Brown Classic Torbie Siberian Cat
This is ‘Gemma’ photographed by Helmi Flick. The photos have the Helmi stamp all over them. You can recognise a Helmi Flick photo very easily. Below the photographs I add some words; the source of the information is the Pendraig Siberians cattery.

Gemma: Torbie Siberian Cat. Photo copyright Helmi Flick

Gemma: Torbie Siberian Cat. Photo copyright Helmi Flick

Gemma: Torbie Siberian Cat. Photo copyright Helmi Flick

Gemma: Torbie Siberian Cat. Photo copyright Helmi Flick
Gemma is a classic torbie Siberian cat. Her full name is: Forestwind Gemma Sultanovna. The word ‘classic’ refers to the type of tabby markings which are swirls and blotches rather than spots and stripes. You can bundle the Siberian, the Maine Coon and the Norwegian Forest cat together in terms of ancestry as they may have a common ancestor. I say ‘may’. We don’t know.
Gemma is at the Pendraig Siberians cattery. Her parents come from European breeders.
Gemma is ‘sweet, affectionate and friendly’. She looks it, I have to say. She plays the role of peacemaker in being friendly with cats who are in dispute with each other.
Pendraig describe her as having ‘great size’. Her coat is very high quality. They also write of traditional and non-traditional lines. Pendraig deliberately acquired a Siberian cat with European breeding behind her as it appears the Europeans breed traditional Siberians and Americans in general don’t. I am not sure of the difference in terms of appearance between traditional and modern except that Pendraig describe her “strong characteristics which we found lacking in non-traditional lines…’
It seems that non-traditional Siberians are smaller and less cobby (stocky and thick-set). I’ll guess and presume that the original Siberian cats which are still farm cats in Russia will be very robust and natural looking strong farm cats while breeders in America may have decided to ‘refine’ that natural appearance and in doing so lost their rugged, natural appearance. I could be wrong. Perhaps Pendraig will comment.
The Siberian is known to throw up what is called ‘bimetallic cats‘. Bimetallic cats look a bit like torbie cats. Gemma is said to be a ‘golden carrier’. Is this a reference to bimetallic cats? Gemma is a breeding cat.
In 2009-10 She was awarded the Best Siberian cat in the South Central Region (TICA) and best brown classic torbie Siberian.
A page on how Helmi takes cat photos.