The Russian is a cat of elegant "foreign" type without the exaggerated elongation of the Oriental Breeds. It has an even, gentle temperament.

The body is long and graceful, strong boned and well muscled.

The head has a medium wedge with an angled profile and prominent whisker pads which create a gentle expression.

The ears are set high on the head, which are large and pointed and vertical.

The eyes are vivid green, set wide apart and almond in shape.

The most characteristic feature of the breed is the coat which is a clear blue, even throughout, with a distinct silvery sheen. It is a double coat with a very dense undercoat, the whole coat being very fine and short, soft with no harsh feel to it.

A Black and a White version are bred from time to time but have never captured the imagination as the blue variety can and are only seen occasionally on the show bench.

The Russian White has now been recognised in its own rights.

GCCF Standard of Points for the Russian

The Russian is a cat of elegant foreign type without the exaggerated elongation of the Oriental.  Its high ears, green almond-shaped eyes, angled profile and prominent whisker pads create a distinctive gentle expression which, together with its essential velvety double coat, gives the breed its unique charm.

Head - The wedge from tip of nose to eyes is short.  The distance from eyes to ears should be equal to or slightly longer than the wedge.  The top of the head should appear flat between the ears.  The whisker pads are prominent giving a broad end to the head.

In profile the forehead should appear straight to the level of 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.  This creates a distinctive angle level with the upper edge of the eye.  There must be no stop, break or nose bump, nor must there be a straight profile from top of head to nose tip.  The tip of the chin should line up with the tip of the nose in 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 profile angle may not be as well developed.

Ears - Large and pointed, wide at the base and set vertically to the head.  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, not small and deep set.  In kittens allowance should be made for eye colour.

Body - Long and graceful in outline and carriage.  Medium strong bone, well muscled.  Cobby or heavy build undesirable.  The females may be slightly smaller than the males but should also be well muscled.

Legs and Feet - Long legs.  Feet small and oval.

Tail - Moderately long and in proportion to the body.  Tapering, neither blunt-ended nor whip.

Coat - The coat is double with a very dense undercoat; the whole coat is very fine, short and soft with no harsh feel to it, very different in texture from any other breed and the truest criterion of the Russian.

Condition and 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 extreme or aggressive temperament.  The latter is most undesirable in the breed and should not be encouraged.