The Russian Blue is a medium-sized cat famous for its thick, plush coat of shimmering grey. Their dense fur makes them appear larger and more robust than they truly are, under which they are slender, fine-boned cats, with lean but muscular bodies, long limbs and small, neat oval-shaped paws.
They have a broad forehead and straight nose, and large ears, giving them a distinctly noble appearance. Russian Blues have vivid dark green eyes, which when paired with their grey coat, creates a most striking look.
Description and Characteristics
They have a ‘double coat’, which consists of a soft downy undercoat and a top coat of guard hairs of equal length. Their coat is a beautiful slate grey with silver tips, giving the coat a shimmering appearance. The Russian blue is a sweet-tempered and calm companion, which is affectionate and loyal to its owners and those it is familiar with, although somewhat reserved with strangers. With those it trusts, the Russian Blue is very loving and friendly and will follow its owners everywhere. They are also playful and intelligent cats, which enjoy playing with a variety of toys and can learn to play games of fetch and be trained to do tricks. They are proficient hunters, with outdoor Russian Blues often catching rodents, birds, rabbits, small mammals, or even reptiles. Russian Blues produce less Fel d1, the primary allergen present on cats, than many other cats, which can make them a good choice for people with allergies.
The exact origins of this breed are largely unknown. It is believed to have developed in the Archangel Isles of northern Russia in the 1800s, where they were kept by Russian Czars. They were first exhibited at London’s Crystal Palace as the ‘Archangel Cat’ in the 1880s and were shown alongside other blue cats. By 1912, the Russian Blue was given its own breed classification and steadily gained popularity. By the mid-1960s the breed was a firm favourite across the world.
Health and common issues
Russian Blue cats are healthy cats, with no specific breed-related health conditions.
