The Siberian is a natural breed first imported from Leningrad Russia on June 28, 1990. They were recorded as participants in the first cat show in England in the 1700's according to Harrison Weir (who not only produced that first show but, wrote the book, OUR CATS AND ALL ABOUT THEM) and have been judged to Grand International Championship overseas prior to their export. Old Soviet law discouraged pet ownership due to the housing and food shortages and war depleted representatives of various purebreds: it was only in 1987 that clubs (recognized as individual registries there) began to keep official records in an attempt to retrieve what had been proscribed or lost. Russian registries provide pedigrees which have the proper seal and signatures to be genuine: owners are recorded.
This intelligent, energetic and bold breed is large with a modified wedge-shaped head with rounded contours, very expressive yellow-green eyes, barrel-shaped torso, heavy boning and lynx tips (not to be construed as a pointed ear). They mature in five years. These self-grooming long hair cats take minimal care and the medium long to long coat is most spectacular in winter. The voice is some-times quite distinctive with squeaks and chirps; the tail shimmies when they are happy and they almost all play excessively with water. They are protective cats and are known for their dog-like loyalty to their owners.
Numerous books claim that it was the Siberian mating with the European Wild Cat which led to the development of all the subsequent long-haired breeds in the world. Geneticists believe that the Siberian was the first long-haired as 64% of all long-hair genes center around Leningrad.
The Maine Coon, Norwegian Forest Cat and Siberian have enough similarities and differences, with enough to be historically related and tales of their heritage being from the same general geography, even by geometric shape.
The Maine Coon being composed of rectangles with the longer body, legs and tail, elongated head and tall ears. The Norwegian Forest Cat being composed of triangles with the triangular head, slanted eyes and pointed ears. The Siberian virtually becomes circles with the rounded head, eyes and ears, shorter tail and barrel-shaped body.
Alot of work has been done to introduce this historic breed to the United States and have accomplished more than expected in this short length of time. Articles in at least 9 known books (the latest being YOUR PUREBRED KITTEN), over 23 magazines (some foreign) and 1 television show.
We continue to promote the interest and development of the breed and our inter-registry breed club TAIGA will hopefully represent the finest Siberians with breeders continuing to work together for the same goal.
Siberians are registered with 6 of the 7 associations and 1 registry here in the United States and showing championship(and been able to get titles to Supreme Grand Champion) in 5 of the 7.