Quick Facts
- Weight: 5.5 – 16 pounds
The Look of a Nebelung
When it comes to the Nebelung, the operative word is long: long, graceful neck and body, long legs, long coat and long tail. Slightly oval eyes are a vivid green color, or sometimes a yellow-green. Large, pointed ears sit atop a modified wedge-shaped head that’s more pointed than rounded. The overall appearance is of a long, sturdy, well-muscled cat.
The soft double coat feels fine and silky. It’s blue and may be tipped with silver. Males and, to a lesser extent, females have a ruff around the neck. The fur on the tail is longer than that on the body. Tufts of fur are found behind the ears, and the hind legs sport pantaloons. The adult coat reaches its full development when the cat is approximately two years old.
Traits
- Striking medium-long blue coat
- Modified wedge-shaped head that’s more pointed than rounded
- Long, graceful body
- Sweet, quiet and gentle
Ideal Human Companion
- People who want a lap cat
- Families with older children
- Senior citizens
What They Are Like to Live With
The word Nebelung is German and means “creature of the mist.” That’s an appropriate description for this quiet feline who moves like a shadow. The Nebelung loves its family but may disappear when strangers arrive. It enjoys sitting in a lap and being petted and will follow its favorite person devotedly from room to room.
A Nebelung will enjoy the company of another cat that shares its quiet personality, but it may be less satisfied in the presence of rowdy dogs or highly active cats. This is a cat that likes routine and may require a little time to adjust to changes in the household. Early socialization can help it become more adaptable.
Things You Should Know
The Nebelung is generally healthy.
The medium-long coat needs twice-weekly brushing.
Nebelungs are rare and may be difficult to find.
Nebelung History
The Nebelung, spelled Nibelung by the World Cat Federation (WCF), was developed in the 1980s as a re-creation of the longhaired Russian Blue cats that existed in Victorian times. The first two, Siegfried and Brunhilde, were born to a cat owned by opera lover Cora Cobb of Denver, Colorado. Cobb recognized their unique qualities and decided to create a new breed. She sought advice from The International Cat Association (TICA), recruited other breeders to help and the rest is, well, history.
The Nebelung is now a recognized cat breed that’s registered by TICA, Traditional Cat Association (TCA) and Cat Fanciers Federation (CFF). It may be outcrossed to the Russian Blue without penalty.
Top photograph: Tierfotoagentur | Alamy Stock Photo.
