In the old days, finding a pet cat was about going to the pet store and picking one out. It wasn't complicated, and people weren't particular. It was all about finding an animal to love and become a part of the family. However, nowadays many prospective pet owners want specific cat breeds, and one of the most intriguing of these breeds is the Russian Blue.
Russian Blues aren't a rare cat breed, but they are rather hard to find in real life. Sometimes a person can come across one at an animal shelter, but even that is relatively rare. Thus, it comes as no surprise that people who are particularly fond of Russian Blues tend to go on the Internet to search for reputable Russian Blue Breeders.
Those who are unfamiliar with the breed will probably wonder where the name "Russian Blue" came from. Specifically, this breed of cat occurred naturally, and was first found in Russian ports, keeping the mice and rats away. Their "blueness" is actually in reference to the silver color of their coat. However, in certain kinds of light their coat does look a dusky blue.
The appearance of a Russian Blue is indeed impressive. A lithe, muscular body with an expressive tail and bright green eyes are the distinctive features of this breed. The overall appearance is reminiscent of the Siamese cat, and it's not surprising that at one point that breed was used in the breeding of Russian Blues when there was a shortage of them.
As for the personality, Russian Blues are known for their intelligence and their devotion to their owners. This breed is rather aloof around strangers, however. For a purebred, Russian Blues do not suffer from any particular breed-specific maladies, and have a long (usually around sixteen years) life expectancy.
Russian Blues are a fixture in many cat shows, and many breeders love to enter them into various competitions. Russianblue.org is a website that provides networking amongst those who show Blues. It also provides the breed standards for the various cat associations, as well as information on how to adopt an older Russian Blue.
There are many different websites that Russian Blue Breeders use to promote their catteries. Fanciers Breeder Referral List is a website that lists reputable breeders by location. An excellent breeder is one that has reasonable prices, a thorough contract, and reliable testimonials. Also, a kitten should not be placed in a home before it is two months old. All of the research that goes into finding the right Russian Blue breeder might be time-consuming, but it is certainly worth it.