Posts tagged "blue russian cat"

If you've never heard of the cat breed known as Russian Blue, you will. They've been rising in popularity with catlike speed. Russian Blues are one of the most visually stunning breeds, famous for their silver-blue coats, which show off their sinewy frames and complement their vibrant, dark green eyes.

Don't wind up on the "tail" end of this developing kitty trend -- here's a quick primer, packed with plenty of cocktail-party trivia tidbits you can pass along.

1. Though they look put-together, Russian Blue cats are a naturally occurring breed. Their origins have been traced back to the port town of Arkhangelsk, Russia, which is why they're also sometimes called "Archangel" Blues.

2. Russian Blue coats are known as "double coats," meaning they possess a soft, downy undercoat. The topcoat hairs, though sometimes a soft black, can be a true shade of blue with silver tips, giving the cat a shimmering appearance.

3. Russian Blues are known for being intensely devoted to and affectionate towards their owners, but can be remarkably shy around strangers.

4. Because the saliva and sebum of Russian Blues contain less of a certain protein than most other cats, they're considered one of the more hypoallergenic breeds of cat.

5. Tom of the Tom & Jerry animated cartoons is often considered to be a Russian Blue cat because of his blue-gray coloring.