Russian White, Russian Black and Russian Tabby
Also called Russian White, Russian Black, Russian Tabby, Russian Shorthair (ACFA), Russian (GCCF, as colours of the Russian breed)
From Developed in Australia from 1971, using Russian Blue cats and a white Siberian cat; earlier white and black Russians were also bred in the UK from the 1960s.123
At a glance the quick version
GCCF gives 8-15 lb (about 3.6-6.8 kg) for the Russian breed overall; cats.com gives 8-12 lb (about 3.6-5.4 kg). Neither splits by sex; the upper figure is placed with males as the larger sex.
Coat and looks how to spot one
short, dense double coat
A long, graceful, fine-boned cat that shares the Russian Blue's build: a short wedge-shaped head, large upright ears, long legs and small oval paws. The short coat is thick yet fine, with a plush undercoat that makes the fur stand out from the body, so it feels soft and springy. White kittens can be born with a small darker patch on the head that fades as they mature.231
Personality what they are like
Affectionate and playful with its own people, while often a little reserved with visitors. These cats are bright and like to join in games, but they are not known for causing chaos, and many get along well with children and other pets.23
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Moderate. Daily play sessions and a cat tree or shelves for climbing keep them content.3
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Low. The coat stays in good shape with little help, though a weekly session with a soft brush reduces loose hair and most of these cats enjoy it.23
Home where they are happiest
Adapts well to indoor life when given vertical space such as a cat tower.3
Company who they like around
Bonds closely with family and greets them warmly, yet copes well with spending time alone and can keep itself busy.32
The story where it all began
In the 1960s a British breeder, Frances MacLeod, bred a white cat called Arctic Chumvi to a Russian Blue, and the litters produced white, blue and black kittens. In Australia, Dick and Mavis Jones of Myemgay Cattery started a separate programme in 1971 by crossing a white Siberian cat with a Russian Blue stud, and the resulting line reached championship status in New South Wales in 1975. Tabby Russians came out of the same breeding work.123
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
The Australian programme's first white kitten was named White Rose, and her own kittens were raised by hand with a bottle.1
- 2
The foundation white Siberian cat in Australia came from an official at the Thai Embassy, who swapped it for a Russian Blue.1
- 3
The Russian coat has been likened to the fur of a seal or a beaver because of its dense, stand-up texture.3
- 4
GCCF shows the Russian in three colours, while CFA and FIFe keep the breed to blue only.2
Recognised by the official bits
- ACFA
- Russian Black and Russian White granted championship status in 2010 (as Russian Shorthair)1
- GCCF
- Recognised as colours of the Russian breed: blue, black and white2
- Australian registries
- Full register status and championship eligibility in New South Wales in 1975; fully recognised in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa1
- CFA / FIFe
- Accept the Russian breed in blue only, so these colours are not recognised there2
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Russian White, Russian Black and Russian Tabby. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery week
- Nail trimevery 3 weeks
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- Litter scoopevery day
- Litter changeevery week
- PlayDaily playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 11every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- Wikipedia: Russian White, Black, and Tabby en.wikipedia.orgused for origin, history, recognition, fun facts
- GCCF: Russian gccfcats.orgused for recognition, body, coat, temperament, grooming, weight, lifespan, UK history
- cats.com: Russian White, Black, and Tabby cats.comused for weight, height, lifespan, coat, colours, temperament, activity, social needs
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.