SIBERIAN CAT COLOURS
What is the difference between a TRADITIONAL SIBERIAN and a COLOURPOINT SIBERIAN? Actually, there’s none…
There is only one Siberian cat, as defined by the Russian Federation in the 1980’s when the breed was first recognised. The beauty of this breed is its rainbow of colours derived from the original feral cats put forward for inclusion into the gene pool.
There was some debate as to whether a colourpoint could occur naturally in a feral cat at the foundation stage of the Siberian as a breed. Knowledge of genetics was limited and the only breeds to compare to were the Norwegian Forest and Maine Coon that do not permit the colourpoint. However, it was decided that just because these breeds had excluded this colour pattern, did not mean it was not possible. It was decided that even if the gene was introduced into the area, then it was done prior to the inception of the breed and therefore a legitimate colour pattern. Indeed many of the original foundation cats presented and accepted were colourpoint (nicknamed the Neva Masquerade Siberian, as they were predominantly found in the region of the Neva river) or carriers of this recessive gene.
If a person describes their cats as ‘Traditional Siberians', be aware they are misinformed and do not have good knowledge of the Siberian as a breed
Some breeders describe the range of colours as Traditional, Silver, Golden and Neva Masquerade or Colourpoint. Traditional colours are the primary colours found in feral cats, brown tabbies, black, red and torties and include the dilute versions, blue and cream.
In the feral state most cats are brown tabby as illustrated by the Scottish wild cat and is the most ‘natural’ colour for a ‘natural cat’. This is due to the success of this colour for its environment. However, it does not mean you cannot get natural or feral cats in the other colours. Genetically they are either in the make up of the cat or a spontaneous mutation. Whether these different coloured cats are successful breeders depends on the environment.
Colours have often been more successful when man is part of the equation. For example, in many farming communities in the UK the torties and reds are seen as the best mousers and these colour patterns encouraged by keeping black, brown tabbies and reds. This gene did not just appear because man thought it pleasant or useful! It was already in the gene code of the feral cat.
In the extreme, breeders have selected mutations such as silver and golden and have developed them into patterns such as shaded silver and golden by choosing those kittens with only the desired coat patterns and breeding them together.
Another example is the colourpoint. Often preferred by certain cultures, they have been developed into a number of breeds. Again this mutation is arguably universal and can occur in any region
There are occasionally breeders who choose to specialise in one or two colours. I prefer to let nature do what nature does best….