightly above the eyes, and continuing at a slight downward angle in a straight line to the tip of the nose. No nose break or stop. Length of top-head should be greater than length of nose. The face is broad across the eyes due to wide eye-set and thick fur.
MUZZLE:	smooth, flowing wedge without prominent whisker pads or whisker pinches.
EARS:	rather large and wide at the base. Tips more pointed than rounded. The skin of the ears is thin and translucent, with little inside furnishing. The outside of the ear is scantily covered with short, very fine hair, with leather showing through. Set far apart, as much on the side as on the top of the head.
EYES:	set wide apart. Aperture rounded in shape.
NECK:	long and slender, but appearing short due to thick fur and high placement of shoulder blades.
NOSE:	medium in length.
CHIN:	perpendicular with the end of the nose and with level under-chin. Neither receding nor excessively massive.
BODY:	fine boned, long, firm, and muscular; lithe and graceful in outline and carriage without being tubular in appearance.
LEGS:	long and fine boned.
PAWS:	small, slightly rounded. Toes: five in front and four behind.
TAIL:	long, but in proportion to the body. Tapering from a moderately thick base.
COAT:	short, dense, fine, and plush. Double coat stands out from body due to density. It has a distinct soft and silky feel.
DISQUALIFY:	kinked or abnormal tail. Locket or button. Incorrect number of toes. Any color other than blue. Long coat.

COLOR: even bright blue throughout. Lighter shades of blue preferred. Guard hairs distinctly silver-tipped giving the cat a silvery sheen or lustrous appearance. A definite contrast should be noted between ground color and tipping. Free from tabby markings. Nose leather: slate grey. Paw pads: lavender pink or mauve. Eye color: vivid green.