The Siberian cat, a Russian longhair

An old noble breed, the Siberian has been around for several hundred years, and in its native Russia for over a thousand. Here is where the breed comes from and what makes it special.

An old noble breed

Russian stories once likened Siberians to huge beasties, capable of reaching weights of up to 45 pounds. These giant felines were said to be as loyal and ferocious as their canine counterparts, more than capable of guarding hearth, home and human. Today's Siberians are far gentler, but the legend explains the breed's reputation for loyalty and courage.

One of three forest cats

The Siberian is one of three breeds of "forest cats", alongside the Norwegian Forest Cat and the Maine Coon, and is also considered one of the oldest "natural" breeds of cat. Natural means the breed developed over centuries through climate and survival rather than through fashion. The thick coat, strong bone and bushy tail all come from life in the cold forests of Russia.

Why the breed stayed pure

While Russia was still the U.S.S.R., very few other breeds of cat entered the country. This allowed the Siberian to remain pure for a very long time. Later, enthusiasts in Russia began organised breeding, and the cats reached Europe and then North America. We have imported cats from Russia, Poland, Bulgaria and Italy to keep our own bloodlines healthy and diverse.

Looks and build

• Medium-long fur, with a rounded body
• A beautiful neck ruff and long, flowing fur on the tail, giving it a very bushy appearance
• Silky fur as kittens, slightly rougher as they mature
• Very muscular, with a large bone structure
• Hind legs slightly longer than the front, giving the natural ability to pounce very high
• Sometimes so large that they resemble a lynx more than an ordinary cat

Siberians are slow to mature and take about five years to be fully grown.

Personality

Siberians are gentle, loving and affectionate, and they are very good with children. They like to be noticed, and they are sociable and curious. If you are doing something, they will watch and follow you around trying to help. Their personality is more dog-like than feline.

They communicate in a variety of ways, from expressive eyes and head butts to wonderful chirping and trills. They love human bonds, develop a strong loyal bond to you, come when called, and greet and say goodbye to you at the door. They are highly intelligent and train easily.

Strong and easy to care for

Unlike many breeds, Siberian cats have strong, healthy immune systems and easily cared for fur. Their triple coat sheds mostly in spring and fall. See our grooming guide for a simple routine.

Hypoallergenic reputation

Despite their chic fur, many people with allergies find they can live with a Siberian. The main allergen in cats, the Fel d 1 protein found in saliva, is produced in very small quantity by many Siberians. No cat is guaranteed allergen-free, and individual cats vary, so we always recommend spending time with a cat first. Read our honest allergy guide.

Traditional and colourpoint

Siberians come in a wide range of traditional colours and patterns. The colourpoint pattern, with its pale body, darker points and blue eyes, is a rarer variant. Learn more in our colourpoint guide.

The Siberian at Legacy Cats

Our cattery is registered with TICA and CFA, and our kittens are raised in our home near Ferndale, Washington. Our male Maximus is a group 1 Siberian with old Russian bloodlines, and Simba, a blue silverpoint, comes from low-allergen lines. Meet them on our Our Cats page, or read where Siberian cats come from.

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