Official ICCF Breed Description
Brief Historical Overview
The Siberian cat is an ancient Russian breed whose history spans several centuries. Its ancestors lived in the harsh climate of Siberia, where natural selection created cats with dense, water-repellent coats, robust health, and remarkable endurance. These cats were often mentioned in folklore and served as protectors of homes and granaries. In the 19th century, Siberians appeared at European cat shows, admired for their powerful build and wild beauty. In the late 20th century, selective breeding formally established the breed’s standards. Today, the Siberian cat is recognized in many countries and valued as a national treasure of Russia.
General Appearance
The Siberian cat gives the impression of a large, strong, and harmonious animal with a semi-long coat and dense undercoat. The body is muscular and solid, with a well-developed skeleton that retains flexibility and elegance. The head is rounded with soft contours and expressive eyes. The legs are of medium length, strong, and well-boned, with large round paws and tufts of hair between the toes. The tail is bushy and proportionate, completing the silhouette. The thick, protective coat is one of the breed’s key features, providing insulation against cold and moisture. The overall type is natural and balanced, combining strength, beauty, and utility.
Important Proportions
The proportions of the Siberian cat are well balanced: the body is rectangular, slightly elongated but sturdy. The height at the withers is roughly equal to the body length up to the tail base. The head is large, round, and proportional. The nose is medium in length, smooth, without a stop. The limbs are strong, medium in length, with the hind legs slightly higher than the front, accentuating the profile. The tail is of medium length, thickly furred, and tapers to a rounded tip. The chest is broad and deep, the abdomen firm and compact. All parts must form a harmonious whole reflecting the breed’s natural origin.
Behavior and Temperament
The Siberian cat is calm, intelligent, and self-possessed. It learns quickly, remembers commands, and forms strong bonds with its human family. Affectionate yet dignified, it is gentle with children and tolerant of other animals while retaining a developed hunting instinct. Its personality combines confidence and composure; it is active and playful but never intrusive. With a stable temperament and adaptability, the Siberian easily adjusts to various environments. The breed’s temperament reflects its natural roots — independence balanced by deep loyalty to home and people.
Head
The head is large, in proportion to the body, shaped like a broad modified wedge with softly rounded contours. The skull is strong and slightly domed, with a well-developed forehead blending smoothly into the nose. Cheekbones are wide but not angular, cheeks full, particularly in adult males. The nose is medium in length and straight, without a stop, though a gentle dip at the bridge is acceptable. The chin is firm and aligned with the nose and lips. The overall expression conveys strength and harmony without sharpness or delicacy.
Facial Part
The muzzle is broad with smooth transitions, neither pointed nor square. The nose is straight, of medium width, and complements the overall balance. Whisker pads are well developed, giving a slightly wild expression. Whiskers are long and strong. Lips are tight and dry; the chin is solid and proportionate. The face exudes strength, confidence, and natural nobility, reflecting the breed’s wild heritage.
Eyes
Eyes are large, slightly oval, and set wide apart with a slight slant, creating an alert, expressive look. Colors range from green to gold, with all shades permitted except blue (except in colorpoint cats). The more vivid and intense the color, the higher the value. The gaze is intelligent, calm, and confident. Eyelids fit closely, enhancing the balanced head shape. Kittens’ eye color may change as they mature.
Ears
Ears are medium-sized, broad at the base, with rounded tips. They are set high and slightly forward, giving an alert appearance. Inner ear tufts and lynx-like tips on the outer edges are typical and desirable. The spacing between the ears is moderate and proportional to the head’s width. Ears that are too small, too wide-set, or overly large spoil the balance.
Neck
The neck is medium in length, strong, and muscular, blending smoothly into the shoulders. It must be broad enough to support the massive head but should not appear short or coarse. In males, the neck is more robust; in females, more refined. A thick ruff, especially in winter, emphasizes the neck’s strength. The impression should be one of power without heaviness.
Body
The body is rectangular, muscular, and powerful. The chest is broad and rounded, the back strong and level, smoothly rising to the hindquarters. The abdomen is firm and slightly tucked. Males are more massive, females somewhat lighter but still solid. The bone structure is heavy, with well-developed musculature. The overall impression is of a cat built for survival in harsh climates.
Tail
The tail is of medium length, proportionate to the body, wide at the base, tapering toward a rounded tip. It is thickly covered with long fur, forming a full, plume-like appearance. It moves flexibly and naturally continues the body line. Kinks, knots, or deformities are not permitted.
Forelimbs
Forelegs are medium in length, strong, and straight, with solid bone and visible muscle. The elbows point straight back. The pasterns are slightly slanted and resilient. Paws are large, round, with thick pads and tufts of hair between the toes for protection from snow and cold. Legs should show power and stability without coarseness.
Hind Limbs
Hind legs are slightly longer than the front, giving a slight upward slope to the body. Thighs are muscular and strong, hocks straight and parallel. Paws are large and round, matching the front ones, with dense hair tufts. The hind legs provide strong propulsion in motion.
Gait and Movement
The movement of the Siberian cat is smooth, springy, and confident. Steps are long and free, with strong propulsion from the hind legs. The gait should convey strength and natural grace. Stiffness, short stride, or clumsy coordination are serious faults.
Coat
The coat is semi-long, dense, and water-resistant, with a thick undercoat. The texture is unique: the outer layer is coarse to repel moisture, while the undercoat is soft and insulating. In winter, the coat becomes fuller, forming a pronounced ruff and “breeches” on the hind legs. In summer, it becomes shorter and lighter. The coat should always appear healthy, glossy, and well-groomed.
Permissible Colors
All natural colors are permitted: solid (black, white, blue, red, cream), tabby patterns, bicolor, tortoiseshell, and silver varieties. Both warm and cool tones are accepted. Chocolate, lilac, cinnamon, and fawn are not permitted. White markings are allowed in any form. Color should be rich and even.
Size
The Siberian is a large breed. Males weigh 6–9 kg (some up to 10 kg) and are visibly more massive. Females weigh 4.5–7 kg, maintaining harmony and proportion. Adult height at the withers ranges from 30 to 38 cm; total body length, including the tail, can reach 100–120 cm. Full development is achieved by 3–5 years of age.
Faults
Faults include deviations from the natural and balanced type: small or delicate head, weak chin, pointed or overly square muzzle, too short or curved nose, small or dull eyes, large or low-set ears, overly refined or excessively heavy body, short or coarse limbs, lack of toe tufts, thin or poorly furnished tail, soft or cottony coat lacking undercoat, and diluted or weak colors. Unsteady gait or poor coordination are also faults.
Disqualification
Disqualifying faults include serious deformities of the head or body, bite irregularities (overshot, undershot, asymmetry), yellow or blue eyes in non-colorpoint cats, absence of undercoat, woolly or excessively thin coat, lack of ruff and breeches, tail deformities (kinks, knots, fractures), skeletal defects, aggression or extreme shyness preventing examination, and hybridization with other breeds. Unauthorized colors such as chocolate, lilac, cinnamon, or fawn result in disqualification. Cats without ICCF documentation are not eligible for shows or breeding.
Important Notes
Breeding Siberians must focus on maintaining their natural type — dense coat, strong bone, and powerful musculature. Over-refinement must be avoided. Seasonal coat changes are normal: lighter in summer, fuller in winter. Kittens develop coat, color, and eyes gradually; final evaluation should occur after 18 months. Breeding must remain within ICCF supervision, preserving genetic diversity and health. Character stability is vital; timid or aggressive cats must be excluded from breeding programs.
Conclusion
The Siberian cat is one of the oldest and most authentic natural breeds, perfectly adapted to harsh environments. Within the ICCF system, it is regarded as a national treasure of Russia — a model of strength, endurance, and natural beauty. Its defining traits are a strong body, dense water-repellent coat, expressive eyes, and noble temperament. Only cats with official ICCF documentation confirming pure origin and conformity to the standard may participate in shows and breeding. The primary goal of breeders is to preserve health, strengthen genetics, and maintain the traditional Siberian type — a living emblem of natural grace and power.
