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The national cat of Russia may have been the inspiration for the Beatles’ lyric “Come and keep your comrade warm.” The Siberian has a thick double coat with a neck ruff, perfect for surviving those cold northern Russia winters. He’s a sweetheart with an adventurous spirit and an agile, muscular body.
Siberians are native to Russia and come from the harsh climate of Siberia, which accounts for their triple coat. They are thought to have existed for some 1,000 years, performing rodent control on farms and in shops. In Russian fairy tales, magical cats protect children and open gateways to unseen realms. The cats were exhibited at cat shows in England and New York in the 19th century and are mentioned or pictured in cat books published in 1889, 1898 and 1900. It wasn’t until 1990, however, that Siberians were brought to the United States, part of a trade deal between the Russian breeder and breeder Elizabeth Terrell, who exchanged some Himalayans for them. Siberians are recognized by The International Cat Association and are shown in the Miscellaneous Category at Cat Fanciers Association shows.
