Siberian cat

Siberian
Black sunshine Siberian adult
Other namesSiberian Forest Cat[1]
Moscow Semi-longhair[2]
OriginRussia Russia
Breed standards
CFAstandard
FIFestandard
TICAstandard
WCFstandard
FFEstandard
ACFstandard
ACFA/CAAstandard
CCA-AFCstandard
GCCFstandard
LOOFstandard
NZCFstandard
SACCstandard
Domestic cat (Felis catus)

The Siberian is a centuries-old landrace (natural variety) of domestic cat in Russia,[3] and recently developed as a formal breed with standards promulgated the world over since the late-1980s.[4] Since 2006, the breed is recognised for registry and championship status with all major cat registries.[5][6]

The formal name of the breed is Siberian Forest Cat,[3][1][7] but it is typically referred to as the Siberian or Siberian cat.[3][4][7] Formerly, sometimes the names Moscow Semi-Longhair[2] and Russian Longhair[3][4] were also used. The colourpoint variant or sister breed,[8] called the Neva Masquerade, is categorised as a separate cat breed by some registries,[9] including FIFe,[10] WCF,[11] and ACF.[12]

The breed developed from an ancient, natural landrace from Siberia and is the national cat of Russia.[3][4][7] While it began as a landrace, Siberians are selectively bred and pedigreed in all major cat fancier and breeder organisations. This means that all Siberian cats are purebred cats with a formally registered ancestry. It is a medium to large sized, muscular breed with a bushy tail.[10][13]

The Siberian is often called hypoallergenic because it produces less Fel d 1 than other cat breeds.[14] A research study of Siberian cats native to the area of Russia from which the breed stock originated confirmed the subjects produced less Fel d 1 (the strongest among the eight known Fel d 1 allergens produced in cat saliva, therefore, is deposited on their fur when they groom themselves) than non-Siberian cats.[15]

  1. ^ a b Somerville, Louisa (2007). The Ultimate Guide to Cat Breeds. Edison, New Jersey: Chartwell Books. p. 86. ISBN 9780785822646. According to legend, the Siberian Forest Cats traditionally lived in Russian monasteries, where they patrolled the rafters on the lookout for intruders. Although fierce, the monks treated them as loving and loyal companions.
  2. ^ a b "Siberian Cat Breed Info". Archived from the original on 28 February 2009. Retrieved 8 August 2009.
  3. ^ a b c d e Morris, Desmond (1999). Cat Breeds of the World; A Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia. Viking. ISBN 9780670886395.
  4. ^ a b c d Baggaley, Ann; Goddard, Jolyon; John, Katie (2014). The Cat Encyclopedia. London: Dorling Kindersley. ISBN 9781409347903. OCLC 879716720.
  5. ^ "Siberian Breed Presentation" (PDF). CFA.org. Cat Fanciers' Association. June 2018. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  6. ^ "Siberian cat". CFA.org. Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA).
  7. ^ a b c Bell, Jerold; Cavanagh, Kathleen; Tilley, Larry; Smith, Francis W. K. (2012). Veterinary Medical Guide to Dog and Cat Breeds. Jackson, Wyoming: CRC Press. p. 578. ISBN 9781482241419.
  8. ^ Magiera, Angelika; Penar, Weronika; Klocek, Czeslaw (2020). "Occurrence of nonlinear phenomena in Siberian and Neva Masquerade cats' vocalisation". Forum Acusticum: 2767–2770. doi:10.48465/FA.2020.0201.
  9. ^ "Siberian Pointed Breed Standards" (PDF). CCA-AFC.com. Canadian Cat Association. 12 May 2022.
  10. ^ a b "Siberian / Neva Masquerade - Breed Standards" (PDF). FIFeWeb.org. Fédération Internationale Féline. 1 January 2023. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 August 2022. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  11. ^ "Recognized and admitted breeds in the WCF". WCF.info. World Cat Federation. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  12. ^ Cite error: The named reference :13 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  13. ^ "Siberian Breed Standard" (PDF). TICA.org. The International Cat Association. 1 May 2005. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  14. ^ Schmitt, Kristen A. "There's No Such Thing as a Hypoallergenic Cat". SmithsonianMag.com. Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
  15. ^ Sartore, Stefano; Landoni, Eleonora; Maione, Sandra; Tarducci, Alberto; Borrelli, Antonio; Soglia, Dominga; Rasero, Roberto; Sacchi, Paola (1 December 2017). "Polymorphism Analysis of Ch1 and Ch2 Genes in the Siberian Cat". Veterinary Sciences. 4 (4): 63. doi:10.3390/vetsci4040063. PMC 5753643. PMID 29194349.