Siberian (cat)

• Black Serie B - black / brown (including dilution D -blue)
• Rotserie O - red ( einschl.Verdünnung D -cream )
• All of the above colors with silver (inhibitor I- silver)
• All of these colors with white piebald S-
• All of the above colors with mask factor
• Epistatic white W -

The Siberian cat is a medium-haired cat breed of powerful build, which is grown as planned since 1987 and has found worldwide distribution in a short time. She is originally a semi-longhaired Russian domestic cat, which was not affected breeding. It is therefore attributed to the "natural breeds " and among these the forest cats. Your type is common throughout the territory of Russia and other neighboring areas of the former Soviet Union.

• 3.1 Breed Standard

Origin

First, the term " Siberian " in Russia was ( Sibirskaja Koschka ) no race or denomination of origin, but a popular expression for strong cats with lush, long-haired fur. Long-haired cats are not only in Siberia, but practically spread all over the territory of the former Soviet Union, although less frequently than short-haired cats. Since the gene for long hair is a recessive trait, a long-haired kitten can lie with lush fur there in a normal house cat litter. Such copies will form the basis of breeding Siberian cats.

The exact genesis of the Siberian cat in their home is moot. Alexander Kolesnikov argues to the gene pool of Siberian cat also the Caucasian wildcat had contributed, in physique and skin significantly from the African wild cat ( wild cat ) is different, which is regarded as ancestress of all house cats, scientific evidence that could substantiate this claim, still lacking, although today's genetic studies could demonstrate this. Research results of the team by geneticist Carlos Driscoll of the University of Oxford, who had studied the genes of nearly 1,000 domestic cats from five continents showed that all five discovered genetic main lines alone are descended from the Felis silvestris libyca.

Is also not clear, since when the longhair gene is widespread in the Russian house cat population, whether it is a separate mutation, or has spread starting on trade routes such as the Silk Road from the Turkish Angora cat from west to east. Although the reverse path along the Silk Road seems possible, one assumes, however, that the cat domesticated themselves in the course of the development of civilizations, the first option is more logical. Probably the earliest depiction of a long haired cat will come from China in the 12th century. The source 10,000 masterpieces is controversial. However, from the National Museum of China painting of long-haired cats since 14th century occupied. Again, the historical and cultural developments of civilizations to be considered, by the early presentation was funded, although there may be other places also like animals were without could that man noticed them or perceive by their absence. The often -to-read statement, the long, thick fur is an adaptation to the Siberian cold is, in any case inaccurate. Such phylogenetic adaptation processes require much longer development periods. So is quite conceivable that this evolution -based adjustment has already taken place by Wildcats while the influence of the last ice age, with which other subspecies, later also mated domestic cats.

In Western Europe, however, long-haired cats were up to the 19th century, a rarity, so that explorers and travelers, the long-haired cats attracted attention early on in Russia and whose writings were mentioned. So already animal life was in a chapter of Brehm of 1864, which long-haired cats blows describes, " a red Tobolsk cat out of Siberia" mentioned. Also in the 1889 book published in England Our Cats by Harrison Weir is a chapter of the Russian long-haired cat. It is there even a drawing. Also in the Berlin published 1896 factory Illustrated cat book by Jean Bungartz striking long-haired cats from Russia describes the Cuman cat out of the Caucasus and in Chapter angora cats blue-gray long-haired cats from the area south of the Ural Mountains near Tyumen, called " Chanchilla Cats " being cited for the latter as a source of information of the German geographer and naturalist Gustav Radde.

Breeding history

As Harrison Weir 1871, the first cat show ever organized at London's Crystal Palace, were issued under the long-haired cats also copies of Russian origin. The breed cat breeds, from England, was still in its infancy and long-haired cats were rare, so that animals of different geographic origin were mated with each other. The then existing Russian long-haired cats are breeding in this gene pool from which later the Persian cat was proven right. As a breed they have not been further developed. The October Revolution in Russia in 1917 and the resulting foreclosure of Russia for the next 60 years were a further factor to be forgotten among cat breeders long hair cats from Russia.

New beginning

The first long-haired cats from Russia emerged in Central Europe again until 1984, in the GDR. Builder of " Druzhba route " they had brought in their hand luggage. Cat Breeders quickly became aware of these animals. With some of these " route Cats" began in the GDR from 1985 an experimental breed and they were also issued in 1986. On January 1, 1987, the Siberian cat was (initially under the name of " Siberian forest cat " ) in the GDR officially, and for the first time ever, recognized as a separate breed worldwide and assigned it a standard. The first in a German Stud Book ( VKSK the GDR) registered cat was " curly " on March 3, 1987. The first officially registered union in Germany (GDR) was born on 12 May 1988. Also in 1987 came up with a Russian emigrant family a breeding pair of Siberian cats in the FRG. But only with the change of ownership of Tima and Mussa in the hands of the breeder couple Schultz 1989, the first registered litter in the Federal Republic was drawn. Quickly established a breeding, initially even here under the name of " Siberian Forest Cat ".

In Russia itself, the systematic registration of Sibirskaja Koschka began in 1987 in St. Petersburg. From the beginning, the point variant was included in the standard, the " Newskaja Maskaradnaja " as it is called in Russia ( after the river Neva ). Under the name Neva Masquerade today it is grown, depending on the association partly as a separate breed, partly as a color variety of the Siberian cat. At first cat shows in Russia the Siberian cats attracted the interest of foreign judges and soon came the first exports to Western Europe and the USA. 1991, the additional forest at the formulation of standards for better differentiation of the Norwegian Forest Cat from the name has been deleted. 1992 Siberian Cat of the World Cat Federation (WCF ) was officially recognized as a breed. The Fédération Internationale Féline ( FIFe ) joined only in 1998, this opinion. Today, the Siberian cat is grown in more than 35 countries (as of April 2012).

Appearance

The Siberian cat is a powerfully built medium to large cat, but smaller than the American Maine Coon and less leggy than the Norwegian Forest Cat. It has a double-layered coat of water-repellent, non-slip outer coat and dense, fine undercoat that forms a lush collar around the neck and front chest. The hind legs wearing knickers. The summer fur is much shorter and without undercoat. The medium length bushy tail retains its fullness even in summer. The ears are medium sized wide at base, set wide and are to be well rounded. Lynx brush (hair tips of the ears ends ) are most welcome, but not required in any standard. From the ears protrude fine, long tufts of hair. Another typical feature is the so-called " snowshoes ", fur tufts between the toes. The Siberian cat head appears round total. The eyes are large, slightly oblique and rounded at the bottom. The slightly rounded forehead enters the bridge of the nose with a slight swing. Siberian cats are physically fully mature until about three years.

Breed Standard

The physical characteristics are defined in the breed standard of the Siberian cat. Depending on the club membership of the breeder applies to him the standard of international breeders' association connected his club. The standards of the various umbrella organizations may differ in details. Agreement among almost all the standards are that the colors Cinnemon and Fawn as well as Chocolate and Lilac are not allowed. Only the TICA standard formulated " all traditional colors ." All permitted colors are allowed with Siberian cats in Point. This is unique among forest cat breeds. The point variant has its own name: Neva Masquerade. The FIFe leads them as a separate breed.

By way of example, the standard of WCF is listed here because it is the most common in the motherland of the breed. Also in Germany, the majority of breeders depends on the standard WCF.

The legs are also muscular and of medium length. The feet are large, compact and round with tufts of hair between the toes. The tail reaches to the shoulder blade, slightly tapering and is bushy. The neck is short and strong.

The Nose is the same width from root to end of nose. The contours are gently rounded, the profile is slightly curved.

The eye color should be uniform and in accordance with the coat color. All shades of yellow / gold to green are allowed. In Bicolour and other patterns with white coat color blue or odd eyed. In point- drawing blue, the darker, the better.

All other colors and patterns are recognized. Any amount of white is allowed. The description can be found in the general list. The point variant with Siamese called Neva Masquerade.

Standards of the other umbrella organizations see below: Sources

Properties and behavior

The Siberian cat is very original in their behavior. Has it a chance, it is an excellent hunter. She is joyful movement and climbs and jumps extremely well. If properly socialized as a young animal loving, so they developed a very close relationship to her people and is affectionate and sociable.

Husbandry and care

Siberian Cats require a certain habitat that is at least a large apartment with high, stood solid scratching post. A secure garden is ideal, so that they can live out their hunting instinct and movement. They should not be kept in individual housing. Your summer coat maintains the Siberian cat alone. However, in Winterfell and particularly during moulting they needed a little help. At least weekly combing and brushing to prevent matting. However, the maintenance cost is much lower than that of the Persian cat.