The Siberian Cat

The Siberian Cat is an ancient Russian breed that has occurred naturally in the region of Siberia for over two thousand years.  They were brought to the U.S. in the 1990's but are still quite rare. These are large, bueatiful, full-faced cats with muscular and athletic frames. As pets, they are classic cats, not nearly as wild as their appearance, and despite common misconceptions, have no out-crosses with wild cats in their geneolagy. This is a playful, physical cat that loves the outdoors and even likes playing in water. The amazing coat is Siberia-proof and water-proof as well.

 Cool Cat Facts...
The Siberian Cat is an ancient breed whose complete history is unclear, but it is considered the original ancestor of all long-haired cat breeds.                                                                        

Is A Siberian Cat Right For You?

The Siberian Cat is not yet recognized by the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA), the world's largest cat organization. It is a relatively rare pure-bred or "pedigreed" domestic cat breed, and may be one of the oldest in the world. This is the national cat of Russia, and is owned by many dignitaries there. The Siberian comes in any color or pattern with tiger and tabby being most common. The coat is three layers with extra-long guard hairs, a mid-coat, and a plush undercoat which adds up to lots of shedding. Regular grooming is required to control shedding. The Siberian produces less of the protein known to cause allergic reactions and has been found , despite all the hair, to be less irritating to people who suffer cat allergies. Close handling of the parent cats should give a good indication of individual reactions. These are powerful, large-sized cats that have few breed-related health issues. They are active and agile for such a large breed and are commonly considered some of the best jumpers. Because it is active and desires interaction the Siberian cat is a great family pet that does very well with children, and has been known to be very dog-friendly as well.

Siberian Cat Breed Standards

Head Shape: The head is a large, broad, modified wedge. Muzzle is full, well-formed and somewhat short. Cheeks are full, and jowling in mature individuals is desirable. The ears are medium size, rounded at the tips and tufts are desired. The eyes are large and round, fully open. Eye color appropriate to coat, including odd-eyes in white coated cats.
Body and Tail: Large, full, well-rounded body with plenty of muscle and bone. Medium length legs, powerfully built, remarkably springy, with large, thick, round and tufted feet and toes.
Coat: The coat is extremely thick, full, doubled, and with lots of tufting. The undercoat is dense and lays close to the body like a wrap.
Pattern: They are accepted in all recognized colors and patterns, but tabby and tiger coats are by far the most typical, and bring out the wild.
Overall Appearance: This should be large, impressive, wild looking cat with full coat, strong, athletic presence and a beautiful, sweet expression. One of the oldest recorded domestic cat breeds, the Siberian is quite at home in the company of humans, and quickly bonds with all family members. Excellent choice for those who like the rustic look, but still want an effortless companion. If allowed outside, they may roam a very wide territory. Pets take happily to a harness and leash.

Inside Cat or Outside Cat?

Wondering if you should allow your cat to go outside unsupervised? Well there are definitely some pure breeds that should never be outside cats. Hairless breeds like the Sphynx are extremely vulnerable and should always be supervised outdoors. Docile breeds like the Burmese may not be able to defend themselves. All cats allowed outdoors are exposed to diseases and parasites that they would not otherwise encounter. Fred Flintstone put his saber-tooth out every night, but the cat jumped right back in the window - and he was a saber-tooth! Still, most of us feel a little envy when we see our domestic companion out on some high perch, sniffing the breeze of liberty, and there is no doubt that cats love their freedom. So what do YOU think ....Inside Cat or Outside Cat? Comment Here...

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