Temperament    

The Russian Blue is a gentle, sometimes shy cat with an often playful manner.  It is quick to learn and has some dog-like characteristics, like retrieving wads of paper or soft balls.  Its voice, if any, is soft and sweet, often making them a good choice for apartment dwellers or older people.  Many, however, will talk to their owners if they are encouraged to do so. The Russians also make wonderful companions for children and if not handled roughly they interact easily with the little ones.   They prefer gentle but firm handling and can at times be easily startled. The Russian is an intelligent cat and training should be by  repetition, not man-handling. They are often known to play Hide and Seek with their owners and to find the highest place in the house to sleep!

They are a breed that wants to be part of the family and are curious --wanting to inspect anything or anyone that enters their world.  They are a semi-active breed but not destructive unless bored, stressed or neglected by their owners.  Provide a sturdy scratcher, put it in a window so they can enjoy the outside world from the safe indoors.  Don’t hide it in a corner or basement – remember they want to be where you are and part of your family! Russian Blues take pride in cleanliness, preferring order rather then chaos in the household.  They will let you know if you haven’t cleaned the litter box or if you haven’t provided two boxes for both duties! Overall, they are a healthy breed.  Seek good veterinary care, feed high quality food, and provide daily exercise and lots of love.  As with any breed, as a pet gets older, some health issues may arise.  Watch for any changes in your cat’s habits.  Changes in habits usually signal a potential health issue. Most Russians will select one family member to bond with more closely than the rest. Often that person is the one who feeds them as they have wonderful appetites that sometimes have to be restricted to control their weight.  This bonding relationship will be special and you will be rewarded with many head butts from your Blue, and many moments to cherish.

Origin

The Russian Blue is one of the natural breeds in the cat fancy.  It is thought that the Blues came from Russia, but some say this can only be a theory.   Many stories have been discussed but some proof has come from both England and Russia as to their existence.  The breed has gone through various names such as Archangel, Maltese, Foreign Blue and Russian Blue.  Evidence of Blues is also found in the Scandinavian countries.  Fur trading and shipping may have had some bearing on their location in these countries. Rumor also has the Russian Blue as a descendant of the Royal Cat of the Russian Czars and as a favored pet of Queen Victoria.