Siberian Cat

The Siberian Cat is a medium/large, solid cat. Females generally weigh less than the males, both sexes are extremely agile, and powerful cats. 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 is one of great strength and power; the facial expression is quite sweet. The general impression is one of roundness and circles.

Body
An exceptionally high jumper, the Siberian is strong and powerful, with well-proportioned characteristics that include strong hindquarters and large stomachs. They weigh between 15-20 6.8-9.1 kg pounds for the males, or 10-15 pounds 4.5-6.8 kg They are shorter and stockier than Maine Coon Norwegian Forest Cats though they can attain approximately the same weight due to their more solid build. Also, Siberians typically attain their full growth more slowly, over their first 5 years.

Personality
Siberians are intelligent, playful, affectionate and loyal, almost dog-like. Their fur is plush, can have a wide range of colouration including points, and does not have a tendency to mat.

Fur
Some claim that Siberians have hypoallergenic fur, though there is no scientific evidence to support this, the claim is still made by many breeders and may well be true.

Reproduction
n average, a Siberian cat’s litter consists of 5 kittens

Ancestry
While Siberians are a fairly recent introduction to the US1990 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.

Breed Standard
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 colours 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 colour and coat colour/pattern, however, as with all pointed cats the eye colour is blue with pointed colours

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 a 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 cheekbones 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.

Some breeders have promoted the colourpoint Siberian Longhair cat as a separate breed called the Neva Masquerade. However, no major cat registry has yet made the distinction, and they are considered a colour division of the Siberian.