07 Russian Blue Breed: Formal Description and Show Standards
Description
This article is from the Russian Blue Breed FAQ, by Eric Johnson JohnsonE@jupiter.dsu.edu with numerous contributions by others.
07 Russian Blue Breed: Formal Description and Show Standards
The breed standards for the Russian Blue are similar in each
association in North America (ACFA, CFA, CFF, and TICA), but the
European standards (FIFe and GCCF) are significantly different from
the North American standards -- and from each other. Those who intend
to enter Russian Blues in competition should obtain a copy of the
standards from the association in which they will exhibit. The
following is based on the standards of the ACFA.
_General_:
The Russian Blue cat is distinct from all other breeds. The
truest criterion is its soft, lustrous, bright blue double
coat. Handling a Russian Blue feels like running a silk scarf
through your hands. Gentle and shy, often playful in manner,
its voice is soft and sweet. They prefer gentle but firm
handling and are easily startled.
_Head and Neck_:
Forehead high, top of skull flat and narrow, smoothly curving
into back of neck. Face broad at eye level, looks broader due
to thick fur at side of head. Medium length straight nose looks
upturned from almost any view except profile due to light
reflection. Neck is long but does not appear so in repose, due
again to thick fur.
_Ears_:
Rather large, almost as wide at the base as they are tall and
set far apart as much into side as top of head. Ears look
pointed as hair tufts finish off where slightly rounded tips
stop. Inside furnishings cover approximately one-half of the
otherwise bare, translucent ear area. Outside of ears
completely covered with short, fine hair.
_Eye Shape and Set_:
Almost round, just oval enough to show oriental slant. Set one
eye width or more apart.
_Body_:
Fine boned, long, svelte and graceful. Appears heavier in
repose due to supple skin and lie of thick coat. Muscular in
the manner of a swimmer rather than that of a wrestler.
_Tail_:
Straight, rather long, tapering from rather thick base.
_Legs and feet_:
Long, fine-boned legs with small, neat, well-rounded feet. Cat
appears to stand and walk on tiptoes.
_Coat Texture_:
Short, dense, fine and plush. Lies out from body due to thick
undercoat.
_Color; Coat, Nose, Skin and Pads_:
The coat is an even, bright blue throughout with lighter,
lavender color preferred. Guard hairs are silver tipped thus
giving the coat a lustrous appearance. There must be no white
anywhere on the cat. Ghost tabby markings are permitted on
kittens. Nose leather is charcoal grey, body skin is pale blue
and pads are rosy flesh pink.
_Color; Eyes:_
As vividly green as possible at maturity. Russian Blue kitten
eyes change rapidly through yellow to green. By four months, a
green ring should appear around pupil. Cats whose eyes are not
completely vivid green should be penalized, the amount
determined by the quantity and vividness of green as well as by
the age of the cat. No green in eyes -- full penalty.
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