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Champion Arneri Mitrofan of Nebelheim |
Old Breed - New Beginning
Combining long silky hair with the elegant Russian Blue
body type, the Nebelung (German for "Creature of the Mist") breed
recreates the Russian longhair. These gorgeous cats were exhibited in the very
first British cat shows over one hundred years ago. Today the Nebelungs are a
championship breed in the International Cat Association (TICA).
Although the Russian longhair ceased to exist as a separate breed with the
establishment of the modern cat fancy, individual unrelated cats with its
traits still appear in the United States and Russia.
Siegfried (born 1984) and Brunhilde (born 1985) were the first
registered Nebelungs. They produced their first litter in 1986. Shortly after
the kittens were born, application was made to The International Cat
Association (TICA) for new breed status. . In 1987 TICA's Board of Directors
accepted the Nebelungs in the New Breed and Color (NBC) class. The breed was
later accepted in the championship category of the Traditional Cat Association
(TCA). It is a championship breed in the World Cat Federation (WCF) under the
name "Nibelung."
Since the breed's start, other foundation cats have been enrolled, as well as cats of pure Russian Blue ancestry with semi-long hair, several of them in Russia itself. Winter Day Georgin of Nebelheim was imported from Russia in 1997. His parents are championship Russian Blues and he is now a TICA champion.
A show quality Nebelung will have a long body, long legs, long tail,
broad shoulders and a head with flat planes. The hair is blue and tipped with
silver. Hair is semi long on the body and long on the plumy tail. The eyes are
green. The overall effect is that of a romanticized 1900 cat picture.
A Nebelung is highly intelligent and is loving to its owners and family
members, but may be shy with strangers, especially young children. If allowed
to make its own advances, it should become a devoted companion. Many Nebelungs
are lap sitters and love to be petted. Often they follow their owners from
room to room. If allowed, they enjoy sleeping on their owner’s bed.
Nebelungs are still quite rare. At present there are
breeders in Washington State, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, Mississippi,
Pennsylvania, as well as in the Netherlands, Germany and Russia.
Stud service is available. Although the breed is small,
there are at least three unrelated Nebelung lines, as well as championship
quality Russian Blue lines.
Nebelung breeders require a contract to be signed. It requires the new owner
to provide indoor facilities for the cat and to keep his or her shots current.
Health is guaranteed. In most cases, the contract will include a spay/neuter
agreement. The contract is to ensure the welfare of the cat, which comes first
with Nebelung breeders.