Breeding Russian Blue Cat [Feline Breeder Index]

Russian blue cats can only be seen at the most important shows. It is a breed that is truly folk-based.

It does not make any sense to ask “Who is to blame?” and “What should I do today.” Is it really essential to “push” this breed so that it bows down to the ramp?

In Russia, there are a sufficient number of owners of breeds that have become ” huge ” over the past five to seven years, but there are considerably fewer people who appreciate the beauty that may be found in simplicity.

The owner of the Russian blue may respond with indignation by asking, “Simplicity?” Yes, but the simplicity of Russian blues is amplified by an air of aristocracy and refined sophistication. These “non-mass” cats have reached their zenith of excellence here! Only a select few people enjoy the baritone of Sergei Leiferkus, the superb tenors of the Mariinsky Theater, or cheer at the concerts of Marina Nikiforova, Olga Borodina…

The blue Russians had challenges in the past and continue to face them today. After identifying the primary tendencies in the evolution of the breed, it is vital to collaborate with people from all over the world in order to achieve the goal of seeing ideal shapes in every animal. Discourse should center on the following questions: whether or not the selection process is being carried out appropriately; whether or not there has been an influx of new bloodlines; whether or not the black and white colors seen in the breed are acceptable; and whether or not the refereeing is competent. After all, doesn’t the breed as a whole exhibit a quantifiable “stagnation of old bloodlines” or, on the other hand, a fast introduction of new ones?

It makes sense to evaluate five different standards, the most extensive of which are found in the GCCF and TICA. Additionally, TICA provided a detailed evaluation of each item based on points. Eye color, the length and color of the coat, and limb length are all handled in the same way by each and every organization. The differences can be seen in the contours of the head and eyes, as well as the length and tip of the tail; however, the majority of breeders do not believe these differences to be important. The difference in the score was, of course, the source of the confusion.

Therefore, the eyes (form and color) of a dog are worth 15 points in the GCCF and CFA, but only 10 points in the TICA, FIFe, and WCF judging systems. The only organization that awards a very high score (30 points) for colorless wool is the GCCF; colored wool is only awarded 15 points. In organizations based in the United States, texture gets 20 points, while color receives the same number. The FIFe additionally assigns a value of 20 points to the estimation of the wool’s quality, but only 10 points to the color (the same points in the WCF standard). The WCF places the utmost emphasis on the head’s anatomical structure (30),

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Opinions Of Russian Blue Breeders

Due to the fact that Europe and America are so far ahead of Russia in terms of working with the breed, many Russian blues that have been bred domestically already resemble a different breed. The skeleton of the cat has gotten lighter, the legs are high and slender (giving the appearance of “ballet”), the tail is long, and the coat is thick, silky, double, and short. These modern trends in European countries have been imported from other parts of the world. Although the Russian Blue is now considered to be one of the most popular breeds in the United States, Canada, and Japan, for a considerable amount of time, it existed in the shadow of breeds that were considered to be more “fashionable” in our country.

During the past three to four years, there has been a significant shift in the situation in Russia. More than twenty animals brought in from other countries have been spotted in domestic nurseries, which, in my opinion, has contributed to a substantial jump in the current number of Russian blues in our nation. When one looks at these cats, it is impossible to declare that one of them is just a standard gray cat. Their fur is now noticeably lighter, their eyes have transformed from a bluish-green color to brilliant emerald green, and their skin now has a metallic sheen to it. The attendees of the displays are taken aback and exclaim, “Well, this is nothing like what we’ve seen before!”

Each breeder has the freedom to select the type of Russian blue that most closely resembles him, whether it be an American variety that is refined and bright or a European variety that is more traditional and is characterized by its big size and brutality.

Breeder Tamara Martemyanova

I believe that the situation with the new type of Russian blue in our nation will evolve in the same manner as it did with the Abyssinian breed. This is something that I have come to believe. In the beginning, the American light type of Abyssinians was met with hostility; many breeders were not open to innovations. However, after only four years, the European Abyssinians that were more massive started to make way at exhibitions for the light and graceful representatives of the American type.

Also, on the disparity in the criteria that are being used. For example, the American states that they have wide-set ears, which continue along the outer line of the cheekbones (in the form of the Latin letter V). According to European norms, ears should be positioned vertically. There are two schools of thought on their delivery, which provoke fierce disagreement among breeders in both Russia and Europe; however, breeders in Europe are increasingly leaning more toward the American type. Additionally, I believe that it is more efficient.

Tamara MARTEMYANOVA,
kennel Sunna (WCF, CFA),
Sunna Nordica (TICA)

Breeders Natalia Bonyaschuk And Evgeny Korneev

There are subjective and objective factors at play behind the difficulties encountered throughout the development of the Russian Blue breed. The latest fashion trends and even people’s preconceived notions about certain breeds can be considered to be subjective. In contrast to Maine Coons, Britons, and everyone else who is carried away by the wave of fashion, Russian blue elicits a pretty even attitude among the people. However, the height of Russian blue’s popularity was quite some time ago, and it has since gone.

The number of breeding animals kept as livestock in Russia is quite low and diverse. Regrettably, there are already an increasing number of “intermediate” animals appearing between the primary subspecies of Russian blues. It is difficult to enhance something when there is a restricted selection, and because there is low demand, only enthusiasts carry out breeding work, bringing in producers from other countries. This makes it tough to improve something.

Even if the quality of these animals is high, the vast majority of the kittens are sold to be castrated, and this prevents them from being evaluated by specialists. And those who bring make it a prerequisite that any future male offspring be sterilized before they may mate. You can, of course, see why they would do so; after all, why would a breeder want to raise competitors to an imported cat if he or she is going to battle one-on-one for the breed?

At this point in time, it is quite challenging to make a prediction. It is necessary to talk about eliminating dumping, limiting the mixing of types, conducting careful selection (it would be from whom), and using early sterilization of inappropriate animals when promoting this breed and supporting nurseries. This is necessary so that future owners will not have the temptation for the “health” of animals to engage in amateur activities. According to our understanding, it is vital to maintain the English kind of Russian blue, which includes the following characteristics: a straight profile, a flat forehead, a set of ears that stand upright, silver wool, deep green eyes, and an attractive silhouette.

Natalia Bonyaschuk and Evgeny Korneev,
St. Petersburg

Breeders Maria Elagina And Ruslan Zykov

Because the breed is currently through a challenging phase of partition into American and European kinds (their mixing is also noticed), a certain dilemma has emerged associated with the experience of judges from both Russia and other countries. The different criteria utilized by the two felinological classification systems served to illustrate the distinction between the two categories. The CFA and TICA standards are utilized for the American type, whilst the WCF, FIFe, and MFA standards are utilized for the European type.

The breeder decides, based on the characteristics of the animals he raises, which form of exhibiting method is most appropriate for his animals. On the other hand, it is not a secret that there are specialists in systems that utilize the European standard of Russian blue who favor picking the greatest animal of the American type. During the process of evaluation, we observe a substantial amount of judicial “discretion,” which is, of course, appropriate but should be within the standard. It comes as quite a shock to learn from an expert on the European system that he prefers the American kind; hence, he picks the animal that best suits him, despite the fact that this does not conform to the norms of the system we enroll in.

Since the Americanization of the Russian blue has become more prevalent in Europe, it is especially challenging when dealing with judges from other countries. We go to an exhibition in order to acquire the opinion of a specialist on an animal, and we always want to get an objective evaluation rather than one that is based on the specialist’s own personal preferences. It is unfortunate that Russian experts do not always keep up with the changes that are taking place in the breed, specifically the modernisation of the Russian blue type. Because of this, many breeders stop taking their animals to shows and lose interest in them as a result of the situation. As a consequence of this, we can draw the conclusion that the European type of Russian blue will almost completely vanish from shows. It was in this type that the breed was recognized in England in the year 1939.

It is my sincere hope that in the future, professionals would be directed more by the norm in their work rather than by their individual inclinations.

Maria Elagina and Ruslan Zykov,
kennel “Pearl of Heaven”,
Vladimir

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