The Russian Blue is a cat breed that noted for the quality of its short, plushlike coat.
It is one of the most easily recognized pure-bred cats in the world.
While the Russian Blue may at first glance look like any other grey cat, a more careful look will show them to have a special appearance that is all their own.
The Russian Blue cat has a lifespan of 10 to 20 years.
The typical Russian Blue has an overall height of 20 to 25 cm (8 to 10 in) and body length of 38 to 46 cm (15 to 18 in). An average Russian Blue weighs between 4 and 7 kg (8 and 15 lb). Males will typically be larger than females.
The coat is very dense and is light blue to lavender blue with silver-tipped guard hairs, which give the fur its luster.
This cat has long, slim legs and a slender body, it has a relatively long, tapering tail and a wedge-shaped head. The ears are large, broad at the base, and pointed at the tips. The eyes are set wide apart and are vivid green.
The Russian Blue characteristically has a very quiet meow and a shy demeanor. Despite their shy nature, they are devoted and quite affectionate towards their loved ones. They are also curious and tranquil animals that are known for their intelligence. Russian Blues like to play fetch and open doors.
Russian Blue kittens are usually very active and athletic with high energy and curiosity.
The Russian Blue cat price, typically ranges between $800 and $1,200. However, Excellent pedigree Russian Blue cats, from famous breeding farms, will costfrom $1,500 to $2,500.
The Russian Blue is a natural breed originating from the Archangel Isles in northern Russia, where the long winters developed a cat with a dense, plush coat. That is why they are sometimes called Archangel Blues.
The Russian Blue is also believed to have been a royal favorite in the homes of several Russian Czars and English Monarchs.
Other folklore has the Russian Blue as a healing charm for an ailing Russian prince and riding with the Cossacks into battle.
It is believed that sailors took Russian Blues from the Archangel Isles to Great Britain and Northern Europe in the 1860s.
The first recorded appearance outside of Russia was in 1875 at The Crystal Palace in England as the Archangel Cat. A newspaper account of the show notes “a very handsome cat, coming from Archangel…particularly furry…. They resemble mostly the common wild grey rabbit.”
In 1912, the Russian Blue was given a separate class for competition as breeders in England and Scandinavia worked to develop the foundation bloodlines for the contemporary Russian Blue.
The breed was developed mainly in England and Scandinavia until after World War II.
Because of crossbreeding with the Siamese breed, it almost lost its distinctiveness as a breed in the United States in the early 20th century.
In the late 1960s U.S. breeders strengthened the breed by mixing it with imported, purer strains from Sweden and Britain.
The Russian Blue has also become extremely popular in Japan, and Russian Blue competition there is approaching the numbers found in the states during the 1970s.
The Russian White, Russian Black, and Russian Tabby are breeds of cat created in 1971, derived from the Russian Blue. The Black and Tabby Russians came from the original mating which created the Russian White.
Russian Blues have been used on a limited basis to create other breeds such as the Havana Brown or alter existing breeds such as the Nebelung.
Arlene is portrayed by a Russian Blue in Garfield: The Movie.
Tom Cat of the Hanna and Barbera cartoon produced for MGM, “Tom & Jerry” is said to have been inspired by a Russian Blue.