General

The Siberian, Russia’s native forest cat, first appeared in recorded history around the year 1000 and hails from the unforgiving climate of Siberia. This is a cat that nature designed to survive, with no extremes in type. The Siberian is a medium to medium large, strong triple coated cat with surprising heft for its size. The overall appearance should be one of strength, presence, and alertness, with a sweet facial expression. The breed is extremely slow to mature taking as long as 5 years. Females are generally smaller than males and allowances should be considered when comparing females and young cats to the standard. Size is secondary to type. The general impression is one of roundness and circles, rather than rectangles and triangles.

 

Head

 (total 45 points)

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SHAPE • 15 points

modified wedge of medium/large size with rounded contours, in good proportion to the body. The head is broader at the top of the skull and narrows slightly to a full-rounded muzzle. The cheekbones are neither high set nor prominent. There should be a slight doming between the ears and an almost flat area on the forehead. Males will have well developed jowls and females will have a more moderate look.

 

EARS • 5 points

medium-large, rounded, wide at the base and tilt slightly forward. The ears should be set as much on the sides of the head as on top. The hair over the back of the ear is short and thin. From the middle of the ear, the furnishings become longer and cover the base of the ear. Ear tipping is allowed.

 

EYES • 5 points

medium to large, almost round. The outer corner angled slightly towards the base of the ear. The eyes should be set more than one eye’s width apart and should be open, alert, and expressive. There is no relationship between eye color and coat/color pattern except in the color points which have blue eyes.

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CHIN • 4 points

the chin is well rounded but not protruding, and is in line with the nose.

 

MUZZLE • 10 points

the muzzle is moderately short in length, full and rounded. There is a slight muzzle curvature, but the transition between the side of the head and the muzzle is gentle and inconspicuous.

 

PROFILE • 3 points

the top of the head is almost flat, with a slight nose curvature of a gentle slope from the forehead to the nose and a slight concave curvature before the tip when viewed in profile.

 

NECK • 3 points

rounded, sturdy, and well muscled. 

 

 

Body

 (total 40 points)

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TORSO • 10 points

The body is medium in length, and well muscled with the back arched slightly higher than the shoulders, with a barrelshaped, firm belly giving the sensation of solid weight. Moderate stomach pad or famine pouch on lower abdomen acceptable.

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LEGS • 5 points

medium in length. The legs should have substantial boning with the hind legs slightly longer than the front legs.

 

FEET • 3 points

the feet are big and rounded, with toe tufts desirable.

 

TAIL • 5 points

the tail is medium in length, being somewhat shorter than the length of the body. It should be wide at the base, tapering slightly to a blunt tip without thickening or kinks, evenly and thickly furnished.

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BONING • 10 points

substantial.

 

MUSCULATURE • 7 points

substantial, powerful.

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Coat / Color / Pattern

 (total 15 points)

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LENGTH • 3 points

this is a moderately long to longhaired cat with a TRIPLE coat. The hair on the shoulder blades and lower part of the chest should be thick and slightly shorter. There should be an abundant full collar ruff setting off the head in adults. Allow for warm weather coats. The hair may thicken to curls on the belly and britches, but a wavy coat is not characteristic.

 

TEXTURE • 5 points

varies from coarse to soft, varying according to color. There is a tight undercoat (in mature cats), thicker in cold weather.

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COLOR / PATTERN • 3 points for pattern 2 points for color

all colors and combinations are accepted with or without white. White is allowed in any amount and in all areas. White or off-white allowed on chin, breast and stomach of tabbies. Buttons, spots and lockets are allowed. Strong colors and clear patterns are desirable. Tarnishing on silvers not penalized.

 

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Other

 

TEMPERAMENT

must be unchallenging.

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ALLOWANCES

because the Siberian is a slow maturing breed, coat and physical structure should be taken into consideration when judging kittens and young adults. Buttons, spots and lockets are allowed.

 

PENALIZE

straight profile, narrow or fox-like muzzle, long tail, delicate boning, non-muscular, long body, almond-shaped eyes, and very long legs or very short legs; an adult with a long body or without good body weight.

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DISQUALIFY

kinked tail, incorrect number of toes, crossed eyes. Evidence of illness, poor health, emaciation. 

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