nebelung
Intelligent, affectionate, loyal, quiet
Overview
Origin
United States
Life Span
11-18 years
Height
9"- 13"
Weight
7-15 pounds
Group
Small to medium-sized long-haired
Price
$600-$1,200
History
The Nebelung cat breed was developed in the 1980s when Cora Cobb, a woman who owned two blue-grey cats that looked like Russian Blues, but with semi-longhaired coats. These cats, named Siegfried and Brunhilde, ultimately became the foundation for the Nebelung breed.
This didn’t happen without some effort on Cora Cobb’s part. With the help of an American Cat Association feline geneticist named Solveig Pfleuger, who determined that Cobb’s beloved pets were best defined as semi-longhaired Russisan Blue cats, Cobb presented a breeding standard that incorporated all traits of the Russian Blue breed with the exception of the coat length.
The International Cat Association (TICA) revised Cobb’s description after Russian Blue breeders voiced their objections. The new breed - now known as Nebelung - would be held to standards that more closely resembled early blue-grey cats imported from Russia beginning in the 19th century.
Today, the Nebelung cat breed is recognized by a few registries worldwide including Livre Officiel des Origines Felines (LOOF), the World Cat Federation (WCF), and the American Cat Fanciers Association (ACFA) as well as a few independent associations.
Despite growing interest and popularity, it is still difficult to find Nebelung cats in most places.
Care
Nutrition
The Nebelung cat has the same nutritional needs as most other breeds, meaning a high quality, high-protein diet is essential for good health. You may want to choose a food with added Omega fatty acids to support skin and coat health and keep this beautiful kitty looking its best.
Grooming
Since the Nebelung cat has a thick double coat, regular grooming is essential. This cat requires daily brushing to prevent mats from forming. Frequent grooming reduces shedding, which in turn keeps your furniture cleaner and reduces the frequency of hairballs.
Exercise
Like all other cats, the Nebelung cat requires plenty of physical exercise to maintain strength and agility. Treat your cat to the proper exercise equipment – a cat tower, if you scratching posts, and plenty of toys, including interactive options that let you join in the fun – and you'll be setting them up for a lifetime of well-being.
Health
The Nebelung cat is quite healthy in general, with a lifespan that extends well over 15 years in some cases. At this time, there are no known concerns.
Breed Standard
Body
A Nebelung cat’s body should be long and lean, yet well-muscled, with an overall appearance of grace.
Head
The head should have a modified wedge shape, more pointed than it is round. It should sit atop a long, graceful neck.
Eyes
The Nebelung cat’s eyes range from yellowish-green to green in color, and should have a slightly oval shape.
Ears
The ears should be large in proportion to the head, and should display prominent furnishings.
Color
The outer guard hairs should be a lighter silver color than the undercoat, which should be a deeper blue.
Coat
The coat should be of medium length on the body, with the longest hair being on the tail. Both layers of this double coat should have a fine, silky feel. These cats should display a ruff at the neck that’s more prominent in males. All Nebelung cats should have longer fur “pantaloons” on the hind legs.
Tail
The Nebelung cat’s tail should be long and graceful, with elegant plumage.
Legs & Paws
The legs should be long and well-muscled. The paws should display tufting between the toes.
Personality & Temperament
Also known as the long-haired Russian blue, the Nebelung cat is a relatively new breed as well as one of the rarest cat breeds in existence.
If you are lucky enough to bring a Nebelung cat into your home, you can expect a friendly, laid-back companion with stunning good looks to match an outstanding personality. This cat's silvery topcoat and pure blue undercoat lend a magical appearance that's much admired. This kitty is silky soft and while it is technically a long-haired breed, the coat is actually a medium length; longer than that of a shorthair cat but not near so long as that of a cat with very long hair, i.e. a Persian.
Nebelung cats are wonderfully affectionate, with lots of love to share with their families. They're fond of curling up for long naps and TV watching sessions, and given the chance, they'll cuddle up with her favorite people at bedtime.
The Nebelung cat is as playful as it is gentle. This breed is highly intelligent, and is easily taught how to play fun games like fetch. These kitties can learn how to walk on leashes, which allows for safe exploration of the outdoor world and provides some much-needed exercise.
While some breeds need constant attention from their people, the Nebelung cat is all right with a bit of alone time. This doesn't mean you can leave your cat unattended for days on end, but it does mean that your kitty will be okay entertaining itself while you're away at work. Of course, these cats get along well with kids and other pets, and they appreciate the opportunity to socialize whenever it arises, so long as socialization takes place within their family group.
Speaking of socialization, it's very important to introduce the Nebelung cat to a variety of situations, sounds, and people from a very young age. These kitties are prone to nervousness and require a bit more socialization than the average cat.