Why are "Blue Cats" actually gray? Unraveling the secrets behind the "Blue Cat"
Why are "Blue Cats" actually gray? Unraveling the secrets behind the "Blue Cat"
Many people, upon seeing a "Blue Cat", have a question: why is a cat that is clearly gray called a "Blue Cat"? In fact, there's a fascinating history behind this name.
The Origin of "Blue Cats": From a "Blue" Port to "Silver Gray" Cats
There's only one cat breed in the world named after "blue": the Russian Blue. This breed's origins can be traced back to Arkhangelsk Port, also known as "Blue Angel Port," located in the Archangel Islands of Russia. It was because of the cats from this port that they were initially referred to as "Blue Angel Cats" or "Angel Blue Cats."
Russian Blues possess stable genetics and a unique color, with a history spanning nearly 150 years. They are one of the earliest documented "blue-gray" cats in the world. In 1860, sailors brought Russian Blues from the Archangel Islands to England and Northern Europe. In 1875, Russian Blues made their official debut at the Crystal Palace Exhibition in England as "Archangel Cats," and since then, the "silver gray" cats from "Blue Angel Port" have become world-renowned. Due to the lasting impact of first impressions, these lead/silver gray cats came to be known as "Blue Cats."
The Evolution of "Blue Cats": The "Mixed Blood" of British Shorthairs and Russian Blues
The Russian "Blue Cats" caused a stir worldwide, attracting attention and imitation in other countries, particularly in England. In 1901, the British Cat Club was established, and early British Shorthairs began to take the global stage. At that time, British Shorthairs primarily came in two colors: mostly black, with a smaller number of silver gray cats, similar to Russian Blues.
The two colors continuously blended, making it difficult to distinguish between them. FIFE (Fédération Internationale Féline) decided to merge these two colors into one, and it wasn't until 1977 that they were separated again, with a ban on further crossbreeding. Notably, the silver gray British Shorthairs were also called "Blue Cats," but they weren't registered by breed but by color, a color known as "British Blue." British Shorthairs come in a wide variety of colors, with golden shaded being the rarest and a highly popular color in recent years.
The Confusion of "Blue Cats": The Distinction between Breed and Color
As British Shorthairs are a result of crossbreeding between numerous cat breeds, their body types, colors, and personalities vary greatly. After World War II, numerous breeds like Persians, Russian Blues, and Chartreux from France contributed to the hybridization of British Shorthairs.
The Russian Blue is the true "Blue Cat," a breed with its unique silver-gray fur and stable genetics. The "Blue Cats" in British Shorthairs are not a breed but simply a color variety. These "Blue Cats" were introduced to China less than a few decades ago, already named as "Blue Cats," leading to some misconceptions later on. For example, some people call any cat with bluish, blue-gray, or blue-appearing fur in specific lighting conditions as "Blue Cats."
Misinterpretations of "Blue Cats": Color Isn't the Only Criterion
In reality, Russian Blues come in more colors than just lead gray; there are also pure white and white varieties. In the early 1970s, an Australian cat owner named Mavis Jones bred a pure white Russian Blue, known as the "Russian White," from Russian Blues and local white cats. In the late 1970s, Australian cat enthusiasts referred to both Russian Whites and Russian Blacks as Russian Blues, but even in countries like Australia, South Africa, and England, the International Cat Association recognizes Russian Whites and Russian Blacks as transitional breeds of Russian Blues, while the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) in the United States refuses to acknowledge these variations in Russian Blues.
Besides British Shorthairs, other breeds also have "Blue Cats," such as the Chartreux, a world-famous cat breed from France.
Summary: True "Blue Cats" Originate from Russia
In conclusion, the true "Blue Cat" is the Russian Blue, a breed with its unique silver-gray fur and stable genetics. The "Blue Cats" found in other breeds refer to color variations, not breeds.
The next time you encounter a "Blue Cat," remember that its "blue" refers not to its fur color but to its origin – the mysterious "Blue Angel Port."
Many people, upon seeing a "Blue Cat", have a question: why is a cat that is clearly gray called a "Blue Cat"? In fact, there's a fascinating history behind this name.
The Origin of "Blue Cats": From a "Blue" Port to "Silver Gray" Cats
There's only one cat breed in the world named after "blue": the Russian Blue. This breed's origins can be traced back to Arkhangelsk Port, also known as "Blue Angel Port," located in the Archangel Islands of Russia. It was because of the cats from this port that they were initially referred to as "Blue Angel Cats" or "Angel Blue Cats."
Russian Blues possess stable genetics and a unique color, with a history spanning nearly 150 years. They are one of the earliest documented "blue-gray" cats in the world. In 1860, sailors brought Russian Blues from the Archangel Islands to England and Northern Europe. In 1875, Russian Blues made their official debut at the Crystal Palace Exhibition in England as "Archangel Cats," and since then, the "silver gray" cats from "Blue Angel Port" have become world-renowned. Due to the lasting impact of first impressions, these lead/silver gray cats came to be known as "Blue Cats."
The Evolution of "Blue Cats": The "Mixed Blood" of British Shorthairs and Russian Blues
The Russian "Blue Cats" caused a stir worldwide, attracting attention and imitation in other countries, particularly in England. In 1901, the British Cat Club was established, and early British Shorthairs began to take the global stage. At that time, British Shorthairs primarily came in two colors: mostly black, with a smaller number of silver gray cats, similar to Russian Blues.
The two colors continuously blended, making it difficult to distinguish between them. FIFE (Fédération Internationale Féline) decided to merge these two colors into one, and it wasn't until 1977 that they were separated again, with a ban on further crossbreeding. Notably, the silver gray British Shorthairs were also called "Blue Cats," but they weren't registered by breed but by color, a color known as "British Blue." British Shorthairs come in a wide variety of colors, with golden shaded being the rarest and a highly popular color in recent years.
The Confusion of "Blue Cats": The Distinction between Breed and Color
As British Shorthairs are a result of crossbreeding between numerous cat breeds, their body types, colors, and personalities vary greatly. After World War II, numerous breeds like Persians, Russian Blues, and Chartreux from France contributed to the hybridization of British Shorthairs.
The Russian Blue is the true "Blue Cat," a breed with its unique silver-gray fur and stable genetics. The "Blue Cats" in British Shorthairs are not a breed but simply a color variety. These "Blue Cats" were introduced to China less than a few decades ago, already named as "Blue Cats," leading to some misconceptions later on. For example, some people call any cat with bluish, blue-gray, or blue-appearing fur in specific lighting conditions as "Blue Cats."
Misinterpretations of "Blue Cats": Color Isn't the Only Criterion
In reality, Russian Blues come in more colors than just lead gray; there are also pure white and white varieties. In the early 1970s, an Australian cat owner named Mavis Jones bred a pure white Russian Blue, known as the "Russian White," from Russian Blues and local white cats. In the late 1970s, Australian cat enthusiasts referred to both Russian Whites and Russian Blacks as Russian Blues, but even in countries like Australia, South Africa, and England, the International Cat Association recognizes Russian Whites and Russian Blacks as transitional breeds of Russian Blues, while the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) in the United States refuses to acknowledge these variations in Russian Blues.
Besides British Shorthairs, other breeds also have "Blue Cats," such as the Chartreux, a world-famous cat breed from France.
Summary: True "Blue Cats" Originate from Russia
In conclusion, the true "Blue Cat" is the Russian Blue, a breed with its unique silver-gray fur and stable genetics. The "Blue Cats" found in other breeds refer to color variations, not breeds.
The next time you encounter a "Blue Cat," remember that its "blue" refers not to its fur color but to its origin – the mysterious "Blue Angel Port."
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