IanJSeattle, Flickr
Appearance: The Siberian is a medium-large cat, according to the Siberian Cat Club (SCC), with a rounded, powerful physique. It's considered a semi-longhair breed by the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA), and its coat comes in all colors, though the CFA warns that the rarity of the breed means that most colors aren't widely available. Siberians usually exhibit a thick ruff around the neck with full britches and a fluffy tail. The pointed look, created by hair growing from the tops of the ears -- known as "tipping" -- is desirable.
History: As its name suggests, the Siberian's history begins in the frigid forest of Russia, 1,000 years ago. According to the SCC, farmers used the breed to control varmint populations. Over time, the Siberian cat became so ubiquitous in Russia that it emerged as a cultural icon and was granted status as the "national cat of Russia." It was first imported to the United States in 1990, according to the CFA, and despite the breed's popularity, Siberians are extremely rare.














