Where Do Siberian Cats Come From? Russian History
The Siberian cat has been around for centuries, and its story is as fluffy as its coat. I raise Siberians in Washington, and many of my cats trace back to Russia. Here is a short history.
An old noble breed
The Siberian is a Russian longhair. It is one of three "forest cat" breeds and is considered one of the oldest natural breeds of cat. Siberians have been around for over a thousand years in their native Russia.
Russian folk stories likened them to huge beasts, as loyal and ferocious as their canine counterparts, capable of guarding hearth, home and human. Some stories claim they reached up to 45 pounds, though real weights are much lower.
Why they stayed pure
For much of the twentieth century, Russia was part of the U.S.S.R., and very few other breeds entered the country. This allowed the Siberian to stay pure for a very long time, shaped by climate rather than fashion.
Built for the cold
The thick triple coat, bushy tail and neck ruff protect against harsh winters. The body is muscular and has large bone, with slightly longer hind legs that let the cat pounce high. They are medium to large and take about five years to mature.
From Russia to the world
Organized breeding began in Russia in the late 20th century, and the breed spread to Europe and then North America. Registries such as TICA and CFA now recognize it. Today it is loved worldwide for its personality.
Our connection to Russia
Some of our foundation cats came from Russia and Europe. I have imported cats from Russia, Poland, Bulgaria and Italy, to keep bloodlines healthy and diverse. Our male Maximus has old Russian bloodlines in an extremely rare pedigree: among thousands of Siberian catteries around the globe, only about ten breeders produce cats of this pedigree, and most are in Russia and Europe.
Temperament shaped by history
Siberians are gentle, loving and affectionate, with a personality more dog-like than feline. They are sociable, curious and highly intelligent. They communicate through expressive eyes, head-butts, and chirping trills. They love human bonds, come when called and greet you at the door.
Hypoallergenic reputation
Scientific interest in the Siberian grew as people noticed that many allergic owners tolerated them. Many Siberians produce lower levels of Fel d 1 than other cats, although no cat is guaranteed allergen-free. Read more in our allergy guide.
Colours and patterns
Traditional Siberians come in a wide range of colours and patterns, from tabby and smoke to bi-colour. The colourpoint pattern with blue eyes is a rarer variant. See our guide to colourpoint Siberians.
Why the Siberian is popular today
Beautiful, healthy, intelligent and loyal, with an easy-care coat, Siberians make wonderful family pets. Many families are drawn by the combination of hypoallergenic qualities and a playful, affectionate nature.
Read more
The full story is on our history page. You can also meet the cats on Our Cats or contact us to ask about a kitten.
The Siberian today
In recent decades, Siberians have become popular across North America and Europe. Breeders work to keep the breed healthy and true to type, importing cats from Russia and Europe to maintain diversity. Show quality cats are judged by registries such as TICA and CFA, but most Siberians are simply beloved family pets.
Famous traits that survived
The thick coat, the big paws, the rounded face and the dog-like loyalty all come from those early forest cats. Even the way Siberians love water is sometimes explained by their history, though this is a trait that varies from cat to cat.
Bringing a piece of that history home
When you adopt a Siberian, you are becoming part of a story that spans many centuries. Every one of our kittens carries those old Russian lines, and we are proud to share them with families across the United States and Canada. Ask us about the lineage of a specific kitten, and we will tell you where its ancestors came from.
Learn more
Explore the Siberian kitten adoption page, read our colourpoint guide, or join the waitlist.
Quick answers
Are Siberians really Russian?
Yes, they are a natural breed from Russia, and the name comes from Siberia.
How old is the breed?
Siberians have been around for over a thousand years in their native land.
Are Siberians related to other forest cats?
They are one of three forest cat breeds, along with the Norwegian Forest Cat and the Maine Coon.
Why do they have such thick coats?
Their triple coat developed to protect them against harsh winters in the forest.
Can I see Russian lines in your cattery?
Yes. Our male Maximus has old Russian bloodlines, and several of our cats came from Russia and Europe.
Ready to talk?
Visit our kitten adoption page, join the waitlist or contact us.