the russian blue: historical development

The Russian Blue:Historical Development

Amanda BrightMarch 2009Approved AB Exam

The Russian Blue

The Russian Blue | April 2008 © Amanda Bright 2

Agenda

The 3 Main Strands

The 3 Strands Converge in NA

Modern Day Influences

The Russian Blue


From original import to current day: 23 GenerationsRoguey (Imp) RU/UK Muchacho Ashbrittle Peter The Great Nicolaievitch (1910) Moscow (1912) Tula (1913) Dvinsk (1915) Cossack (1919) Fantôme (1928??) Theydon Fairy Queen (1937) Theydon Fairy Prince (1940) Dunloe Pavola (1945) Dunloe Masha of Flo-Mar Petya of Flo-Mar of Mission City (1951) GC Es-Ta’s Tao of Aberdeen Velva’s Flair GC Velva’s Extraordinaire, DM (1969) GC Miribu’s Tora Tora of Velva (1973) Ch Velva’s Valerie Fair of Tsar Blu, DM (1974) GC Tsar Blu’s Zorian Grey (1977) Ch Tsar Blu’s Zomega Son (1988) Ch Tsar Blu’s Zafire of Kyina (1994) RW Talisker Crossfire ( 1995) IW SGC Talisker The Doctor (2007)

The Three Strands

The Russian Blue


Origins

England Came over on sailing ships

Bayard & Yula

British Shorthairs early, Siamese after the war Scandinavia

One Russian Blue from Russia

Pierrette, Pan du Bois

Siamese outcross used to develop the breed North America

Early cats in 1903; later re-established in late 1940s

Olivette, Peterkin, Roly Poly

Dunloe Blue Silk

The Russian Blue


Strand 1: The Russian Blue in Britain

The Literature The original cats Early development of the breed

The Russian Blue


Early References

Stables, Gordon: Cats: Their Points Etc. (1874) Maltese reference

Weir, Harrison: Our Cats. (1889) Archangel Cat picture

Color requirements Jennings, John: Domestic & Fancy Cats. (1893)

Russian cat vs Russian Blue

Russian blue vs English blue

The Russian Blue


Early Standards Simpson, Frances: The Book of the Cat (1903)

Shorthaired chapter First real standard

Head: Longer in formation, has space between the ears, more prominent in ears, and well-tapered face; fairly round under the cheekbones, thin, falls away under the eye.

Shape: Comes out rather longer in back. Less bone substance.

Colour: Same as the British short-hair, with no bars or markings.

– BS Coat: Short and close, of sound blue colour throughout; legs and feet shade lighter in colour with no bars or markings.

Eyes: Deep orange colour

House, CA. Cats: Show and Pet (1903) Describes all type as for the British cat

Makes no concession to the Russian type Color is a very limited description based primarily on a

derivation of black so no detail

The Russian Blue


Early Standards Our Cats July 25 1908 prints standard for

Russian Blue or Foreign Short-Hair Color (25): Bright blue. Pale or medium

shades in preference to dark blue. Even throughout. Free from tabby shadings or markings; no white.

Eyes (5): Large and full, set rather wide apart. Orange and amber preferred, but eye color to be subservient to colour and texture of coat, and type of build.

Body, Build and Tail (15): Body long, lithe and graceful in outline and carriage. Tail fairly long, and tapering. Legs inclining to long, and feet neat and well rounded.

Head and Neck (15): Skull flat and inclining to be narrow. Forehead receding. Face and neck longer than that of a British Cat.

Ears (5): Rather large, wide at base, with very little inside furnishing. Skin of ear thin and transparent, and not too thickly covered with hair.

Coat (25): Very short and close, of a sealskin-like texture, and lustrous

Condition (10)

Our Cats July 25 1908 prints standard for British Blue Short-Hairs

Color (15): Any shade of Blue. No tabby markings or shadings. Level in colour. No white.

Eyes (25): Round and well opened. Deep copper or deep orange.

Body, Build and Tail (20): Cobby in build, low on legs. Plenty of substance. Tail thick at base, long rather than short. Legs of good substance, short rather than long. Feet neat and round.

Head and Neck (20): Head broad between ears, cheeks well developed. Face and neck short. Head well set on short thick neck.

Ears (5): Small, never large

Coat (5): Short and lustrous

Condition (10)

N.B. Type in these varieties should always be of great importance, judged and bred to.

The Russian Blue


England

Mrs Constance Carew-Cox Bayard

Yula

Fashoda

Olga

The Muscovite Lady Alexander

Ballochmyle Brother Bump British Shorthairs

Morning Mists

Silver Stream Moonlight Theydon Bunty

The Russian Blue


Two Cats Considered The Key Yula and Bayard

First cats we had pictures of

Heavier bodies

Yula’s legs fine boned

Both coat density

Ears on corners of head

Yula’s upright whereas Bayard’s slightly flared

Visible whisker pads

Modified wedge

7 planes

The Russian Blue


Foundation Cats in England

The Imports from Russia Deva NCC 5139

Fashoda NCC 1896

Lingpopo GCCF OS 1155

Olga ACA 225

Roguey NCC 1104

Yula GCCF (1901)

Imandra NCC or GCCF (1912)

Nahejda Petrovna GCCF (1938)

The Russian Blue


Foundation Cats in England

The British Shorthairs Morning Mists (1932)

Ballochmyle Blue Queen

Ballochmyle Brother Bump

Mousmee (Mousmi) 1909

The Russian Blue


Foundation Cats in England: The Next Generation Ivanovitch late 1890s/early 1900s

F1 Bayard son Singsing 1899 Prince Demidoff 1909 Meeshka F0

Ivanovitch offspring dam a BS Donna Roma Ashbrittle Peter The Great

Is exported to USA The Muscovite

Lots of imports

Ancestor of many

The Russian Blue


The English Cats: 1910s

Nicholaievitch 1910 Prince Pluto – 1911

Ancestor of Theydon Fairy Queen Moscow 1912

Key cat: continues unbroken line from first imports to current day cats Prince Gordie Malchie 1916 Bolshie – 1919

Ancestor of Theydon Blue Boy and Theydon Blue Buttons

The Russian Blue


The English Cats: 1920s Bingham Oddity – 06/16/1927

Extra toe(s)

F0 RB Katkushin 04/24/1927

Sire Princess Olga

Theydon to Dunloe to El Rosario/Casa Gatos/Mission City/Selene/Folly/Flomar/Hoeller in the US

Theydon to Dunloe to Michifer/Philimore/Laurentide/

Silverschoen/Meadliam/Sini/Prideaux/

Archon/Czarlyne Karl 09/18/1926

Behind all the Dunloe imports Stephanie of Cademuir 08/27/1922 Ch Prince Igor of Cleave 05/13/1927 Ch Teaser of Ashford 05/27/1927 NCC Breed List

16a Foreign Blue

Fur & Feather June 22 1928 prints standard for Russian Blue or Foreign Short-Hair

Color (25): Bright blue. Even throughout and free from tabby markings or shadings; medium to dark shade of blue and no white permissible.

Eyes (10): Large and full, set rather wide apart, and colour should be as vivid green as possible.

Body, Build and Tail (15): Body long, lithe, graceful in outline and carriage, with tail fairly long, and tapering. The legs are decidedly longish and the feet are small, neat and well rounded.

Head and Neck (15): The skull is flat and narrow, the forehead receding, and the face and neck are long, giving with the long, lithe body, the desired snaky appearance.

Ears (5): Rather large, wide at the base, with very little inside furnishing, skin of ear thin and transparent, and not too thickly covered with hair. The tips of ears should be pointed rather than round.

Coat (25): Very short, close and lustrous and of a sealskin-like texture.

Condition (5)

The Russian Blue


The English Cats: 1930s

Key Cats: Theydon Blue Boy (1931)

Dunloe Crue (1932)

Dunloe Crusoe (1932)

Bleus Jeun (1935)

Theydon Blue Buttons (1939)

Theydon Fairy Queen (1937)

Dimitri Grishovitch (1937)

Free Hakushin of Petrograd

1933 Standard Colour (25): Bright blue, even throughout, free from tabby markings, medium to dark shade of blue, no white permissible.

Coat (25): Very short, close and lustrous, and of a sealskin-like texture

Body Build & Tail (15): Body long, lithe, and graceful in outline and carriage, with tail fairly long and tapering. The legs are decidedly longish and the feet are small, neat and well rounded.

Head & Neck (15): The skull is flat and narrow, the forehead receding, giving a wedge-shaped effect, and the face and neck are long, giving, with the long, lithe body, the desired snaky appearance.

Eyes (15): Large and full and set rather wide apart; their colour should be as vividly green as possible.

Ears (15): Rather large, wide at the base, with very little inside furnishings; skin of ear thin and transparent, and not too thickly covered with hair. The tip of ears should be pointed rather than round.

The Russian Blue


The English Cats: 1940s Dunloe Pavola (1945)

8 offspring Dunloe Silver Toes (1947) Exported to USA:

Dunloe Jan (Imp) 1947

Dunloe Bluesilk of Vee Roi (Imp) (1947)

Dunloe Blue Socks (Imp)

Dunloe Aphrodite de Casa Gatos (Imp)

Dunloe Kabushkin of Hoeller (Imp) (1948) Saracen Sweet Ida (1949)

Framilode Sulka

Michifer Ivor (Imp) Laurentide cats

The Russian Blue


The English Cats: 1950s Marie Rochford

Dunloe Domokvitch (1951)

Dunloe Pavlovitch (1948)

Legionnaire La Vedette (01/07/1950) 1952 Standard

The Russian Blue cat differs essentially from the ordinary British Short-hair, being lithe, long & sinuous, fine in bone with a long head, narrow skull & receding forehead. The primary feature & one which distinguishes it from all other cats, blue or otherwise, is the coat, which is short, close & lustrous. The Russian Blue is longer in the leg than the British cat, & finer boned.

Colour (15): Clear, lustrous. Medium to dark shade of blue, even throughout.

Coat (25): Short, close-lying with a distinct sheen.

Body, Build & Tail (25): Body long, lithe, graceful in outline, fine in bone & light in build. Tail long proportionate with the body, straight & tapering. Legs long & slender, feet small, neat & oval.

Head & Neck (15): The skull is flat & narrow, the forehead receding, the face and neck are long, giving with the long, lithe body the desired sinuous appearance.

Eyes (10): Vivid green, set rather far apart. Almond in shape

Ears (10): Large & pointed, wide at base, & set vertically to head. Skin of the ear thin & transparent with very little inside furnishings, not too thickly covered.

Faults: white markings, tabby markings; cobby or heavy build, square head.

The Russian Blue


Laurentide Experiments

Late 1940s, early 1950s Develops lilac point Siamese Develops solid chocolate foundation cats for Havana Brown Chocolate does not appear to enter the Russian Blue gene pool

The Russian Blue


Strand 2: The Russian Blue in Scandinavia

The foundation Scandinavian cats Development in Scandinavia until the 1960s when the lines are

merged in North America

The Russian Blue


Pierette Denmark’s first registered Russian Blue

Owned by Waldemar Schaffer, Copenhagen

Foundation queen registered 1944

Born: April 23, 1941

Bred to Longfellow of Annam Seal point Siamese carrying dilution

Key offspring

Casimir von Elsdorff Muzette of Rossia

The Russian Blue


Muzette of Rossia

Born: May 17, 1945; owned by Lis Langborg

Sire: Longfellow of Annam Seal point Siamese

Dam: Pierrette Foundation Russian Blue

Had at least 4 litters between 1947-50

Offspring: Anita of Finlandia

Sire: Casimir von Elsdorff Felix of Finlandia

Sire: Pan du Bois Dorja of Finlandia

Pointed Dimitri of Finlandia

Frederik of Finlandia

The Russian Blue


Casimir von Elsdorff

Born: January 17, 1945 Bred by: Waldemar Schaffer

First Owner: Max Monberg Elsdorff

Pioneers of the Danish Russian Blue breeders

Lis Langberg: Bred to Muzette of Rossia to found Finlandia line

Littermate to Muzette of Rossia

Exported to America Mr A C Commaire, Texas

The Russian Blue


Anita of Finlandia

Born March 9,1947 First Russian Blue in Sweden

Foundation queen for the av Olsenburg line

Owned by Karin Olsen

The Russian Blue


Pan du Bois

Foundation Russian Blue owned by Siamese breeder Susse Leidetz

No one knew when or where he was born Birthdate approximate: May 29, 1948

Sired one litter of kittens with Muzette of Rossia

Felix of Finlandia Went into a breeding program in Paris

Sired: Alex af Mukoki Blue Thief af Molleby Francizek Michajlov Tricolor Lubana Skvallergrands Olga Alexandrovna

The Russian Blue


Hans af Bellahoj

The mystery cat!

Born March 12, 1950

Bred and owned by Holger Grib

Sire: Blue Boy af Bellahoj (pointed?) Parents were both pointed

Dam: Scholda af Bellahoj Blue Point Siamese

Offspring: Blue Bell of Finlandia

Katja of Finlandia

Thomas of Finlandia

Dimitra of Petsamo

First Danish Russian Blue to be an International Champion

The Russian Blue


Blue Bell of Finlandia Born May 16, 1957 Carried pointed gene

Can see 2 pointed kittens and 1 solid kitten

Brother & Sister Thomas of Finlandia Katja of Finlandia

Offspring: Blue Bass af Molleby of Cossack

Exported to USA Blue Berry af Molleby Blue Bull af Molleby Blue Dandy af Molleby Blue Moon af Molleby

Scandinavians consider her the ideal Russian Blue Blue Sapphire af Molleby Blue Thief af Molleby

Blue Moon af Molleby

The Russian Blue


Strand 3: The Russian Blue in North America The early North American Russian Blues

(Ashbrittle) Peter The Great – import from UK

Ch. Roly Poly (1904) owned by Mary Sage

Peterkin (1905) owned by Mary Sage

Olivette – Bayard daughter owned by Jane Cathcart

Bellina of Bath (May 10 1905) – owned by Jane Cathcart

Speedwell of Bath (1905) – owned by Jane Cathcart

Ch. Mouse (has kittens in 1908 so 1907 or earlier) – owner Jane Cathcart

Chita (1907)

Narka (1907)

The Russian Blue


Early Standards Our Cats July 25 1908 prints standard for

Russian Blue or Foreign Short-Hair Color (25): Bright blue. Pale or medium

shades in preference to dark blue. Even throughout. Free from tabby shadings or markings; no white.

Eyes (5): Large and full, set rather wide apart. Orange and amber preferred, but eye color to be subservient to colour and texture of coat, and type of build.

Body, Build and Tail (15): Body long, lithe and graceful in outline and carriage. Tail fairly long, and tapering. Legs inclining to long, and feet neat and well rounded.

Head and Neck (15): Skull flat and inclining to be narrow. Forehead receding. Face and neck longer than that of a British Cat.

Ears (5): Rather large, wide at base, with very little inside furnishing. Skin of ear thin and transparent, and not too thickly covered with hair.

Coat (25): Very short and close, of a sealskin-like texture, and lustrous

Condition (10)

The Russian Blue:3 Strands Converge

The Russian Blue


US Imports 1940 – 2000 (Birthdates):From Britain: 1940s

Dunloe Aphrodite de Casa Gatos (1944)Dunloe Blue Silk of Vee Roi (1947)Dunloe Jan (1947)Dunloe Dushenka of Folly (1947/48?)Dunloe Kabushkin of Hoeller (1948)Dunloe Blue King de Casa Gatos (1949)Dunloe Blue Queen de Casa Gatos (1949)Dunloe Moonlight de Casa Gatos (1949)

1950sDunloe Masha of Flo-Mar (1950?)Dunloe Vanya of Flo-Mar (1950)Dunloe Smoikie of Folly (1950)Philimore Prudence of Hoeller (1951)Michifer Ivor (1956)Windywhistle Virginia (1957?)

1960sJennymay Astrii of Felinest (1961)Crumberhill Vashka (1965)Petrovna’s Blue Rosario of 3 R’s (1963?)Hengist Sakha of Rindy’s Haven (1968)Hengist Cassia of Rindy’s Haven (1969)Jennymay Lucinda of Mar-Est (1969?)Jennymay Lynna of Mar-Est (1969?)Sylphides Savonosky of Mar-Est (1969?)

1970sSylphides Katerina (1971)Hengist Guardsman of Kaylar (1972)Jennymay Annabelle (1972/73)Jennymay Annalise (1973)

From Sweden:Tamara av Kallerstad (1959)Valerij av Olsenburg (1957)Valja av Olsenburg (1957)Cassina av Olsenburg (1960)Erosjina af Braheborg (196x)Blue Bass af Mölleby of Cossack (1962)Dalecarlia’s Blue Magnolia (1962)Pavel af Braheborg (1963)Dackehus Sergej of Pallady (1964)Tinnerdalens Njusia of Bobcat (SE/US)Kabbarps Ilea (1965 )Kabbarps Inula (1965)Rsadedjans Ninouschka of Velva (1965)Zinaida af Braheborg (1965)Tricolor Pjater of Car-Mac (1967?)Kabbarps Tussi of Kitta (1967)Balja af Olsenburg (1967/68?)Kabbarps Susse (1969)Kabbarps Anja of The Czars (1970)Kabbarps Xirsa of Felinest (1970)Kabbarps Myra (1971)Rådsbackens Bettina of Starcameon (1981)Barynia’s Katinka Nicolajeva (1989)Ryaklintens Ninotchka Tess (2001)

From DenmarkCasimir von Elsdorff (1945)Annie of Finlandia (to US in 1948)Catharina of Finlandia (to US in 1948)Abby Lefine (1968)Alley Lefine (1968)Bonnie Blue Lefine (1968)Egalia’s Blue Nelly Silver Jane (1989)

From The NetherlandsSaskia Elena of Katzenburg (1977?)Vasilij van de Kaukasus (1979)

The Russian Blue


Key Cats: 1950s

Similarities: Modified wedge-shaped head

Short wedges

Ears corner head and flare slightly outward

Moderate whisker pads

Distinct muzzle and cheekbones

Britain Scandinavia North America

Dunloe Domokovitch with Marie Rochford & Dunloe Pavlovitch

Blue Moon af Mölleby Maja Acres Igor II of 3R’s

Differences: Blue Moon round eyes

Igor eyes almond on top

Dunloe coats lighter

The Russian Blue


Key Cats: 1960s

Similarities: Visible muzzle planes

Large ears on corners of head

Large eyes

Modified wedge-shaped heads

Smile


Petrovna Blue Rose Kabbarps Erica Feline Velva’s Blue Viking

Differences: Viking broader in skull, Erica narrower

Viking ears tilt, Blue Rose upright

Erica flat, dark coat

Blue Rose Lighter coat with tipping

Blue Rose heavier body

Erica more foreign body structure

The Russian Blue


1960s Status and Standard

Standard of points revised in 1952 when difference from the British Blue was emphasized

New standard of points in 1966Medium blue approved in preference to Medium to DarkDifference in coat too where it emphasizes texture and appearance is the truest criterionPrincipal faults: White or tabby markings, cobbiness or heaviness in build, squareness of the muzzle, and yellow in the eyes

Lately fallen into disfavour with judges Russian Blue Cat Club gone quiescent, Short-

Hair Cat Society taking care of the breedIt is thought that when the club is restarted the SOP will revert to pre-war standards which is more in harmony with the clubs abroadEarly thirties show catalogs contained many RB entriesNational Show 1965 had entry of 10 adults and 10 kittens showing interest not laggingBest known loyal supporter is Mrs Kirby who has excellent cats including Ch Harvees Antimony

1966 GCCF Standard Colour (20): Clear Blue, even throughout and in maturity free from from tabby markings or shading. Medium blue is preferred. Coat & Condition (25): Short, thick & very fine, standing up soft & silky like seal skin. Very different from any other breed. Coat is double so it has a distinct silvery sheen. The texture & appearance of the coat is the truest criterion of the Russian Blue. Body, Build and Tail including Legs & Feet (25): Body long & graceful in outline & carriage. Medium strong bone. Tail fairly long and tapering. Legs & Feet: Legs long, feet small & oval. Head & Ears (15): Head: Short wedge, with flat skull; forehead and nose straight, forming an angle. Prominent whisker pads. Ears: Large and pointed, wide at base & set vertically to the head. Skin of ears transparent, with very little inside furnishing. Eyes (15): Vivid green, set rather wide apart, almond in shape. Faults: White or tabby markings. Cobby or heavy build; Square head; Yellow in eyes. Siamese type is undesirable.

The Russian Blue


Key Cats: 1970s

Similarities: Long legs

Green eyes

Large ears

Dense coats

Silver tipping


Mirakhan Kasim Skvallergränds Olga Alexandrovna Tsar Blu’s Fitzwilliam of Velva

Differences: Kasim’s ears vertical to head, narrower in shape

Kasim sturdier build

Kasim smaller, almond eyes

Kasim more pronounced whisker pads

More pronounced tipping rather than sheen on Fitz

The Russian Blue


1970s Standards

197x CFA StandardTBD

1976 GCCF Standard Colour (20): Clear Blue, even throughout and in maturity free from from tabby markings or shading. Medium blue is preferred. Nose Leather & Pads: Blue. Coat & Condition (25): Short, thick & very fine, standing up soft & silky like seal skin. Very different from any other breed. Coat is double so it has a distinct silvery sheen. The texture & appearance of the coat is the truest criterion of the Russian Blue. Body, Build and Tail including Legs & Feet (25): Body long & graceful in outline & carriage. Medium strong bone. Tail: Fairly long and tapering. Legs & Feet: Legs long. Feet small & oval. Head & Ears (15): Head: Short wedge, with flat skull; forehead and nose straight, forming an angle. Prominent whisker pads. Strong chin. Ears: Large and pointed, wide at base & set vertically to the head. Skin of ears transparent, with very little inside hair. Eyes (15): Vivid green, set rather wide apart, almond in shape. Faults: White or tabby markings. Cobby or heavy build. Square head. Yellow or blue in eyes. Siamese type is undesirable. Withhold Certificates: White anywhere. Incorrect eye color. Siamese type.

The Russian Blue


Key Cats: 1980s

Similarities Large, wide-set eyes

Dense, double coats


Ardram Dashkova Matrjoschka’s Dombanos Jontue’s Rhythm And Blues of Casein

Differences NA cats significantly lighter color, finer boned

British cats vertical ear set, pronounced whisker pads

Scandinavian cats more wedge-shaped

The Russian Blue


1980s Standards 1982 CFA Standard

Color (20): Even bright blue throughout. Lighter or lavender shades of blue preferred. Guard hairs silver tipped giving the cat a silvery sheen or lustrous appearance. Free from tabby markings. Nose Leather: Slate grey. Paw pads: Lavender pink or mauve. Eye color (5) Vivid green. Coat (20): Short, dense, fine & plush. Double coat stands out from body due to density. It has a distinct soft and silky feel. Condition (5): The good show specimen has good physical condition, is firm in muscle tone, and alert. Body including Legs, Feet & Tail (20): Fine bones, long, lithe & graceful in outline and carriage. Legs: Long and fine boned. Paws: Small, but slightly rounded. Tail: Long, but in proportion to the body, tapering from a moderately thick base. Head & Neck (20): Top of skull flat and long. The face is broad across the eyes due to wide eye set & thick fur. Nose: Medium in length. Chin: Under-chin is level. Neck: Long & slender, but appearing short due to thick fur & high placement of shoulder blades. Ears (5): Rather large & wide at the base. Tips more pointed than rounded. The skin of the ears is thin & translucent with very little inside furnishing. The outside of the ear is scantily covered with short, very fine hair, with leather showing through. Set far apart, as much on the side as on the top of the head. Eye Shape (5): Set wide apart. Aperture rounded in shape. Disqualify: Kinked or abnormal tail. Locket or button, incorrect number of toes.

1982 GCCF Standard (same as FIFe standard) Colour (20): Pure, even blue. Adults must be free of tabby markings. Lighter shades or lavender preferred.Fur (25): Short, very fine and dense, silky & soft like seal skin with a silvery sheen. Body, Legs & Tail (25): Long body, graceful overall impression. Medium boning. Tail: Rather long and pointed. Legs & Feet: Long legs, small, oval paws. Siamese type not desirable. Head & Ears (15): Head: Wedge shaped with flat skull. Forehead and nose straight, forming an angle. Ears: Large and pointed, wide open at base & vertically placed on top of the head. The skin of ears is thin and transparent, and sparsely furnished with hair. Eyes (15): Vivid green, set rather wide apart, almond in shape. Faults: White or tabby markings. Stocky or heavy body. Square head.

1986 Major changes to GCCF standard Point distribution doesn’t change Medium blue preferred—from lighter shades or lavender Medium strong boning—from medium boning. Short wedge—from wedge shaped Prominent whisker pads, strong chin

The Russian Blue


1980s Standards 198x TICA Standard

Color (20): The coat is an even bright blue throughout with lighter color preferred. The guard hairs are silver tipped, giving the coat a lustrous appearance. Ghost markings permitted on kittens. Nose Leather: Charcoal grey. Paw pads: Rose flesh pink. Eye color: As vividly green as possible at maturity. Russian Blue kitten eyes change rapidly through yellow to green. By four months, a green ring should appear around the pupil. Cats whose eyes are not completely green should be penalized, the amount determined by the quality and vividness of green as well as by the age of the cat. No green in eyes—full penalty. Coat (20): Short, dense, fine & plush. Lies out from the body due to thick undercoat. May best be felt by stroking toward the head.General: The good show specimen has good physical condition, is firm in muscle tone, and alert. Body (15): Fine boned, long, svelte & graceful. Appears heavier in repose due to supple skin and lie of thick coat. Muscular in the manner of a swimmer rather than that of a wrestler. Legs (5) and Feet (2): Long, fine-boned legs with small, neat, well rounded feet. Cat appears to stand and walk on tiptoes. Tail (5): Straight, rather long, tapering from a moderately thick base. Head (15): Forehead high, top of skull flat and narrow, smoothly curving into back of neck. Face broad at eye level, looks even broader due to thick fur at side of head.. Nose: Medium length, straight nose looks upturned from almost any view except profile due to light reflection. Neck (3): Long but does not appear so in repose, due again to thick fur. Ears (5): Rather large, almost as wide at base as they are tall, and set far apart as much into the side as top of head. Ears look pointed as hair tufts finish off where slightly rounded tips stop. Inside furnishings cover approximately one-half of the otherwise bare, translucent ear area. Outside of ears completely covered with short, fine hair.Eye Shape & Set (10): Almost round, just oval enough to show oriental slant. Set one eye width apart or more. Penalize: Weak chin, eye color not completely green. Full penalty for eyes with no green. Withhold All Awards: Any white spot or lockets.

SGC Ro-Lin Natasha Dyerbee SGC Kats’N’Klamms Valentina

Chaskara Valeska of Kiska-Kisa

SGC Ro-Lin Amarillo of Rio Vista

The Russian Blue


Key Cats: 1990s

Similarities Dense double coats

Vivid green eyes

Long legs

Solid blue


Zatasha Svengali Rusalka Ivan Nikiforovits Heartbeeps Margarita Differences

NA: Light, silvery coats, refined boning, foreign bodies, outward ear tilt, 7 plane head

Britain: Dark coats with silver sheen, vertical ears, almond eyes, heavier boning and build, narrow skulls, pronounced whisker pads

Scandinavia: Proportionate study boning, slight ear tilt, moderate muzzle, silver tipping rather than sheen, angular head

The Russian Blue


1990s Standards 1998 CFA Standard

Color (20): Even bright blue throughout. Lighter or lavender shades of blue preferred. Guard hairs distinctly silver tipped giving the cat a silvery sheen or lustrous appearance. A definite contrast should be noted between the ground color & tipping. Free from tabby markings. Nose Leather: Slate grey. Paw pads: Lavender pink or mauve. Eye color (10) Vivid green. Coat (20): Short, dense, fine & plush. Double coat stands out from body due to density. It has a distinct soft and silky feel. General: The good show specimen has good physical condition, is firm in muscle tone, and alert. Body including Legs, Feet & Tail (20): Fine boned, long, firm and muscular; lithe & graceful in outline & carriage without being tubular in appearance. Legs: Long & fine boned. Paws: Small, slightly rounded. Toes: 5 in front, 4 behind. Tail: Long, but in proportion to the body, tapering from a moderately thick base. Head & Neck (20): Smooth, medium wedge, neither long and tapering nor short and massive. Muzzle is blunt, & part of the total wedge, without exaggerated pinch or whisker break. Top of skull long and flat in profile, gently descending to slightly above the eyes, and continuing at a slight downward angle in a straight line to the tip of the nose. No nose break or stop. Length of top-head should be greater than length of nose. The face is broad across the eyes due to wide eye-set & thick fur. Muzzle: Smooth, flowing wedge without prominent whisker pads or whisker pinches. Nose: Medium length. Chin: Perpendicular with the end of the nose & with level under-chin. Neither receding nor excessively massive. Neck: Long and slender, but appearing short due to thick fur and high placement of shoulder blades. Ears (5): Rather large & wide at the base. Tips more pointed than rounded. The skin of the ears is thin & translucent with little inside furnishing. The outside of the ear is scantily covered with short, very fine hair, with leather showing through. Set far apart, as much on the side as on the top of the head. Eye Shape (5): Set wide apart. Aperture rounded in shape. Disqualify: Kinked or abnormal tail. Locket or button, incorrect number of toes, any color other than blue, long coat.

1994 GCCF Standard Colour (15): Clear blue & even throughout with a distinct silvery sheen. Medium blue is preferred. The coat must be blue to the roots, which may be fractionally lighter in tone, & the hairs must show no banding or silver tipping although there may be absence of pigment at the tip. In maturity the coat should be free from tabby markings or shading, although ghost markings may show in kittens.Nose Leather: Blue PawPads: Blue but not necessarily as blue as the nose leather. Pinkish-lavender pads acceptable in kittens.. Coat 30): The texture & appearance of the coat are the truest criteria of the Russian. The coat is double with a very dense undercoat: the whole coat is very fine, short & soft with no harsh feel to it, very different in texture from any other breed. Body, Legs and Tail (20): Body: Long & graceful in outline & carriage. Medium strong bone, well muscled. Cobby or heavy build undesirable. The females may be slightly smaller than the males but should also be well muscled. Tail: Moderately long & in proportion to the body. Tapering, neither blunt-ended nor whip. Legs & Feet: Long legs. Feet small & oval. Head & Ears (20): Head: The wedge from tip of nose to eyes is short. The distance from the eyes to ears should be equal to or slightly longer than the wedge. The top of the head should appear flat between the ears. The whisker pads are prominent giving a broad end to the head. In profile the forehead should appear straight to the level of the upper edge of the eye. The profile from here to the tip of the nose has such a shallow concave curve that it appears virtually straight. This creates a distinctive angle level with the eye. There must be no stop, break or nose bump, nor must there be a straight profile from top of head to nose tip. The tip of the chin should line up with the tip of the nose in the same vertical plane. The chin should be strong & deep with a level bite. The back of the head should not fall away. In kittens the top of the head may appear more rounded and the profile angle may not be as well developed. Ears: Large and pointed, wide at base & set vertically to the head. The ear placement is such that the outer line of the ears continues the line of the upper part of the face, although in mature males with jowls this will be less apparent. There should be little inside hair. Eyes (15): Vivid green, set rather wide apart, almond in shape, not small and deep set. In kittens allowance should be made for eye colour. Withhold all Awards for: Extreme aggressive temperament. Withhold Certificates: Flat coat. Oriental type. Cobby or British type. White anywhere in Blues and Blacks. Incorrect eye colour in adults. Weak chin and/or uneven bite. Any defect in the preface to GCCF SOP.

The Russian Blue


1990s Standards 1998 TICA Standard

Color (20): The coat is an even bright blue throughout with lighter color preferred. The guard hairs are silver tipped, giving the coat a lustrous appearance. Ghost markings permitted on kittens. Nose Leather: Charcoal grey. Paw pads: Rose flesh pink. Eye color: As vividly green as possible at maturity. Russian Blue kitten eyes change rapidly through yellow to green. By four months, a green ring should appear around the pupil. Cats whose eyes are not completely green should be penalized, the amount determined by the quality and vividness of green as well as by the age of the cat. No green in eyes—full penalty. Coat (20): Short, dense, fine & plush. Lies out from the body due to thick undercoat. May best be felt by stroking toward the head.General: The good show specimen has good physical condition, is firm in muscle tone, and alert. Body (15): Fine boned, long, svelte & graceful. Appears heavier in repose due to supple skin and lie of thick coat. Muscular in the manner of a swimmer rather than that of a wrestler. Legs (5) and Feet (2): Long, fine-boned legs with small, neat, well rounded feet. Cat appears to stand and walk on tiptoes. Tail (5): Straight, rather long, tapering from a moderately thick base. Head (15): Forehead high, top of skull flat and narrow, smoothly curving into back of neck. Face broad at eye level, looks even broader due to thick fur at side of head.. Nose: Medium length, straight nose looks upturned from almost any view except profile due to light reflection. Neck (3): Long but does not appear so in repose, due again to thick fur. Ears (5): Rather large, almost as wide at base as they are tall, and set far apart as much into the side as top of head. Ears look pointed as hair tufts finish off where slightly rounded tips stop. Inside furnishings cover approximately one-half of the otherwise bare, translucent ear area. Outside of ears completely covered with short, fine hair.Eye Shape & Set (10): Almost round, just oval enough to show oriental slant. Set one eye width apart or more. Penalize: Weak chin, eye color not completely green. Full penalty for eyes with no green. Withhold All Awards: Any white spot or lockets.

RW Talisker Crossfire RW Friday’s Blue Blazes of Talisker

SGC Chayat’s Patroushka SGC Chayat’s Smoroki

The Russian Blue:Current Influences on Development.

The Russian Blue


2000s: Eastern European Impact Elza

Worldwide impact

Russia Coming home! WCF, NA style

The Issues Managing type Longhair

genes Health

EC Mona Arneri Arneri Violet of Krasota (Imp) Basilius Elerius

Ellada Blue*RU

Talisker Olwen of Sunnanordica (Imp)

Elza EC Noemi Rosa Glauca*CZ, DM GC Silverlock’s Charade GC, RW Valnika’s Rudy Valentino

The Russian Blue


Current GCCF Standard The Russian is a cat of elegant foreign type without the exaggerated elongation of the Oriental. Its high ears,

green almond-shaped eyes, angled profile & prominent whisker pads create a distinctive gentle expression which, together with its essential velvety double coat, gives the breed its unique charm.

Head/Ears(20): The wedge from tip of nose to eyes is short. The distance from eyes to ears should be equal to or slightly longer than the wedge. The top of the head should appear flat between the ears. The whisker pads are prominent giving a broad end to the head. In profile the forehead should appear straight to the level of the upper edge of the eye. The profile from here to the tip of the nose has such a shallow concave curve that it appears virtually straight. This creates a distinctive angle level with the upper edge of the eye. There must be no stop, break or nose bump, nor must there be a straight profile from top of head to nose tip. The tip of the chin should line up with the tip of the nose in the same vertical plane. The chin should be strong and deep with a level bite. The back of the head should not fall away. In kittens the top of the head may appear more rounded and the profile angle may not be as well developed. Ears: Large and pointed, wide at the base and set vertically to the head. The ear placement is such that the outer line of the ears continues the line of the upper part of the face, although in mature males with jowls this will be less apparent. There should be little inside hair.

Eyes (15): Vivid green. Set rather wide apart, almond in shape, not small and deep set. In kittens allowance should be made for eye colour.

Body/Legs/Tail (20): Long & graceful in outline & carriage. Medium strong bone, well muscled. Cobby or heavy build undesirable. The females may be slightly smaller than the males but should also be well muscled. Legs & Feet:Long legs. Feet small and oval. Tail: Moderately long & in proportion to the body. Tapering, neither blunt-ended nor whip.

Coat (30):The coat is double with a very dense undercoat: the whole coat is very fine, short and soft with no harsh feel to it, very different in texture from any other breed & the truest criterion of the Russian.

Colour (15): Clear blue and even throughout with a distinct silvery sheen. Medium blue is preferred. The coat must be blue to the roots, which may be fractionally lighter in tone, and the hairs must show no banding or silver tipping although there may be absence of pigment at the tip. In maturity the coat should be free from tabby markings or shading, although ghost markings may show in kittens. Nose Leather and Paw Pads: Nose leather blue. Paw pads blue but not necessarily as blue as nose leather. Pinkish lavender pads acceptable in kittens.

Condition & Temperament - In the Russian the condition & temperament of the cat are important considerations. Withhold all Awards for: Extreme aggressive temperament. Withhold Certificates or First Prizes in Kitten Open Classes for: Flat coat. Oriental type. Cobby or British type. White anywhere in Blues & Blacks. Any colour other than white anywhere in Whites. Incorrect eye colour in adults. Weak chin and/or uneven bite. Any defect as listed in the preface to the GCCF SOP booklet.

Provisional: Whites and Blacks.

The Russian Blue


2000s TICA Standard (2008) Coat/Color/Pattern (40) Colour (20): Even bright blue throughout. Deeper tipping preferred making the cat appear lighter in color. Guard hairs tipped with silver, with the deeper tipping preferred. The silver tipping is not due to the action of the Inhibitor (silver) gene. Ghost tabby markings permitted on kittens. Nose Leather: charcoal grey. Paw pads: rose flesh pink. Texture (20): Length: Short. Texture: Fine, soft, silky. Density: Dense, plush double coat.

Body (27): Torso (15): Foreign. Size: Males proportionately larger than females. Length: Long. Boning: Fine. Note: Cat will appear to be chunkier due to density of coat. Fine bones do not mean a small cat. Musculature: Lithe, slender. Having solid weight, not excessive bulk.Tail (5): Long, straight, tapering from a rather thick base to slender tip. Legs (5): Long, fine-boned, firm and lithe. Feet (2): Well rounded, small, appears to stand and walk on tiptoe.

Head (33): Shape (15): Modified wedge with 7 flat planes. 7 planes are: A vertical line from the tip of the nose to bottom of the chin. The profile from the tip of the nose to the forehead. The flat top head from the front of the forehead back. 2 planes in the muzzle (one on each side). 2 planes formed by the high wide cheekbones (one on each side). Profile: Straight nose and forehead forming two planes. Muzzle: Medium length. Muzzle Break: None. Skull: Top flat and narrow; forehead high. Chin: Flat vertical plane from tip of nose to bottom of chin. Ears (5): Almost as wide at base as tall; appear pointed; slightly rounded tips. Rather large, set far apart, as much on the side as top of head. The outside covered with short, fine hair and furnishings cover approximately ½ inside ear. Eyes (10): Rather large, almost round, just oval enough to show oriental slant. Set far apart. Color is green in adults, with kittens changing from yellow to green. Neck (3): Long, (but may appear shorter due to dense fur) and slender.

Penalize: Weak chin, eye color not completely green. Full penalty for eyes with no green.

Withhold All Awards: Any white spots or lockets.

SGC IW Rockyblu Sealan SGC IW Talisker Laurent of Kittyhawk

SGC Valnika Silverstone SGC IW Talisker The Doctor

The Russian Blue


Early Beginnings to The Present: A Pictorial View

1890sBayard

1900sYula

1910sRoly Poly

1920s 1930s 1940sDunloe Pavola

1950s Maja’s Acres Igor of 3Rs

1960s Velva’s Blue Viking

1970s Tsar Blu’s Fitzwilliam of Velva

1980s Jontue’s Rhythm And Blues of Casein

1990sHeartbeeps Margarita

2000sTalisker The Doctor

The Russian Blue


Bibliography Buckworth-Herne-Soame, Evelyn. Cats: Long-Haired and Short. (1933). Cats and Kittens April 1950* Cats Magazine (July/Aug 1948) Eustace, May and Elizabeth Towe. Fifty Years of Pedigree Cats. Pelham Books Limited: London (1967).* Fur & Feather June 22 1928 Hargreaves, A. “A Breeding Experiment” in Our Cats, October 1951.* Hazlett, Bob. “Will the Real Russian Blue Stand Up” in CFA Yearbook, 10th Anniversary Edition, 1967.* House, CA. Cats: Show and Pet (1903)* House, CA. Our Cats and All About Them (1933)* Jackson, Marge. “Poetry in Motion” in CFA Yearbook 1989-1990.* Jennings, John: Domestic & Fancy Cats. (1893)* Kiernan, U.P. “Russians: A Few Notes” in Cats and Kittens March 1950.* Kiernan, U.P. “Letters to the Editor” in Cats and Kittens September 1950* MacKay, Johanna. “Profile of Miss Marie Rochford: Pioneer Breeder of Russian Blues” in Our Cats, October, 1961.* National Cat Club Stud Book & Register Vols 1-5** http://naldr.nal.usda.gov/ Our Cats Jan 2 1904 (weekly serial publication) Our Cats July 25 1908 Rochford, Marie. “The Rare Russian Blue: A Few Notes” in Cats and Kittens, April 1950.* Russian Blue Pedigree Database http://russianblues.ca/RussianBlues.html *** Seidel, Diana. “Gone Blue” in CFA Yearbook 1973.* Simpson, Frances. Cats—And All About Them. (1901)* Simpson, Frances: The Book of the Cat (1903)* Soderberg, P.M. Pedigree Cats. Cassel & Company: London (1958).* Stables, Gordon: Cats: Their Points Etc. (1874)* The Cat July/August 1947 The Cat Journal February 1906 * The Cat Journal June 1907 * The Cat Journal June 1908 * Urcia, Ingeborg. This is the Russian Blue. T.F.H. Publications: Neptune City, NJ (1983)* Urcia, Ingeborg. “The Russian Blue” in CA Yearbook 1984.* Urcia, Ingeborg. The Russian Blue Cat. Ingeborg Urcia: Cheney, Washington (1999)* Weir, Harrison: Our Cats. (1889)*

the russian blue: historical development

Documents

warscandinaviaone russian

pt arial regular

line information

white maximum length

locked elementsindications

live content indications

whitetemplate release

vertical strokes