Everything You Need To Know About Blue Russian Cats
People tend to assume that animals, inclusive of house pets, do not have a personality. The persona of an animal varies according to many factors, including breed, genetic history, and wellbeing. The society also assumes that it is impossible to keep a domestic cat when they have a recognizable allergy to cats. It is possible to keep a domestic cat without suffering from the allergy that affects cats.
The Russian Blue cat is a hypoallergenic breed that has retained utmost fascination throughout history. Many societies grew to swear that this cat is the ultimate cat companion. The uniqueness of the feline demands in-depth exposure.
The history of Blue Russian cats
Origin
The association of Cat Fanciers has the world’s most significant records of pedigree cats. The organization also has information about the Blue Russian cat.
The real roots if this feline disappeared during society’s growth. Some people speculate that the species is a descendant of the czar pet cats from Russia. Legend has it that the cat dominated the northwest side of Russia. People hunted them down for the prize of their unique dense furs. Currently, there have been sightings of the original pure type in some of the coldest regions in Russia.
Russian sailors from the port city on the Northern Dvina River made the city one of the most critical points in the Russian empire. The name Arkhangelsk contributed to the first name of the cat.
The Russian Blue’s first name was Archangel Blue. This name was from the city’s name, English translation, Archangel. Other early names include, ‘the Foreign Blue’ and ‘Maltese.’
Migration
Further explanation traces the cat’s movement to massive migration to England in the 1860s, via shipping from Arkhangelsk. The cat arrived on the American continent in the 1900s. Cat enthusiasts began the cross-breeding practices much later after their settlement. They imported more Russian Blues from England and Scandinavia. The uniquely bred mixtures gave rise to the current green eyes and blue fur.
The course of the Russian Blue in history
World War II was deeply tumultuous to the cat’s breed. Many breeders could not access the resources required to continue the lineage. The result was the numbers dwindled by a high ratio.
The British community was, however, fast to reclaim the cat’s status after the war. They continued the coined names, ‘Blue Foreign type’ and ‘Foreign Blue,’ as well as the breeding season. Other countries that invested in the cats’ population are Denmark, Finland, and Sweden. They accelerated the breeding by crossing the pure types with different types.
The current appearances of the Russian Blues vary in various regions around Europe. The Scandinavian cat lovers bred the Russian Blue with Siamese cats. Current observations of this mix show that they have a long body and a more angular face. The silhouette appears stockier than that or original breeds.
Imposters of the Blue Russian
Plenty of cats can pass off as Russian Blues. It is not uncommon for people to key in the question ‘Is my cat a Blue Russian?’ on online search engines. Here are a few common ways to identify an authentic breed.
Features of the feline
- They have mauve paws, with a grey undertone
- The double thickness of the coat has long hairs, known as guard hairs, and shorter ones, which make up the plush coat
- It has a solid blue coat which is free of other colorations. The sheen of the fur’s tips makes the layer appear silver in certain lighting conditions.
- The Russian blue has a silky and plush gray coat.
- The fur does not shed as much as it does on other breeds of cats; hence they are the most hypoallergenic cat
- They have a lessened amount of production of dander and other allergens. Consequentially, people do not realize they activated allergies. It is however vital for you to confirm the degree of the allergenic properties before signing up to acquire one
Online test
Green eyes do not indicate that the cat is a Russian Blue; neither does the grey coat. The gene pool of the breed may sometimes yield a cat with similar features. It takes a trained eye to identify the authenticity of one.
A specific formula for finding out the cat’s breed is finding out the score on Breed Standard. The long list of qualities may help to disqualify a non-obvious factor like a kinked tail, a white mark on the nose, and a particular sheen color on the coat. The percentage of scored points will indicate the exact breed of the feline.
Testing the blue genes
It is difficult to prove whether the fur belongs to that of a Russian Blue. They only difference could be in the eyes, thick of the coat, or the color of the sheen. The domestic shorthair Russian Blues have a small probability of producing the breed. It is, however, rare for them to be a pure kind.
Color coordination
The color genetics of a cat will play a primary role in producing the specific tint of the Russian Blue. The myriad of variables will help align the exact type. Here is a short synopsis of Russian Blues colors:
- Short hair has a single domination color, which is recessive
- The black color is usually a base
- It is typical for the dark black tint to be the dominant one
- The dilution of the dark black shade is recessive
- A rare type of Russian Blues will have soft white undercoat hair
Non-physical test
It is best to consider the personality of the cat after ascertaining its physical traits to be of a Russian Blue. The small gene of the cats gives the following common personality traits:
- Shyness around strangers
- Extreme independence
- A quietness that is not trainable
- Another aspect of the Blue Russian is that they are unmistakably intelligent
- Their playfulness makes them useful in fetching small toys and items around the house
- These felines have a bombastic persona
Litmus test
The kittens of felines have apparent differences. Breeding a confirmed Russian Blue with another type will produce one that has Russian Blue traits. The litany of probable coat colors will depend on the particulars of the domestic kind.
The silvery-blue color of the feline arises from a dilution of the black hairs. Mating two Russian Blues will produce a kitten litter with all sorts of grey shades. Mating the cat with other cat types will result in kitten mixtures with blue and black undertones in the fur. Mating the original blue with a white car will give kittens with fur colors black, blue, and white.
How does the Russian Blue differ from other Blues?
There are several different breeds with a blue color. These include the British Blue and Chartreux. It is possible to notice the subtle differences between them when you have a prior understanding of their physical makeup.
The hypoallergenic factor of the cats
Some people state that the Russian Blue will not cause any degree of an allergic reaction. Science observes that the statement is not entirely true.
The Blue Russian cat produces reduced amounts of the Fel d 1 protein. This allergenic protein is present in the cat’s saliva and secretions from the skin. These fluids are responsible for the itchiness in your skin and the watering of your eyes when you come into contact with an allergenic cat.
The small amounts of Fel d1 in Russian Blue cats are responsible for a small amount of an allergic reaction. While there are plenty of reasons to desire a Russian Blue, it is crucial to understand that you might some of the few that have a defensive bodily reaction to the cat’s Fel d1.
Exhibition of the cat
The archangel feline made its first debut at one of the earliest cats’ shows in modern history. Its first presentation was at London’s Crystal Palace in the year 1875. The crowd was appalled at the rare magnificence of the fur.
One writer in the audience described the feline as a very handsome feline from Archangel. He added that the furry appearance had a striking resemblance to the wild gray rabbit.
The only downside of its exhibition is that it did not attract any gifts. This case was because the founder of the show used a general categorization method to group the cats. The father of the cat fancy arranged all shorthaired blue cats into one section. He awarded the prize to the round-faced British Blue breed.
The personality of the feline
Social interaction
This Russian cat has the sweetest disposition. It will have extreme withdrawal as a newcomer in the house, but slowly begin to warm up to the household. The cat enjoys sitting next to their favorite humans and will usually have an open attitude towards games like the playful fetch.
Consistency
The cat has a strong natural inclination to maintain a stable and quiet environment. They will have an evident withdrawal symptom when you introduce sudden noise or a new pet to the house. They do well in maintaining the same timetable of meals, exercise, and play.
Fascinations of the Russian Blue
Chris Torre is an expert graphic illustrator, who had a love for the Russian breed with a blue hue. He had one in his home, which he coined Marty. Marty’s playfulness and intelligence inspired Chris to create a YouTube video. Chris revealed that the name was a reference of the cat from Back to the Future, Marty. The original Marty played a massive role in influencing Chris’s drawing in the video.
The inspiration to draw the cat arose after his participation at a Red Cross donation drive. He received many different suggestions on the intended drawing. Some people suggested that he brings a Pop-Tart, while others suggested he draws a hybrid of Pop-Tart and another type. He used depictions from Back To The Future to develop a character and appearance of the pop tart. Chris Torre’s pet cat passed away in 2012.
Chris Torre chose to draw a hybrid of a Pop-Tart and the realism of his cat Marty. A closer look reveals that the drawing has a dominant resemblance to his real cat. The final art received the name, ‘the Nyan cat.’
The Nyan cat has a pixel value of 8 bits and made a name through the fun side of the video platform. Other people later gained inspiration to create an Internet meme of a cat flying through space.
The best way to learn about the Russian Blue is by reading a profoundly and widely informative book. There are several versions of manuals that will guide you to find the perfect guideline. Karola Brecht is a well-known cat fanatic, who delves into all aspects of a cat’s life. These usually include the following:
- The personality
- Habitat
- Feeding routine
- Diseases
- Costs of different ages of the cat
- The best diet plan
- Caring throughout its life
- Pictures of different shades of the blue
Karola Brecht has at least ten years of studying the Russian Blues. She has a total of 45 years in living with cats and several years working as a renowned vet. She enjoys their natural lifestyle in their extensive family farm in Germany. Karola’s love for cats drives her to keep a consistently high number of cats, with the most top record standing at thirty-five.
How to purchase the book
Karola has an understanding way of making the book available to readers. She, therefore, produced two versions of the text:
Regular and Mass Market Paperback
The Amazon store includes both new and used books, with differing prices. You will get a free shipping service when you purchase books worth more than $25.
The 136-page book is a quick cheat sheet to help you understand how to build a bond with your blue and sustain a happy and stable home. The prices are fair enough for you to get a version that fits into your budget. Make a purchase today and spend less than a day finding jewels that will improve your livelihood for the long haul.
Originally published at https://purrpetrators.com on November 19, 2019.