Short history:

This beautiful breed is native to the cold, harsh regions in Russia. Just like the Norwegian Forest Cat, this breed was bred by Mother Nature herself. Though this breed has been around for a thousand years, it is very hard to find written sources on it. And from the ones that do exist, it is clear that the breed was mostly taken for granted. Add to that that Russia is vast, and diverse in culture depending on the region, and it becomes obvious that it took a long time to get a standard on this breed.

Appearance:

The appearance of the Siberian Cat is nothing short of stunning: magnificent triple-layered water-proof coat to protect it against the harsh climate of Russia , an elaborate ruff around the neck, rounded ears to suit its equally circular face and bodylines, and big round eyes who stare at you inquisitively and bring a gentle glow to its face. Colors are abundant as Mother Nature decided to use her infinite palette with this breed. Most common however is the tabby.

Females can weigh up to 7 kilos, while males can go up to 9. Their fur is also very easy to maintain, despite its abundance. Matting is not generally an issue, and although combing clearly benefits the coat, once or twice a week is quite sufficient. The coat can look greasy and oily if not properly groomed by the cat, since this provides the water-proof quality the coat needs in its indigenous climate. They shed twice a year, to change their wardrobe for the coming season.

The Siberian cat is part of the triangle of close resembling large cat breeds. The other two members are the Norwegian Forest Cat and the Maine Coon. It is very hard to keep them apart however according to breeders, the following applies: "Siberians are a constellation of circles and curves, while Maines are a confederation of rectangles, and Norwegians are triangular in theme.”

One very special characteristic of this breed is its alleged hypoallergenic fur. Apparently, this breed does not produce a certain protein which causes dander, which is believed to be the main cause of cat allergies. The evidence on this though is purely empiric at this time.

Playful sweethearts:

They take about 5 years to fully mature, keeping their playful nature throughout their life. They are very people-oriented, out-going and not easily stressed or scared. They are incredibly agile and love leaping great distances. They are known as ‘the perfect cat for dog-people’. Since they are very smart and easy-going, they love games like fetch, and are easily trained to walk on a leash.

They are naturally inquisitive and follow you around. And they are of course completely intrigued by water, often tossing toys into the water and sitting in the sink to check out the faucet. Because they are so curious they will readily greet visitors. Shyness is not in their dictionary.

They will gladly live indoors and make perfect lapcats. Just make sure that they have enough stimulation and room to jump about, because since they are quite smart, they might get bored and indulge in destructive behaviour. They are not that vocal, expressing their concerns and communications mostly through body language and the chirps and mreows these kind of big cats are known for. They are very loyal and will great you at the door, explaining about their day. They generally get along just fine with other pets in the house, and are good with children. At the same time they are very confident cats with a strong personality.

In short: overall, they are gentle good-natured, eager to please and easy-going cats. If you are looking for a cuddly companion who will adapt easily to your lifestyle, or one that might just not set of your allergies, then the Siberian Cat might just be your thing.