Siberian

The Siberian is Russia's national cat — a large, semi-longhaired forest breed with a thick triple coat built for a brutal climate.

History

It developed as a natural landrace across Russia over centuries, its dense water-resistant coat and powerful frame the work of long, hard winters. Long a fixture of Russian homes and monasteries, it was only formally bred and exported in recent decades.

Temperament

The breed is known for being affectionate, playful and dog-like — sociable, adaptable and fond of its people, often following them about and greeting visitors. It stays agile and playful well into adulthood.

Care

The thick coat needs regular brushing and sheds heavily in spring. The breed is often mentioned for producing less of the usual cat allergen, though no cat is truly hypoallergenic and individuals vary.

Health

The breed is generally hardy; its main known tendency is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the most common feline heart condition. These are patterns for the breed rather than a verdict on one cat; the measured facts and trait ratings are in the panels.