Published on 05/14/2008

The Russian Blue cat is a naturally occurring breed originating in the port of Arkhangelsk, Russia. They are also called “Archangel Blues.” They were probably first brought to England by sailors.

Adopting Kittens: Russian Blue Appearance and Personality

The Russian Blue cat is a naturally occurring breed originating in the port of Arkhangelsk, Russia. They are also called “Archangel Blues.” They were probably first brought to England by sailors. The first documented showing of Russian Blue cats was in 1875 at the Crystal Palace in England.

The breed was developed mainly in England and Scandinavia until after World War II. After World War II American Breeders created what is known as the modern Russian Blue seen in the United States today. This cat was produced by combining bloodlines of both the Scandinavian and English Russian Blue. Most of the Siamese traits have been bred out.

The following appearance description is offered to help you decide if the Russian Blue cat is for you, your family and lifestyle.

Appearance Description

• Plush, silvery coat
• Vivid green eyes
• Sweet smile
• Elegant
• Coat is soft, silky and plush
• Thick double coat often compared to the fur of a seal or beaver
• Coat is water resistant and dense to withstand the harsh climate of northern Russia
• Blue with silver tipping that gives the cat a luminous appearance
• Large ears
• Muzzle and upturned mouth form a sweet, smiling expression
• Broad, wedge-shaped head often compared to the flared head of a cobra
• Lithe, muscular body
• Fine-boned, long legs and long tail proportionate to length of the body
• Dainty, rounded paws
• Graceful looking

The following personality description is offered to help you decide if the Russian Blue cat is for you, your family and lifestyle.

Personality Description

• Normally shy
• Cautious
• Wary around strangers, however, some are outgoing and friendly
• It usually takes a little time for humans to win the trust of a Russian Blue cat
• Charming and entertaining
• Lap cat

Grooming tips

• Very clean cats who require little grooming
• Requires very few baths
• Comb to prevent shedding
• Clip the nails
• Keep the ears clean

Follow the link in the resource box of this article to find pictures and more information about many different breeds of cats.

Written by: Connie Limon. Visit “Adopting Kittens” at http://smalldogs2.com/AdoptingKittens to find a complete online reference for choosing and caring for the perfect kitten, which matches you and your lifestyle. Learn about litter box training at http://smalldogs2.com/LitterBoxTraining

This article is FREE to publish with the resource box.