About siberian cats

What does not love Siberian cats? They are so strong, impressive and all-sufficient!

Siberian is our pride, practically heraldic animal of our felinology.

Cats in Russia existed a long time ago. First, a cat became people's companion in the East and in Northern Africa, where they were respected and sometimes even considered to be sacred. Gradually, with the appearance of Great silk way, cats were migrating with traders from Arabic countries to the East and Northeast. In that way home cats through Central Asia and Kazakhstan were reaching Volga and South Siberia, and from there were spreading further – in Siberia and European part of Russia. Cat were gradually adapting for Russian climate.

At home Siberian cats are unobtrusive, calm and friendly with other cats and dogs. They define the status of each family member; choose the owner by themselves – often among children with whom they are ready to play for hours.
Furthermore they still have hunting instincts. Cats can easily capture a bird or small rodent. Both tomcats and lady-cats can cope with big rat.

Siberian cats are strong, massive and muscular. They can be huge and of average size. Their body is tough, with relief muscles on strong short legs with big round paws and hair between claws. A tail's base is wide and thick, evenly downcast. Hair is stiff and glossy. It is long, but tough. Hair on the legs is short.

Hair of Siberian cats doesn't crumple due to its texture. Hair care doesn't cause any problems. An exception is period of molt, when it is recommended to comb out hair every day.

Despite being a coddle, Siberian cat seems to be a hard worker, which can both do a job of a mouser and take prize-places in different competitions.

Siberian breed standard

Head

Shape: a little bit longer than broad, softly rounded, massive. Forehead broad, just slightly rounded. Cheekbones well developed, high set.

Nose: medium length, broad, in profile shows a slight idetation, but without stop.

Chin: slanting slightly backwards, in profile creating a curve from the upper line of the nose.

Ears: medium size, well open at the base, tips are rounded with well developed hairs on the inside and tufts. Placement: with good width between, tilting slightly forward.

Eyes: large, slightly oval shaped. A bit oblique, set widely apart, uniform, any colour is permitted, but preference is given to green.

Body : well boned and muscled, powerful neck, broad chest, body in proportion to create a rectangular appearance.
Legs: medium high, to form a rectangle with the body, strong. Paws: large, round, well tufted between toes.
Tail: long, thick, rounded tip. Covered on all sides by dense heir with no hairs trailing down.

Coat : semi-long, well developed, very dense, undercoat not lying flat, overcoat water repellent,slightly hard to touch. Summer coat is distinctly shorter than the winter coat. The winter coat shows a well developed shirtfront, full frill and knickerbockers. All colours are acceptable except pointed patterns and the verieties chocolate, cinnamon, lilac, fawn. Any amount of white is permitted.

Faults : too small or too finely built; head is long and narrow, straight profile too round head (persian type); ears are too large or too high set; round eyes; legs are too long or too thin; too short tail; too fine or silky lying coat, flat lack of coat.