The Russian Blue Historical Development Amanda Bright March

The Russian Blue: Historical Development Amanda Bright March 2009 Approved AB Exam

The Russian Blue Agenda § The 3 Main Strands § The 3 Strands Converge in NA § Modern Day Influences 2 The Russian Blue | April 2008 © Amanda Bright

The Russian Blue From original import to current day: 23 Generations Roguey (Imp) RU/UK Muchacho Ashbrittle Peter The Great Nicolaievitch (1910) Moscow (1912) Tula (1913) Dvinsk (1915) Cossack (1919) Fantôme (1928? ? ) Theydon Fairy Queen (1937) Theydon Fairy Prince (1940) Dunloe Pavola (1945) Dunloe Masha of Flo-Mar Petya of Flo-Mar of Mission City (1951) GC Es-Ta’s Tao of Aberdeen Velva’s Flair GC Velva’s Extraordinaire, DM (1969) GC Miribu’s Tora of Velva (1973) Ch Velva’s Valerie Fair of Tsar Blu, DM (1974) GC Tsar Blu’s Zorian Grey (1977) Ch Tsar Blu’s Zomega Son (1988) Ch Tsar Blu’s Zafire of Kyina (1994) RW Talisker Crossfire ( 1995) IW SGC Talisker The Doctor (2007) 3 The Russian Blue | April 2008 © Amanda Bright

The Three Strands

The Russian Blue Origins § England Ø Came over on sailing ships Ø Bayard & Yula Ø British Shorthairs early, Siamese after the war § Scandinavia Ø One Russian Blue from Russia Ø Pierrette, Pan du Bois Ø Siamese outcross used to develop the breed § North America Ø Early cats in 1903; later re-established in late 1940 s Ø Olivette, Peterkin, Roly Poly Ø Dunloe Blue Silk 5 The Russian Blue | April 2008 © Amanda Bright

The Russian Blue Strand 1: The Russian Blue in Britain § The Literature § The original cats § Early development of the breed 6 The Russian Blue | April 2008 © Amanda Bright

The Russian Blue Early References § Stables, Gordon: Cats: Their Points Etc. (1874) Ø Maltese reference § Weir, Harrison: Our Cats. (1889) Ø Archangel Cat picture Ø Color requirements § Jennings, John: Domestic & Fancy Cats. (1893) Ø Russian cat vs Russian Blue Ø Russian blue vs English blue 7 The Russian Blue | April 2008 © Amanda Bright

The Russian Blue Early Standards § Simpson, Frances: The Book of the Cat (1903) Ø Shorthaired chapter Ø First real standard v Head: Longer in formation, has space between the ears, more prominent in ears, and well-tapered face; fairly round under the cheekbones, thin, falls away under the eye. v Shape: Comes out rather longer in back. Less bone substance. v Colour: Same as the British short-hair, with no bars or markings. – BS Coat: Short and close, of sound blue colour throughout; legs and feet shade lighter in colour with no bars or markings. v Eyes: Deep orange colour § House, CA. Cats: Show and Pet (1903) Ø Describes all type as for the British cat v Makes no concession to the Russian type Ø Color is a very limited description based primarily on a derivation of black so no detail 8 The Russian Blue | April 2008 © Amanda Bright

The Russian Blue Early Standards § Our Cats July 25 1908 prints standard for Russian Blue or Foreign Short-Hair Blue Short-Hairs Color (25): Bright blue. Pale or medium shades in preference to dark blue. Even throughout. Free from tabby shadings or markings; no white. Ø Color (15): Any shade of Blue. No tabby markings or shadings. Level in colour. No white. Ø Eyes (25): Round and well opened. Deep copper or deep orange. Ø Eyes (5): Large and full, set rather wide apart. Orange and amber preferred, but eye color to be subservient to colour and texture of coat, and type of build. Ø Body, Build and Tail (20): Cobby in build, low on legs. Plenty of substance. Tail thick at base, long rather than short. Legs of good substance, short rather than long. Feet neat and round. Ø Body, Build and Tail (15): Body long, lithe and graceful in outline and carriage. Tail fairly long, and tapering. Legs inclining to long, and feet neat and well rounded. Ø Head and Neck (20): Head broad between ears, cheeks well developed. Face and neck short. Head well set on short thick neck. Ø Ø Ø Ears (5): Small, never large Ø Ø Ø 9 § Our Cats July 25 1908 prints standard for British Head and Neck (15): Skull flat and inclining to be narrow. Forehead receding. Face and neck longer than that of a British Cat. Ears (5): Rather large, wide at base, with very little inside furnishing. Skin of ear thin and transparent, and not too thickly covered with hair. Ø Coat (25): Very short and close, of a sealskin-like texture, and lustrous Ø Condition (10) The Russian Blue Coat (5): Short and lustrous Condition (10) § N. B. Type in these varieties should always be of great importance, judged and bred to. | April 2008 © Amanda Bright

The Russian Blue England § Mrs Constance Carew-Cox Ø Bayard Ø Yula Ø Fashoda Ø Olga Ø The Muscovite § Lady Alexander Ø Ballochmyle Brother Bump § British Shorthairs Ø Morning Mists v Silver Stream v Moonlight v Theydon Bunty 10 The Russian Blue | April 2008 © Amanda Bright

The Russian Blue Two Cats Considered The Key § Yula and Bayard Ø First cats we had pictures of Ø Heavier bodies Ø Yula’s legs fine boned Ø Both coat density Ø Ears on corners of head Ø Yula’s upright whereas Bayard’s slightly flared Ø Visible whisker pads Ø Modified wedge Ø 7 planes 11 The Russian Blue | April 2008 © Amanda Bright

The Russian Blue Foundation Cats in England § The Imports from Russia Ø Deva NCC 5139 Ø Fashoda NCC 1896 Ø Lingpopo GCCF OS 1155 Ø Olga ACA 225 Ø Roguey NCC 1104 Ø Yula GCCF (1901) Ø Imandra NCC or GCCF (1912) Ø Nahejda Petrovna GCCF (1938) 12 The Russian Blue | April 2008 © Amanda Bright

The Russian Blue Foundation Cats in England § The British Shorthairs Ø Morning Mists (1932) Ø Ballochmyle Blue Queen Ø Ballochmyle Brother Bump Ø Mousmee (Mousmi) 1909 13 The Russian Blue | April 2008 © Amanda Bright

The Russian Blue Foundation Cats in England: The Next Generation § Ivanovitch late 1890 s/early 1900 s Ø F 1 Bayard son § Singsing 1899 § Prince Demidoff 1909 § Meeshka F 0 Ø Ivanovitch offspring dam a BS § Donna Roma § Ashbrittle Peter The Great Ø Is exported to USA § The Muscovite Ø Lots of imports Ø Ancestor of many 14 The Russian Blue | April 2008 © Amanda Bright

The Russian Blue The English Cats: 1910 s § Nicholaievitch 1910 § Prince Pluto – 1911 Ø Ancestor of Theydon Fairy Queen § Moscow 1912 Ø Key cat: continues unbroken line from first imports to current day cats § Prince Gordie Malchie 1916 § Bolshie – 1919 Ø Ancestor of Theydon Blue Boy and Theydon Blue Buttons 15 The Russian Blue | April 2008 © Amanda Bright

The Russian Blue The English Cats: 1920 s § Fur & Feather June 22 1928 prints standard § Bingham Oddity – 06/16/1927 for Russian Blue or Foreign Short-Hair Ø Extra toe(s) Ø Color (25): Bright blue. Even throughout and free from tabby markings or shadings; medium to dark shade of blue and no white permissible. Ø Eyes (10): Large and full, set rather wide apart, and colour should be as vivid green as possible. Ø Body, Build and Tail (15): Body long, lithe, graceful in outline and carriage, with tail fairly long, and tapering. The legs are decidedly longish and the feet are small, neat and well rounded. Ø Head and Neck (15): The skull is flat and narrow, the forehead receding, and the face and neck are long, giving with the long, lithe body, the desired snaky appearance. Ø Ears (5): Rather large, wide at the base, with very little inside furnishing, skin of ear thin and transparent, and not too thickly covered with hair. The tips of ears should be pointed rather than round. Ø Coat (25): Very short, close and lustrous and of a sealskin-like texture. Ø Condition (5) Ø F 0 RB § Katkushin 04/24/1927 Ø Sire Princess Olga v Theydon to Dunloe to El Rosario/Casa Gatos/Mission City/Selene/Folly/Flomar/Hoeller in the US v Theydon to Dunloe to Michifer/Philimore/Laurentide/ Silverschoen/Meadliam/Sini/Prideaux/ Archon/Czarlyne § Karl 09/18/1926 Ø Behind all the Dunloe imports § § Stephanie of Cademuir 08/27/1922 Ch Prince Igor of Cleave 05/13/1927 Ch Teaser of Ashford 05/27/1927 NCC Breed List Ø 16 a Foreign Blue 16 The Russian Blue | April 2008 © Amanda Bright

The Russian Blue The English Cats: 1930 s § Key Cats: § 1933 Standard Ø Theydon Blue Boy (1931) Ø Dunloe Crue (1932) Ø Dunloe Crusoe (1932) Ø Bleus Jeun (1935) Ø Theydon Blue Buttons (1939) Ø Theydon Fairy Queen (1937) Ø Dimitri Grishovitch (1937) Ø Free Hakushin of Petrograd Ø Colour (25): Bright blue, even throughout, free from tabby markings, medium to dark shade of blue, no white permissible. Ø Coat (25): Very short, close and lustrous, and of a sealskin -like texture Ø Body Build & Tail (15): Body long, lithe, and graceful in outline and carriage, with tail fairly long and tapering. The legs are decidedly longish and the feet are small, neat and well rounded. Ø Head & Neck (15): The skull is flat and narrow, the forehead receding, giving a wedge-shaped effect, and the face and neck are long, giving, with the long, lithe body, the desired snaky appearance. Ø Eyes (15): Large and full and set rather wide apart; their colour should be as vividly green as possible. ØEars (15): Rather large, wide at the base, with very little inside furnishings; skin of ear thin and transparent, and not too thickly covered with hair. The tip of ears should be pointed rather than round. 17 The Russian Blue | April 2008 © Amanda Bright

The Russian Blue The English Cats: 1940 s § Dunloe Pavola (1945) Ø 8 offspring § Dunloe Silver Toes (1947) § Exported to USA: Ø Dunloe Jan (Imp) 1947 Ø Dunloe Bluesilk of Vee Roi (Imp) (1947) Ø Dunloe Blue Socks (Imp) Ø Dunloe Aphrodite de Casa Gatos (Imp) Ø Dunloe Kabushkin of Hoeller (Imp) (1948) § Saracen Sweet Ida (1949) Ø Framilode Sulka Ø Michifer Ivor (Imp) § Laurentide cats 18 The Russian Blue | April 2008 © Amanda Bright

The Russian Blue The English Cats: 1950 s § Marie Rochford Ø Dunloe Domokvitch (1951) Ø Dunloe Pavlovitch (1948) Ø Legionnaire La Vedette (01/07/1950) § 1952 Standard Ø The Russian Blue cat differs essentially from the ordinary British Short-hair, being lithe, long & sinuous, fine in bone with a long head, narrow skull & receding forehead. The primary feature & one which distinguishes it from all other cats, blue or otherwise, is the coat, which is short, close & lustrous. The Russian Blue is longer in the leg than the British cat, & finer boned. Ø Colour (15): Clear, lustrous. Medium to dark shade of blue, even throughout. Ø Coat (25): Short, close-lying with a distinct sheen. Ø Body, Build & Tail (25): Body long, lithe, graceful in outline, fine in bone & light in build. Tail long proportionate with the body, straight & tapering. Legs long & slender, feet small, neat & oval. Ø Head & Neck (15): The skull is flat & narrow, the forehead receding, the face and neck are long, giving with the long, lithe body the desired sinuous appearance. Ø Eyes (10): Vivid green, set rather far apart. Almond in shape Ø Ears (10): Large & pointed, wide at base, & set vertically to head. Skin of the ear thin & transparent with very little inside furnishings, not too thickly covered. Ø Faults: white markings, tabby markings; cobby or heavy build, square head. 19 The Russian Blue | April 2008 © Amanda Bright

The Russian Blue Laurentide Experiments § § 20 Late 1940 s, early 1950 s Develops lilac point Siamese Develops solid chocolate foundation cats for Havana Brown Chocolate does not appear to enter the Russian Blue gene pool The Russian Blue | April 2008 © Amanda Bright

The Russian Blue Strand 2: The Russian Blue in Scandinavia § The foundation Scandinavian cats § Development in Scandinavia until the 1960 s when the lines are merged in North America 21 The Russian Blue | April 2008 © Amanda Bright

The Russian Blue Pierette § Denmark’s first registered Russian Blue Ø Owned by Waldemar Schaffer, Copenhagen Ø Foundation queen registered 1944 Ø Born: April 23, 1941 § Bred to Longfellow of Annam Ø Seal point Siamese carrying dilution Ø Key offspring v Casimir von Elsdorff v Muzette of Rossia 22 The Russian Blue | April 2008 © Amanda Bright

The Russian Blue Muzette of Rossia § Born: May 17, 1945; owned by Lis Langborg § Sire: Longfellow of Annam Ø Seal point Siamese § Dam: Pierrette Ø Foundation Russian Blue § Had at least 4 litters between 1947 -50 § Offspring: Ø Anita of Finlandia v Sire: Casimir von Elsdorff Ø Felix of Finlandia v Sire: Pan du Bois Ø Dorja of Finlandia v Pointed Ø Dimitri of Finlandia Ø Frederik of Finlandia 23 The Russian Blue | April 2008 © Amanda Bright

The Russian Blue Casimir von Elsdorff § Born: January 17, 1945 Ø Bred by: Waldemar Schaffer Ø First Owner: Max Monberg Elsdorff Ø Pioneers of the Danish Russian Blue breeders § Lis Langberg: Ø Bred to Muzette of Rossia to found Finlandia line Ø Littermate to Muzette of Rossia § Exported to America Ø Mr A C Commaire, Texas 24 The Russian Blue | April 2008 © Amanda Bright

The Russian Blue Anita of Finlandia § Born March 9, 1947 § First Russian Blue in Sweden § Foundation queen for the av Olsenburg line § Owned by Karin Olsen 25 The Russian Blue | April 2008 © Amanda Bright

The Russian Blue Pan du Bois § Foundation Russian Blue owned by Siamese breeder Susse Leidetz § No one knew when or where he was born Ø Birthdate approximate: May 29, 1948 § Sired one litter of kittens with Muzette of Rossia § Felix of Finlandia Ø Went into a breeding program in Paris Ø Sired: v Alex af Mukoki v Blue Thief af Molleby v Francizek Michajlov v Tricolor Lubana v Skvallergrands Olga Alexandrovna 26 The Russian Blue | April 2008 © Amanda Bright

The Russian Blue Hans af Bellahoj § The mystery cat! § Born March 12, 1950 § Bred and owned by Holger Grib § Sire: Blue Boy af Bellahoj (pointed? ) Ø Parents were both pointed § Dam: Scholda af Bellahoj Ø Blue Point Siamese § Offspring: Ø Blue Bell of Finlandia Ø Katja of Finlandia Ø Thomas of Finlandia Ø Dimitra of Petsamo § First Danish Russian Blue to be an International Champion 27 The Russian Blue | April 2008 © Amanda Bright

The Russian Blue Bell of Finlandia § Born May 16, 1957 § Carried pointed gene Ø Can see 2 pointed kittens and 1 solid kitten § Brother & Sister Ø Thomas of Finlandia Ø Katja of Finlandia § Offspring: Ø Blue Bass af Molleby of Cossack v Exported to USA Ø Blue Berry af Molleby Ø Blue Bull af Molleby Ø Blue Dandy af Molleby Ø Blue Moon af Molleby v Scandinavians consider her the ideal Russian Blue Ø Blue Sapphire af Molleby Ø Blue Thief af Molleby Blue Moon af Molleby 28 The Russian Blue | April 2008 © Amanda Bright

The Russian Blue Strand 3: The Russian Blue in North America § The early North American Russian Blues Ø (Ashbrittle) Peter The Great – import from UK Ø Ch. Roly Poly (1904) owned by Mary Sage Ø Peterkin (1905) owned by Mary Sage Ø Olivette – Bayard daughter owned by Jane Cathcart Ø Bellina of Bath (May 10 1905) – owned by Jane Cathcart Ø Speedwell of Bath (1905) – owned by Jane Cathcart Ø Ch. Mouse (has kittens in 1908 so 1907 or earlier) – owner Jane Cathcart Ø Chita (1907) Ø Narka (1907) 29 The Russian Blue | April 2008 © Amanda Bright

The Russian Blue Early Standards § Our Cats July 25 1908 prints standard for Russian Blue or Foreign Short-Hair 30 Ø Color (25): Bright blue. Pale or medium shades in preference to dark blue. Even throughout. Free from tabby shadings or markings; no white. Ø Eyes (5): Large and full, set rather wide apart. Orange and amber preferred, but eye color to be subservient to colour and texture of coat, and type of build. Ø Body, Build and Tail (15): Body long, lithe and graceful in outline and carriage. Tail fairly long, and tapering. Legs inclining to long, and feet neat and well rounded. Ø Head and Neck (15): Skull flat and inclining to be narrow. Forehead receding. Face and neck longer than that of a British Cat. Ø Ears (5): Rather large, wide at base, with very little inside furnishing. Skin of ear thin and transparent, and not too thickly covered with hair. Ø Coat (25): Very short and close, of a sealskin-like texture, and lustrous Ø Condition (10) The Russian Blue | April 2008 © Amanda Bright

The Russian Blue: 3 Strands Converge

The Russian Blue US Imports 1940 – 2000 (Birthdates): From Britain: § § § 1940 s ØDunloe Aphrodite de Casa Gatos (1944) ØDunloe Blue Silk of Vee Roi (1947) ØDunloe Jan (1947) ØDunloe Dushenka of Folly (1947/48? ) ØDunloe Kabushkin of Hoeller (1948) ØDunloe Blue King de Casa Gatos (1949) ØDunloe Blue Queen de Casa Gatos (1949) ØDunloe Moonlight de Casa Gatos (1949) 1950 s ØDunloe Masha of Flo-Mar (1950? ) ØDunloe Vanya of Flo-Mar (1950) ØDunloe Smoikie of Folly (1950) ØPhilimore Prudence of Hoeller (1951) ØMichifer Ivor (1956) ØWindywhistle Virginia (1957? ) 1960 s ØJennymay Astrii of Felinest (1961) ØCrumberhill Vashka (1965) ØPetrovna’s Blue Rosario of 3 R’s (1963? ) ØHengist Sakha of Rindy’s Haven (1968) ØHengist Cassia of Rindy’s Haven (1969) ØJennymay Lucinda of Mar-Est (1969? ) ØJennymay Lynna of Mar-Est (1969? ) ØSylphides Savonosky of Mar-Est (1969? ) § 1970 s ØSylphides Katerina (1971) ØHengist Guardsman of Kaylar (1972) ØJennymay Annabelle (1972/73) ØJennymay Annalise (1973) § From Sweden: ØTamara av Kallerstad (1959) ØValerij av Olsenburg (1957) ØValja av Olsenburg (1957) ØCassina av Olsenburg (1960) ØErosjina af Braheborg (196 x) ØBlue Bass af Mölleby of Cossack (1962) ØDalecarlia’s Blue Magnolia (1962) ØPavel af Braheborg (1963) ØDackehus Sergej of Pallady (1964) ØTinnerdalens Njusia of Bobcat (SE/US) ØKabbarps Ilea (1965 ) ØKabbarps Inula (1965) ØRsadedjans Ninouschka of Velva (1965) ØZinaida af Braheborg (1965) ØTricolor Pjater of Car-Mac (1967? ) ØKabbarps Tussi of Kitta (1967) ØBalja af Olsenburg (1967/68? ) ØKabbarps Susse (1969) ØKabbarps Anja of The Czars (1970) ØKabbarps Xirsa of Felinest (1970) ØKabbarps Myra (1971) ØRådsbackens Bettina of Starcameon (1981) ØBarynia’s Katinka Nicolajeva (1989) ØRyaklintens Ninotchka Tess (2001) From Denmark ØCasimir von Elsdorff (1945) ØAnnie of Finlandia (to US in 1948) ØCatharina of Finlandia (to US in 1948) ØAbby Lefine (1968) ØAlley Lefine (1968) ØBonnie Blue Lefine (1968) ØEgalia’s Blue Nelly Silver Jane (1989) From The Netherlands ØSaskia Elena of Katzenburg (1977? ) ØVasilij van de Kaukasus (1979) 32 The Russian Blue | April 2008 © Amanda Bright

The Russian Blue Key Cats: 1950 s Britain Scandinavia North America Dunloe Domokovitch with Marie Rochford & Dunloe Pavlovitch Blue Moon af Mölleby Maja Acres Igor II of 3 R’s § Similarities: Ø Modified wedge-shaped head § Differences: Ø Blue Moon round eyes Ø Short wedges Ø Igor eyes almond on top Ø Ears corner head and flare slightly outward Ø Dunloe coats lighter Ø Moderate whisker pads Ø Distinct muzzle and cheekbones 33 The Russian Blue | April 2008 © Amanda Bright

The Russian Blue Key Cats: 1960 s Britain Scandinavia North America Petrovna Blue Rose Kabbarps Erica Feline Velva’s Blue Viking § Similarities: § Differences: Ø Visible muzzle planes Ø Viking broader in skull, Erica narrower Ø Large ears on corners of head Ø Viking ears tilt, Blue Rose upright Ø Large eyes Ø Erica flat, dark coat Ø Modified wedge-shaped heads Ø Blue Rose Lighter coat with tipping Ø Smile Ø Blue Rose heavier body Ø Erica more foreign body structure 34 The Russian Blue | April 2008 © Amanda Bright

The Russian Blue 1960 s Status and Standard § 1966 GCCF Standard § Standard of points revised in 1952 when difference from the British Blue was emphasized § New standard of points in 1966 ØMedium blue approved in preference to Medium to Dark ØDifference in coat too where it emphasizes texture and appearance is the truest criterion ØPrincipal faults: White or tabby markings, cobbiness or heaviness in build, squareness of the muzzle, and yellow in the eyes § Lately fallen into disfavour with judges § Russian Blue Cat Club gone quiescent, Short. Hair Cat Society taking care of the breed ØIt is thought that when the club is restarted the SOP will revert to pre-war standards which is more in harmony with the clubs abroad ØEarly thirties show catalogs contained many RB entries ØNational Show 1965 had entry of 10 adults and 10 kittens showing interest not lagging ØBest known loyal supporter is Mrs Kirby who has excellent cats including Ch Harvees Antimony 35 The Russian Blue | April 2008 Ø Colour (20): Clear Blue, even throughout and in maturity free from tabby markings or shading. Medium blue is preferred. Ø Coat & Condition (25): Short, thick & very fine, standing up soft & silky like seal skin. Very different from any other breed. Coat is double so it has a distinct silvery sheen. The texture & appearance of the coat is the truest criterion of the Russian Blue. Ø Body, Build and Tail including Legs & Feet (25): Body long & graceful in outline & carriage. Medium strong bone. Tail fairly long and tapering. Legs & Feet: Legs long, feet small & oval. Ø Head & Ears (15): Head: Short wedge, with flat skull; forehead and nose straight, forming an angle. Prominent whisker pads. Ears: Large and pointed, wide at base & set vertically to the head. Skin of ears transparent, with very little inside furnishing. Ø Eyes (15): Vivid green, set rather wide apart, almond in shape. Ø Faults: White or tabby markings. Cobby or heavy build; Square head; Yellow in eyes. Siamese type is undesirable. © Amanda Bright

The Russian Blue Key Cats: 1970 s Britain Scandinavia North America Mirakhan Kasim Skvallergränds Olga Alexandrovna Tsar Blu’s Fitzwilliam of Velva § Similarities: 36 § Differences: Ø Long legs Ø Kasim’s ears vertical to head, narrower in shape Ø Green eyes Ø Kasim sturdier build Ø Large ears Ø Kasim smaller, almond eyes Ø Dense coats Ø Kasim more pronounced whisker pads Ø Silver tipping Ø More pronounced tipping rather than sheen on Fitz The Russian Blue | April 2008 © Amanda Bright

The Russian Blue 1970 s Standards § 1976 GCCF Standard Ø Colour (20): Clear Blue, even throughout and in maturity free from tabby markings or shading. Medium blue is preferred. Nose Leather & Pads: Blue. Ø Coat & Condition (25): Short, thick & very fine, standing up soft & silky like seal skin. Very different from any other breed. Coat is double so it has a distinct silvery sheen. The texture & appearance of the coat is the truest criterion of the Russian Blue. Ø Body, Build and Tail including Legs & Feet (25): Body long & graceful in outline & carriage. Medium strong bone. Tail: Fairly long and tapering. Legs & Feet: Legs long. Feet small & oval. Ø Head & Ears (15): Head: Short wedge, with flat skull; forehead and nose straight, forming an angle. Prominent whisker pads. Strong chin. Ears: Large and pointed, wide at base & set vertically to the head. Skin of ears transparent, with very little inside hair. Ø Eyes (15): Vivid green, set rather wide apart, almond in shape. Ø Faults: White or tabby markings. Cobby or heavy build. Square head. Yellow or blue in eyes. Siamese type is undesirable. Ø Withhold Certificates: White anywhere. Incorrect eye color. Siamese type. 37 The Russian Blue § 197 x CFA Standard | April 2008 ØTBD © Amanda Bright

The Russian Blue Key Cats: 1980 s Britain Scandinavia North America Ardram Dashkova Matrjoschka’s Dombanos Jontue’s Rhythm And Blues of Casein § Similarities § Differences Ø Large, wide-set eyes Ø NA cats significantly lighter color, finer boned Ø Dense, double coats Ø British cats vertical ear set, pronounced whisker pads Ø Scandinavian cats more wedge-shaped 38 The Russian Blue | April 2008 © Amanda Bright

The Russian Blue 1980 s Standards § 1982 CFA Standard § 1982 GCCF Standard (same as FIFe standard) Ø Colour (20): Pure, even blue. Adults must be free of tabby markings. Lighter shades or lavender preferred. ØFur (25): Short, very fine and dense, silky & soft like seal skin with a silvery sheen. ØBody, Legs & Tail (25): Long body, graceful overall impression. Medium boning. Tail: Rather long and pointed. Legs & Feet: Long legs, small, oval paws. Siamese type not desirable. Ø Head & Ears (15): Head: Wedge shaped with flat skull. Forehead and nose straight, forming an angle. Ears: Large and pointed, wide open at base & vertically placed on top of the head. The skin of ears is thin and transparent, and sparsely furnished with hair. Ø Eyes (15): Vivid green, set rather wide apart, almond in shape. Ø Faults: White or tabby markings. Stocky or heavy body. Square head. § 1986 Major changes to GCCF standard Ø Point distribution doesn’t change Ø Medium blue preferred—from lighter shades or lavender Ø Medium strong boning—from medium boning. Ø Short wedge—from wedge shaped Ø Prominent whisker pads, strong chin 39 The Russian Blue Ø Color (20): Even bright blue throughout. Lighter or lavender shades of blue preferred. Guard hairs silver tipped giving the cat a silvery sheen or lustrous appearance. Free from tabby markings. Nose Leather: Slate grey. Paw pads: Lavender pink or mauve. Ø Eye color (5) Vivid green. Ø Coat (20): Short, dense, fine & plush. Double coat stands out from body due to density. It has a distinct soft and silky feel. Ø Condition (5): The good show specimen has good physical condition, is firm in muscle tone, and alert. Ø Body including Legs, Feet & Tail (20): Fine bones, long, lithe & graceful in outline and carriage. Legs: Long and fine boned. Paws: Small, but slightly rounded. Tail: Long, but in proportion to the body, tapering from a moderately thick base. Ø Head & Neck (20): Top of skull flat and long. The face is broad across the eyes due to wide eye set & thick fur. Nose: Medium in length. Chin: Under-chin is level. Neck: Long & slender, but appearing short due to thick fur & high placement of shoulder blades. Ø Ears (5): Rather large & wide at the base. Tips more pointed than rounded. The skin of the ears is thin & translucent with very little inside furnishing. The outside of the ear is scantily covered with short, very fine hair, with leather showing through. Set far apart, as much on the side as on the top of the head. Ø Eye Shape (5): Set wide apart. Aperture rounded in shape. Ø Disqualify: Kinked or abnormal tail. Locket or button, incorrect number of toes. | April 2008 © Amanda Bright

The Russian Blue § 1980 s Standards 198 x TICA Standard Ø Color (20): The coat is an even bright blue throughout with lighter color preferred. The guard hairs are silver tipped, giving the coat a lustrous appearance. Ghost markings permitted on kittens. Nose Leather: Charcoal grey. Paw pads: Rose flesh pink. Ø Eye color: As vividly green as possible at maturity. Russian Blue kitten eyes change rapidly through yellow to green. By four months, a green ring should appear around the pupil. Cats whose eyes are not completely green should be penalized, the amount determined by the quality and vividness of green as well as by the age of the cat. No green in eyes—full penalty. Ø Coat (20): Short, dense, fine & plush. Lies out from the body due to thick undercoat. May best be felt by stroking toward the head. ØGeneral: The good show specimen has good physical condition, is firm in muscle tone, and alert. Ø Body (15): Fine boned, long, svelte & graceful. Appears heavier in repose due to supple skin and lie of thick coat. Muscular in the manner of a swimmer rather than that of a wrestler. Chaskara Valeska of Kiska-Kisa Ø Legs (5) and Feet (2): Long, fine-boned legs with small, neat, well SGC Ro-Lin Amarillo of Rio Vista rounded feet. Cat appears to stand walk on tiptoes. Ø Tail (5): Straight, rather long, tapering from a moderately thick base. Ø Head (15): Forehead high, top of skull flat and narrow, smoothly curving into back of neck. Face broad at eye level, looks even broader due to thick fur at side of head. . Nose: Medium length, straight nose looks upturned from almost any view except profile due to light reflection. ØNeck (3): Long but does not appear so in repose, due again to thick fur. Ø Ears (5): Rather large, almost as wide at base as they are tall, and set far apart as much into the side as top of head. Ears look pointed as hair tufts finish off where slightly rounded tips stop. Inside furnishings cover approximately one-half of the otherwise bare, translucent ear area. Outside of ears completely covered with short, fine hair. ØEye Shape & Set (10): Almost round, just oval enough to show oriental slant. Set one eye width apart or more. Ø Penalize: Weak chin, eye color not completely green. Full penalty for eyes with no green. Ø Withhold All Awards: Any white spot or lockets. SGC Ro-Lin Natasha Dyerbee 40 The Russian Blue | April 2008 SGC Kats’N’Klamms Valentina © Amanda Bright

The Russian Blue Key Cats: 1990 s Britain Scandinavia North America Zatasha Svengali Rusalka Ivan Nikiforovits Heartbeeps Margarita § Similarities § Differences Ø NA: Light, silvery coats, refined boning, foreign bodies, outward ear tilt, 7 plane head Ø Dense double coats Ø Vivid green eyes Ø Britain: Dark coats with silver sheen, vertical ears, almond eyes, heavier boning and build, narrow skulls, pronounced whisker pads Ø Long legs Ø Solid blue Ø Scandinavia: Proportionate study boning, slight ear tilt, moderate muzzle, silver tipping rather than sheen, angular head 41 The Russian Blue | April 2008 © Amanda Bright

The Russian Blue § 1990 s Standards 1994 GCCF Standard § Ø Colour (15): Clear blue & even throughout with a distinct silvery sheen. Medium blue is preferred. The coat must be blue to the roots, which may be fractionally lighter in tone, & the hairs must show no banding or silver tipping although there may be absence of pigment at the tip. In maturity the coat should be free from tabby markings or shading, although ghost markings may show in kittens. Nose Leather: Blue Paw. Pads: Blue but not necessarily as blue as the nose leather. Pinkish-lavender pads acceptable in kittens. . Ø Coat 30): The texture & appearance of the coat are the truest criteria of the Russian. The coat is double with a very dense undercoat: the whole coat is very fine, short & soft with no harsh feel to it, very different in texture from any other breed. ØBody, Legs and Tail (20): Body: Long & graceful in outline & carriage. Medium strong bone, well muscled. Cobby or heavy build undesirable. The females may be slightly smaller than the males but should also be well muscled. Tail: Moderately long & in proportion to the body. Tapering, neither blunt-ended nor whip. Legs & Feet: Long legs. Feet small & oval. 1998 CFA Standard Ø Head & Ears (20): Head: The wedge from tip of nose to eyes is short. The distance from the eyes to ears should be equal to or slightly longer than the wedge. The top of the head should appear flat between the ears. The whisker pads are prominent giving a broad end to the head. In profile the forehead should appear straight to the level of the upper edge of the eye. The profile from here to the tip of the nose has such a shallow concave curve that it appears virtually straight. This creates a distinctive angle level with the eye. There must be no stop, break or nose bump, nor must there be a straight profile from top of head to nose tip. The tip of the chin should line up with the tip of the nose in the same vertical plane. The chin should be strong & deep with a level bite. The back of the head should not fall away. In kittens the top of the head may appear more rounded and the profile angle may not be as well developed. Ears: Large and pointed, wide at base & set vertically to the head. The ear placement is such that the outer line of the ears continues the line of the upper part of the face, although in mature males with jowls this will be less apparent. There should be little inside hair. Ø Eyes (15): Vivid green, set rather wide apart, almond in shape, not small and deep set. In kittens allowance should be made for eye colour. Ø Withhold all Awards for: Extreme aggressive temperament. Ø Withhold Certificates: Flat coat. Oriental type. Cobby or British type. White anywhere in Blues and Blacks. Incorrect eye colour in adults. Weak chin and/or uneven bite. Any defect in the preface to GCCF SOP. 42 The Russian Blue | April 2008 Ø Color (20): Even bright blue throughout. Lighter or lavender shades of blue preferred. Guard hairs distinctly silver tipped giving the cat a silvery sheen or lustrous appearance. A definite contrast should be noted between the ground color & tipping. Free from tabby markings. Nose Leather: Slate grey. Paw pads: Lavender pink or mauve. Ø Eye color (10) Vivid green. Ø Coat (20): Short, dense, fine & plush. Double coat stands out from body due to density. It has a distinct soft and silky feel. Ø General: The good show specimen has good physical condition, is firm in muscle tone, and alert. Ø Body including Legs, Feet & Tail (20): Fine boned, long, firm and muscular; lithe & graceful in outline & carriage without being tubular in appearance. Legs: Long & fine boned. Paws: Small, slightly rounded. Toes: 5 in front, 4 behind. Tail: Long, but in proportion to the body, tapering from a moderately thick base. Ø Head & Neck (20): Smooth, medium wedge, neither long and tapering nor short and massive. Muzzle is blunt, & part of the total wedge, without exaggerated pinch or whisker break. Top of skull long and flat in profile, gently descending to slightly above the eyes, and continuing at a slight downward angle in a straight line to the tip of the nose. No nose break or stop. Length of top-head should be greater than length of nose. The face is broad across the eyes due to wide eye-set & thick fur. Muzzle: Smooth, flowing wedge without prominent whisker pads or whisker pinches. Nose: Medium length. Chin: Perpendicular with the end of the nose & with level under-chin. Neither receding nor excessively massive. Neck: Long and slender, but appearing short due to thick fur and high placement of shoulder blades. Ø Ears (5): Rather large & wide at the base. Tips more pointed than rounded. The skin of the ears is thin & translucent with little inside furnishing. The outside of the ear is scantily covered with short, very fine hair, with leather showing through. Set far apart, as much on the side as on the top of the head. Ø Eye Shape (5): Set wide apart. Aperture rounded in shape. Ø Disqualify: Kinked or abnormal tail. Locket or button, incorrect number of toes, any color other than blue, long coat. © Amanda Bright

The Russian Blue § 1990 s Standards 1998 TICA Standard Ø Color (20): The coat is an even bright blue throughout with lighter color preferred. The guard hairs are silver tipped, giving the coat a lustrous appearance. Ghost markings permitted on kittens. Nose Leather: Charcoal grey. Paw pads: Rose flesh pink. Ø Eye color: As vividly green as possible at maturity. Russian Blue kitten eyes change rapidly through yellow to green. By four months, a green ring should appear around the pupil. Cats whose eyes are not completely green should be penalized, the amount determined by the quality and vividness of green as well as by the age of the cat. No green in eyes—full penalty. Ø Coat (20): Short, dense, fine & plush. Lies out from the body due to thick undercoat. May best be felt by stroking toward the head. ØGeneral: The good show specimen has good physical condition, is firm in muscle tone, and alert. Ø Body (15): Fine boned, long, svelte & graceful. Appears heavier in repose due to supple skin and lie of thick coat. Muscular in the manner of a swimmer rather than that of a wrestler. Ø Legs (5) and Feet (2): Long, fine-boned legs with small, neat, well SGC Chayat’s Patroushka SGC Chayat’s Smoroki RW Talisker Crossfire RW Friday’s Blue Blazes of Talisker rounded feet. Cat appears to stand walk on tiptoes. Ø Tail (5): Straight, rather long, tapering from a moderately thick base. Ø Head (15): Forehead high, top of skull flat and narrow, smoothly curving into back of neck. Face broad at eye level, looks even broader due to thick fur at side of head. . Nose: Medium length, straight nose looks upturned from almost any view except profile due to light reflection. ØNeck (3): Long but does not appear so in repose, due again to thick fur. Ø Ears (5): Rather large, almost as wide at base as they are tall, and set far apart as much into the side as top of head. Ears look pointed as hair tufts finish off where slightly rounded tips stop. Inside furnishings cover approximately onehalf of the otherwise bare, translucent ear area. Outside of ears completely covered with short, fine hair. ØEye Shape & Set (10): Almost round, just oval enough to show oriental slant. Set one eye width apart or more. Ø Penalize: Weak chin, eye color not completely green. Full penalty for eyes with no green. Ø Withhold All Awards: Any white spot or lockets. 43 The Russian Blue | April 2008 © Amanda Bright

The Russian Blue: Current Influences on Development.

The Russian Blue 2000 s: Eastern European Impact § Elza Ø Worldwide impact § Russia Ø Ø Coming home! WCF, NA style Ø Ø Ø Managing type Longhair genes Health § The Issues EC Mona Arneri Elza 45 Arneri Violet of Krasota (Imp) Basilius Elerius Ellada Blue*RU GC Silverlock’s Charade EC Noemi Rosa Glauca*CZ, DM The Russian Blue | April 2008 Talisker Olwen of Sunnanordica (Imp) GC, RW Valnika’s Rudy Valentino © Amanda Bright

The Russian Blue Current GCCF Standard § The Russian is a cat of elegant foreign type without the exaggerated elongation of the Oriental. Its high ears, green almond-shaped eyes, angled profile & prominent whisker pads create a distinctive gentle expression which, together with its essential velvety double coat, gives the breed its unique charm. § Head/Ears(20): The wedge from tip of nose to eyes is short. The distance from eyes to ears should be equal to or slightly longer than the wedge. The top of the head should appear flat between the ears. The whisker pads are prominent giving a broad end to the head. In profile the forehead should appear straight to the level of the upper edge of the eye. The profile from here to the tip of the nose has such a shallow concave curve that it appears virtually straight. This creates a distinctive angle level with the upper edge of the eye. There must be no stop, break or nose bump, nor must there be a straight profile from top of head to nose tip. The tip of the chin should line up with the tip of the nose in the same vertical plane. The chin should be strong and deep with a level bite. The back of the head should not fall away. In kittens the top of the head may appear more rounded and the profile angle may not be as well developed. Ears: Large and pointed, wide at the base and set vertically to the head. The ear placement is such that the outer line of the ears continues the line of the upper part of the face, although in mature males with jowls this will be less apparent. There should be little inside hair. § Eyes (15): Vivid green. Set rather wide apart, almond in shape, not small and deep set. In kittens allowance should be made for eye colour. § Body/Legs/Tail (20): Long & graceful in outline & carriage. Medium strong bone, well muscled. Cobby or heavy build undesirable. The females may be slightly smaller than the males but should also be well muscled. Legs & Feet: Long legs. Feet small and oval. Tail: Moderately long & in proportion to the body. Tapering, neither blunt-ended nor whip. § Coat (30): The coat is double with a very dense undercoat: the whole coat is very fine, short and soft with no harsh feel to it, very different in texture from any other breed & the truest criterion of the Russian. § Colour (15): Clear blue and even throughout with a distinct silvery sheen. Medium blue is preferred. The coat must be blue to the roots, which may be fractionally lighter in tone, and the hairs must show no banding or silver tipping although there may be absence of pigment at the tip. In maturity the coat should be free from tabby markings or shading, although ghost markings may show in kittens. Nose Leather and Paw Pads: Nose leather blue. Paw pads blue but not necessarily as blue as nose leather. Pinkish lavender pads acceptable in kittens. § Condition & Temperament - In the Russian the condition & temperament of the cat are important considerations. Withhold all Awards for: Extreme aggressive temperament. Withhold Certificates or First Prizes in Kitten Open Classes for: Flat coat. Oriental type. Cobby or British type. White anywhere in Blues & Blacks. Any colour other than white anywhere in Whites. Incorrect eye colour in adults. Weak chin and/or uneven bite. Any defect as listed in the preface to the GCCF SOP booklet. Provisional: Whites and Blacks. § 46 The Russian Blue | April 2008 © Amanda Bright

The Russian Blue 2000 s TICA Standard (2008) § Coat/Color/Pattern (40) Ø Colour (20): Even bright blue throughout. Deeper tipping preferred making the cat appear lighter in color. Guard hairs tipped with silver, with the deeper tipping preferred. The silver tipping is not due to the action of the Inhibitor (silver) gene. Ghost tabby markings permitted on kittens. Nose Leather: charcoal grey. Paw pads: rose flesh pink. Ø Texture (20): Length: Short. Texture: Fine, soft, silky. Density: Dense, § § SGC IW Rockyblu Sealan SGC IW Talisker Laurent of Kittyhawk plush double coat. Body (27): Ø Torso (15): Foreign. Size: Males proportionately larger than females. Length: Long. Boning: Fine. Note: Cat will appear to be chunkier due to density of coat. Fine bones do not mean a small cat. Musculature: Lithe, slender. Having solid weight, not excessive bulk. ØTail (5): Long, straight, tapering from a rather thick base to slender tip. Ø Legs (5): Long, fine-boned, firm and lithe. Ø Feet (2): Well rounded, small, appears to stand walk on tiptoe. Head (33): Ø Shape (15): Modified wedge with 7 flat planes. 7 planes are: A vertical line from the tip of the nose to bottom of the chin. The profile from the tip of the nose to the forehead. The flat top head from the front of the forehead back. 2 planes in the muzzle (one on each side). 2 planes formed by the high wide cheekbones (one on each side). Profile: Straight nose and forehead forming two planes. Muzzle: Medium length. Muzzle Break: None. Skull: Top flat and narrow; forehead high. Chin: Flat vertical plane from tip of nose to bottom of chin. Ø Ears (5): Almost as wide at base as tall; appear pointed; slightly § § SGC Valnika Silverstone 47 The Russian Blue rounded tips. Rather large, set far apart, as much on the side as top of head. The outside covered with short, fine hair and furnishings cover approximately ½ inside ear. Ø Eyes (10): Rather large, almost round, just oval enough to show oriental slant. Set far apart. Color is green in adults, with kittens changing from yellow to green. Ø Neck (3): Long, (but may appear shorter due to dense fur) and slender. Penalize: Weak chin, eye color not completely green. Full penalty for eyes with no green. Withhold All Awards: Any white spots or lockets. SGC IW Talisker The Doctor | April 2008 © Amanda Bright

The Russian Blue Early Beginnings to The Present: A Pictorial View 1890 s 1900 s 1910 s Bayard Yula Roly Poly 1950 s 1960 s 1970 s 1980 s 1990 s 2000 s Velva’s Blue Viking Tsar Blu’s Fitzwilliam of Velva Jontue’s Rhythm And Blues of Casein Heartbeeps Margarita Talisker The Doctor Maja’s Acres Igor of 3 Rs 48 The Russian Blue 1920 s 1930 s 1940 s Dunloe Pavola | April 2008 © Amanda Bright

The Russian Blue Bibliography § § § § § § § § 49 Buckworth-Herne-Soame, Evelyn. Cats: Long-Haired and Short. (1933). Cats and Kittens April 1950* Cats Magazine (July/Aug 1948) Eustace, May and Elizabeth Towe. Fifty Years of Pedigree Cats. Pelham Books Limited: London (1967). * Fur & Feather June 22 1928 Hargreaves, A. “A Breeding Experiment” in Our Cats, October 1951. * Hazlett, Bob. “Will the Real Russian Blue Stand Up” in CFA Yearbook, 10 th Anniversary Edition, 1967. * House, CA. Cats: Show and Pet (1903)* House, CA. Our Cats and All About Them (1933)* Jackson, Marge. “Poetry in Motion” in CFA Yearbook 1989 -1990. * Jennings, John: Domestic & Fancy Cats. (1893)* Kiernan, U. P. “Russians: A Few Notes” in Cats and Kittens March 1950. * Kiernan, U. P. “Letters to the Editor” in Cats and Kittens September 1950* Mac. Kay, Johanna. “Profile of Miss Marie Rochford: Pioneer Breeder of Russian Blues” in Our Cats, October, 1961. * National Cat Club Stud Book & Register Vols 1 -5** http: //naldr. nal. usda. gov/ Our Cats Jan 2 1904 (weekly serial publication) Our Cats July 25 1908 Rochford, Marie. “The Rare Russian Blue: A Few Notes” in Cats and Kittens, April 1950. * Russian Blue Pedigree Database http: //russianblues. ca/Russian. Blues. html *** Seidel, Diana. “Gone Blue” in CFA Yearbook 1973. * Simpson, Frances. Cats—And All About Them. (1901)* Simpson, Frances: The Book of the Cat (1903)* Soderberg, P. M. Pedigree Cats. Cassel & Company: London (1958). * Stables, Gordon: Cats: Their Points Etc. (1874)* The Cat July/August 1947 The Cat Journal February 1906 * The Cat Journal June 1907 * The Cat Journal June 1908 * Urcia, Ingeborg. This is the Russian Blue. T. F. H. Publications: Neptune City, NJ (1983)* Urcia, Ingeborg. “The Russian Blue” in CA Yearbook 1984. * Urcia, Ingeborg. The Russian Blue Cat. Ingeborg Urcia: Cheney, Washington (1999)* Weir, Harrison: Our Cats. (1889)* The Russian Blue | April 2008 © Amanda Bright