History
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The Siberian Cat is an ancient breed of cat, dating back more than 1,000 years, and believed to be ancestral to all modern long-haired cats. It is a natural breed of Siberia and the national cat of Russia.
The earliest known reference is from 1000AD. In the 1870s they appeared in the first cat show and we also find a reference to Siberian cats at the 1884 show in Madison Square Gardens. Noted cat fanciers mention them in their books in 1889 (Harrison Weir: Our Cats) and 1898 (John Jennings: Domestic & Fancy Cats) along with the first photo of one in 1900 (Helen Winslow: Concerning Cats). But while we find early references to the early Siberians, there is little documented information about them. The 1980s saw the rise of the cat fancy in Russia and records began to be kept. Kotofei Cat Club in Moscow created the first standard and used two cats as the model for it: Mars - a blue lynx point and white, and Roman - a brown tabby and white. During the siege of Leningrad, cats began to disappear. This caused an explosion in the rat population , threatening food supplies and the priceless national treasures of the Hermitage Museum. When the siege ended, cats from around Siberia were sent to Leningrad to protect the priceless treasures in the Hermitage and other locations. Tyumen sent over 200 Siberian cats which played a huge role in Russia's post war recovery. There is a memorial park in Tyumen which is home to 12 gold-plated statues of Siberian cats representing those that were shipped from Tyumen to Leningrad to help hunt down rats and protect the nation's most precious artifacts from destruction |
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Legend
Given that the Siberian is a very ancient breed of cat, there are many legends associated with the breed. For example, the one that says they had originated from wild forest cats in the snowy dense forests of taiga and in the Middle Ages guarded the monasteries in Siberia.
The ways these cats got into Russia and moved further to the North and the East are historical trade routes, such as the one from the Varangian to Greek and the Great Silk road. It is quite possible that the Angora, the Siberian and the Persian had the same ancestors, newcomers from Asia Minor. It is also possible that sometimes they would cross with the wild steppe and forest cats. But it is a mere supposition. Documentary records about cats in Russia are poor.
The ways these cats got into Russia and moved further to the North and the East are historical trade routes, such as the one from the Varangian to Greek and the Great Silk road. It is quite possible that the Angora, the Siberian and the Persian had the same ancestors, newcomers from Asia Minor. It is also possible that sometimes they would cross with the wild steppe and forest cats. But it is a mere supposition. Documentary records about cats in Russia are poor.
Buying a Siberian or kitten
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On purchasing a kitten or older cat from a Club breeder, you are assured peace of mind regarding the health and breeding of your cat, and you will be given a range of information to assist you with your new pet. Your kitten will be weaned and eating well, house trained and socialised. The breeders have a care sheet, which details the correct diet for your Siberian, worming and flea control advice, and immunisation details. You will also be given an immunisation card for your kitten signed by a vet. Many breeders now have their kittens routinely desexed prior to selling them. This is a safe and quick procedure, the kittens are able to return home a few hours later and recovery times are much quicker than in older cats. If buying your kitten as a pet or as a show neuter and it has not been desexed, you will be asked to sign a conditional sales agreement, which requires the cat to be desexed and not be used for breeding.
Club breeders are able to assist with any questions related to the care and welfare of your Siberian kitten or cat. While they are not vets, they have built a wealth of knowledge and experience over their years of breeding and showing Siberian. Your breeder will be able to assist with all aspects of caring for your new kitten, settling into a new home etc. Remember the only silly question is the one not asked. If you in any doubt about the health of your Siberian, you should seek veterinary advice immediately. |
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Show standard
SIBERIAN
GENERAL STANDARD
The Siberian (Forest) Cat is an ancient breed now believed to have been ancestral to all modern longhaired cats including both the Angora and the Persian. The overall impression should be a cat of great strength and size with excellent physical tone. This large and impressive cat has a distinctive semi-long, dense triple coat of sculptured appearance, and a thick, densely covered tail, with no trailing hairs. Tail should have a rounded or blunt tip. This is a cat of circles or roundness, rather than angular features. Males are generally larger than females.
HEAD: Slightly longer than broad, softly rounded, massive. The forehead is broad, just slightly rounded. In profile, there is a slight indentation, but no nose break or stop.
EARS: Medium size, well open at the base. Tips are rounded with well-developed hairs inside and tufts. The placement must show good width between the ears, which should tilt slightly forward.
EYES: Large slightly oval shaped, wide apart, set slightly obliquely.
NOSE: Medium length and broad. The profile shows a slight indentation, but without a stop.
CHEEKS: Well developed and rounded. High set.
JAWS: Wide at the hinge, strong and gently rounded.
CHIN: Of good depth and slightly sloping back, in profile, creating a curve from the upper line of the nose.
NECK: Well-muscled, medium length and in proportion to the body.
BODY: Strong boned, broad chest, well muscled of medium length, back carried slightly rounded. Body in proportion to create a rectangular appearance.
LEGS: Strong, medium high to form a rectangle with the body.
PAWS: Large, round and well tufted between toes.
TAIL: Long and thick, with a rounded tip. Covered on all sides by dense hair with no hairs trailing down.
CONDITION: Excellent muscular condition is required. The coat is not presented like a Persian. The temperament is placid and easy to handle with no attempt to threaten or challenge.
SCALE OF POINTS
Head (general shape, nose, profile, chin) 25
Ears (size, shape & placement) 10
Eyes (shape & size) 5 40
Body (incl. shape, size, legs, paws) 20
Tail (length & shape) 10
Coat (quality, length, texture) 25
Condition 5 60
TOTAL 100
FAULTS / PENALTIES
REFER TO GENERAL LIST OF FAULTS FOR ALL BREEDS, PLUS:
PENALISE:
Fine boning or small build.
Head round, long or narrow.
Straight profile.
Round eyes.
Large ears or set too high.
Thin long legs.
Short tail.
Coat fine, silky or lying flat.
Out of coat except in summer.
WITHHOLD:
Any clearly expressed signs of Persian type.
COAT AND COLOUR
COAT LENGTH AND TEXTURE: Semi long, well developed. Very dense undercoat, not lying flat. Overcoat water repellent, slightly hard to touch. Guard hairs are solid, glossy. The Russians refer to this coat as being triple coated with hairs being of near equal length. A fully coated cat has a well-developed shirtfront, a full frill and britches. The hair may thicken to curls on the underbelly and britches. Summer coat is distinctly shorter and less dense than the winter coat. Kittens can take up to 6 months to develop guard hairs.
COLOUR: All recognized colours and patterns with the exception of chocolate, lilac, cinnamon, fawn, caramel and apricot. As well, the Himalayan (pointed) pattern is not presently recognised.
NOTE: These are known in Russia as ‘Neva Masquerade’ and are judged separately there.
Any amount of white is allowed e.g. blaze, locket, chest, belly, paws etc.
EYE COLOUR: Any colour, however, green preferred.
NOSE LEATHER, PAW PADS & EYE RIMS: Appropriate to the coat colour.
BREEDING NOTES
No allowable outcrosses.
GENERAL STANDARD
The Siberian (Forest) Cat is an ancient breed now believed to have been ancestral to all modern longhaired cats including both the Angora and the Persian. The overall impression should be a cat of great strength and size with excellent physical tone. This large and impressive cat has a distinctive semi-long, dense triple coat of sculptured appearance, and a thick, densely covered tail, with no trailing hairs. Tail should have a rounded or blunt tip. This is a cat of circles or roundness, rather than angular features. Males are generally larger than females.
HEAD: Slightly longer than broad, softly rounded, massive. The forehead is broad, just slightly rounded. In profile, there is a slight indentation, but no nose break or stop.
EARS: Medium size, well open at the base. Tips are rounded with well-developed hairs inside and tufts. The placement must show good width between the ears, which should tilt slightly forward.
EYES: Large slightly oval shaped, wide apart, set slightly obliquely.
NOSE: Medium length and broad. The profile shows a slight indentation, but without a stop.
CHEEKS: Well developed and rounded. High set.
JAWS: Wide at the hinge, strong and gently rounded.
CHIN: Of good depth and slightly sloping back, in profile, creating a curve from the upper line of the nose.
NECK: Well-muscled, medium length and in proportion to the body.
BODY: Strong boned, broad chest, well muscled of medium length, back carried slightly rounded. Body in proportion to create a rectangular appearance.
LEGS: Strong, medium high to form a rectangle with the body.
PAWS: Large, round and well tufted between toes.
TAIL: Long and thick, with a rounded tip. Covered on all sides by dense hair with no hairs trailing down.
CONDITION: Excellent muscular condition is required. The coat is not presented like a Persian. The temperament is placid and easy to handle with no attempt to threaten or challenge.
SCALE OF POINTS
Head (general shape, nose, profile, chin) 25
Ears (size, shape & placement) 10
Eyes (shape & size) 5 40
Body (incl. shape, size, legs, paws) 20
Tail (length & shape) 10
Coat (quality, length, texture) 25
Condition 5 60
TOTAL 100
FAULTS / PENALTIES
REFER TO GENERAL LIST OF FAULTS FOR ALL BREEDS, PLUS:
PENALISE:
Fine boning or small build.
Head round, long or narrow.
Straight profile.
Round eyes.
Large ears or set too high.
Thin long legs.
Short tail.
Coat fine, silky or lying flat.
Out of coat except in summer.
WITHHOLD:
Any clearly expressed signs of Persian type.
COAT AND COLOUR
COAT LENGTH AND TEXTURE: Semi long, well developed. Very dense undercoat, not lying flat. Overcoat water repellent, slightly hard to touch. Guard hairs are solid, glossy. The Russians refer to this coat as being triple coated with hairs being of near equal length. A fully coated cat has a well-developed shirtfront, a full frill and britches. The hair may thicken to curls on the underbelly and britches. Summer coat is distinctly shorter and less dense than the winter coat. Kittens can take up to 6 months to develop guard hairs.
COLOUR: All recognized colours and patterns with the exception of chocolate, lilac, cinnamon, fawn, caramel and apricot. As well, the Himalayan (pointed) pattern is not presently recognised.
NOTE: These are known in Russia as ‘Neva Masquerade’ and are judged separately there.
Any amount of white is allowed e.g. blaze, locket, chest, belly, paws etc.
EYE COLOUR: Any colour, however, green preferred.
NOSE LEATHER, PAW PADS & EYE RIMS: Appropriate to the coat colour.
BREEDING NOTES
No allowable outcrosses.
General Care
Care of the Eyes and Ears
Check your cat/kitten's ears regularly. Clean them carefully with cotton buds. If you repeatedly find small bits of dark matter and if the cat scratches and shakes its' head a lot, consult a veterinarian, as the cat may have ear mites. If your cat has continually runny or weeping eyes, consult a veterinarian.
Trimming Claws
You should trim the tips of the claws on the front feet once a month with special clippers available at pet stores. Ask your vet to show you how to do this.
Checking the Teeth
If you feed your cat a complete diet it should have perfect teeth. Unfortunately, however, some cats develop tartar and inflamed gums. You should therefore check your pet's mouth regularly. Consult your veterinarian if you see something you suspect requires treatment, the cats' breath is offensive or the cat dribbles continuously.
Grooming
The coat of a semi-longhaired cat should be thoroughly combed at least once a week. In the spring and autumn, when the cat grows a new coat, weekly combing is necessary because the fine hair of the undercoat gets matted easily at these times.
Start grooming the coat and checking ears and teeth early, when the kitten is about twelve weeks old, so that it will become used to these procedures. Most cats love to be brushed, particularly if you stop periodically to pat them.
When giving your cat its daily cuddle, let your fingers automatically feel in the obvious areas where knots usually form (behind the ears, under the chin and tummy) and gently tease the knots out. If your cat objects to this, get help from another person and carefully cut the knots out before they become large masses.
Start grooming the coat and checking ears and teeth early, when the kitten is about twelve weeks old, so that it will become used to these procedures. Most cats love to be brushed, particularly if you stop periodically to pat them.
When giving your cat its daily cuddle, let your fingers automatically feel in the obvious areas where knots usually form (behind the ears, under the chin and tummy) and gently tease the knots out. If your cat objects to this, get help from another person and carefully cut the knots out before they become large masses.
Bathing
It is not necessary to regularly bath your kitten/cat, unless you intend to show it, or you reside in an area susceptible to fleas and other parasites. Club members can explain to you the simplest method for bathing your cat, but again it is better to get the cat used to it at an early age. Remember, most cats do not like water. Members can also guide you in preparing your Siberian to show standard if you intend showing it.
