Illustration of Nebelung
Cats

Nebelung

The Nebelung is a long-haired blue cat of American origin — the name is German for "creature of the mist", after the way the silver-tipped coat catches the light.

History

It was created in the 1980s from a chance pairing that produced long-haired blue kittens, and developed deliberately as a semi-long-haired counterpart to the Russian Blue, whose standard it otherwise follows closely.

Temperament

The breed is known for being gentle, reserved and deeply attached to a small number of people. It is a quiet cat that withdraws from noise and strangers rather than confronting them, and it does not care for sudden change.

Care

The fine double coat needs regular brushing to stay free of tangles, more so through a seasonal moult. Routine matters more than grooming does: this is a cat that settles best in a predictable household and asks for company on its own terms.

Health

It shares the Russian Blue's generally sound reputation, with no defect specific to the breed widely documented; a small founding population is the usual caution for any young breed. These are patterns for the breed rather than a forecast for one cat; the measured facts and trait ratings are in the panels.

Characteristics

Origin
United States
Size
Small
Weight
3–5 kg
Lifespan
11–16 yr
Coat
Long

Where this data comes from

Traits

Affection
Energy
Intelligence
Shedding
Grooming
Good with kids

Similar breeds

Cats with a comparable build, coat and temperament.

Dog and cat breeds