Breed Profile   |   Breed Standard

Profile

Siberians have been around for at least one thousand years as far as recorded history. They were first mentioned in Harrison Wier's book Our Cats and all About Them, which included information about one of the earliest cat shows held in England in 1871. However, finding written information in Russia is fairly difficult. Despite the fact that the Siberian is a natural breed and is the national cat of Russia, its very ubiquity makes it taken for granted rather than worthy of note in Russian literature. Add to this the vast expanse of Russia which encompasses 13 time zones as well as a multitude of ethnic and cultural diversity and you have a cat that seems as difficult to standardize as the country which gave rise to it.

The Siberian was first imported in 1990. Despite it's popularity the Siberian is extremely rare in the United States. Most breeders have waiting lists for their kittens.

The Siberian, considered a semi longhair, has a rich full coat in the winter while the summer allows for a somewhat shorter less dense coat. The Siberian can come in just about every color of the rainbow but because of the rarity of the breed those colors may not be available in your neighborhood. The Siberian was accepted into the Miscellaneous class by CFA on February 6, 2000.

The Siberian tends to be both a great problem solver and also, rather like dogs, are loyal to their adopted families which is why they are so well suited to the households in which one spouse, usually a husband or significant other, professes to be a "dog person" not a "cat person." Often it is that same "dog person" who is greeted at the door by their Siberian and after being dutifully followed around the house by their Siberian, then decides that one Siberian is simply not enough! Siberians are extremely agile and can leap great distances and heights to "fly through the air with the greatest of ease!" However, their agility also means they usually navigate potentially breakable brick-a-brac without leaving a path of destruction in their wake. Prudence dictates that one would still want to think twice about placing a Ming Dynasty vase on the mantle. A delightful combination of the flying Walenda's and the sleuth "the Pink Panther," the Siberian is a zany mixture of both. Expect the unexpected when sharing your home with a Siberian.

Pricing on Siberians usually depends on type, applicable markings and bloodlines distinguished by Grand Champion (GC), National, National Breed and/or Regional winning parentage (NW, BW, RW) or of Distinguished Merit parentage (DM). The DM title is achieved by the dam (mother) having produced five CFA grand champion/premier (alter) or DM offspring, or sire (father) having produced fifteen CFA grand champion/premier or DM offspring. Usually breeders make kittens available between twelve and sixteen weeks of age. After twelve weeks, kittens have had their basic inoculations and developed the physical and social stability needed for a new environment, showing, or being transported by air. Keeping such a rare treasure indoors, neutering or spaying and providing acceptable surfaces (e.g. scratching posts) for the natural behavior of scratching (CFA disapproves of declawing or tendonectomy surgery) are essential elements for maintaining a healthy, long and joyful life.

 

Standard

POINT SCORE

HEAD (45)
15 ... Shape
3 ... Profile
5 ... Ears
5 ... Eyes
4 ... Chin
10 ... Muzzle
3 ... Neck
BODY (40)
10 ... Torso
5 ... Legs
3 ... Feet
5 ... Tail
10 ... Boning
7 ... Musculature
COAT/COLOR (15)
5 ... Length
5 ... Texture
3 ... Pattern
2 ... Color


GENERAL: the Siberian, Russia's native forest cat, first appeared in recorded history around the year 1000 and hails from the unforgiving climate of Siberia. This is a cat that nature designed to survive, with no extremes in type. The Siberian is a medium to medium large, strong triple coated cat with surprising heft for its size. The overall appearance should be one of strength, presence, and alertness, with a sweet facial expression. The breed is extremely slow to mature taking as long as 5 years. Females are generally smaller than males and allowances should be considered when comparing females and young cats to the standard. Size is secondary to type. The general impression is one of roundness and circles, rather than rectangles and triangles.

HEAD:

SHAPE: modified wedge of medium/large size with rounded contours, in good proportion to the body. The head is broader at the top of the skull and narrows slightly to a full-rounded muzzle. The cheekbones are neither high set nor prominent. There should be a slight doming between the ears and an almost flat area on the forehead. Males will have well developed jowls and females will have a more moderate look.

EARS: medium-large, rounded, wide at the base and tilt slightly forward. The ears should be set as much on the sides of the head as on top. The hair over the back of the ear is short and thin. From the middle of the ear, the furnishings become longer and cover the base of the ear. Ear tipping is allowed.

EYES: medium to large, almost round. The outer corner angled slightly towards the base of the ear. The eyes should be set more than one eye's width apart and should be open, alert, and expressive. There is no relationship between eye color and coat/color pattern except in the color points which have blue eyes.

CHIN: the chin is well rounded but not protruding, and is in line with the nose.

MUZZLE: the muzzle is moderately short in length, full and rounded. There is a slight muzzle curvature, but the transition between the side of the head and the muzzle is gentle and inconspicuous.

PROFILE: the top of the head is almost flat, with a slight nose curvature of a gentle slope from the forehead to the nose and a slight concave curvature before the tip when viewed in profile.

NECK: rounded, sturdy, and well muscled.

BODY:

TORSO: the body is medium in length, and well muscled with the back arched slightly higher than the shoulders, with a barrel-shaped, firm belly giving the sensation of solid weight.

LEGS: medium in length. The legs should have substantial boning with the hind legs slightly longer than the front legs.

FEET: the feet are big and rounded, with toe tufts desirable.

TAIL: the tail is medium in length, being somewhat shorter than the length of the body. It should be wide at the base, tapering slightly to a blunt tip without thickening or kinks, evenly and thickly furnished.

BONING: substantial.

MUSCULATURE: substantial, powerful.

COAT/COLOR/PATTERN

LENGTH: this is a moderately long to longhaired cat with a TRIPLE coat. The hair on the shoulder blades and lower part of the chest should be thick and slightly shorter. There should be an abundant full collar ruff setting off the head in adults. Allow for warm weather coats. The hair may thicken to curls on the belly and britches, but a wavy coat is not characteristic.

TEXTURE: varies from coarse to soft, varying according to color. There is a tight undercoat (in mature cats), thicker in cold weather.

OTHER

TEMPERAMENT: must be unchallenging.

ALLOWANCES: because the Siberian is a slow maturing breed, coat and physical structure should be taken into consideration when judging kittens and young adults. Buttons, spots and lockets are allowed.

PENALIZE: straight profile, narrow or fox-like muzzle, long tail, delicate boning, non-muscular, long body, almond-shaped eyes, and very long legs or very short legs; an adult with a long body or without good body weight.

DISQUALIFY: kinked tail, incorrect number of toes, crossed eyes. Evidence of illness, poor health, emaciation.


SIBERIAN COLORS
EYE COLOR: eye color should be shades of green, gold, greengold or copper. White cats and cats with white may have blue or odd eyes.

NOSE LEATHER AND PAW PADS: any color or combination of colors, not necessarily related to coat color except where so noted. Cats with white on feet may have pink paw pads or they may be bi- or multi-colored.

BUTTONS, SPOTS AND LOCKETS: allowable on any color and/or pattern. Cats with buttons, spots and/or lockets shall be judged as their basic color with no penalty for such locket, spot and/or button.

WHITE: pure glistening white. Nose leather and paw pads: pink desirable.

BLACK: dense coal black, sound from roots to tip of fur. Nose leather: black desirable. Paw pads: black desirable.

BLUE: one level tone from nose to tip of tail, sound to the roots. Nose leather and paw pads: blue desirable.

RED: deep, rich, clear, brilliant red; without shading, markings, or ticking. Nose leather and paw pads: brick red desirable.

CREAM: one level shade of buff cream, without markings. Sound to the roots. Lighter shades preferred. Nose leather and paw pads: pink desirable.

CHINCHILLA SILVER: undercoat pure white. Coat on back, flanks, head, and tail sufficiently tipped with black to give the characteristic sparkling silver appearance. Legs may be slightly shaded with tipping. Chin, ear tufts, stomach, and chest, pure white. Rims of eyes, lips, and nose outlined with black. Nose leather: brick red desirable. Paw pads: black desirable.

SHADED SILVER: undercoat white with a mantle of black tipping shading down from sides, face, and tail from dark on the ridge to white on the chin, chest, stomach and under the tail. Legs to be the same tone as the face. The general effect to be much darker than a chinchilla. Rims of eyes, lips, and nose outlined with black. Nose leather: brick red desirable. Paw pads: black desirable.

CHINCHILLA GOLDEN: undercoat rich warm cream. Coat on back, flanks, head, and tail sufficiently tipped with black to give golden appearance. Legs may be slightly shaded with tipping. Chin, ear tufts, stomach, and chest, cream. Rims of eyes, lips, and nose outlined with black. Nose leather: deep rose desirable. Paw pads: black desirable.

SHADED GOLDEN: undercoat rich warm cream with a mantle of black tipping shading down from the sides, face, and tail from dark on the ridge to cream on the chin, chest, stomach, and under the tail. Legs to be the same tone as the face. The general effect to be much darker than a chinchilla. Rims of eyes, lips, and nose outlined with black. Nose leather: deep rose desirable. Paw pads: black desirable.

SHELL CAMEO (Red Chinchilla): undercoat white, the coat on the back, flanks, head, and tail to be sufficiently tipped with red to give the characteristic sparkling appearance. Face and legs may be very slightly shaded with tipping. Chin, ear tufts, stomach, and chest, white. Nose leather and paw pads: rose desirable.

SHADED CAMEO (Red Shaded): undercoat white with a mantle of red tipping shading down the sides, face, and tail from dark on the ridge to white on the chin, chest, stomach, and under the tail. Legs to be the same tone as face. The general effect to be much redder than the shell cameo. Nose leather and paw pads: rose desirable.

SHELL TORTOISESHELL: undercoat white. Coat on the back, flanks, head, and tail to be delicately tipped in black with welldefined patches of red and cream tipped hairs as in the pattern of the tortoiseshell. Face and legs may be slightly shaded with tipping. Chin, ear tufts, stomach, and chest, white to very slightly tipped. Blaze of red or cream tipping on face is desirable.

SHADED TORTOISESHELL: undercoat white. Mantle of black tipping and clearly defined patches of red and cream tipped hairs as in the pattern of the tortoiseshell. Shading down the sides, face, and tail from dark on the ridge to slightly tipped or white on the chin, chest, stomach, legs, and under the tail. The general effect is to be much darker than the shell tortoiseshell. Blaze of red or cream tipping on the face is desirable.

BLACK SMOKE: white undercoat, deeply tipped with black. Cat in repose appears black. In motion the white undercoat is clearly apparent. Face, legs and tail black with narrow band of white at base of hairs next to skin which may be seen only when fur is parted. Light silver frill and ear tufts. Nose leather and paw pads: black desirable.

BLUE SMOKE: white undercoat, deeply tipped with blue. Cat in repose appears blue. In motion the white undercoat is clearly apparent. Face, legs and tail blue with narrow band of white at base of hairs next to skin which may be seen only when fur is parted. White frill and ear tufts. Nose leather and paw pads: blue desirable.

CREAM SMOKE: white undercoat, deeply tipped with cream. Cat in repose appears cream. In motion the white undercoat is clearly apparent. Face, legs and tail cream with narrow band of white at base of hairs next to skin which may be seen only when fur is parted. White frill and ear tufts. Nose leather and paw pads: pink desirable.

CAMEO SMOKE (Red Smoke): white undercoat, deeply tipped with red. Cat in repose appears red. In motion the white undercoat is clearly apparent. Face, legs and tail red, with narrow band of white at base of hairs next to skin which may be seen only when fur is parted. White frill and ear tufts. Nose leather, rims of eyes and paw pads: rose desirable.

SMOKE TORTOISESHELL: white undercoat, deeply tipped with black with clearly defined unbrindled patches of red and cream tipped hairs as in the pattern of the tortoiseshell. Cat in repose appears tortoiseshell. In motion the white undercoat is clearly apparent. Face, legs and tail tortoiseshell pattern with narrow band of white at the base of the hairs next to the skin that may be seen only when fur is parted.White ruff and ear tufts. Blaze of red or cream tipping on face is desirable.

BLUE-CREAM SMOKE: white undercoat deeply tipped with blue, with clearly defined patches of cream as in the pattern of the blue-cream. Cat in repose appears blue-cream. In motion the white undercoat is clearly apparent. Face, legs and tail bluecream pattern with narrow band of white at the base of the hair next to the skin that may be seen only when fur is parted. White ruff and ear tufts. Blaze of cream tipping on face is desirable

CLASSIC TABBY PATTERN: markings dense, clearly defined, and broad. Legs evenly barred with bracelets coming up to meet the body markings. Tail evenly ringed. Several necklaces on neck and upper chest, with locket allowed. Frown marks on forehead form an intricate letter “M.” Unbroken line runs back from outer corner of eye. Swirls on cheeks. Vertical lines over back of head extend to shoulder markings which are in the shape of a butterfly with both upper and lower wings distinctly outlined and marked with dots inside outline. Back markings consist of a vertical line down the spine from butterfly to tail with a vertical stripe paralleling it on each side, the three stripes separated by stripes of the ground color. Large solid blotch on each side to be encircled by one or more unbroken rings. White buttons and/or lockets allowed.

MACKEREL TABBY PATTERN: markings dense, clearly defined, and all narrow pencillings. Legs evenly barred with narrow bracelets coming up to meet the body markings. Tail barred. Necklaces on neck and chest distinct; white locket allowed. Head barred with an “M” on the forehead. Unbroken lines running back from the eyes. Lines running down the head to meet the shoulders. Spine lines run together to form a narrow saddle. Narrow pencillings run around body. White buttons and/or lockets allowed.

PATCHED TABBY PATTERN: a patched tabby (torbie) is an established silver, brown, blue or blue-silver tabby with patches of red and/or cream. White buttons and/or lockets allowed.

SPOTTED TABBY PATTERN: markings on the body to be spotted. May vary in size and shape with preference given to round, evenly distributed spots. Spots should not run together in a broken mackerel pattern. A dorsal stripe runs the length of the body to the tip of the tail. The stripe is ideally composed of spots. The markings on the face and forehead shall be typically tabby markings. Underside of the body to have “vest buttons.” Legs and tail are barred. White buttons and/or lockets allowed.

TICKED TABBY PATTERN: body hairs to be ticked with various shades of marking color and ground color. Body when viewed from top to be free from noticeable spots, stripes or blotches, except for darker dorsal shading. Lighter underside may show tabby markings. Face, legs and tail must show distinct tabby striping. White buttons and/or lockets allowed.

BROWN PATCHED TABBY: ground color brilliant coppery brown with classic or mackerel tabby markings of dense black with patches of red and/or cream clearly defined on both body and extremities; a blaze of red and/or cream on the face is desirable. Lips and chin the same shade as the rings around the eyes.

BLUE PATCHED TABBY: ground color, including lips and chin, pale bluish ivory with classic or mackerel tabby markings of very deep blue affording a good contrast with ground color. Patches of cream clearly defined on both body and extremities; a blaze of cream on the face is desirable. Warm fawn overtones or patina over the whole.

SILVER PATCHED TABBY: ground color, including lips and chin, pale silver with classic or mackerel tabby markings of dense black with patches of red and/or cream clearly defined on both body and extremities. A blaze of red and/or cream on the face is desirable.

SILVER TABBY (classic, mackerel, spotted, ticked): ground color, including lips and chin, pale, clear silver. Markings dense black. Nose leather: brick red desirable. Paw pads: black desirable.

BLUE-SILVER TABBY (classic, mackerel, spotted, ticked): ground color pale, clear silver. Markings a deep blue affording a good contrast with ground color. White trim around chin and lip allowed. Nose leather: old rose desirable. Paw pads: rose desirable.

BLUE-SILVER PATCHED TABBY: ground color pale, clear silver with classic or mackerel tabby markings of a deep blue affording a good contrast with the ground color. Patches of cream clearly defined on both body and extremities; a blaze of cream on the face is desirable. White trim around chin and lip allowed.

RED TABBY (classic, mackerel, spotted, ticked): ground color red. Markings deep, rich red. Lips and chin red. Nose leather and paw pads: brick red desirable.

BROWN TABBY (classic, mackerel, spotted, ticked): ground color brilliant coppery brown. Markings dense black. Back of leg black from paw to heel. Nose leather and paw pads: black or brown desirable.

BLUE TABBY (classic, mackerel, spotted, ticked): ground color, including lips and chin, pale bluish ivory. Markings a very deep blue affording a good contrast with ground color. Warm fawn overtones or patina over the whole. Nose leather and paw pads: rose desirable.

CREAM TABBY (classic, mackerel, spotted, ticked): ground color, including lips and chin, very pale cream. Markings of buff or cream sufficiently darker than the ground color to afford good contrast, but remaining within the dilute color range. Nose leather and paw pads: pink desirable.

CREAM SILVER TABBY (classic, mackerel, spotted, ticked): Markings cream. Undercoat white. Nose letter and paw pads: pink desirable.

CAMEO TABBY (classic, mackerel, spotted, ticked): markings red. Undercoat white. Nose leather and paw pads: rose desirable.

TORTOISESHELL: black with patches of red or softly intermingled area of red on both body and extremities. Presence of several shades of red acceptable.

CALICO: white with unbrindled patches of black and red. As a preferred minimum, the cat should have white feet, legs, undersides, chest, and muzzle. Inverted “V” blaze on face desirable.

DILUTE CALICO: white with unbrindled patches of blue and cream. As a preferred minimum, the cat should have white feet, legs, undersides, chest, and muzzle. Inverted “V” blaze on face desirable.

BLUE-CREAM: blue with patches of solid cream. Patches clearly defined and well broken on both body and extremities.

BI-COLOR: solid color and white, tabby and white, smoke and white, shaded and white, colorpoint and white. White is allowed in any amount and in all areas. White or off-white allowed on chin, breast and stomach of tabbies

VAN BI-COLOR: black and white, blue and white, red and white, or cream and white. White cat with color confined to the extremities; head, tail, and legs. One or two small colored patches on body allowable.

VAN CALICO: white cat with unbrindled patches of black and red confined to the extremities; head, tail, and legs. One or two small colored patches on body allowable.

VAN DILUTE CALICO: white cat with unbrindled patches of blue and cream confined to the extremities; head, tail, and legs. One or two small colored patches on body allowable.

TABBY AND WHITE: white with colored portions, the colored portions of the cat to conform to the currently established tabby color standards.

SMOKE/SHADED/SHELL AND WHITE: white with colored portions, the colored portions of the cat to conform to the color standard.

TORTOISESHELL AND WHITE: white with colored portions, the colored portions of the cat to conform to the tortoiseshell standard.

BLUE-CREAM AND WHITE: white with colored portions, the colored portions of the cat to conform to the blue-cream standard.

ANY OTHER SIBERIAN COLORS: any other color or pattern with the exception of those showing hybridization resulting in the colors chocolate, lavender/lilac, or these combinations with white.

COLORPOINT COLORS
SIBERIAN (POINT) PATTERN: Body: clear color is preferred with subtle shading allowed. Allowance should be made for darker color in older cats but there must be a definite contrast between body color and point color. The points, consisting of ears, legs, feet, tail, and mask show the basic color of the cat. The ideal mask extends from above the eyes down through the chin and stretches beyond the eyes from side to side.

SEAL POINT: body even pale fawn to cream, warm in tone, shading gradually into lighter color on the stomach and chest. Points deep seal brown. Nose leather and paw pads: seal brown. Eye color: deep vivid blue.

BLUE POINT: body bluish white, cold in tone. Points blue. Nose leather and paw pads: slate blue. Eye color: deep vivid blue.

FLAME (Red) POINT: body creamy white. Points deep orange flame to deep red. Nose leather and paw pads: flesh to coral pink. Eye color: deep vivid blue.

CREAM POINT: body creamy white. Points buff cream. Nose leather and paw pads: flesh to coral pink. Eye color: deep vivid blue.

TORTIE POINT: body creamy white or pale fawn. Points seal with unbrindled patches of red and/or cream. Nose leather and paw pads: seal brown and/or coral pink. Eye color: deep vivid blue.

BLUE-CREAM POINT: body bluish white or creamy white. Points blue with patches of cream. Nose leather and paw pads: slate blue and/or pink. Eye color: deep vivid blue.

SIBERIAN LYNX (POINT) PATTERN: Mask must be clearly lined with dark stripes, vertical and forming the classic “M” on the forehead; horizontal on the cheeks. The mask contains light rings around the eyes and dark spots on light whisker pads, clearly outlined in dark color edges. Inner ear light with ticking on outer ear. Markings dense, clearly defined and broad. Legs evenly barred with bracelets. Tail barred with lighter underside. No striping or mottling on body.

SEAL LYNX POINT: points beige-brown ticked with darker brown tabby markings. Body color pale cream to fawn, warm in tone. Nose leather: seal brown or brick red. Paw pads: seal brown. Eye color: deep vivid blue.

BLUE LYNX POINT: points light, silvery blue, ticked with darker blue tabby markings. Body color bluish white, cold in tone. Nose leather: blue or old rose. Paw pads: blue. Eye color: deep vivid blue.

FLAME (RED) LYNX POINT: points deep orange flame ticked with deep red tabby markings. Body color creamy white. Nose leather and paw pads: flesh to coral pink. Eye color: deep vivid blue.

CREAM LYNX POINT: points pale cream ticked with dark cream tabby markings. Body color creamy white, significantly lighter in tone than the points. Nose leather and paw pads: flesh to coral pink. Eye color: deep vivid blue.

TORTIE LYNX POINT: points beige-brown with dark brown tabby markings and patches of red. Body color creamy white or pale fawn. Nose leather and paw pads: seal brown, brick red and/or coral pink. Eye color: deep vivid blue.

BLUE-CREAM LYNX POINT: points blue with darker blue tabby markings and patches of cream. Body color bluish white, cold in tone. Nose leather and paw pads: blue, old rose and/or pink. Eye color: deep vivid blue.

The following information is for reference purposes only and not an official part of the CFA Show Standard.

Siberian Color Class Number

All Championship Colors................................. 3700 3701
(All accepted colors as defined in the Show Standards
and Any Other Siberian Colors.)

Siberian allowable outcross breeds: none.
 

Information taken from the CFA website.