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Siberian Cat Breed Facts and Information

The Siberian Cat - A Russian Longhair

An old and noble breed, the Siberian cat has been around for several hundred years. While today’s Siberian cats are loving and affectionate, Russian stories once likened them to huge beasties, capable of reaching weights of up to 45 pounds. These giant felines were said to be as loyal and ferocious as their canine counterparts, more than capable of guarding hearth, home and human.

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The Siberian Cat Breed In Brief
Siberian Cat History
Siberian Cat Appearance
Siberian Cat Temperament
Siberian Cat Grooming Needs
Siberian Cat Health Info
Is a Siberian Cat Right For You?
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	The Siberian Cat Breed In Brief: Origin: Russia Weight: 8-16 pounds Average Litter Size: 5-8 Grooming Needs: Medium Life Expectancy: 15+ years Good With Kids: Yes Good With Other Animals: Yes
Back To Top The History of the Siberian Cat
While some people are inclined to believe that the Siberian is a new breed, due to the small numbers of them that are still available, this majestic feline has actually been around for hundreds of years. Believed to be the descendants of various Russian felines, many fanciers believe that the cats came to be when Russian people, exiled to Siberia, brought their feline companions with them. There, midst the bitter and unforgiving temperatures of the Siberian winters, these cats bred together and, in time, the individuals who survived all bore the same type - larger and much heavier in build, these winter-born cats all had a long, dense coat that granted them protection from the elements and kept them dry throughout bad weather. Eventually, these traits would all lend themselves to the new breed and, through natural selection, the Siberian Cat was born. The number of Siberian cats that were owned were very low until the 1980’s. Prior to this time, the former Soviet Union strongly discouraged their people from keeping any kind of pet, whatsoever, due to the shortages in both housing and food. Owning a dog or cat became a status symbol and a show of wealth for the upper class, so those Siberians who found themselves kept by wealthy owners enjoyed the lap of luxury.	While there were no official breed clubs or organizations, the Russians took great pride in their beautiful feline friends and, when the restrictions on house pets were lifted in 1987, the fanciers of this fantastic feline were quick to create clubs and organizations that developed standards for the beautiful Siberian Cat, and promoted him as a very unique and special breed. When the Cold War ended, the very first Siberians made their way into the United States, originally traded in exchange for Himalayan cats. It took many months that were filled with delays and hidden expenses (not to mention the stress and headaches) but, eventually, a woman by the name of Elizabeth Terrell would become the proud owner of three Siberian kittens. She would go to great lengths to obtain the Russian standard of perfection for the breed, as well as promoting the breed and ensuring it was accepted throughout North America. Today, the Siberian is still a rare breed, but he continues to captivate and enthrall his human friends, his numbers growing with each year.
Back To Top Siberian Cat Appearance The Siberian Cat is a very large and impressive-looking feline. Everything about this Russian cat’s appearance was essential to his survival; his coat is heavy enough to provide him adequate insulation in the winters. This included sporting heavily furred ears that help to protect them from the elements and the large tufted feet of the breed work as snow shoes, allowing them to travel more easily in the deep snow and over ice. All colors and patterns of Siberian cat are allowed, both with and without white markings. This includes the pointed pattern, which boasts Siberian Cats with blue eyes, while the rest usually have copper or slightly rounded green eyes.
Back To Top Siberian Cat Temperament
The Siberian Cat enjoys human companionship, but is certainly not a breed that one would classify as needy or overly dependent. While they enjoy being near their humans and keeping an eye on things, they are not a breed to pester, get underfoot, or spend much time crawling into your lap. Instead, they prefer to “supervise” and ensure that the humans are taking care of their required tasks in a timely and efficient manner. If a Siberian graces you with her presence, she’s usually far more comfortable to lay behind you on the chair or beside you on the couch; while laps may look more comfortable, they don’t seem to be her cup of tea. There are always some exceptions to the rule, however, and many say that Siberians insist upon sleeping right on top of or curled in against their human friends. Generally speaking, most Siberian Cats get along well with both children and other animals. If not properly acclimated, however, one may be wary of introducing your Siberian Cats into a same-sex cat household.	While the Siberian Cat is not usually the one to start an argument, and generally seems uninterested in fighting, he is usually the one to finish those that start, simply by relying on his with his sheer size and body mass. Acclimating any new animal into the house with other pets should be done with lots of time, patience and understanding, and the Siberian Cat is no exception. Fortunately, the Siberian Cat is a very strong and agile jumper and there is usually little risk of him knocking over the breakables up high, once he‘s gotten the hang of it. Kittens tend to be far more clumsy and seem to attack anything and everything with wild abandon.
Back To Top Siberian Cat Grooming Requirements
The Siberian Cat possesses a very dense, triple-layer coat, making a couple of weekly brushings and comb-throughs a necessity, in order to prevent the coat from matting. Fortunately, however, these cats are not prone to shedding as much as their short-haired counterparts. If your cat doesn’t approve of the combs and brushes, why not try a grooming mitt, to keep your feline friend looking his best?	When grooming, also pay particular attention to this fascinating feline’s ears, carefully cleaning the outer shell with a Q-tip. It’s very important to note, however, that the Q-tip should never be inserted into the ear canal; not only is it very painful, but it can severely injure your friend, causing deafness.
Back To Top Siberian Cat Health Concerns
Despite being a fairly rare breed and having a limited gene pool, the Siberian Cat generally boasts a very clean bill of health; most likely because the harsh Siberian winters offered little sympathy to felines who were sickly and unable to survive. While there are no known health concerns within this beautiful breed of cat, breeders are ever vigilant and continue to test and watch for any sign of genetic disease. A couple of conditions that they watch for include: Hip dysplasia Cardiomyopathy	Making sure that you purchase your Siberian kitten only from a responsible breeder will go a long way towards avoiding potential health problems and ensuring that you have a healthy, long lived Siberian companion for your family. A great place to begin your search for a healthy, well socialized Siberian kitten is on Cat and Kitten Central's Siberian Cat Breeder Directory. Just click here: Siberian Kittens For Sale
Back To Top Is a Siberian Cat or Kitten Right For Your Family?
The Siberian Cat is a large and beautiful feline who captures the heart of many, especially considering his mysterious Russian ties. Well adapted to family life, he is a people-cat who enjoys human company and loves to lounge on your lap, as well as sleeping in your bed. A bit on the expensive side, however, the Siberian is not always the best choice for everyone. While some claim that the Siberian is hypoallergenic, this is not true and everyone who is allergic to cats should spend quite a while in the company of Siberians, in order to ensure that they are not allergic to this particular breed.
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