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Early history Longhaired, solidly built cats could be found everywhere in Russia, not just in Siberia. When one used to ask the owner of a longhaired black cat what breed it was, one said Siberian. Russian cat lovers could only get seriously involved in breeding and showing their cats in the Eighties, after the end of the communist regime. 
Intriga The first Russian Cat Show took place in Riga in 1986. Due to the lack of means (money, knowledge, other languages and contacts), all these cats were novices, without pedigree. The Russians brought their moggies, Maine Coon, Turkish Angora, Norwegian Forest Cat, etc. But the judges saw that these cats did not look like those breeds, but had more the look of the real Russian Forest Cat. So it was decided to register these authentic longhaired farm cats. The Siberian Cat was born. 
Ch. Blue Sunshine What came next Breeding programs were mainly initiated around St. Petersburg. All sorts of cats were brought to that area during WWII to combat a rat plague. The first pedigrees were issued there too. So it’s not surprising that the longhaired color point cats, a color mainly found in the southern part of Russia, became known there. The first cats were registered in 1987. ROMAN, a male, was used by Mrs. Olga Mironova, as basis for the breed standard. Recognition took place in 1989. In 1991, the Siberian was recognized by the WCF, which got public interest started. The breed is still in full development.
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