Videos Siberian Breed Information
Country of origin -
Russia
Breed standards -
AACE, ACFA, CFA, TICA, ACF, FIFe
The Siberian is a long haired breed of cat. The
Siberian cat breed is recognized by most cat organizations, which
accept Siberians of any color (including color points) for
competition. This includes recognition in the major cat registries
such as TICA and Cat
Fanciers' Association (CFA), as well as acceptance in the
CFA Championship class beginning on February 6th, 2006.
1. Characteristics
1. 1. Body
Known to be an exceptionally high jumper, the Siberian is a
strong and powerfully built cat, with well proportioned
characteristics that include strong hindquarters and large
stomachs. They typically weigh between 15-20 pounds (6.8-9.1 kg)
for the males, or 10-15 pounds (4.5-6.8 kg) for females. They are
shorter and stockier than Maine Coon
cats and Norwegian Forest
Cats even though they can attain approximately the same weight.
Also, Siberians typically attain their full growth more slowly,
over their first 5 years.
1. 2. Personality
Siberians are generally intelligent, playful, affectionate and
loyal, leading many to describe their character as dog-like.
1. 3. Fur
Siberians may be 90% hypoallergenic. No conclusive information
is currently available. Despite the lack of scientific evidence,
extensive anecdotal evidence can be found from breeders and pet
owners supporting such claims. Siberian fur is textured, medium-long
and usually tabby patterned. Their fur is plush, can have a wide
range of coloration (including points), and does not have a
tendency to mat.
1. 4. Reproduction
On average, a Siberian cat's litter consists of 5
kittens.
2. Ancestry
While Siberians are a fairly recent introduction to the US(1990)
and thus relatively rare, though popular, the breed can be seen in
Russian paintings and writings hundreds of years old. This sets
them apart from breeds that are the result of fairly recent
selective breeding.
There is an increasing interest in Siberians worldwide, and they
are currently accepted in all registries.
3. Breed Standard
Description: The Siberian is a medium/large,
strong cat which takes 5 years to mature. The females weigh less
than the males. They are extremely agile and athletic. Their
muscles are mighty, outstanding and powerful. The back is medium
and slightly lower in front than in the hind, but appears
horizontal when in motion. A barrel shaped, muscular torso,
develops with age. The hind legs, when straightened, are slightly
longer than the forelegs. The paws are round, big and quite
powerful. The overall appearance should be one of great strength
and power; the facial expression is quite sweet. The general
impression is one of roundness and circles.
Coat: This is a moderately long to longhaired
cat, with hair on the shoulder blades and lower part of the chest
being thick and slightly shorter. Siberians have a triple coat.
There should be an abundant ruff setting off the large, impressive
head. There is a tight undercoat, thicker in cold weather. Allow
for warm weather coats. The hair may thicken to curls on the belly
and britches, but a wavy coat is not characteristic. The skin may
have a bluish cast. Clear strong colors and patterns are desirable,
but are secondary to type.
Eyes: The large, almost round eyes are at least
one eye width apart with the outer corner slightly angled toward
the lower base of the ear. There is no relationship between eye
color and coat color/pattern, however, as with all pointed cats the
eye color is blue with pointed colors
Ears: The ears are medium-large, wide and set
as much on the sides of the head as on the top; ideal position is 1
to 1-1/2 ear widths apart. The tips are rounded and the ear tilts
forward. Ear furnishings are desirable. Hair over the back of the
ears is short and thin; from the middle of the ear, the furnishings
become longer and cover the base completely.
Tail: The tail is medium length, wide at the
base, blunt at the tip without thickening or kinks, evenly and
thickly furnished.
Head: The head is a modified wedge of medium
size with rounded contours, broader at the skull and narrowing
slightly to a full rounded muzzle with well-rounded chin. There may
be a slight muzzle curvature, but the transition between the side
of the head and the muzzle is gentle and inconspicuous. The cheek
bones are neither high set nor prominent. There should be a good
distance between the ears and eyes. The top of the head is flat,
with a gentle nose curvature of a gentle slope from the forehead to
the nose and a slight concave curvature before the tip. The neck is
medium, rounded, substantial, and very well-muscled, siberians have
the appearance of no neck.
There exists controversy concerning color point Siberians. Some
consider them to be a separate breed called Neva Masquerade, but so
far no major cat registry has accepted them as a separate breed.
They are considered to be a color division of the Siberian
breed.
Copyright (c) 2008 Kitt Killion Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no Invariant Sections, no Front-Cover Texts, and no Back-Cover Texts. A copy of the license is included in the section entitled "GNU Free Documentation License".
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