How can you tell the difference between Chartreux and Russian Blue cats?

Question

I have 3 grays and I can't tell what they are. One of their heads is more rounded than the other 2. They are all from different litters and are strays that I've taken in. I adore these cats, and would like to know what breed they are. My Vet wasn't sure. Should I switch vets LOL?

Answer 1

Hi there...People have a natural tendency to want to categorize things, to be able to name the group to which something belongs...and so it is with cats. We all want to be able to place a breed name on our favorite companion. But the truth is that the vast majority of cats in the United States are random-bred (often referred to as domestic) cats belonging to no breed whatsoever. This does not mean that is it a lesser cat, but that it simply is not a member of a defined breed.

To the untrained eye, a blue cat might appear to look the same as a Russian Blue with an 8-generation pedigree behind it. How then to determine what distinguishes a Russian Blue from Another Blue Cat. These differences fall into two main areas: Appearance and Genetic Background.

Appearance
The Russian Blue has a very distinct appearance and several unique identifiers. The easier identifiers are:

· Green eyes (not yellow, blue, or orange but a dark bottle green)

· Solid blue all over with just the tips of the guard hairs being silver and producing a shimmering effect. Domestic blue cats will lack this tipping and be a flat blue. There are no white or other color markings whatsoever, except for the occasional white locket on the throat (considered a disqualifiable fault)

· A thick double coat. The first coat consists of the longer guard hairs. The second is the undercoat, which is very soft and gives the Russian Blue coat its unique feel. Looked at closely, these fine hairs appear wavy

· Mauve footpads. Most domestic blue cats have slate gray pads

For more additional characteristics such as body structure, profile, ear placement, please see the Russian Blue breed standards at

http://www.cfainc.org/breeds/standards/russian.html

http://www.russianblue.net/e-standard.html

Genetic Background
The breed that we know as the Russian Blue did not spring into existence from the pairing of a couple of other-colored cats. It is a natural breed, which other breeders then took and selectively refined and defined its distinguishing traits. But they did this using known Russian Blues only (excepting the brief instance after World War II when blue-point Siamese were used as outcrosses to increase the then decimated genetic ranks). By this selectiveness the breed as a whole has a consistent look to it. The mating of two Russian Blues will always produce another blue genetic copy of themselves. The exception to this is the occasional “pointed’ Russian Blue which is the result of a recessive gene going back to that brief Siamese outcross over 50 years ago.

Domestic blues cannot reproduce themselves with this genetic accuracy. It is entirely possible (and indeed, probable) that that same random bred blue had littermates and parents who were not solid blue and will not produce solely blue kittens when mated with another blue cat.

“So how can I determine if my cat is a Russian Blue?” one would ask. The only sure method is via its pedigree – that piece of paper that documents the cat’s heritage back several generations and shows that all her forebears were also Russian Blues. There are the occasional occurrences where the undocumented cat is indeed a Russian Blue, but these “findings” are usually the result of a pedigreed pet ending up in a pet store without its papers or a pedigreed pet becoming separated from her original owner (either given away or she got out and got lost). An experienced eye might be able to declare it a Russian in that case. But most blue cats simply found on the street are not Russian Blues.

Does this mean that they are any less valuable a companion than a purebred Russian Blue? Of course not. It simply means that she does not have the documentation certifying her origins back for generations. She still has her place on your lap and in your heart.

Vets primary knowledge focuses on health care for animals rather than knowing specifics to differentiate breeds of animals. Some however may be more interested in this as a personal interest therefore then it would then be an added bonus for the clients.

Answer 2

Chartreux Vs Russian Blue

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
How can you tell the difference between Chartreux and Russian Blue cats?
I have 3 grays and I can't tell what they are. One of their heads is more rounded than the other 2. They are all from different litters and are strays that I've taken in. I adore these cats, and would like to know what breed they are. My Vet wasn't sure. Should I switch vets LOL?

Answer 4

You can tell the difference from the color of the fur. Chartreuxs have a very slick grey fur, whereas a Russian Blue has a very distinct blue hue to the fur.

Answer 5

Well, my guess is they are neither. They are Domestic Blue Short Hairs. Russian Blues are hard to find and I suspect Chartreuxes even more so.

Answer 6

best way to find out is to look at some of the breeds and find out which one by description matches those lovable balls of fur you have. that's how I was able to find out Fuzzybutt is Siamese Persian mix( my over sized, fat fluffy pain in the butt) . one site you can try is

www.texascares,org/care/care_breed.htm

they have a large listing of breeds, most with some type of history and a general picture of the breed, but really don't think the cats care, but glad to have a forever home,THANK YOU, too many strays are just runaways who never find their old home or any home for that matter ever again, glad to know not the only one who has an assortment of rescued critters.

Answer 7

Since most people can't spell OR pronounce Chartreaux, I would just go ahead and call them Russian Blues.

Hee hee hee ... it's not like the cats care, right?

Purrs to your grey furbabies!!!!