About Siberian Cats
Siberian cats are relative newcomers to professional cat fanciers' organizations--as well as to the United States. Since the first Siberian cats set paw on American soil in 1990, this breed has made rapid strides in breeding programs and cat fanciers' organizations, and has collected the hearts of many a cat lover. The national cat of Russia, a long-haired feline with a strong, sturdy build and friendly teddy-bear appearance, also has one more uniquely desirable quality that other breeds lacks: he's a hypoallergenic cat.
Made of Legends
Pinpointing an exact date of origin of the Siberian cat (also called the Siberian Forest cat) is quite impossible, as this is a natural breed that has existed in Russia for uncountable centuries--although Siberian cats were first mentioned in recorded history around 1000 A.D. Much like his Nordic counterparts, Norwegian Forest cats, which pulled the chariot of the goddess Freya, Siberian cats are mentioned in countless children's fairy tales and have been depicted in numerous Russian paintings. More interesting folklore about this cat is that prior to the ending of the Cold War, during which time Russian citizens were forbidden by law to feed pets due to food shortages, Siberian cats went underground, living in Russian monasteries and roaming the streets of St. Petersburg and Leningrad. It wasn't until the late 1980s, when the first cat fanciers association was formed in Russia, that written pedigrees were kept of Siberian cats.
Coming to America
Reputable cat breeders who are members of professional organizations are an inquisitive lot, eager to cultivate and promote rare breeds. The first Siberian cat "immigrants" came to the U.S. when Himalayan breeder Elizabeth Terrell of Baton Rouge spotted an advertisement in a Himalayan breed magazine in 1988 from a Russian cat fancier who was anxious to establish the Himalayan breed in Russia. Terrell organized a trade: two of her Himalayans for three Siberian kittens named Ofelia, Naina and Kaliostro, who arrived in the U.S. in 1990. The first generation of American-born Siberian kittens arrived in July 1991 at Terrell's cattery, Starpoint.
The American Cat Fanciers Association (AFCA) was first to accept registration of the Siberian cat in 1990, and other North American organizations followed suit, some placing the breed under probationary or experimental status until a breed standard was devised. CFA was the last professional organization to grant the Siberian cat championship status in 2006. In addition to AFCA and CFA, the Siberian cat is an accepted breed in the International Cat Association, the American Association of Cat Enthusiasts, the Cat Fancier's Federation, the United Feline Organization and the International Cat Enthusiasts. The World Cat Federation--the Russian registry--and the Fédération Internationale Féline, of which the U.S. is not a member, also recognize the Siberian cat.
What Does a Siberian Cat Look Like?
There's nary a cat breeder who hasn't had his or her Siberian cats mistaken as Norwegian Forest cats by non-fanciers who wander into the show hall--and vice versa! Certainly, these breeds are markedly similar on first glance. The Siberian cat is also the second largest cat breed after the Maine Coone, yet another cat that the Siberian cat may share mistaken identity with. However, when looking at the Siberian Cat's construction, it's helpful to think "round." Siberian cats have round eyes, rounded ear tips, a softly rounded face and large, round paws. Norwegian Forest cats have a triangular construction, particularly noticeable in the shape of their faces and their ears (Maine Coone cats are comprised of rectangles, from their long rectangular bodies to the rectangular shape of their noses).
Unique to Siberian cats are their three layers of fur--a soft undercoat, regular fur and glossy guard hairs. "Each cat (breed) is beautifully designed for the climate of origin," notes Irene de Villiers of Furry Boots cattery. The Siberian cat, she says, has "a lot harsher coat, better designed for the winds of Siberia than the rains of Norway. The Siberian undercoat sticks out from the body to insulate, while the relatively harsh topcoat keeps the wind out." Comparatively, the Norwegian Forest cat's undercoat is made of "very fine fur and carefully crimped for insulation to trap microscopic air bubbles in the crimps so they can swim in the sea without getting wet."
Unless you have the privilege of handling these various breeds in person to feel the difference in their body types and coat textures, a Siberian cat may simply look like the Norwegian Forest cat's kissing cousin--until you look more closely. The aethestically pleasing circular conformations, especially when noted in the faces of Siberian cats, add up to one descriptor: "sweet."
Siberian Colors and Markings
The Siberian cat is a natural breed, so she can come in every pattern, marking and color you can possibly imagine--red, brown, cream, and silver to name only a few. Pet-quality Siberian cats will most likely be solid classic or mackerel tabbies or tabbies with white. The coats of mackerel or "fishbone" tabbies have vertical striations that are spaced closely together, while classic tabbies are comprised of large swirls and "bulls-eye" patterns. Siberian cats with more striking coats, such as black and silver smokes and those with color points (like a Siamese) may achieve more recognition in the show hall than their more usual tabby siblings and cousins.
Hypoallergenic Quality
When it comes to their level of desirability among pet owners, Siberian cats have an ace in the hole: they're hypoallergenic. The cause of cat allergies is a protein known at Fel d1 that's produced in a cat's skin, saliva and urine. Being assiduous groomers, cats transfer these proteins to the rest of their coats, which can lead to a reaction to the cat's dander. Although there have been no formal studies performed on Siberian cats, it's suspected that they have low or absent levels of the Fel d1 protein. Many owners of Siberian cats with cat allergies, including cat breeders with allergies, note no allergic response to their beloved companions.
However, reputable breeders of Siberian cats are careful to make the distinction between "hypoallergenic" and "non-allergenic." The Siberian Cat's hypoallergenic quality means that those with an allergy to cats will be less likely to experience an allergic reaction to the felines. Those with severe cat allergies might not fare as well. Many cat breeders will mail those who express interest in sharing a home with a Siberian cat a sample of the breeding parents' fur. Solace Farm's Pamela Martin, CFA Breed Council Secretary, advises prospective Siberian cat guardians to actually visit the kitten in person to gauge their allergic response.
Is a Siberian Cat for Me?
If you're not sold on the prospect of a hypoallergenic cat, the temperament of the Siberian cat might just win you over. A description of the Siberian cat's personality is uncannily similar to that of the Abyssinian, another highly-social breed that also co-evolved with humans for centuries. Similarly, Siberian cats are described as having a canine-like devotion to their people, with a particular soft spot in their hearts for younger members of the family--in fact, in Russian folklore, Siberian cats are often described as protectors of children. When you come home, your Siberian cat is likely to greet you with soft chirps to tell you about his day and ask about yours. Siberian cats have a love of toys and may even engage you in a game of "fetch."
Find Out More
Siberian cats are extremely rare, and reputable breeders have long waiting lists for kittens. They can also be expensive--as much as $1,600 for a pet-quality kitten and $1,800 for a kitten with show potential. How can you find a reputable breeder of Siberian cats? A reputable breeder will give you a written contract and will either spay or neuter the kitten or have you alter your new pet when he or she is old enough prior to transfer of registration papers, says Martin.
If you want to know more about Siberian cats, the best way to learn is to see them at a cat show in your area. Judges examine the cats to see how closely they conform to the standard of their particularly organization. When awarding "best of breed," judges explain to onlookers what physical characteristics a particular Siberian cat possesses that best exemplifies the breed. When doing your groundwork, make the rounds of the benching areas so that you can talk to Siberian cat breeders about their breeding programs and kitten availability.
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