Way to Russia Talk Lounge

Paul Holmes · Lounge Wizard Joined: 12 Apr 2005 Posts: 1012

This should change Dmitri's google count
But there is two breed of cats that are Russian origin.

http://www.cfainc.org/breeds/profiles/russian.html

Breed Profile: Russian Blue

Little is known about the origin of the Russian Blue, however, stories and legends abound. Many believe the Russian Blue is a natural breed originating from the Archangel Isles in northern Russia. Legend has these beautiful animals trapped for their plush double coats which are sometimes compared to the coat of a beaver or seal. Originally known as the Archangel Cat or Foreign Blue, it is believed that they were brought by sailors from the Archangel Isles to England and Northern Europe in the 1860s. 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.

First shown in 1875 at the Crystal Palace in England as the Archangel Cat, the original Russian Blue competed in a class for all blue cats. It was not until 1912 that the Russian Blue was given a class of its own. From its early origins until after World War II, English and Scandinavian breeders worked to develop the foundation bloodlines for the contemporary Russian Blue. Although Russians were imported to the United States as early as 1900, there is little recorded work with the breed in America until after World War II. American breeders combined the English bloodlines with their plush, silvery coats and Scandinavian bloodlines with their emerald green eyes and flat profiles to produce the Russian Blue we know today. In the 1960s the Russian Blue began to gain popularity and has become a favorite both at cat shows and at home.

The Russian Blue is a gentle, affectionate cat easily distinguished from other breeds. One of the most outstanding features of the Russian Blue is a short, dense coat of an even, bright blue color with each hair dipped in silver. This silver tipping gives the Russian a silvery sheen and lustrous appearance that can best be appreciated in natural light. Russian Blues come in only one color, blue, and one coat length, short.The density of the coat causes it to stand out from the body and allows patterns to be traced in the coat which remain until you smooth them away. In lovely contrast to the blue coat, the Russian Blue has large, rounded, wide-set eyes that are a vivid green. The head is sometimes described as cobra-like which aptly describes the broad, medium wedge and flat profiles. The large, pointed ears are wide at the base and set rakishly toward the side of the head. The body of the Russian Blue is fine-boned, long, and firmly muscled. The clean lines and graceful carriage of the Russian Blue give it a regal appearance all its own.

Those attracted by the physical beauty of the Russian Blue find the disposition of these unassuming cats equally appealing. Russian Blues are quiet, clean cats who are playful and loving companions. Despite their shy nature, Russians are devoted and quite affectionate towards their loved ones. They are very intelligent and have been reported to open doors and teach their owners to fetch. Sensitive to the mood of the house, Russians will ‘clown' to quiet a crying baby or sit patting your face to chase away the blues. They get along well with children and other pets.

A Russian Blue is a good choice for the modern home because their undemanding nature fits perfectly into today's busy schedules. They will entertain themselves if left alone for the day and be a contented companion upon your return. The Russian requires a minimum of grooming with periodic nail clipping and a coat that can be kept looking good by frequent petting and an occasional combing. Many Russians seem to enjoy being combed or brushed as it allows them additional time with their owners.

While the Russian Blue may at first glance look like any other grey cat, a more careful look will show them to have a special appearance that is all their own. They have been said to look as if they are smiling and that the reason for that smile is known only to themselves. But beyond appearances, the real pleasure of the Russian Blue is its unique personality which sets it apart from other cats and makes it an interesting, entertaining and affectionate companion to its owners and friends.

Paul Holmes · Lounge Wizard Joined: 12 Apr 2005 Posts: 1012

http://www.siberiancatworld.com/history.htm

History Present Future

The Siberian Cat originates in Russia. It is a semi long-haired cat, appreciated over the years for its’ sweet and affectionate temperament. The registrations of the Siberian Cat started in 1987 by the Kotofei Cat Club in St. Petersburg. It was soon followed by The Fauna Club in Moscow.
The exact origin of the Siberian Cat is impossible to confirm due to lack of documentation. It's a Russian house cat. Just, like any stray cat, if given some food and a warm place to stay, it will gradually become more or less domesticated. Cats are good rodent hunters and were therefore imported to cities like Leningrad ( St. Petersburg) to keep the rats under control sometimes at the end of the 1940’s or the beginning of the 1950’s.

A stray cat has mostly low status in any country, especially after the World War II when Europe and former USSR were recovering from the long war.
The modern breeding started from these cats, taken to homes from the streets of Leningrad and Moscow.In the 1960´s the breeding was in small scale, but during the second Russian “revolution” when political system was reformed, the breeding started in larger scale. Export started as well, in the end of 1980’s. The breeders used different cats as foundations; they took them often from the streets. There were also importations from Northern Asia, this started in 1999.

gomer · WayToRussified Joined: 30 Mar 2007 Posts: 445

Paul Holmes · Lounge Wizard Joined: 12 Apr 2005 Posts: 1012

Next topic, Russian dogs aka Russian Bitches

CAjules · Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 10:38 am Post subject:

jo jo 7 · Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 1:52 pm Post subject:

Haha....what a brazen headline for this discussion. This should make for some interesting attention on google as people surf the links. They will be surprise to read that this is about a cat once they click on this site.

BTW, Paul....I had a Russian blue pussy.... Laughing

gomer · WayToRussified Joined: 30 Mar 2007 Posts: 445

I was standing in line at the front door of a bank in Khimki, waiting for the bank to reopen after lunch. On the dirt near the bank's entrance, was a cat resting. The cat was watching everyone standing in line. There were 2 small bowls nearby with water in one bowl and dry cat food in the other. Bank cat, I suppose. Cats will look at you if you say, "kiss-kiss" but won't always come to you.

Paul Holmes · Lounge Wizard Joined: 12 Apr 2005 Posts: 1012

I have been to cat shows and I am not joking. Serious of thinking of going to Finland because my breed of cat is really popular and there is many baeutiful women who own them.

gomer · WayToRussified Joined: 30 Mar 2007 Posts: 445

I attended a cat show at VDNKh in Moscow, last year. There was a camera crew there interviewing attendees of the cat show. Many British Blue Shorthair cats on display, more than any other breed, it seemed. Lots of Longhair cats of various breeds also.

Paul Holmes · Lounge Wizard Joined: 12 Apr 2005 Posts: 1012

THere are several statutes in SPB dedicated to cats for saving the city. THey defended the city from rats thus preserving the food supply and when things were really tough, many became the food supply.

lusenish · Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 11:43 am Post subject:

That's my Sberian cat)))

jo jo 7 · Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 1:23 pm Post subject:

jo jo 7 · Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 1:24 pm Post subject:

Paul Holmes · Lounge Wizard Joined: 12 Apr 2005 Posts: 1012

I am sorry, but if it weren't for cats, then Leningrad would have fallen to the Germans. You cannot digest grass.
If you think about it, the cats of SPB helped destroy the Nazi's by justing doing their job, catching rats.
Nice Siberan. they are amazing cats and I heard they love to climb.

gomer · WayToRussified Joined: 30 Mar 2007 Posts: 445

http://www.macleans.ca/article.jsp?content=n0312110A

'Trying to clear up superbug infections? Check the family cat'

Just in case you have a sick cat.