If you’re enchanted by the idea of adding a Russian cat breed to your family, there are eight stunning different options for you to choose from. Most of us know about the Russian Blue, but there are also less well-known breeds that you might fall in love with!

Get ready to meet these eight gorgeous cat breeds, all hailing from Russia.

The 8 Russian Cat Breeds

1. Donskoy Cat

This breed is instantly recognizable due to their hairless bodies. Also sometimes called the Russian Hairless, Don Sphynx, or Don Hairless, this rare breed was first developed in 1987. Donskoys are intelligent and affectionate. They love learning tricks and spending plenty of time with their owners. They’re a good breed for allergy sufferers, as they don’t shed much dander, and of course, there’s not much hair to worry about!

2. Karelian Bobtail

Don’t be fooled by these similar names! The Karelian Bobtail and Kurilian Bobtail are two different breeds. The Karelian Bobtail is a naturally occurring breed that comes from Lake Ladoga in the Russian republic of Karelia. They have a distinctive pom-pom bobbed tail, which can be 4-13 cm in length. Their rear legs are noticeably longer than their front legs. These friendly cats are adaptable and love companionship.

3. Kurilian Bobtail

This breed hails from the Kuril Islands, the Sakhalin Islands, and the Kamchatka peninsula. It’s thought that they might be related to the Japanese Bobtail. They’re sometimes called the Kuril Islands Bobtail, Kuril Bobtail, or Curilisk Bobtail. This rare breed might not be well-known in the U.S.A., but back in their native land, they’re famed for their mousing ability, as well as their friendly and outgoing personalities.

4. Mekong Bobtail

While the Mekong Bobtail originated in Southeast Asia, they weren’t developed as a breed until they were imported to Russia as a gift to the Emperor, so they still count as a Russian breed! These medium-sized cats look similar to the Siamese breed except for the bobbed tail. Mekongs are playful and friendly and make great family cats. They’re active and athletic and enjoy spending time with their human family, as well as with other pets.

5. Peterbald

The stunning Peterbald is a relatively new breed and was developed in St. Petersburg in the early 90s. Their heritage includes Donskoy Cats and Oriental Shorthairs. There are five different coat variations, including bald, flock, velour, brush, and straight. These loyal cats adore affection, so they don’t cope well with being left home alone all day. They’re also super loyal, although their outgoing nature means they’re happy to share their homes with other cats and dogs as well.

6. Russian Blue

Probably the best known of all Russian cat breeds, the distinctive Russian Blue combines a stunning grey-blue coat with bright green eyes. This breed was a favorite of the Russian Tsars in the 19^th century, and when they were exported to the U.K. and U.S.A., they grew in popularity there as well. They can be a little reserved with strangers but bond strongly to their owners. They love to play but can also entertain themselves while you’re away from home.

7. Siberian Cat

This affectionate and playful natural breed comes from the Siberian taiga: subarctic forests with bitterly cold winters. The dense, triple coat of this breed is perfectly adapted to help them keep warm in such freezing conditions. Siberians are playful and intelligent and love to find high places to sit and watch the world go by. Their heavy coats shed around twice a year, and they’ll need plenty of grooming to help remove shedding hairs at this time.

8. Toybob

Yet another Russian breed with a distinctive bobbed tail, this breed combines a tiny sized cat with large eyes. It’s thought that their size, which could be the smallest of all cat breeds, is down to a mutation that occurred in the feral cats that were the forefathers of this breed. This rare breed is expensive, but they’re also highly prized for their intelligent, playful, and affectionate natures. Toybobs are extremely sociable and do best in a home with other pets and people at home most of the time.

Featured Image Credit: dien, Shutterstock