The Club 
Russian Blue Cat
The historical paw tracks of the Russian blue cats lead back to Russia, where the blue cats were kept to bring good luck to and decorate the homes of their owners. Blue, green-eyed cats were being kept as pets by Russian monarchs, e.g. By Emperess Elizabeth I in the 18th century and Tsar Nikolai I in the 19th century.
At
the end of the 19th century, the first Russian blue cats were
brought from Russia to England. With the help of old photographs they can
easily be identified as the ancestors of the Russian blue cats encountered
today. Although the breed was bred in England, it did not become very popular
in cat shows because the judges preferred the chubby domestic Brittish
shorthair cat. As a result, breeding had ceased almost completely and it was
not until after the Second World War that breeding activities started again
in Sweden.
The first Russian blue litter was born in Finland in the 1960s, but dedicated breeding did not start until the late 1980s. Today, however, breeding is very active.
About the breed
The Russian blue is very attractive because of its looks and gentle disposition.
It has a slender and graceful body but still is a very muscular and powerful
cat. Because of its elegant and agile moves the Russian blue is often compared
to a panther. Its legs are fine and high, the neck is long as is the tail which
tapers to a point. The head is short and wedge-shaped, featuring a long and flat
skull, a straight nose and a strong chin. The ears are large and wide in the
base. The eyes of the Russian blue cat are of incredible beauty. They are large
and set wide apart, almond in shape and vivid green. The colour of the coat is a
medium blue-grey with a distinct
silver sheen and soft and silky structure. The voice of the Russian blue cat is
soft but rich in nuances when they wish to communicate to others.
The Russian blue is known for being an intelligent and affectionate animal. Although it likes to be involved in household chores it still finds the time to purr on the lap of its owners.
Quotation from Suomen Kissaliitto
Translation: Britta Schneider