Russian Blue
The Russian Blue is a short-haired domestic cat breed distinguished by a blue-gray coat, green eyes, and dense, plush double-layered fur.
Cat coat genetics: The inheritance of genes that determine cats’ coat colors, patterns, and hair characteristics. These inherited traits produce the breed’s characteristic blue-gray fur.
Chartreux: A French cat breed with a blue-gray coat, copper-to-gold eyes, and a sturdy build. Its blue coat can resemble the Russian Blue’s, but its eyes and body type differ.
Archangel Islands: A group of islands in northern Russia, including the port city of Arkhangelsk. The breed’s traditional origin story links its name and ancestry to this region.
Cat breed standard: A formal description of the physical traits and characteristics required for a pedigreed cat breed. Standards specify the Russian Blue’s coat, eye color, head shape, and body.
Cat temperament: The relatively stable behavioral tendencies that shape how an individual cat responds to people and surroundings. Breed descriptions often portray Russian Blues as reserved, but individual personalities vary.
Dilution gene: A gene variant that lightens pigment in animal coats by changing how pigment granules are distributed in hair. Its effect on black pigment contributes to the Russian Blue’s slate-blue appearance.
Korat: A Thai cat breed with a silver-blue coat, a heart-shaped face, and green eyes. Like the Russian Blue, it has blue fur and green eyes, but a different coat and head shape.
Arkhangelsk: A port city in northwestern Russia on the Northern Dvina River near the White Sea. The Russian Blue is sometimes called the Archangel cat after this northern Russian port.
Cat show: An organized competition in which pedigreed cats are evaluated against breed standards. Judges assess Russian Blues against standards for color, coat, and conformation.
Cat symbolism: The cultural meanings and associations assigned to cats in different societies and traditions. The Russian Blue’s elegant appearance has helped shape its image in popular culture.