Please note that the article is split into sections with links to the next for technical reasons.
Introduction
The Siberian is the national cat of Russia, a “stately cat” and my kind of cat.
Helmi Flick, a renown, professional cat photographer who knows cats well, calls this breed one of the “natural breeds”. This means evolving in nature perhaps as a semi-feral cat (household and farm cats) without interference by breeders until discovered and refined by the cat fancy fairly recently. Until then it was a long-haired moggie living in the harsh regions of northern Russia. But it is said that of all cat breeds the Siberian is “more reminiscent” of a wild cat. And this could well be true when we see the Scottish wildcat (a wildcat species of the European wildcat).
The supporters of the Siberian cat in Russia like to preserve the wild look. Although in the USA (TICA for instance), the standard encourages a less wild appearance. However, being a natural cat, it developed a tabby coat, the predominant coat type for this breed encouraging breeders to breed for self and shaded colors.
Apparently, both the Russian president Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev and former Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev keep Siberian cats (as at 2010)7.
This cat is a thick coated, distinguished and stately cat that comes from Russia, a country of harsh winters. This is a large, strong cat with a triple coat refined by nature not by humans. It is one of the heavier cats (see domestic cat size comparison). Its body type gives the impression of power and strength1. The size is nicely offset by the sweet face. The Siberian reflects the environment in which it evolved over a very long time with an oily top coat to two further coats (awn and down hairs) to keep out the wind.
The Siberian cat is an accomplished jumper through its agility and power. Its hind legs are longer than the forelegs. Another good jumper, the Manx has a similar leg conformation. Another excellent jumper is the similar Norwegian Forest Cat
. The strong back is arched when the cat is not moving. The head is a modified wedge1.
The Siberian is also called the “Siberian Forest Cat”2. This is not a lapcat.
I also would like to add – sorry I missed this info above, just so excited when writing the post. My Girlfriend bought 2 pure breed Siberian Females as her husband and daughter have horrendous allergies, like myself. After the initial few weeks of discomfort,as I felt, but it wasn’t bad, they are 100% fine. I have heard that the Females are even better than the Males for allergies. I want to add that MAVERICK (so far) Does not seem to shed!?!?! No fur or hairs are on anything! I do brush him a few times a week, but not much comes out on the brush either. How Purfect can this cat be? Some breeders will send out fur samples. The breeder I went to did not allow me to rub with more than one cat for health reasons.She did give me a 2 week window for a refund if my allergies were bad . If you have allergies at least go and visit a Siberian, rub your face on him or her. I fully believe that you can have this breed of cat!!!! 🙂
I was skeptical about the anecdotal evidence that Siberian cats were hypoallergenic. But your story has made me think twice about it. Thank you so much for commenting. He is a wonderful cat.
Sherry-Ann, did you buy Maverick from a breeder and is he a purebred Siberian?
Yes I Purchased him from a breeder and I am waiting for his papers he better be a purebred LOL
Great. Thanks Sherry. I’d like to make your comment an article is that is okay. You’ll be the credited author of course.
Absolutely- how fun!
MAVERICK is only 6 1/2 months old. He is incredible and worth every penny we paid! He is black and silver with incredible markings.I could no longer have a cat due to my increasing allergies but with MAVERICK I can rub my face in his fur, kiss him, my lips dont swell, my eyes don’t itch I don’t sneeze or need to run for my inhalers. He goes toward LOUD things such as 10 and 11 year old boys playing in the basement. He greets each new person or animal into our home. He is fearless. He popped a balloon and simply sat there looking at the space. Kids play the drums, he runs to hang out with them, whereas most cats would hide. He EATS like he has never seen food before. He owns every counter top and pillow and couch in the house. He is always with us sometimes on our lap sometimes attacking our feet. He loves to lay high up on his scratching post. He has a deep triple kind of purr. We bring him in the car and he loves it. I plan on getting a harness and maybe taking him hiking with us. He is an indoor cat as it is safer for him and all the wildlife. I can’t wait to see what he grows into. This is indeed a dog cat. With a massive personality which seems very true to his breed. We will most likely get another one!
Wow, he is a great cat. A special cat. You’re lucky and so is he. Thanks for sharing Sherry-Ann.