The Siberian, Russia's native forest cat, first appeared in recorded history around the year 1000 and hails from the unforgiving climate of Siberia. It lived about 200 years in a natural state, in the cold Siberia. He is a pure cat with no human intervention. Siberians are considered one of the largest domestic feline because of its large and dense bone structure. Its coat is semi-long haired and comes in many colors and color patterns. Because of the extreme cold, the Siberian has developed superior surviving qualities such as thicker skin, water resistant fur dense and longer. The first official pedigree was established in Russia by the Kotefei in 1987. It came to the USA in the early 1990's by Starpoint Cattery and in Europe, same year, by the Newjskij Cattery in Germany. Despite its popularity in Europe and its stunning characteristics, the Siberian is not well-known in North America and even less in Canada.
The breed is extremely slow to mature taking as long as 5 years. Adult males (12-15 pounds) are usually larger than the females (8-11 pounds) and allowances should be made for a size differential between males, females and young juveniles. No outside breeding is allowed.
Siberians are known to be dog-like. The Siberian tends to be both a great problem solver and also, rather like dogs, is loyal to its adopted family which is why they are so well suited to the households in which one spouse, usually a husband or significant other, professes to be a "dog person" not a "cat person." Often it is that same "dog person" who is greeted at the door by their Siberian and after being dutifully followed around the house by their Siberian then decides that one Siberian is simply not enough!
They are more dependent on human interaction and tend to bond closer than other feline breeds. This also creates a situation that provides for easier training. Siberians are powerful cats, but rarely injure their human friends, even in play. They purr very loudly and love to head butt their favourite humans. They are not very vocal but quickly establish communications through body language. Because of the obvious reasons above and many amazing others, the Siberian cat and kitten are rapidly becoming the pet of choice for many families. Siberians are extremely agile and can leap great distances and heights to "fly through the air with the greatest of ease!"
Keeping such a rare treasure indoors, neutering or spaying and providing acceptable surfaces (e.g. scratching posts) for the natural behaviour of scratching (Jokieva disapproves of declawing or tendonectomy surgery) are essential elements for maintaining a healthy, long and joyful life.
Grooming of the Siberian is not very demanding. A bath is not a necessity unless an accident (mud, diarrhea...). It is a semi-long haired cat that needs to be brushed during shedding period. The Siberian Cat will shed intensely twice a year, in spring and fall.
