History

Native to Russia, Siberians are a natural breed that first appeared around 1000 AD.  Records show, Elizabeth Terrill, imported the first Siberians to the United States.  Later in 1997, the first color points, also known as Neva Masquerade by other registries, were imported by Dana Osborne of (Willowbrook)  in California and the first color point litter, born in 1998. 

 

Physical traits

The Siberian is medium to large, heavy boned, powerfully built cat that is the epitome of physical excellence. Slow maturing, they can take up to five years to reach their full size and stature, with females being smaller.  They have a triple layer coat, that is water repellent, to endure the harsh climate of Russia. Siberians come in all different colors which appeals to any owner’s preference.   Overall, the breed has an appearance of roundness and balance; this is what distinguishes them from other similar breeds.

 

Personality  

Siberian cats are very personable, affectionate and want to be near their owners; referring to their behavior as “dog like”, meeting their owners at the door when they have been out.  They enjoy the company of children, dogs, and other animals.   They are fearless and easygoing while being incredibly intelligent, known to open door getting to food or their favorite toy that we thought was secure.  They often express themselves through sweet mews, trills, chirps, and lots of purring. All types of toys intrigue them. Some learn to play fetch, while others are intrigued by the moving cursor on the computer screen or sit, entranced, as you type. Acrobatic by nature, the Siberian will play hard and an over enthusiastic kitten may need to be rescued while attempting to climb to the top of a bookshelf. Siberians stay playful throughout their lives.

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Hypoallergenic

Siberian cats are known for their hypo-allergenic characteristics.  Allergic reactions to cats, an occurrence more common than allergies to dogs is caused by a protein in the saliva called Fel D1.  It is noted, “Siberian cats have a much lower Fel-D1 allergen level”, a protein found only in cats. During grooming, Fel-D1 from the saliva, transfers to the coat and easily transfers to other things such as clothing, furniture carpet, etc.    

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All cats have some level of this protein/allergen, but the lower levels produced by the Siberian allow people who would not normally be able to tolerate cats, have subtle symptoms or none at all.

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