The Siberian cat is a naturally occurring cat breed that has been refined through selective breeding. These cats originate from Russia, and the breed may be hundreds or even over a thousand years old. Some feline geneticists have suggested that these ancient cats might have contributed some of the DNA that went into creating new or domestic long-haired cats.
As one of Russia’s national treasures, Siberian cats have enjoyed pride of place in folklore and fairy tales. According to legends, Siberians guided souls to the underworld, guarded homes, told stories, and sang songs. One particularly appealing legend says that anyone who buys or builds a new home should let the Siberian cat enter first, and for luck, place a bed in the spot where the cat decides to lie down.
Incredibly, and despite its long history in Russia, the breed is a recent addition to Western breed registries. One of the first Siberian cat breed standards was published by the Kotofei Cat Club of St. Petersburg in 1987.
Siberian cats were introduced to life in America in 1990, when Elizabeth Terrel of Starpoint Cattery imported a trio of Siberians, naming them Kaliostro, Nain, and Ofelia.
The International Cat Association. (TICA) accepted Siberians as a new breed in 1992 and elevated it to championship status in 1996. The Cat Fanciers Association granted official recognition in 2000 and advanced the breed to championship status in 2006. Today, the Siberian cat enjoys recognition around the world and is gaining popularity. The breed is still considered to be somewhat rare outside Russia, but is getting easier to find.