Nibelung (cat)

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Nibelung (cat)
Nibelung (cat)

Video: Nibelung (cat)

Video: Nibelung (cat)
Video: Кошки Nebelung 101: забавные факты и мифы 2024, March
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The Nibelung (Nebelung cat) is a rare breed of blue long-haired cats, similar to the Russian blue. The main difference between the Nibelung and the Russian blue cat is the length of the coat. This is a sweet and kind animal with a quiet voice and wonderful character. They are patient and good-natured, loyal to their family, but at the same time unobtrusive. The Nibelungs love to frolic, but in moderation. Conservatives do not like change, they need time to get used to a new home or to you. These cats do not tolerate noise, scandals, screams, etc. Ideal cats for a small house and apartment that do not like to walk outside too much.

Weight: 2.5-5 kg (castrated males - up to 6.5 kg).

Height: up to 40 cm.

Cost (price) of a kitten: on Avito Nibelungen kittens are offered for 35,000-50,000 rubles. In America, the price for "medium" kittens ranges from $ 300 to $ 500, in the breed and show class from $ 800- $ 1200 and more.

Life span: 12-15 years.

Breed diseases: no hereditary diseases were found.

Country of origin: USA.

The breed is recognized by felinological organizations: TICA, ACFA / CAA, WCF.

Nibelung (long-haired Russian blue cat), photo photograph
Nibelung (long-haired Russian blue cat), photo photograph

Nibelung: buying a kitten

Nicknames for the Nibelung

Nibelung: feeding and care

Health

Maintenance of the Nibelung

History of the breed

In the early 1980s, in Denver, Colorado, USA, a black domestic shorthaired cat named Elsa met a shorthaired neighbor cat that looked like a Russian blue. The result of this date was the birth of six kittens - five short-haired black and blue and one blue, solid color, with long shiny hair, slender legs and body type like the Russian blue.

Computer programmer Cora Cobb took this kitten for herself and named him Siegfried after the hero of Wagner's opera The Ring of the Nibelungs. In the next litter of Elsa there were seven kittens, among which a very beautiful long-haired cat of solid blue color stood out. Her long, silky coat was longer and lighter than Siegfried's, and Cobb thought these two might be the founders of a completely new breed. Cobb named the female Brunhilde, after the beloved Siegfried from the Wagner Opera, and left the rest in the hands of Mother Nature. In May 1986, Siegfried and Brünnhilde gave birth to three solid blue longhaired kittens.

With the help of geneticist Dr. Solveig Pfluger, Cobb wrote the Nibelung standard almost identical to the Russian Blue except for the length of the coat and the introductory part of the description. TICA accepted the breed for registration in September 1987. The name "Nibelung" is translated from German - "creation of the fog" or "a creature from the fog".

In 1993/1994, the first Nibelung in the Netherlands appeared not from the United States, but from Russia. Dutch breeder of Russian blue cats, Letty van den Brock, purchased a Russian blue kitten in Russia. Quite unexpectedly, this cat (Timofey) turned out to be long-haired. At that time Timofey was the first known long-haired Russian blue cat in Western Europe. His name does not appear in the pedigrees of modern Nibelungs, but his existence indicates the possible presence of a longhaired gene in the Russian blue population (the longhaired gene is recessive, so cats can carry the gene without any external signs).

Nibelung (long-haired Russian blue cat), photo photograph
Nibelung (long-haired Russian blue cat), photo photograph

In 1995, Cora was contacted by a TICA judge who saw a Russian Nibelung in Moscow. He was born from two purebred Russian blues. This was followed by the first exchange of Nibelungs between Russia and the United States. Cora managed to contact the breeder (Winterday or Winter Day cattery) of the Russian Nibelung and bought a kitten named Winter Day Dahlia from Nebelheim. Thanks to this cattery of Russian blues and Nibelungs, many Nibelungens have appeared over the years, who have won many titles in Russia.

Since then, the number of cats of this breed began to increase, and, despite the resistance of the breeders of the Russian blue cat, the breed received universal recognition. In 1997, TICA awarded the breed champion status.

Fans of this breed believe that the Nibelungs are a recreation of the long-haired Russian blue, which took part in the first cat show at London's Crystal Palace in 1871. These longhaired cats were very similar to modern Nibelungs.

The appearance of the nibelung

The Nibelungen are long-haired blue cats of a solid color, similar to the Russian blue. The main difference between these breeds is the length of the coat. The coat of the Russian blues is short and thick, while the coat of the Nibelungs is of medium length, thin, soft, silky and two-layered. A “collar” is noticeable on the neck (especially in males), hind legs have “breeches”, and an elegant plume on the tail. Tufts of fur grow behind the ears and between the toes. The adult coat reaches its full development by two years of age.

Nibelung (long-haired Russian blue cat), photo photograph
Nibelung (long-haired Russian blue cat), photo photograph

Nibelungen come in only one color - solid blue (although in fact it is light gray) with a distinct silver tint (the ends of the hair are silver tipped). Medium blue is preferred. Some kittens are born with "ghost stripes" that disappear as the animal grows older. The nose is blue-gray. The color of the eyes in cats over two years old is rich green, in kittens the eyes are yellow, as they grow older (by four months) a green ring appears around the pupil. Amber eye color is allowed.

The body of the Nibelung is elongated, slender, muscular and strong. The neck is long and graceful. The head is slightly wedge-shaped, rather elongated than round. In profile, the forehead is flat, the nose line is straight, clear, visually separating the animal's muzzle. The mustache pads are strongly accentuated, the chin is strong enough. The eyes are large, oval, set wide apart, slightly sloping towards the ears. The ears are large, slightly pointed. Tilted slightly forward. The width of the ears at the base is equal to the length of the ears themselves. The inner side of the ear is slightly pubescent, so that the ears appear thin and almost transparent.

The limbs are long, the paws are small, oval in shape. The paw pads are gray-blue. The tail of the breed is long and densely drooping.

The nature and temperament of the Nibelungs

Like Russian blues, Nibelungs are gentle, cute, kind cats with a quiet voice. They are pleasant conversationalists and listeners. Ideal cats for a small house and apartment that do not like to walk outside too much.

Conservatives do not like change, they need time to get used to a new home or to you. These cats do not tolerate noise, scandals, screams, etc. The Nibelungs love stability and a clear daily routine, so they need to be fed at the same time.

Nibelung (long-haired Russian blue cat), photo photograph
Nibelung (long-haired Russian blue cat), photo photograph

Usually the Nibelungs become attached to one person and surround him with their ardent love and devotion. But at the same time, these cats are unobtrusive. Some people like to sit on your lap, while others prefer to just be around, and someone is trying to help you type an article on a computer or prepare a meal in the kitchen. They have enough tact not to drive you crazy, requiring constant attention. But this does not mean that you can leave them to their fate. To feel happy, the Nibelung needs the love of the family, and especially of the person to whom they are most attached. Lack of attention can make him anxious or afraid.

If you are often away from home, then bring another cat (or dog), and the animals will entertain each other during your absence. Nibelungs get along well with other pets, but their companions should be calm and quiet animals. Of course, small animals and birds are perceived by them as prey, but sometimes there are exceptions.

The Nibelungs avoid communication with strangers, some prefer to study strangers from a safe distance, while others hide under the bed in horror. But when the Nibelungs get used to it and understand that they can trust a person, they become cheerful and playful. For children (6+), representatives of this breed are patient, but their communication should be monitored.

The Nibelungen can be quite picky about things like the cleanliness of the tray and the type of food. They have a sense of their own dignity and do not like to be laughed at.

The Nibelungs are cunning, they understand everything, but they do it all the same in their own way. They quickly figure out how to open the cabinet door and get their favorite toy or treat out of there. They love to climb higher and observe everyone from there, so the best solution would be to buy a tall "cat tree" (the more difficult it is, the better).

Cats of this breed prefer feather toys. Puzzle toys can keep your pet busy for a long time, especially toys with food.

Nibelung (long-haired Russian blue cat), photo photograph
Nibelung (long-haired Russian blue cat), photo photograph

Health of the Nibelungs

The average lifespan of the Nibelungs is 12-15 years, but with good care and feeding, many cats live up to 18-20 years.

The Nibelungen have excellent health. There are practically no genetic diseases in the breed. But this does not mean that you should forget about the existence of veterinarians. Like any other cats, Nibelungs are sick with infectious and parasitic diseases, so no one cancels vaccinations and annual examinations. The sooner a disease is detected, the faster and easier (and also “easier” for your wallet) its treatment will be.

The weight of the pet is the main thing that the owner of the Nibelung should pay attention to, since the breed is predisposed to be overweight. Some members of the breed have a predisposition to hyperthyroidism, diabetes (in overweight cats) and urolithiasis.

The Nibelungs have a calm, balanced character and do not tolerate various stressful situations. As the owners of these cats say - "stress hits the Nibelungs in the stomach." Cats may experience diarrhea, vomiting, and other gastrointestinal problems.

20 nicknames for the nibelung

For male kittens: Lapis Lazuli, Sapphire, Aquamarine, Indigo, Mavi, Topaz, Howie, Yunus, Glasan, Jonas.

For female kittens: Azura, Doli, Mina, Nomin, Celeste, Turquoise, Iona, Keke, Lavender, Tamila.

See the full list of nicknames …

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