About Russian Blues

Before we delve into the background of Russian Blues, it is important to dispel two myths about these cats.

    1) Russian Blue cats are NOT hypoallergenic. They are just like any short haired cat which means if you are allergic to cats, you will be allergic to Russian Blues. I know, because I am allergic to cats and take a lot of medications to be able to live with my beautiful friends.

    2) Russian Blues DO shed just like any other short haired feline.  The notion that they don't shed is just silly.  How else would they replenish their beautiful coat which would certainly get very worn and patchy over their average 16 year life span.  If anyone would like to challenge me on this, I will happily offer photographic proof using the cat beds in my house!

The Origin of Russian Blues

It is surprising how little is known about the origin of the Russian Blue. The most popular (and most believable theory) is that they were brought by sailors from the Archangel Isles to England and Northern Europe in the 1860s. This is reinforced by the fact that these cats were originally known as Archangel Cats or Foreign Blues.

First shown in 1875 at the Crystal Palace in England as the Archangel Cat, the original Russian Blue competed in a class for all blue cats. It was not until 1912 that the Russian Blue was given a class of its own. Russian Blue cats from this period were stocky cats with dark coats and upright ears. From its early origins until after World War II, English and Scandinavian breeders worked to develop the foundation bloodlines for the contemporary Russian Blue. Although Russians were imported to the United States as early as 1900, there is little recorded work with the breed in America until after World War II. American breeders combined the English bloodlines with their plush, silvery coats and Scandinavian bloodlines with their emerald green eyes and flat profiles to produce the Russian Blue we know today. In the 1960s the Russian Blue began to gain popularity and has become a favorite both at cat shows and at home

What should Russian Blue look like?

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. It is the only CFA cat to have what is called a "double coat" which causes it to stand out from the body. In contrast to the blue coat, the Russian Blue has large, rounded, wide-set eyes that are a vivid green. The head is a broad, medium wedge with 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 these cats a very regal appearance - which they do nothing to dispel

Is my cat a Russian Blue?

That is unlikely. There are fewer than 500 Russian Blue kittens bred in the CFA each year and every one is prized by its breeder or adoptive owner. The likelihood that these cats escape and produce as many "Russian Blues" as is commonly thought is very unlikely. Very few cats are members of a breed - nor do they have to be! Remember that dog breeding has been around for centuries longer than cat breeding so our purebred cats are actually descendents of the wonderful street cats that our ancestors loved and cared for. My Pistol Pete (shown above) is a beautiful example of a house cat. He has lovely grey fur with adorable white markings and bunny rabbit ears. I think Pete is very handsome and I cherish him for his sweet personality, not because I think he has some Russian Blue in him.