Archangel Blue, Archangel cat
The dignified appearance and gentle character are his trademarks. Thanks to its unique color, it has become one of the most desirable breeds. In addition to its beautiful appearance, this animal is also distinguished by a great disposition. Here is the “tsarist” representative of the domestic cat – the Russian blue cat.
FIFe classification
- Category IV: Shorthair
- EMS code: RUS-1
- Other names: Maltese cat, Archangel cat, Archangel Blue
- Country of origin: Russia
History of the breed
The Russian Blue Cat is a naturally occurring breed that probably comes from Arkhangelsk – a city on the Dvina River. The breed was able to spread around the world thanks to 19th-century sailors who then transported it to Northern Europe and Great Britain. The first recorded representative of the breed known outside of Russia appeared at the exhibition of purebred cats in Crystal Palace in 1875.
Until the end of World War II, the breed was bred mainly in Russia and the Scandinavian countries. It existed in the USA before the war, but in the post-war period, it was on the verge of extinction. Therefore, breeders have created a modern variety of the Maltese cat, which is a combination of Scandinavian and British blue cat varieties.
Thanks to its appearance and color, the breed was used to create other breeds, such as the Havana Brown, or to modify existing ones, such as the Nebelung.
Characteristic
Appearance
It is characterized by light green eyes and two-layer, thick blue-gray fur. The undercoat is soft, fluffy, and its length is similar to that of the top coat. You can see slightly marked stripes on the tail. Chartreux cats have a similar color and fur – in both breeds, it is both thick and soft.
The ends of the hair are colorless, which is why the fur appears to be shiny.
The Russian Blue Cat should not be confused with the Chartreux, British Shorthair, or Korat cat. All these breeds have beautiful blue fur, but there are many differences between them, for example in the shape of the head or the color of the iris.
Temperament
This stately cat has a gentle character reserved for loving owners. In contact with a stranger, it can be insular. It becomes affectionate and cheerful when it is with loved ones. It is also physically active, but not as overwhelming as, for example, an Abyssinian cat. It is more willing to play with people than alone, it likes to chase small objects the most.
When the owner is at home, the cat stays with him, watches him and accompanies him constantly. It does not tolerate change very well; it prefers stabilization and even routine. In addition, the Russian cat is demanding on hygiene. His litter box should be in good condition – it will not use it if it is too dirty.
It belongs to intelligent, inquisitive and calm cats. It shows sensitivity to human emotions and becomes very loyal to his loving owner. It lives well with other animals and children. It does not meow very often, but sometimes he talks to people. It loves playing with small animals, such as dogs, cats and ferrets. You can teach it all sorts of tricks.
Apart from its delicate character, however, it has a second face – an effective hunter that catches rodents, birds and small reptiles.
It can spend hours playing, so he tolerates one-day loneliness well. After the owner returns, the cat happily greets him. It turns out to be a great companion who chooses one “favorite” from among the household members. However, it loves company (including children). It shows its love by clowning and fooling around. It is not uncommon for the blue Russian cat to soothe a crying baby with its cute antics.
In addition to the above-mentioned features, the Russian blue cat has a tendency to show shyness or even nervousness towards strangers or disliked people and places.
Detailed data / dimensions (size)
Russian Blue cat
- Body length: 60 cm (23.6 in)
- Height at the withers: 25 cm (9.84 in)
- Weight: 3.6 to 6.8 kg (8 to 15 lb)
- Lifespan: 15-20 years (max 25 years)
Russian blue cat – interesting facts
- Legend has it that the Russian Blue Cat is a descendant of cats belonging to the Russian Tsars.
- Due to the raised corners of its mouth, it seems that this cat is constantly smiling.
- If rumors are to be believed, a cat’s shyness, alertness, and distance to strangers have to do with the fact that it has fallen victim to hunters in the past because of its beautiful fur.
- Due to its coarse hair, the Russian Blue Cat seems larger than it really is.
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