Frequently
Asked Questions
About Russian Blue Cats
Is
the Russian Blue affectionate?
Yes,
you'll find the Russian Blue to be a very affectionate cat, with
it's family. But it may be reserved, or even shy, with strangers.
While they love their families, they generally gravitate more
to one "special person."
Do
they shed?
Every
cat sheds, however you'll find that the Russian Blue sheds very
little, provided they are on a good balanced diet. You may see
more shedding in spring and fall, while the cat changes seasonal
coats.
Are they really hypoallergenic?
No. Read our article on that subject.
Why are they called "blue" when they are really grey?
In
the animal fancies, grey is known as blue. In certain lights the
Russian Blue coat will sparkle with a blue or silver blue tone.
Do
they really come from Russia?
The
Russian Blue really originated in Russia. Probably first seen
on Russian ships sailing into England from the Port of Archangel,
on the Baltic Sea. Early English breeders, who were anxious to
introduce this lovely cat to the British Cat Fancy, began to import
them in the 1800's. The first breeding stock came to the United
States in the 1940's.
Does
the Russian Blue come in any other colors?
The
true Russian Blue, produced naturally by Mother Nature, only comes
in one color - BLUE, as their name implies. This is the only color
accepted by the Cat Fanciers Association, and the Russian Blue
Fanciers. There are some individuals, in other associations, that
are hybridizing the Russian Blue with other breeds to produce
a variety of colors and coat lengths.
Are
they good with children?
Russian
Blues have a very intuitive nature that seems to make them aware
that a well-mannered child has no intention of hurting them. Consequently,
they seem to be more tolerant of the rougher handling of small
children. When they've had enough, they'll leave and hide. However,
it's imperative that children be taught to handle any cat with
respect and gentleness.
How
are they with other animals? Other cats and dogs in particular?
Many
Russian Blue breeders also have other companion animals, particularly
dogs. Cat's don't have color, breed or physical prejudices. They
react based on their experience and the body language of other
pets. How well they get along is dependant on the introduction
process supervised by their humans.
How
many kittens are do they have in a litter?
Two to four kittens is probably about average, although a queen
may have as few as one and as many as six.
Is
a male or female preferable? Who has the better temperament?
Since
most Russian Blues are sold as neutered pets, sex should have
no bearing on a pet owners selection. They are both loving, gentle
companions. The kitten with the most appealing personality is
the one that should be chosen. However, if you think you want
to show and breed, you'll want to discuss, with the breeder, the
behavioral differences apparent in either sex of unaltered cat.
How
long does a Russian Blue live?
The
Russian Blue, as any pedigreed cat, has an average life span of
10-15 years. Like humans, some will have shorter or longer lives
than the average.
Are
they a healthy breed?
You'll
find the the Russian Blue is generally a very hardy cat, with
no inherent genetic problems & not prone to illness.
How
smart are they?
As
a pet, you can't ask for a better companion, or one who'll entertain
you more by learning tricks, or figuring things out. Little gets
by the Russian. Most breeders will tell you, "we like to
breed for dumb," because the smarter the Russian Blue, the
harder it is to show them. Some figure out, very quickly, what
to do to discourage a judge from handling them, and then proceed
to be the most loving companion once their owner removes them
from the judging ring.