NOVA BREEDING CENTER BARCELONA

The race

History

The Russian Blue cat is an ancient breed that has captivated people for centuries with its mysterious beauty and charm. Although the exact origins of this breed are not fully documented, it is believed to come from Russia, where it has long been revered.

This breed has a rich history and is shrouded in legends and traditions. Russian Blue cats are said to have been companions of Russian nobility and were considered a symbol of good luck and fortune. These cats were highly appreciated and cared for in the homes of the aristocracy.

Over the centuries, Russian Blue cats have been admired and transcended the borders of Russia. During the 19th century, they began to be exported to other countries in Europe, where they were known by different names, such as Archangel Blue and Spanish Blue.

However, World War II posed a great challenge to the survival of the breed. During the conflict, cat breeding was disrupted and many Russian Blue cats lost their lives. Fortunately, after the war, dedicated breeders strove to recover and preserve the breed using surviving cats and other blue-coated cats.

Today, thanks to these preservation efforts and the dedication of breeders, the Russian Blue cat has reemerged and has become one of the most popular and recognized breeds in the world. Their elegant silver-blue coat, piercing green eyes, and calm, playful personality make them perfect companions for cat lovers.

Depending on the crossing of lines and their origin, we distinguish different variants of Russian blue:

European type

 

  • EUROPEAN TYPE, which includes three sub-categories:
    • English: corpulent, with a more rounded head and medium to dark gray fur, with silver reflections at the tips very contrasting with the rest of the fur and with a very plush appearance; The base of the ears is very wide and their eyes are a deep green, although they are not very large and they are quite close together.
    • Continental: smaller, stylized and elegant cats than the English, with long, thin limbs and a more wedge-shaped head. Its fur is very light and silver and its eyes are large and proportionate.
    • Scandinavian: strong and elegant complexion, with a wedge-shaped head with a flatter surface and very bluish fur (medium tone) with silver reflections and sometimes a little longer than the English one and not too plush; with large, slightly almond-shaped eyes, deep emerald green.

American Type

  • AMERICAN TYPE: very stylized (almost oriental), small and with a very wedge-shaped and angular head. The set of the ears is a little lower than usual and its eyes are large, almost round, of a paler green than usual. The coat is light blue with marked silver reflections.
 

Currently it is a very popular breed in Japan, the United States and Europe and two additional varieties have been developed: black-haired and white-haired, but at the moment not all feline associations accept them as a breed, since the plush coat and double that makes it so characteristic only occurs in the blue tone.

Despite its high popularity worldwide, it is still a fairly exclusive breed since there are not many breeders that are dedicated to this specific breed; Therefore, finding an available puppy can be difficult.