 In today's video, we are going to talk about some interesting facts and myths about the Russian Blue Cat. The Russian Blue's elegant yet muscular body led one cat judge to proclaim him the Doberman Pinscher of Cats. Here are some of the interesting facts about the Russian Blue Cat, which will give you some further insight into its characteristics and temperament. 1. Russian Blue's Origin The Russian Blue's ancestral roots are lost in time. Some people speculate that they're descended from the pet cats of Russian czars, but there's probably more truth to the claim that the breed originated in northwest Russia. According to legend, the grey kitties lived in the wilderness and were prized, and sadly hunted for their dense warm fur. Today, it's said that grey cats resembling the Russian Blue still live in the country's coldest regions. It's believed that sailors brought the Russian from the port city of Arkhangelsk, which sits on the northern Divina River in the northwestern part of the country, to Great Britain and northern Europe in 1860. The city was one of the most important ports in the Russian Empire. Its name means Archangel in English, which may explain why the Russian Blue was once known as the Archangel Blue. 2. Russian Blue's Personality The Russian Blue has a reputation as a gentle, quiet cat, somewhat shy, but don't get the wrong idea. This cat may have a reserved nature, but he loves to play being especially fond of retrieving, and enjoys jumping or climbing to high places, where he can study people in situations at his leisure, before making up his mind about whether he wants to get involved. Guess will not receive his immediate attention and may never see him unless he decides they are worthy of his notice, but toward family members, especially his favored person, he is ever loyal, following them through the house and even riding on a shoulder. The Russian Blue is a sensitive cat who doesn't like to be ignored, and will be hurt if he doesn't receive the same amount of affection he gives. Lack of attention can cause him to become anxious or fearful. While the Russian Blue loves your company, he is capable of entertaining himself during the day while you are at work. Unlike some active, intelligent breeds, he is not destructive but moves through the house with the live grace of a Russian ballerina. When you are at home, his subtle sense of humor and manual dexterity will never fail to entertain. Just make sure you laugh with him, not at him. He has a strong sense of self-worth and doesn't like being made fun of. This is a cat who does best in a quiet, stable environment. He doesn't like change, and it's especially important to him that meals arrive on time. Count on him to be a faithful alarm clock in the morning, not so you don't miss work but so he doesn't miss a meal. If you take the time to develop a relationship with a Russian Blue, your reward will be a deep bond with this loving cat. 3. Russian Blue's Physical Characteristics. The Russian Blue's elegant yet muscular body led one cat judge to proclaim him the Doberman Pinscher of Cats. He has what's called a semi-foreign body type, meaning it is moderate in shape, falling somewhere between the short, compact body of breeds such as Persians and the sleek angles of Oriental breeds such as the Siamese. The broad wedge of the head and its flat skull are often described as Cobra-like, although that is much too dangerous a description for this sweet-natured cat. Regal is perhaps a better term. A long, slender neck segues into high shoulder blades and a fine-boned body that is firm and muscular, covered with a short, thick double coat with a plush texture, often described as similar to that of a seal or beaver. If you were to run your fingers through a Russian Blue's coat, the patterns they made would remain until they were petted smooth. The body is supported by long, fine-boned legs set on small, slightly rounded paws with pads that are a pinky lavender or mauve shade. The tail is long but in proportion to the body. The Russian Blue stands out for its coat color. To the uninformed, he might look gray, but in cat show terms he is an even, bright blue with silver-tipped hairs that make him seem to glisten. Some Russian Blue kittens are born with ghost stripes, a reminder of the tabby gene that all cats carry, even if it isn't expressed in their coat, but these generally fade, leaving the cat with a solid blue coat of maturity. You might think that a Russian Blue would only come in blue, and in CFA that is true, but other cat associations have more liberal breed standards. In Australia and New Zealand, the cats are called Russians and come in white and black as well as the traditional blue. The American Cat Fanciers Association permits black Russians. Hello. This video is sponsored by Beemix Pets. Are you looking for high-quality cat collars at an affordable cost? Check out BeemixPets.com. Use coupon code Kittenlife to get 20% off. 4. Russian Blues Health Concerns. Both pedigreed cats and mixed breed cats have varying incidences of health problems that may be genetic in nature. The Russian Blue is generally healthy, however. Russian Blues can also be affected by a lower respiratory tract problem known as feline asthma, which occurs when allergies and irritants cause the lower airways, and lungs to become inflamed and sensitive. Symptoms include coughing and wheezing. An owner's main concern will probably be this cat's hardy Russian appetite, which can turn him from sleek to stout in no time. 5. The Russian Blue Isn't Totally Hypoallergenic. Some people say that the Russian Blue is a good pet for people with allergies. It doesn't shed a lot, plus the gray kitty allegedly produces lower levels of FelD1 protein, the allergenic protein in cats saliva and skin secretions that makes your skin itch and eyes water. But even small amounts of FelD1 can cause you to suffer an allergic reaction, plus Russian Blues still have dander. There are plenty of reasons to want the gray cat, just keep in mind that it won't be the solution to your allergy woes. 6. The Russian Blue Is Different From Other Blue Cats. With its slate colored fur, the Russian Blue resembles other blue short-haired cats like the Chartreux and the British Blue. But if you look closely, you'll see subtle differences between the three breeds. For one, the Russian Blue has green eyes, whereas the Chartreux has brilliant orange pupils, and the British Blues are gold, copper, or blue-green. Also, the Russian Blue and Chartreux have round faces and stocky, not slightly chunky bodies, while the Russian Blue is much more elongated and live, with a wedge-shaped head. The Russian Blues dance, double-layered coat is silky to the touch. In contrast, the British Blues plush fur feels slightly crisp, and the Chartreux is tufted and woolly. 7. Taking Care Of Russian Blue Cat. The Russian Blues dance coat should be combed twice a week to remove dead hair and distribute skin oils. Brush the teeth to prevent periodontal disease. Daily dental hygiene is best, but weekly brushing is better than nothing. Trim the nails every couple of weeks. A bath when the cat is shedding will help to remove excess hair more quickly. Keep the Russian Blues litter box spotlessly clean. He is very particular about bathroom hygiene. It's a good idea to keep a Russian Blue as an indoor-only cat to protect him from diseases spread by other cats, attacks by dogs or coyotes, and the other dangers that face cats who go outdoors, such as being hit by a car. Russian Blues who go outdoors also run the risk of being stolen by someone who would like to have such a beautiful cat without paying for it. 8. Russian Blues To Children And Other Pets. Russian Blues have a tolerant nature toward children who treat them kindly and respectfully. They will even put up with the clumsy pats given by toddlers as if they recognize that no harm is met, and if necessary they will walk away or climb out of reach to escape being bonked on the head. That said, the patient and gentle Russian Blues should always be protected from rough treatment, so always supervise very young children when they want to pet the cat. The Russian Blue is also accepting of other animals, including dogs, as long as they aren't chased or menaced by them. Introduce pets slowly and in controlled circumstances to ensure that they learn to get along together. If you enjoyed this video, kindly press the like button. Also don't forget to subscribe with notifications on, so that you don't miss out on videos like this. Thank you for watching.