The Siberian cat - a Russian longhair 

                                           The history of the Siberian cat
While some people are inclined to believe that the Siberian is a new breed, due to the small numbers of them that are still available, this majestic feline has actually been around for hundreds of years.  Believed to be the descendants of various Russian felines, many fanciers believe that the cats came to be when Russian people, exiled to Siberia, brought their feline companions with them.  There, midst the bitter and unforgiving temperatures of the Siberian winters, these cats bred together and, in time, the individuals who survived all bore the same type - larger and much heavier in build, these winter-born cats all had a long, dense coat that granted them protection from the elements and kept them dry throughout bad weather.  Eventually, these traits would all lend themselves to the new breed and, through natural selection, the Siberian Cat was born. 

The number of Siberian cats that were owned were very low until the 1980’s.  Prior to this time, the former Soviet Union strongly discouraged their people from keeping any kind of pet, whatsoever, due to the shortages in both housing and food.  Owning a dog or cat became a status symbol and a show of wealth for the upper class, so those Siberians who found themselves kept by wealthy owners enjoyed the lap of luxury. 

While there were no official breed clubs or organizations, the Russians took great pride in their beautiful feline friends and, when the restrictions on house pets were lifted in 1987, the fanciers of this fantastic feline were quick to create clubs and organizations that developed standards for the beautiful Siberian Cat, and promoted him as a very unique and special breed. 

When the Cold War ended, the very first Siberians made their way into the United States, originally traded in exchange for Himalayan cats.  It took many months that were filled with delays and hidden expenses (not to mention the stress and headaches) but, eventually, a woman by the name of Elizabeth Terrell would become the proud owner of three Siberian kittens.  She would go to great lengths to obtain the Russian standard of perfection for the breed, as well as promoting the breed and ensuring it was accepted throughout North America.  Today, the Siberian is still a rare breed, but he continues to captivate and enthrall his human friends, his numbers growing with each year. 

                                            The Siberian cat appearance
The Siberian Cat is a very large and impressive-looking feline. Everything about this Russian cat’s appearance was essential to his survival; his coat is heavy enough to provide him adequate insulation in the winters. This included sporting heavily furred ears that help to protect them from the elements and the large tufted feet of the breed work as snow shoes, allowing them to travel more easily in the deep snow and over ice.

All colors and patterns of Siberian cat are allowed, both with and without white markings. They usually have copper or slightly rounded green eyes.
 

                                               Siberian cat temperament
If you're looking for a great big huggable, loveable, playful ball of fur, the Siberian Cat is an excellent choice! Siberian cats are large, beautiful cats that are as sweet, gentle, affectionate and playful as they are powerful. Siberian cats have a muscular mid-section and longer hind legs, making them powerful leapers (look out knick knacks!).

Siberian cats have a dense coat and long, bushy tail which helped to keep them warm in the cold climates from which they originated. Despite it's length, the Siberian cat's coat requires minimal grooming as it does not mat like other long-haired breeds. A Siberian kitten is a great choice for the cat lover with allergies - as they do not have FeLD protein in their saliva which creates dander, and are hypoallergenic, or not an allergy problem to most allergy sufferers. Siberian cats do require one important regimen - daily hugs and kisses!

Generally speaking, most Siberian Cats get along well with both children and other animals. If not properly acclimated, however, one may be wary of introducing your Siberian Cats into a same-sex cat household.
While the Siberian Cat is not usually the one to start an argument, and generally seems uninterested in fighting, he is usually the one to finish those that start, simply by relying on his with his sheer size and body mass. Acclimating any new animal into the house with other pets should be done with lots of time, patience and understanding, and the Siberian Cat is no exception.

Fortunately, the Siberian Cat is a very strong and agile jumper and there is usually little risk of him knocking over the breakables up high, once he‘s gotten the hang of it. Kittens tend to be far more clumsy and seem to attack anything and everything with wild abandon.
 

                                         Siberian cat grooming requirements
The Siberian Cat possesses a very dense, triple-layer coat, making a couple of weekly brushings and comb-throughs a necessity, in order to prevent the coat from matting. Fortunately, however, these cats are not prone to shedding as much as their short-haired counterparts. If your cat doesn’t approve of the combs and brushes, why not try a grooming mitt, to keep your feline friend looking his best?
When grooming, also pay particular attention to this fascinating feline’s ears, carefully cleaning the outer shell with a Q-tip. It’s very important to note, however, that the Q-tip should never be inserted into the ear canal; not only is it very painful, but it can severely injure your friend, causing deafness.