Russian Blue: The velvet-coated silver-blue shorthair

The Russian Blue has a rare silver-blue coat that feels like velvet, set off by emerald-green eyes, making it look both elegant and calm. Its origins are wrapped in legend, which lends it a touch of mystery. Let's meet it.

Its body

The Russian Blue's most special feature is its coat: a rare "double coat" whose outer guard hairs are silver-tipped, so it gives off a silvery sheen in the light and feels as smooth as velvet. Its eyes are green and almond-shaped, and the corners of its mouth turn up naturally, forming the famous "Mona Lisa smile" — it always seems to be gently smiling. Its body is slender yet solid, and it moves lightly.

Its personality and origins

Its origins are the stuff of legend: sailors supposedly brought it from the Russian port of Arkhangelsk to Britain in the 19th century, and from 1875 it began appearing at London cat shows. It is quiet and sensitive, loyal to its family and rather reserved with strangers. It usually gets on well with children and other pets and is a fine companion for a calm household.

What you need to know to keep one

It is not a noisy cat and prefers a stable, quiet environment. Though its double coat feels lovely, it still needs regular brushing in shedding season to reduce loose hair and hairballs. It wants its human's company but is not overly clingy — a good "quiet type" companion.

A note for grown-ups

You could look with a child at the silvery sheen of its fur, then stroke it gently (if the cat is willing). Noticing that "colour changes with the light" is a gentle doorway into understanding structural colour and optics.