RUSSIAN (RUS)
Scale of Points
Head & Ears 25
Eyes 15
Body, Legs & Tail 20
Coat 30
Colour 10
General Type Standard
General The Russian is a medium to large cat of elegant foreign type without the
exaggerated elongation of the oriental. Its high set ears, green almond
shaped eyes, angled profile and prominent whisker pads create a
distinctive gentle expression which, together with its velvety double coat,
gives the breed its unique charm.
Head The wedge from the tip of the nose to upper edge of the eyes is short.
The distance from the eyes to the ears should be equal to or slightly
longer than the wedge. The top of the head should appear flat between
the ears. The muzzle should be broad with prominent whisker pads.
There should be no whisker pinch or break.
In profile the forehead should appear straight to the level of the upper
edge of the eye. This creates the distinctive angle that should be level
with the upper edge of the eye. The profile from here to the tip of the
nose has such a shallow concave curve that it appears virtually straight.
There must be no stop, break or nose bump, nor should the nose be
completely straight from the point of the angle to the nose tip. The tip of
chin should line up with the tip of the nose on the same vertical plane.
The chin should be strong and deep with a level bite. The back of the
head should not fall away. In kittens the top of the head may appear
more rounded and the angle may not be as well developed.
Ears Large and pointed, wide at the base and set vertically to the head with at
least the width of an ear base between them. The ear placement is such
that the outer line of the ears continues the line of the upper part of the
face; although in mature males with jowls this will be less apparent.
There should be little inside hair.
Eyes Vivid green set rather wide apart, almond in shape with a slight upward
slant, neither too large, too full or too small nor excessively deep set. In
kittens allowances should be made for maturing eye colour.
Body Medium to large sized but long and graceful in outline and carriage.
Medium strong bone, well muscled. Cobby or heavy build is undesirable.
Females may be slightly smaller than the males but should also be well
muscled.
Legs & Feet Long legs. Small oval shaped paws.
Tail Moderately long and in proportion to the body. Tapering, neither blunt
ended nor whip.
Coat It is double coat with a very dense undercoat and stands away from the
body; the whole coat is soft with no harsh feel to it, very different from
any other breed and the truest criterion of the Russian although coat
texture may vary according to colour.
Condition & Temperament
In the Russian the condition and temperament of the cat are important
considerations.
Note: We are looking for an even tempered cat and it
is hoped that Judges will distinguish between a balanced but temporarily
upset or frightened cat and a cat with an extreme or aggressive
temperament. The latter is most undesirable in the breed and should not
be encouraged.
Withhold all Awards for:
1.Extreme aggressive temperament.
Withhold Certificates or First Prizes in Kitten Open classes for:
1. Flat coat
2. Oriental type
3. Cobby or British type
4. White anywhere in Blues and Blacks
5. Any colour other than white anywhere in Whites except on the head of kittens
6. Incorrect eye colour in adults
7. Weak chin and/or uneven bite
8. Any cat showing at least three or more of the Faults listed in the faults section below
9. Any defect listed in the preface to the SOP document
Faults:
1. Small ears
2. Incorrect ear set
3. Round eyes
4. Very small or very deep set eyes
5. Lack of an angle in the profile of adults (this can by hidden by the fur, so you may need to feel for it with your thumb)
6. Over straight profile
7. Whisker pinch or break
8. Lack of prominent whisker pads
9. Lack of silver sheen in Russian Blues
10. Heavily ghost marked coats in adults
11. Colour faults – see
RUSSIAN BLUE (RUS a)
Colour: Clear blue and even throughout with a distinct silvery sheen. In coats showing the correct silvery sheen there is usually
an absence of pigment at the tips of the hair shaft. It is the light passing through these translucent tips that create the effect of a
silvery appearance to the coat. This effect is often at its most evident in the mask and paws. It can appear similar to tipping on
the body and care should be taken to ascertain whether it really is tipping or not. Medium blue is preferred. The coat must be
blue to the roots, which may be lighter in tone. In maturity the coat should be free from tabby
markings and/or shading, although ghost markings may show in kittens.
Faults: Banding and/or white tipping in adults.
Nose leather and paw pads: Nose leather should be blue. Paw pads should be blue but not necessarily as deep a blue as the
nose leather. Pinkish lavender pads are acceptable.
RUSSIAN BLACK (RUS n)
Colour: Jet black with a high, glossy shine and sound to the roots. The coat must be black to the roots, which may be lighter in
tone. Slight rusty tinge allowable in kittens.
NB: The Russian Black may have a firm, silky textured coat.
Faults: Very pale undercoat in adults.
Nose leather and paws: black.
RUSSIAN WHITE (RUS w 64)
Colour: Pure white with no yellow tinge, in certain lights the coat will appear to “sparkle”. White kittens often have a coloured
cap on the head, this is normal and disappears with the growth of the first adult coat around 12 months of age and should not
be penalised.
NB: The Russian White may have a firm, harsher textured coat.
Faults: Yellow tinge that detracts from whiteness of the coat.
Nose leather and paw pads: Pink