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BREEDS OF CATS

Russian Blue Cat History

The origins of the Russian Blue are for the most part unavailable. Some believe these cats originated in Russia as their name implies, while others say the breed is actually of Swedish descent. Not much else is known before these cats were exported to England and the USA. In 1949, the breed was officially accepted by the Cat Fancier's Association (CFA) for registration.The breed experienced a surge in popularity in the 1970s, but this quickly dropped off a decade later because Russian Blues at that time had gained a reputation as being difficult to handle. Dedicated breeders worked to improve the personalities of these alluring felines, and the result is the quiet, gentle and even a bit shy cats we know and love today.

General Appearance

The overall body type of this breed is athletic and graceful. The bones are fairly fine, and the body is slightly elongated yet still balanced. Heads are basically wedge-shaped, but not to an extreme extent.

	Coat
	There are two things that really distinguish the Russian Blue from other breeds, and the first is his coat. It is a striking shade of blue/gray with just enough silver tipping to give it a remarkable sheen. The coat is medium length, extremely plush and should stand on end due to its density.Unlike other breeds that are known for their glorious coats, such as Persians and Maine Coons, the coat of the Russian Blue is fairly easy to care for, and a good weekly brushing is usually all that is needed to keep things in good condition.
	Eye Color
	This breed's other most distinctive characteristic is their eyes. At their best, they are a rich emerald green color that makes a fascinating contrast to their glossy blue fur. The eyes are round, of good size and set well apart.

Personality

While some breeds may extol the virtues of cats that are so friendly they are practically dog-like, this is not the case with Russian Blues. These cats do have wonderful personalities, but they do not give their attention or affection frivolously. A Russian is a cautious cat that likes to take his time getting to know you, and will usually do so from a distance before deciding whether or not to approach you. If you are patient, and if you are found worthy, you will be rewarded with a calm and exceptionally loving companion.It's also worth noting that these felines generally tend to be "one person" cats. Although they may treat all regular household members with a certain amount of acceptance and affection, they often single out one person to become their special friend and will shower that lucky soul with devotion.

Health Issues

Overall, these cats enjoy good health, and there are no particular genetic diseases associated with the breed at this time. Regular exercise and a healthy diet are generally all that is required to keep a Russian in good condition. However, it should be noted that these cats have healthy appetites, so obesity is something to keep an eye on. Other than that, these cats enjoy active lives well into their teens.

Controversy Over Out Crossing

In recent years, there has been some out crossing of Russian Blues to other breeds in an attempt to introduce color varieties within the breed. Some breeders strongly feel that this would take away from the breed's very unique look, and they are heartily against the move. In response to the controversy, the CFA Russian Blue standard has been amended to specifically state that there are no out crosses allowed, and that long coats or any other colors are a disqualification.

Russian Blue Cat Names

If you want to give your cat a name that reflects his breed, there are two distinct routes you can take. You can use names that play off the color blue, or you can opt to give your cat a traditional Russian name. Here are examples of both.

Blue names:

	Alice
	Azure
	Baby
	Cerulean
	Cobalt
	Cornflower
	Denim
	Indigo
	Midnight
	Periwinkle
	Powder
	Sapphire
	Sky
	Steel

Russian names for males include:
	Alek
	Cheslav
	Czar
	Dimitre
	Fabi
	Gregori
	Jasha

Russian names for females include:
	Aleksandra
	Anitchka
	Calina
	Fayina
	Galina
	Inessa
	Inessa