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GCCF Standard of Points

General Type Standard

The Russian is a cat of elegant foreign type without the exaggerated elongation of the Oriental. Its high ears, green almond-shaped eyes, angled profile and prominent whisker pads create a distinctive gentle expression which, together with its essential velvety double coat, gives the breed its unique charm.

Head - The wedge from tip of nose to eyes is short. The distance from eyes to ears should be equal to or slightly longer than the wedge. The top of the head should appear flat between the ears. The whisker pads are prominent giving a broad end to the head. In profile the forehead should appear straight to the level of the upper edge of the eye. The profile from here to the tip of the nose has such a shallow concave curve that it appears virtually straight. This creates a distinctive angle level with the upper edge of the eye. There must be no stop, break or nose bump, nor must there be a straight profile from top of head to nose tip. The tip of the chin should line up with the tip of the nose in the same vertical plane. The chin should be strong and deep with a level bite. The back of the head should not fall away. In kittens the top of the head may appear more rounded and the profile angle may not be as well developed.

Ears- Large and pointed, wide at the base and set vertically to the head. The ear placement is such that the outer line of the ears continues the line of the upper part of the face, although in mature males with jowls this will be less apparent. There should be little inside hair.

Eyes - Vivid green. Set rather wide apart, almond in shape, not small and deep set. In kittens allowance should be made for eye colour. Body - Long and graceful in outline and carriage. Medium strong bone, well muscled. Cobby or heavy build undesirable. The females may be slightly smaller than the males but should also be well muscled.

Legs and Feet - Long legs. Feet small and oval.

Tail - Moderately long and in proportion to the body. Tapering, neither blunt-ended nor whip.

Coat - The coat is double with a very dense undercoat: the whole coat is very fine, short and soft with no harsh feel to it, very different in texture from any other breed and the truest criterion of the Russian.

Condition and Temperament - In the Russian the condition and temperament of the cat are important considerations.

Note: We are looking for an even-tempered cat and it is hoped that Judges will distinguish between a balanced but temporarily upset or frightened cat and a cat with extreme or aggressive temperament. The latter is most undesirable in the breed and should not be encouraged.

SCALE OF POINTS

Head and Ears	20
Eyes	15
Body, Legs and Tail	20
Coat	30
Colour	15
Total	100

Withhold all Awards for:

Extreme aggressive temperament

Withhold Certificates or First Prizes in Kitten Open Classes for:

Flat coat

Oriental type

Cobby or British type

White anywhere in Blues and Blacks

Any colour other than white anywhere in Whites

Incorrect eye colour in adults

Weak chin and/or uneven bite

Any defect as listed in the preface to the GCCF SOP booklet.

RUSSIAN BLUE (16a)
Colour - Clear blue and even throughout with a distinct silvery sheen. Medium blue is preferred. The coat must be blue to the roots, which may be fractionally lighter in tone, and the hairs must show no banding or silver tipping although there may be absence of pigment at the tip. In maturity the coat should be free from tabby markings or shading, although ghost markings may show in kittens.
Nose Leather and Paw Pads - Nose leather blue. Paw pads blue but not necessarily as blue as nose leather. Pinkish lavender pads acceptable in kittens.

RUSSIAN WHITE (16a14c) (Preliminary)
Colour - Pure white with no tinge of yellow. Dark mark on head permissible in kittens.
Nose Leather and Paw Pads - Pink.

RUSSIAN BLACK (16a15) (Preliminary)
Colour - Jet black and sound to the roots. Slight rusty tinge allowed in kittens but not in adults.
Nose Leather and Paw Pads - Black.