If you ever wondered why some cats enjoy a legendary status and are universally loved, just take a look at the majestic Russian White cat. Talk about elegance and grace! The way this feline carries itself is worthy of admiration, and it’s easy to see why people are so interested in owning one. The impressive looks, combined with keen intelligence and curiosity, give it a special charm that is impossible to ignore.
This is quite a new breed, especially compared to, say, the Egyptian Mau, which is thought to have existed as far as 3,000 years ago. The Russian White is nowhere near that number: it’s only been around for 50 years or so. But even without such a long tradition, it has established itself as a coveted breed owing to its unique characteristics.
But what is it that makes the Russian White unique? Let’s find out together.
The Very Beginning
Without going into too many historical details, we’ll explain briefly how the Russian White came about. Official records state that it first appeared in the 1970s as a mixed breed, but it actually started before that. Roughly a decade before that, a breeder named Frances McLeod developed the very first of this kind by breeding a white kitten from Russia. The furry pioneer was dubbed “Artic Chumvi” and was praised for its beautiful coat.
Fast forward some ten years later: in Australia, two breeders by the names of Mavis and Dick Jones crossed a Russian Blue, a naturally occurring breed, with the legendary national cat of Russia, the Siberian. The result was a brand new, snow-white feline with a piercing gaze that kept the traits of the Russian Blue.
Originally a mixed breed, it took some time for this breed to be officially recognized, happening only after the first four generations. This is because the Russian White is virtually the same breed as the Blue, differing only in the color of their fur.
Physical Characteristics
This beauty of a feline is a medium-sized animal. As is the norm with cats, males are larger than females. A typical adult Russian White is around 10 inches tall, weighing between 8 and 15 pounds. Kittens grow up pretty fast, and the average lifespan is 12-15 years, but some Whites can live up to 20.
This friendly breed has a wide face, wedged head, broad muzzle, and pointed ears. The most impressive feature is certainly their bright green eyes take draw a lot of attention. While all adults have green eyes, some kitties are born with yellowish eyes that morph into green as they get older.
As for the body, these furballs have sturdy, muscular, and strong bodies. They love games when they’re young, so they develop their long legs through jumping and running about. However, they’re more on the lazy side in old age. This is why vets stress the importance of having cat trees, scratching posts, and providing enough room for play – the Russian needs to stay active and healthy no matter the age.
Lastly, the thing that gives the Russian White its name: is the lovely, elegant, and soft white coat. Being a short-hair, it doesn’t require a lot of maintenance apart from your regular grooming routine. Although entirely white, some kittens are born with a dark spot on the head, which typically goes away once adulthood starts.
Underneath the Surface
We already established that the Russian White is very easy on the eye. But good looks mean nothing to an owner if the pet is misbehaved and unbearable. Luckily, this breed is quite the opposite. Let’s check out their temperament and see if it meets your needs.
Training is very important for Russian White kittens as they can be more headstrong and independent than other breeds. Because of this, they might take a little longer to train. Once they learn to take commands, you shouldn’t have any problems in this regard.
It’s in their nature to pick a favorite person, and they usually bond with their owner the most. If they’re timid around strangers, they just need to spend more time in their company and they’ll show affection. Don’t worry if they disappear if you’re part of a larger group; they tend to hide when feeling insecure.
Owners of this breed attest to their loving and loyal nature. Cats aren’t known for wearing their heart on their sleeve like dogs, but the Russian White can get pretty close. They often welcome the owner at the door, softly meowing and seeking attention. Of course, as they get older, they need more alone time, but without losing their loyalty and warmth.
Some Healthcare Tips
Like any other breed, the Russian White requires regular vet checkups and monitoring to avoid disease. Although they have no genetic predispositions for health problems, apparently they battle dental issues more than other breeds. For this reason, they need thorough brushing to remove bacteria, and food particles, and stop plaque buildup.
Vets always stress the importance of screening Russian Whites to avoid potential heart problems. Though it’s not limited to this breed only, Russian Whites can develop HCM (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy), a disease that can result in heart failure. Symptoms include weakness, heavy and open-mouth breeding, lethargy, or loss of appetite. With vaccination and regular checkups during kittenhood, the chances of this happening are minimal.
We said that the Russian White is pretty low maintenance, and this applies to food as well. They don’t require any special treatment apart from protein-packed cat food, combined with a lot of exercise and play to avoid gaining weight or obesity, particularly in older cats.
