Quick Facts
- Weight: about 12 pounds
- Height: about 10 inches
The Look of a Russian Blue
Russian Blues are famous for their plush blue coat, which is uniform in color from one cat to another. The coat has a silvery sheen, the result of silver tipping on the hair.
The breed has large, round green eyes and a cobra-like face. The head is wedge-shaped, and the ears are large and pointed. The body is lean and fine-boned, although firmly muscled, giving the cat an elegant look.
Traits
- Plush blue coat
- Affectionate
- Gentle
- Shy with strangers
- Playful
Ideal Human Companion
- Working singles
- First-time cat owners
- Families with older children
What They Are Like to Live With
Russian Blues are known for being both intelligent and independent. They are moderately active, and like to play. They are also very affectionate and get along well with kids and other pets.
These cats become attached to family members, but can be shy with strangers. They don’t like changes in their routine or environment and prefer a very clean litter box. They are generally quiet and easily trainable.
Things You Should Know
Russian Blues are generally wary of strangers, and will hide when company comes over.
This breed is fussy about its litter box, and wants it kept very clean. If the box is dirty, a Russian Blue may decide to eliminate elsewhere.
Russian Blues can be very independent.
They are not believed to be related to other short-coated blue breeds, like the Korat, Chartreux or the British Shorthair.
History
The history of the Russian Blue is shrouded in mystery. Some believe the breed originated on the Archangel Isles in Northern Russia, and was brought to Europe by sailors in the 1800s. Legend states that the Russian Blue is a descendant of the royal cats owned by the Russian Czars.
Originally called the Archangel Cat, the Russian Blue was first show in 1875 in England. It was first shown in its own class in 1912. In the early 1900s, the breed was imported into the United States. The Russian Blue was nearly lost during World War II as breeding came to a near stop. An attempt to save the breed started in the 1940s as breeders from different countries used other breeds to boost the waning gene pool. In the 1960s, a group of British breeders united to restore the Russian Blue to its original appearance, and worked to breed out the characteristics that resulted from these cross breedings.
The breed was eventually recognized in the U.S. by the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA), The International Cat Association (TICA) and the American Cat Fancier’s Association (AFCA).
8 thoughts on “Russian Blue”
My very first cat back in the '60s was a Russian Blue, from a breeder so I know she was a pedigreed cat. She was definitely picky about who she liked (just my mom and me). But she would let me do anything with her, including dress her up in doll clothes and wheel her around in my doll buggy.
If you are looking for a beautiful, intelligent and VERY affectionate cat look no further. I’ve had cats my entire life and Boris, my Russian Blue is the most affectionate cat I’ve had yet.
He is slate grey with silver tips and in some pictures his fur actually looks blue. He is with me every night, and in the AM he’s the “cat alarm”
My Russian Blue looks like the one in the photo. He has a long tail that he wraps around me in a hug. He likes to give lick kisses and an occasional love bite to my little toe. He drools and purrs when he gets petted under the chin. He will chat if you talk to him, but is otherwise quiet. He won’t wake me up with meows to demand food. He’s an indoor cat and he never tries to escape outside. He is shy around strangers. He is well-behaved and smart.
I think my cat is a Russian blue, but he has a short bob tail. what breed is he? he loves to hunt, he was shy at first but very plaful now, and loves to cuddle.
Your cat must have Manx in their bloodline. I have one with a Bobtail, one with a tail, and two without any tail at all. They are all from one family just two different litters.
Do you have any advice for finding a Russian Blue cat breeder in California?
When I searched Russian Blue breeders California, a bunch of names came up. Google it.
Do you have any advice for finding a Russian Blue cat breeder in California? I have looked everywhere and am not finding this information on this particular breed.
Best,
Suzanne