The Traditional Siberian Cat
The Siberian, Russia's native forest cat, first appeared in recorded history around the year 1000 and hails from the unforgiving climate of Siberia. It lived about 200 years in a natural state, in the cold Siberia. He is a pure cat with no human intervention. Siberians are considered one of the largest domestic feline because of it's large and dense bone structure. Its coat is semi-long haired and comes in many colors and color patterns. Because of the extreme cold, the Siberian has developped superior surviving qualities such as thicker skin, water resistant fur dense and longer.
The first official pedigree was established in Russia by the Kotefei in 1987. It came to the USA in the early 1990's by Starpoint Cattery and in Europe, same year, by the Newjskij Cattery in Germany. The Siberian Cat is recognized by many associations such as:
TICA (The International Cat Association - 1998)
CCA (Canadian Cat Association - 2007)
FIFe (Fédération Internationale Féline d’Europe - 1997)
CFA (Cat Fancier's Association - 2000)
WCF (World Cat Federation)
ACFA (American Cat Fanciers Association).
Despite its popularity in Europe and its stunning characteristics, the Siberian is not well-known in North America and even less in Canada.
The breed is extremely slow to mature taking as long as 5 years. Adult males (12-15 pounds) are usually larger than the females (8-11 pounds) and allowances should be made for a size differential between males, females and young juveniles. No outside breeding is allowed.
We must not confuse the Traditional Siberian with the Neva Masquerade, a variety of siberian that has pointed colours and blue eyes. The Neva Masquerade has been recognised as a breed by the FIFe in 2011. At the CCA the Nevas are judged separately from the Traditional Siberian Cat. There is a large debate between the two but it is a matter of choice. We chose the Traditional Siberian cat for its wild origins. Unfortunately, many Nevas are mixed with other breeds in order to keep the pointed colours and the blue eyes.
The first official pedigree was established in Russia by the Kotefei in 1987. It came to the USA in the early 1990's by Starpoint Cattery and in Europe, same year, by the Newjskij Cattery in Germany. The Siberian Cat is recognized by many associations such as:
TICA (The International Cat Association - 1998)
CCA (Canadian Cat Association - 2007)
FIFe (Fédération Internationale Féline d’Europe - 1997)
CFA (Cat Fancier's Association - 2000)
WCF (World Cat Federation)
ACFA (American Cat Fanciers Association).
Despite its popularity in Europe and its stunning characteristics, the Siberian is not well-known in North America and even less in Canada.
The breed is extremely slow to mature taking as long as 5 years. Adult males (12-15 pounds) are usually larger than the females (8-11 pounds) and allowances should be made for a size differential between males, females and young juveniles. No outside breeding is allowed.
We must not confuse the Traditional Siberian with the Neva Masquerade, a variety of siberian that has pointed colours and blue eyes. The Neva Masquerade has been recognised as a breed by the FIFe in 2011. At the CCA the Nevas are judged separately from the Traditional Siberian Cat. There is a large debate between the two but it is a matter of choice. We chose the Traditional Siberian cat for its wild origins. Unfortunately, many Nevas are mixed with other breeds in order to keep the pointed colours and the blue eyes.