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Description

The Russian Blue breed is a natural breed thought to have originated in northern Russia. An old name for the cat is the Archangel Cat, because it is thought to have come from the port city of Archangelsk.

Much of the Russian Blue's early history is not known. The first Russian Blue cats were imported to England in 1890. World War II nearly ended this breed's existence, like so many other breeds in England, and Siamese had to be used to broaden the gene pool. As a result, it took years of careful breeding to restore the Russian Blue's plush coat. The first Russian Blue appeared in the stud books of CFA in 1949, from cats who had been imported to the United States in 1947, but no Russian Blue cat achieved a Grand Champion title until fifteen years later.

Russian Blues are noted for its short, plush, silvery blue coat, brilliant green eyes, and semi-foreign body type with long legs and body. The Russian Blue personality is graceful and playful with a quiet, somewhat shy temperament. They are generally reserved with strangers, but fiercely loyal with family.

Some Russian Blue kittens are born with "ghost stripes", but these generally fade with age to the familiar, solid silvery blue of adulthood.

The American and European types have come to differ somewhat; traditional Scandanavian-type Russian Blue cats tend to be larger and more heavily built than American Russian Blues. Australian and New Zealand associations accept different colors (see Associations).

Associations: The Russian Blue breed is accepted in all major cat registries, but only in the blue color. In ACFA, black Russians are accepted for championship status. In the Australian Cat Federation (ACF) and New Zealand Cat Fancy (NZCF), this breed is simply termed the "Russian" and is accepted in blue, white, and black.

Books about the Russian Blue from amazon.com

• The Russian Blue Cat by Ingeborg Urcia

Russian Blue Breed Information

• Russian Blue (Animal Planet)
• Russian Blue (IAMS Breed Guide)
• Choosing a Russian Blue (PetPlace.com)
• Russian Blue Breed FAQ
• Russian Blue Breed Profile (CFA)
• Russian Blue & Nebelung Pedigree Database (Pawpeds)

Russian Blue Cat Clubs/Associations

• CFA Russian Blue Breed Council (CFA)
• Russian Blue Association of Finland/Suomen Venäjänsiniset ry (Finnish and English)
• Russian Blue Breeders' Association (GCCF)

Russian Blue Video:

• Cats 101: Russian Blue (Animal Planet)