Russian Blue
Also known as: Archangel Blue, Archangel Cat
The Russian Blue is a pedigreed cat breed with a documented history and breed standard. The Russian Blue comes from Russia, and typically weighs 3.6 to 6.8 kg. Individual Russian Blues vary, so treat this as a general guide rather than a guarantee.
Breed at a glance
- Origin
- Russia
- Weight
- 3.6 to 6.8 kg (8 to 15 lb) when fully grown
- Other names
- Archangel Blue, Archangel Cat
About the Russian Blue
Originating from Russia, the Russian Blue is a breed known for its distinctive emerald green coat. Characterized by its thick, plush fur and piercing eyes.
Overview
The Russian Blue cat ( Russian : Русская голубая кошка , romanized : Russkaya golubaya koshka ), commonly known as the Russian Blue , is a pedigreed cat breed characterised by a solid blue coat that has been the breed’s defining feature for over a century. The Russian Blue breed is accepted for registry and holds championship status with all major international cat registries. It is a short-haired breed noted for its dense, plush double coat of pale blue-grey fur with a distinct silver sheen, and for its bright emerald green to yellow-green eyes.
Health
Russian Blue cats typically enjoy a long lifespan, commonly living between 15 to 20 years with proper care, and some individuals have been known to reach their early 20s. This breed is generally robust and healthy, but like all purebred cats, they can be predisposed to certain genetic conditions. While not as commonly affected as some other breeds, Russian Blues may have a slightly increased risk for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a heart condition involving thickening of the heart muscle that can lead to heart failure if undetected. Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is rare in Russian Blues compared to breeds like Persians, but screening is still recommended, especially in breeding lines. Preventive care is key to maintaining their health: regular veterinary check-ups, annual cardiac ultrasounds (echocardiograms) for at-risk individuals, kidney function monitoring via blood and urine tests, maintaining a healthy weight to reduce strain on organs, and providing a stress-free environment with mental stimulation. Early detection through screening significantly improves outcomes, allowing many Russian Blues to live long, healthy lives despite potential vulnerabilities.
History
The Russian Blue is selectively bred from a naturally occurring landrace that may have originated in the port of Arkhangelsk in Russia . They are also sometimes called Archangel Blues. It is believed that sailors took them from the Archangel Isles to Great Britain and Northern Europe in the 1860s. The first reference to an Archangel Cat appears in British print in 1862. The first recorded appearance of one in a show was in 1872 at The Crystal Palace in England as the Archangel Cat. However, Harrison Weir writing in 1895 reported that the early show cats under the Russian Blue name were British-bred grey tabbies, with separate grey cats arriving from Archangel in Britain in the 1800s with features consistent with the modern breed. The Russian Blue competed in a class including all other blue cats until 1912, when it was given its own class. The breed was developed mainly in the UK and Scandinavia until after World War II . Right after the war, a lack of numbers of Russian Blues led to crossbreeding with the Siamese . Although Russian Blues were in the United States before the war, it was not until the post-war period that US breeders created the modern Russian Blue that is seen in the United States today. US breeders combined the bloodlines of both the Scandinavian and British Russian Blues. The Siamese traits have now largely been bred out. They have been used on a limited basis to create other breeds such as the Havana Brown or alter existing breeds such as the Nebelung . They are being used in Italy as a way to make Oriental Shorthairs healthier and more robust called RUS4OSH in FIFe .
Behaviour
They are generally considered to be a quiet breed but there are always exceptions. They are normally reserved around strangers, unless they are brought up in an active household. Many Russian Blues have been trained to do tricks. They can also be fierce hunters, often catching rodents, birds, rabbits, small mammals, or reptiles. As loving and easy going as Russian Blues are, they do not like change, and prefer predictable, routine schedules. Russian Blue kittens are energetic and require adequate playmates or toys as they can become mischievous if bored. They have exceptional athleticism and rival even Abyssinians for their ability to leap and climb. Slow to mature, Russian Blues retain many of their adolescent traits both good and otherwise until they are 3–4 years old and even much older Blues can be easily enticed into play by their owners. Russian Blues are also highly intelligent. They have an excellent memory and will learn the hiding place of favourite toys and lead their owners to them when they want a game. They also have a keen ability to remember favourite visitors and will race to greet familiar faces even if quite some time has passed between visits.
Appearance
The Russian Blue is distinguished by its vivid emerald green eyes, pinkish lavender to mauve paw pads, and a dense, short double coat in a solid, shimmering pale blue-grey colour. The coat is known as a "double coat", with the undercoat being soft, downy and equal in length to the guard hairs . The guard hairs are an even blue with distinctly silver tips, which produce the breed’s characteristic silvery sheen and lustrous appearance. The fur is often described as exceptionally thick and soft to the touch. While the body colour is solid, the tail may display faint, barely perceptible tabby striping. In show cats, the presence of white patches or yellow eyes in adulthood is regarded as a fault. They are small to moderate-sized cats with an average weight of 3.6 to 6.8 kg (8 to 15 lb) when fully grown. Males will typically be larger than females. Their gestation period is approximately 64 days.
Popularity
The breed is considered relatively rare. In 2024, 2370 British Blue kittens—representing approximately 2.5% of their total registrations—were registered with the FIFe , one of the major global cat registries .
Colourpoints
This blue coat colour is the dilute expression of the black gene. However, as dilute genes are recessive ("d") and each parent will have a set of two recessive genes ("dd") two non-Colour-Point Carrier (non-CPC) Russian Blues will always produce a blue cat. Due to the breeding with Siamese after World War II, there are colour-point genes in the RB lines. If two carriers are bred together, then they will produce a litter of mixed colours—solid blue or blue-point, similar to a Siamese. People call these CPC cats "colour-point", "whites" or "pointed" Russians. In most registries, one cannot register, breed or show a colour-point Russian. These colour-point (blue-point) cats are called Colour-Point-Russian Blue (Blue Point Russian Blue) or more informally as Pika Blu (or pika blue) cats and have the same general characteristics as the Russian Blue cats.
Breed information on this page is based on the Wikipedia article on the Russian Blue, supplemented with additional research. Reviewed for accuracy.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average lifespan of a Russian Blue cat?
Russian Blue cats typically live between 15 and 20 years, with many reaching their late teens or even early 20s when given proper nutrition, veterinary care, and a safe, stimulating environment. Their longevity is one of the breed’s notable traits, reflecting their overall hardiness when bred responsibly.
Are Russian Blue cats prone to heart problems like HCM?
While not as predisposed as breeds such as Maine Coons or Ragdolls, Russian Blues can still develop hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a genetic heart condition. Regular cardiac screening via echocardiogram is recommended, especially for breeding cats or those with a family history, to detect early signs and manage the condition effectively.
Do Russian Blues commonly get polycystic kidney disease (PKD)?
Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is uncommon in Russian Blues compared to breeds like Persians or Exotics, but it is not entirely absent. Responsible breeders often screen for PKD using ultrasound or genetic testing to avoid passing on the trait, and owners should discuss kidney health monitoring with their vet as part of routine care.
What preventive care helps Russian Blues stay healthy long-term?
Preventive care for Russian Blues includes annual veterinary exams, weight management, dental hygiene, vaccinations, parasite prevention, and screening for breed-relevant conditions like HCM and kidney disease. Providing a balanced diet, mental enrichment, and a low-stress environment also supports their immune system and overall well-being throughout their long lives.