Mrs. C. Carew-Cox of England was one of the first cat breeders to get Russian Blues from Russia. She kept a diary; here are some excerpts from thoes diaries....

"It is many years ago since I first made acquaintance with the Russian Blue breed; but I find I made no notes at the time, so cannot give full particulars. In 1889, however, I had purchased a smooth blue, whose owner declared her to be a Siamese- she certainly resembled a puma shaped Siamese in her body outline and movements- and I believe I entered her in the stud book as such. “Dwina” won many prizes at Crystal Palace and other shows in “any variety” classes, was a most faithful creature, reared many families, and lived until June 1901.

In 1890 I owned a very pretty soft-looking blue female- she was, in fact, a blue tabby, (one of Canon Girdlestone’s Breed [from Norway]); also a male of the same variety. They had evidently been victims of tapeworm for a considerable period, and finally succumed to them.

That same year, Kola- a very pretty blue and white cat became mine. She was imported from Kola, and after changing hands more than once, whilst at sea, was finally exchanged at the London Docks for a leg of mutton! A very loveable little cat was Kola, with very round face and very soft fur. She lived until November 1900, and evidenly died from old age, becoming toothless and feeble, but quite able to enjoy the soft food that was especially prepared for her. These two old pets, Dwina and Kola, were a great loss after twelve and ten years companionship.

“Lingpopo”, an extremely beautiful cat, was imported from Archangel, very sound in color, rather long in face and legs, sleek, sinuous and graceful, peculiarly lethargic in her movements, and dainty in her deportment. I bought her in 1893 when she was seven months old. Unfortunately a disease of the kidneys carried her off when in the flower of her existance.

“Moscow”, (1893) was a very sucessful sire of many kittens; he won many firsts and special prizes. He died in 1897 during my absence from home.

In 1895 Lady Marcus Beresford presented me with a very handsome kitten- a male- with a very thick, yet close coat, very compact in shape.

“Olga” came to me in 1893 or 1894 and still lives. She was imported, and has been a great winner in her time, but is getting an old cat now. She is the mother of my stud cat “Bayard”, who was born in 1898, and whose sire was “King Vladimir”.

"Bayard"

“Fashoda” was born in 1896, and was imported. She is a large, strong cat and a winner of many prizes. “Odessa” is a daughter of Fashoda by “Blue Gown”.

“Yula” came to me in 1901 and was imported from Archangel.

"Yula"

“Sing-Sing” (Neuter) is the cat that as a kitten had the black stripes down his back I have previously alluded to. He was born on Easter Monday, 1899, a son of Fashoda and Muchacho. "Muchacho”, the stud cat that had sired so many winning kittens, is a son of Mrs. Herring’s late “Champion Roguey” and my “Lingpopo”. I sold him as a kitten, but after two people had him I again became his owner, and now he will never leave me until he is called to the “happy hunting grounds” that I hope and think must be prepared for all faithful creatures “beyond the veil”.

Please check back often. More history will be added as time allows.

If you have any questions about the Russians (Blues or Whites) please contact us via e-mail or check out the sites listed below.

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