Take A Look At The Blue Breeds

Photo by Vladimir Bezdek, Buratino5.

The four breeds of solid “blue” cats — the British Blue, the Chartreux, the Korat, and the Russian Blue — are adored for their bluish-gray coloring, but they can be very difficult to tell apart by the casual observer. All four breeds share a muscular physique and round eyes, but their finer points are less easily discernible. However, when a close look is taken, the differences between them can be easily recognized.

Unfortunately, none of these cats can be identified by coloring alone; the British Blue and Chartreux share gold or copper eyes, while the Korat and Russian Blue both have green eyes (although the Korat’s may not turn fully green until it is up to four years old, before which they are yellow with a green ring around the pupil). However, as far as coloring is concerned, the British Blue is the most distinct for its blue paw pads and because it lacks the silver tips on its fur which gives the other three breeds their glossy sheen. The coats themselves also give a hint as to which breed is which: the British Blue’s is the thickest, while the Korat and Russian Blue both have short, close-lying fur.

When identifying any cat breed, most of the distinct features besides coloring and body type are located around the face. The British Blue and Chartreux both have broad, rounded heads, while the Korat and Russian Blue appear slightly more refined. The British Blue and Korat both have large eyes and round-tipped ears.

Now that the similarities have been discussed, here’s a quick guide to each breed’s most distinctive features, so you can pick them out of a crowd.

British Blue

The blue version of the British Shorthair or British Domestic, the British Blue is a hardy, hardworking cat with a gentle nature, strong limbs, and a can-do attitude. This ancient English breed originally came only in blue, but now it can be found in almost all colors and patterns.

The British Blue shares the most similarities with the Chartreux, but its body is more compact and it has a very round face. Its whisker pads are large and round, and its muzzle has a gentle slope. It has large paws and a thick tail, and can be easily differentiated from the other breeds by its blue paw pads.

British Blue: Note the round face, broad muzzle, and copper eyes. British Shorthairs all have large, slightly snub muzzles, lending to a slight Persian appearance. Photo by by Marianna Olefyrenko, Marianna_OLE.

Chartreux

It’s said that cats were kept by French Carthusian monks as early as the sixteenth century, and that these became the Chartreux breed. These cats are excellent hunters, and affectionate and playful companions.

The Chartreux has the fewest unique features, but that only makes it more distinctive, as it appears to be a mix between a British Blue and a Russian Blue. Of the four, the Chartreux has the narrowest muzzle, but its most notable feature is its slightly woolly, water-resistant double coat, from which it may take its name.

Chartreux: Note the round paws and head, pointed and distinct muzzle, and copper eyes. This individual is likely not a purebred, so its features are not as distinct as a show cat’s would be, but it is still clearly a Chartreux. Photo by Sami Aksu.

Korat

The Korat is named for a province in Thailand, where it dates back to the Ayudhya Period of Siamese History (1350–1767). They are sweet and love to be around people, although they have especially sensitive sight, smell, and hearing, lending to their hunting prowess.

The Korat seems the least distinctive of the four breeds because it shares so many traits that might suggest it’s crossbred, but it has a couple of features that are easily noticeable. When compared to the other three blues, it can be identified by its curved back, oval paws, and its forelegs, which are shorter than its hind legs. But its most unique feature is its heart-shaped face, which is a specific trait that no other cat breed emulates.

Korat: Note the heart-shaped face, formed by the shape of the muzzle, the cheekbones, and the eyebrows. This is a young cat, so its eyes are not fully green yet, but they do have a greenish hue. Its ears are also large and upright. Photo by belen capello.

Russian Blue

Perhaps the most well-known of the four blues, the Russian Blue is an ancient and regal breed made even more distinct after World War II through selective breeding. They are amiable and intelligent, with a soft musical voice.

Possibly because of its breeding, the Russian Blue is the most recognizable of the four blue breeds. While none of the four have a truly Oriental body type, the Russian Blue is the closest, with a long, lithe body and tail. It also has a wedge-shaped face, with a muzzle that is straight from the nose to the forehead. Its ears are noticeably large and pointed. It also has a coat which is unique among all cat breeds: it has a double coat like the Chartreux, but its fur is short and silky, and leaves an imprint when touched.

Russian Blue: Note the vibrant green eyes, silvery coat, and the muzzle, which is straight from nose to forehead. This individual’s ears are smaller than a cat bred to meet show qualifications would be, but it retains the regal, fine-boned chest and legs of the Russian Blue breed. Photo by Spartacus & Marie, spartacusandmarie.

SOURCES:I

Cover image (by Vladimir Bezdek, Buratino5).

The British Blue’s introduction, breed standard, and image (by Marianna Olefyrenko, Marianna_OLE).

The Chartreux’s introduction, breed standard, and image (by Sami Aksu).

The Korat’s introduction, breed standard, and image (by belen capello).

The Russian Blue’s introduction, breed standard, and image (by Spartacus & Marie, spartacusandmarie).