Russian Blue

The thick coat of the Russian Blue cat leads cat scholars to believe that the cat developed in colder climates around Arkhangelsk, Russia. They are likely not related to other shorthaired blue breeds like the Korat, Chartreux, and British Blue (British Shorthair). All four of these cat breeds have been around for thousands of years, kept by Russian czars, monks, and nobility. 

In 1871 a Russian Blue was shown at the first cat show at the Crystal Palace in London. It was called the Archangel Cat to reflect its likely origin in the Russian port city of Arkhangelsk and add a touch of mystery to its name. The breed made progress until World War I when it almost went extinct. It arrived in America in the early 1900s and has grown in popularity since. 

Because of their temperament and instinct to hide if there’s too much chaos, a home with no kids or older kids is best for a Russian Blue. They thrive in calm and quiet environments.

Some playtime with food, toys, and puzzles, and a good nap in your lap will please a Russian Blue. They do fine on their own as long as it’s not excessive.

The Russian Blue cat would do well with access to the outdoors, but because they are attractive, unsupervised access to the great outdoors makes them a theft risk. A secure cat run with branches to climb and platforms to lounge around on would be ideal, or a fully cat-proofed, fenced-in yard.

Russian Blue cats will take care of their coats, but it’s a good idea to get in the habit of weekly cat grooming to check for parasites, cat fleas, scrapes, and scratches.

Polite, receptive, and well-mannered, Russian Blues are easy to train, often responding to simple commands like “No.” Russian Blue cats can be left alone as long as their other needs are met and alone time is not excessive. They should be socialized to build confidence around strangers.

Unpredictable young children will make a Russian Blue cat disappear faster than a Soviet spy into hiding, so they should be in homes with no children or older children. A constant stream of visitors can also stress them out.

The cost of a Russian Blue from a breeder is significantly more than the cost of adopting one from a local shelter or rescue. The adoption fee usually covers additional items such as spaying or neutering, vaccines, and microchipping.