Siberian Cat Breed Facts & Information - The Siberian Cat - A
Russian Longhair > Cats Central
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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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
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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.
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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. |
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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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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
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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 |
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| 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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