There are some popular cat breeds, along with some rare felines, that hail from Russia, and there are lots of reasons to love Russian cat breeds. For instance, the Russian blue is a cat breed that's common around the world. But a rare breed, such as the Ussuri, is seldom seen as a companion animal. Russian cat breeds vary widely in appearance and temperament. Many were developed in different parts of Russia, so their ancestry is relatively distinct.
Here are 10 great cat breeds from Russia.
Breed Characteristics
Many affectionate, intelligent, playful, and energetic cat breeds are from Russia. To narrow down which one is right for your household, consider things like a cat’s grooming requirements and their need for attention.
Some Russian cat breeds are known for their devoted and loyal temperament, so they aren’t ideal if you’re looking for a more independent cat who won’t demand as much of your attention and interaction.
Also, some Russian cat breeds are rare, so they can be difficult to find, both in shelters and from breeders. So, before you set your heart on a breed, consider how easy it will be to actually buy or adopt them.
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Russian Blue
The Russian blue is the most popular cat breed in Russia. This breed's definitive origin isn't clear, though it's widely accepted that it's native to Russia. With their athletic and graceful appearance, Russian blues were favored by the tsars of Russia during the 19th century. These cats tend to have rather reserved natures and can be wary of strangers, but once they get to know you, they develop strong bonds. They're gentle, affectionate, and playful but still independent enough that they're usually content to be left alone for a few hours a day.
Breed Overview
Height: 8 to 10 inches
Weight: 7 to 12 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Intelligent, loving, playful
Energy Level: Medium
Coat and Color: Short, dense; silver to dark gray
Life Span: Up to 20 years
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Donskoy
The Donskoy originated in the late 1980s in Russia when a breeder crossed a cat carrying a dominant hairless gene with a local tomcat. Donskoys tend to be quite affectionate, smart, and sociable. They prefer to have company for most of the day. And, due to their lack of fur, they need protection both from cold temperatures and sunburn.
Breed Overview
Height: 11 to 12 inches
Weight: 6 to 12 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Smart, friendly, playful, curious
Energy Level: Medium
Coat and Color: Little to no fur; skin can be any color and have any pattern
Life Span: 12 to 15+ years
- 03 of 10
Kurilian Bobtail
The Kurilian bobtail is a naturally occurring breed that has not been selectively bred. These cats have lived on the Sakhalin Island and the Kamchatka Peninsula of Russia for over 200 years. They also have been found on the Kuril Archipelago, which joins Russia with Japan. They may have the look of a wild cat, but they're surprisingly mild-mannered and affectionate. However, given their feral heritage, they do have a high prey drive and energy level.
Breed Overview
Height: 9 to 12 inches
Weight: 11 to 15 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Playful, affectionate, mild-mannered
Energy Level: High
Coat and Color: Short to semi-long; variety of colors and patterns, with or without white
Life Span: Up to 20 years
- 04 of 10
Mekong Bobtail
The Mekong bobtail, which used to be called the Thai bobtail, was named after the famous river that runs through Southeast Asia. Although the breed occurred naturally in Asian countries located along the river, the Mekong bobtail wasn't formally developed as a breed until it was imported to Russia. Today, these cats are known for being friendly, playful, curious, and sociable.
Breed Overview
Height: 7 to 9 inches
Weight: 8 to 10 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Social, playful, curious
Energy Level: Medium
Coat and Color: Short, smooth; variety of pointed colors
Life Span: 15 to 18 years
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Siberian
This breed hails from the Siberian taiga, a vast forested subarctic region in eastern Russia. The region has very long, extremely cold winters, which is why the Siberian cat has a very dense, semi-longhaired triple coat to keep them insulated. Known for being affectionate, Siberians love to be in the company of their humans. They're also playful, active, and intelligent and need plenty of enrichment to keep them from becoming bored.
Breed Overview
Height: 8 to 10 inches
Weight: 8 to 15 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Active, smart, playful, affectionate
Energy Level: Medium
Coat and Color: Semi-long; ranges from coarse to soft; full collar ruff; variety of colors
Life Span: 10 to 18 years
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Karelian Bobtail
The Karelian bobtail is a rare Russian cat breed that was first recognized in 1994. It’s generally a friendly and easygoing cat who can adapt to many types of households, including those with kids and other animals. Karelian bobtails enjoy spending time with their family, but they’re also generally quiet and not demanding of attention.
Breed Overview
Height: 8 to 12 inches
Weight: 10 to 15 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Quiet, friendly, affectionate
Energy Level: Medium
Coat and Color: Short to long, dense; variety of colors and patterns
Life Span: 15 to 18 years
- 07 of 10
Peterbald
The Peterbald originated in Russia in the 1990s via breeding between a Donskoy and an Oriental shorthair. Other cat breeds since have been added to refine the look. These cats are quite smart and love attention. They often will follow their favorite person from room to room and won’t miss the chance to jump in your lap.
Breed Overview
Height: 8 to 10 inches
Weight: 6 to 12 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Intelligent, outgoing, friendly, interactive
Energy Level: Medium
Coat and Color: Hairless, light coat, or full coat; various colors and patterns
Life Span: Up to 15 years
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Toybob
Toybobs were first seen in Russia in the 1980s, arising from a spontaneous genetic mutation. A cat with a short, kinked tail was bred with a bobtail cat, resulting in an unusually small kitten with a short tail. Toybobs may always stay roughly the size of an average kitten, but they have big personalities. They love to play and are quite agile while also being content to cuddle in someone’s lap.
Breed Overview
Height: 4 to 6 inches
Weight: 4 to 7 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Playful, affectionate, social
Energy Level: Medium
Coat and Color: Short to semi-long; variety of colors
Life Span: 14 to 20 years
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Ussuri
The Ussuri is a very rare cat breed with an uncertain origin. It’s likely that domestic cats bred with wild forest cats in the Amur River region of Russia, creating this hybrid that has quite a unique look. These cats tend to be athletic and active with a strong prey drive. They’re not the most social and outgoing cats, but they do typically form a strong bond with one person in the family.
Breed Overview
Height: 9 to 11 inches
Weight: 11 to 15 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Active, loving, independent
Energy Level: High
Coat and Color: Short hair; spotted or striped
Life Span: 12 to 15 years
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Neva Masquerade
The Neva Masquerade cat is a Russian breed that’s simply a colorpoint version of the Siberian cat. These felines also tend to grow slightly larger than the Siberian. They generally are friendly and playful, and can be quite vocal. And they need a fair amount of grooming to keep their coat tidy and free from mats.
Breed Overview
Height: 8 to 12 inches
Weight: 8 to 18 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Vocal, playful, friendly, loving
Energy Level: High
Coat and Color: Long hair; various colors; point coloration
Life Span: 12 to 15 years
