Facts about Blue Russian cat:
Background The origin of the Russian Blue cat breed is a bit of a mystery, but most experts believe that they originated in the port of Arkhangelsk, Russia – also known as the beautifully-named Archangel Isles. In fact, because “Arkhangelsk” means “archangel” in Russian, these distinctive looking cats are also known as Archangel Blues.
The breed made the trip from Russia to Great Britain sometime in the mid-1800s, likely brought by sailors. Though the Russian Blue first appeared at the Crystal Palace in England in 1875, its development was limited to Scandinavia and Russia until after the Second World War. During this time, it was interbred with Siamese cats. After the war, the breed made its way over to the United States. Today, most of the Siamese has been bred out, and the Russian Blue is one of the most popular cats in America.
Cat FactsThe Russian Blue is a naturally occurring breed, meaning it is not the end result of breeders mixing cat breeds together. In addition, the Russian Blue has quite a legacy! Here are some interesting facts:
Some believe that the Russian Blue was a royal favorite among Russian Czars and, later, English Monarchs. Russian folklore considers the Russian Blue both a healing charm and a good luck charm. Tom from the “Tom and Jerry” cartoon is often considered to be a Russian Blue because of his blue-gray coating. The Russian Blue only comes in one color – a blue-gray. The lifespan of the Russian Blue ranges from 15-20 years. The Russian Blue is a medium sized cat, weighing between 10 and 15 pounds.
What are they like?The Russian Blue is one of the most beautiful cat breeds around: the stunning, plush double-coat of blue tipped with silver, the shining emerald eyes, and the large elegant ears are easy to fall in love with.
Russian blues can be shy, especially around strangers, but don’t mistake their reserved personality for a boring one! They can be very sweet, affectionate cats once they warm up to you. Russian Blues can be very playful and, like most cats, love to jump, climb, and survey the world below. Russian Blues also love to play with feather toys, and are even happy playing fetch. They are alsovery smart and easy to train.
The Russian Blue is a very healthy, hardy cat with no specific health problems. Right for you?
Here are some things to think about if you’re considering welcoming a Russian Blue into your family: Word on the street is, the Russian Blue is better tolerated by those who have allergies. Part of the logic is that the cat’s thick coat traps allergens close to the coat, while another possibility is the fact that the Russian blue produces less of a common glycoprotein that causes cat allergies. Grooming is easy. The thick coat requires a brushing or combing once or twice a week, but the Russian blue sheds very little. They can be very shy around strangers. Don’t expect a Russian Blue to give a warm welcome to strangers. Often startled easily, the Russian Blue will hide when unfamiliar people approach. Not a fan of change. From feeding time to hygiene, the Russian Blue likes things to be predictable and can become nit-picky.
Facts about Munchkin cat:
This breed is very cute.
The munchkin cat is like no other. Many have declared that it must be a cross between a cat and a dachshund because it has shortened legs. Munchkins are the result of a naturally occurring mutation for dwarfism that gives them short legs. If you are looking for a fun-loving, affectionate cat that will fit in with just about any family but has a unique appearance, you might be interested in a munchkin. Before you select one from a breeder, however, learn more about this special cat.
How Did Munchkins Come About?
The genetic mutation for dwarfism that gives munchkins their characteristically short legs is a natural one. Throughout history, there have been reports of short-legged cats occurring randomly and naturally. It was not until the 1980s, though, that a concerted effort was made to create a breed centered on this one mutation. A cat named Blackberry with short legs is the origin of the current munchkin breed. Blackberry and her son Toulouse were crossed with other domestic cats, and the short-legged offspring were crossed again until dwarfed cats with a large enough gene pool existed. Today, some cat fanciers groups accept the munchkin as a breed, but others do not.
What are the Physical Characteristics of a Munchkin?
The defining physical characteristic of the munchkin cat is his short legs. Other than this trait, munchkins look like other domesticated cats. They can have long or short hair and come in just about any color and coat pattern. They are small to medium in size, ranging from five to nine pounds typically. In spite of their shortened limbs, munchkins are not hampered in their movements. They are as athletic, fast, and playful as any other kind of cat, and are quite energetic. They love to play with people, other cats, and dogs. They can jump and get nearly anywhere they want to be.
What is the Temperament of the Munchkin?Munchkin cats are outgoing and love to be handled. They are happy to be picked up and carried around, and they will gladly sit in anyone's lap once playtime is over. Munchkins are high-energy cats, so do not expect to get one to let sit around most of the time. They love to play with just about any kind of toy you give them. Munchkins may not be able to jump as high as long-legged cats, but they are determined, and if they want to get somewhere, they will. In addition to being playful, munchkins are smart. For playtime, they need a variety of toys and games to keep from being bored.
What Kind of Care Do Munchkins Require?The most important aspect of care for a munchkin is attention. These are not cats to be ignored. They need to be engaged in playing or in getting affection often to keep them happy. They do well with children and other pets, which can help keep them engaged in activities. As for grooming, most munchkins are fine with just a weekly brushing and occasional nail trimming. Longhaired varieties of munchkins, however, will need more frequent brushing to avoid the mats that can develop with longer fur. If mats appear, they need to be cut out.
Are There Any Health Concerns for Munchkins?Munchkins are a new breed, which means that genetic disorders to which they are susceptible may not have been fully discovered yet. Spine problems have so far not been seen but could be a potential problem. Dogs with shortened legs can have back problems as they age, so it could be an issue with munchkins as well. All cats, no matter the breed, come with the possibility of genetic disorders. The best way to avoid them is to buy from a reputable and responsible breeder. Once you have your munchkin, take him to the vet for regular checkups, keep him active, and do not overfeed him.
Background The origin of the Russian Blue cat breed is a bit of a mystery, but most experts believe that they originated in the port of Arkhangelsk, Russia – also known as the beautifully-named Archangel Isles. In fact, because “Arkhangelsk” means “archangel” in Russian, these distinctive looking cats are also known as Archangel Blues.
The breed made the trip from Russia to Great Britain sometime in the mid-1800s, likely brought by sailors. Though the Russian Blue first appeared at the Crystal Palace in England in 1875, its development was limited to Scandinavia and Russia until after the Second World War. During this time, it was interbred with Siamese cats. After the war, the breed made its way over to the United States. Today, most of the Siamese has been bred out, and the Russian Blue is one of the most popular cats in America.
Cat FactsThe Russian Blue is a naturally occurring breed, meaning it is not the end result of breeders mixing cat breeds together. In addition, the Russian Blue has quite a legacy! Here are some interesting facts:
Some believe that the Russian Blue was a royal favorite among Russian Czars and, later, English Monarchs. Russian folklore considers the Russian Blue both a healing charm and a good luck charm. Tom from the “Tom and Jerry” cartoon is often considered to be a Russian Blue because of his blue-gray coating. The Russian Blue only comes in one color – a blue-gray. The lifespan of the Russian Blue ranges from 15-20 years. The Russian Blue is a medium sized cat, weighing between 10 and 15 pounds.
What are they like?The Russian Blue is one of the most beautiful cat breeds around: the stunning, plush double-coat of blue tipped with silver, the shining emerald eyes, and the large elegant ears are easy to fall in love with.
Russian blues can be shy, especially around strangers, but don’t mistake their reserved personality for a boring one! They can be very sweet, affectionate cats once they warm up to you. Russian Blues can be very playful and, like most cats, love to jump, climb, and survey the world below. Russian Blues also love to play with feather toys, and are even happy playing fetch. They are alsovery smart and easy to train.
The Russian Blue is a very healthy, hardy cat with no specific health problems. Right for you?
Here are some things to think about if you’re considering welcoming a Russian Blue into your family: Word on the street is, the Russian Blue is better tolerated by those who have allergies. Part of the logic is that the cat’s thick coat traps allergens close to the coat, while another possibility is the fact that the Russian blue produces less of a common glycoprotein that causes cat allergies. Grooming is easy. The thick coat requires a brushing or combing once or twice a week, but the Russian blue sheds very little. They can be very shy around strangers. Don’t expect a Russian Blue to give a warm welcome to strangers. Often startled easily, the Russian Blue will hide when unfamiliar people approach. Not a fan of change. From feeding time to hygiene, the Russian Blue likes things to be predictable and can become nit-picky.
Facts about Munchkin cat:
This breed is very cute.
The munchkin cat is like no other. Many have declared that it must be a cross between a cat and a dachshund because it has shortened legs. Munchkins are the result of a naturally occurring mutation for dwarfism that gives them short legs. If you are looking for a fun-loving, affectionate cat that will fit in with just about any family but has a unique appearance, you might be interested in a munchkin. Before you select one from a breeder, however, learn more about this special cat.
How Did Munchkins Come About?
The genetic mutation for dwarfism that gives munchkins their characteristically short legs is a natural one. Throughout history, there have been reports of short-legged cats occurring randomly and naturally. It was not until the 1980s, though, that a concerted effort was made to create a breed centered on this one mutation. A cat named Blackberry with short legs is the origin of the current munchkin breed. Blackberry and her son Toulouse were crossed with other domestic cats, and the short-legged offspring were crossed again until dwarfed cats with a large enough gene pool existed. Today, some cat fanciers groups accept the munchkin as a breed, but others do not.
What are the Physical Characteristics of a Munchkin?
The defining physical characteristic of the munchkin cat is his short legs. Other than this trait, munchkins look like other domesticated cats. They can have long or short hair and come in just about any color and coat pattern. They are small to medium in size, ranging from five to nine pounds typically. In spite of their shortened limbs, munchkins are not hampered in their movements. They are as athletic, fast, and playful as any other kind of cat, and are quite energetic. They love to play with people, other cats, and dogs. They can jump and get nearly anywhere they want to be.
What is the Temperament of the Munchkin?Munchkin cats are outgoing and love to be handled. They are happy to be picked up and carried around, and they will gladly sit in anyone's lap once playtime is over. Munchkins are high-energy cats, so do not expect to get one to let sit around most of the time. They love to play with just about any kind of toy you give them. Munchkins may not be able to jump as high as long-legged cats, but they are determined, and if they want to get somewhere, they will. In addition to being playful, munchkins are smart. For playtime, they need a variety of toys and games to keep from being bored.
What Kind of Care Do Munchkins Require?The most important aspect of care for a munchkin is attention. These are not cats to be ignored. They need to be engaged in playing or in getting affection often to keep them happy. They do well with children and other pets, which can help keep them engaged in activities. As for grooming, most munchkins are fine with just a weekly brushing and occasional nail trimming. Longhaired varieties of munchkins, however, will need more frequent brushing to avoid the mats that can develop with longer fur. If mats appear, they need to be cut out.
Are There Any Health Concerns for Munchkins?Munchkins are a new breed, which means that genetic disorders to which they are susceptible may not have been fully discovered yet. Spine problems have so far not been seen but could be a potential problem. Dogs with shortened legs can have back problems as they age, so it could be an issue with munchkins as well. All cats, no matter the breed, come with the possibility of genetic disorders. The best way to avoid them is to buy from a reputable and responsible breeder. Once you have your munchkin, take him to the vet for regular checkups, keep him active, and do not overfeed him.