History

The Russian Blue has gone by several different names throughout their history. They have been known as the Foreign Blue, the Maltese and the Archangel cat. This last name seems to make sense as it is believed that the Russian Blue originated in Russia and arrived in England via ships leaving the Port of Archangelsk, Russia. Stories abound about the Russian Blue. Some suggest sailors brought the cats to England, others suggest these lovely cats were pets at the courts of Tsar Nicholas of Russia and Queen Victoria of England. My favorite is that the Cossacks supposedly rode to war with their beloved Russians clinging to their shoulders. While still another story suggests that they were hunted for their pelts to line hats and gloves.

What we do know about the Russian Blue is Mrs. Caraw-Cox of England imported the first Russian Blues to be used in a breeding program in 1890. By the mid 1890’s Russian Blues were appearing at cat shows. World War II almost decimated the breed and in an attempt to save this lovely breed Siamese were used as outcrosses in the late 1940’s. By the late 1950’s the Russian Blue had lost their wonderful plush coat and it took breeders many years to overcome the problem. However, thanks to the efforts of many breeders especially Marie Rochford of Dunloe cattery by the late 1960’s the lovely coats were returning. It is believed that the first Russian Blue was imported to the United States in 1907 by a Mr. Locke of Chicago. It is unclear what became of that cat. However, the first cats imported into the United States that were used in breeding programs arrived in 1947. Mr. Commaire of Buda, Texas imported cats from the Dunloe lines. These same cats are behind many of the Russian Blues in the United States.

For those of you interested in a more in depth look at the Russian Blue I suggest you read "The Russian Blue Cat" by Ingeborg Urcia, Ph.D. Dr. Urcia goes in to great detail regarding the known history of the breed.

Appearance/Temperament

The following general description is taken directly for the TICA Russian Blue standards.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

"The Russian Blue is a distinctively elegant cat of foreign body type with an angular, modified wedge-shaped head consisting of seven flat planes. The slightly upturned corners of the mouth give a sweet smiling facial expression. Its most outstanding characteristic is its double coat: short, silky and upstanding, like the coat of a seal or beaver. Of a medium blue color with silver tipping of the guard hairs, the coat reflects light, giving a silvery sheen to the fur. Silver tipped guard hairs should contrast against solid blue ground color when the hair is stroked against the grain. Russian Blues are gentle and shy, with soft sweet voices. They are easily startled and prefer delicate handling."

The Russian Blue actually feels like a silk scarf. If you were to close your eyes and run your hands over a silk scarf that is what a Russian Blue should feel like. They have a thick double coat that is so plush you want to just sink your hands into it. Once you put your hands in that fur you can better understand how the story arose of hunting these cats for their pelts. This thick coat will make the Russian Blue look stockier or heavier then they actually are. Under all that fur is a fine boned elegant cat.

As an adult the Russian Blue will have beautiful emerald green eyes. Their eyes start out as blue at birth then change to yellow, by four months they should have a definite green ring and by eight months the eyes should be completely green. Although, the depth of color may continue to darken over the next year or so. If you think of the "Cheshire Cat" that’s the smile you will find on the face of a Russian Blue. They always appear quite pleased with themselves. As for the soft sweet voices, that does not apply at dinner time. The Russian Blue has a reputation as the "silent breed", I don’t find that to be true. They do have a distinct gentle voice, however, I’ve found that if you are willing to hold an intelligent conversation with your Russian Blue he/she will hold up their end of the conversation.

In the early 1980’s the Russian Blues developed a reputation for being nasty tempered, hard to handle cats. During that period most judges were intimidated when handing a Russian Blue. Unfortunately they were right to be cautious. I’m very pleased to say that this is no longer the case. Through careful selective breeding and diligence on the part of concerned breeders the Russian Blue temperament is loving, playful, outgoing and loyal. They are extremely intelligent cats who like to be part of the family. In fact, as I write this there is one on top of my monitor and one on my desk, both purring. The Russian Blue may be a little hesitant with strangers, but given time to warm up to them, they will make them part of their family. I’m sure every person who owns a cat feels that their chosen breed is the best, however, I have to say that once you are owned by a Russian Blue no other breed will make you as happy.