Nebelung cat breed: facts, temperament and care
A semi-longhaired blue cat with a silvery sheen, developed in the United States in the 1980s, with a gentle, reserved nature and a devoted bond to its family.
Also known as Nebelung cat, Nebelung longhair, longhaired Russian Blue, Nebelung blue
Quick facts
| Origin | United States |
|---|---|
| Size | Medium |
| Typical weight | 8-14 lb (3.6-6.4 kg); males are larger |
| Lifespan | Often reported as 12-16 years; few studies |
| Coat length | Long |
| Coat | Soft, silky semi-long coat with a fine undercoat and longer guard hairs, with a plume tail |
| Colours and patterns | Solid blue only, with a silver sheen |
Recognition
| How common | Rare |
|---|
Temperament and care (1 low, 5 high)
| Affection | 4 |
|---|---|
| Energy | 3 |
| Playfulness | 3 |
| Talkativeness | 1 |
| Grooming needed | 3 |
| Shedding | 3 |
| Good with children | 3 |
| Good with other pets | 3 |
| Happy alone | 3 |
| Trainability | 4 |
| Suits a small home | 4 |
Allergies and health
| Allergies | No breed is hypoallergenic. The Nebelung's silky coat sheds moderately, and cat allergen is present in skin and saliva whatever the coat. |
|---|
Best suited to
| Suits | A quiet home that wants a devoted, soft-voiced cat with a striking silver-blue coat and will give it a calm, steady routine. |
|---|---|
| Less suited to | A busy house with constant visitors or noise, or anyone who wants a boisterous, outgoing cat. |
Registries that recognise it
- TICA
- ACFA
- ACF
- WCF
- LOOF
About the Nebelung
The Nebelung is a semi-longhaired blue cat created in the United States in the 1980s by Cora Cobb, whose Nebelheim cattery is the origin of the name. The word is German and relates to mist, which suits the colour. Her foundation cats were Siegfried, a longhaired blue male born in 1984, and Brunhilde, a longhaired blue female born in 1985. The result looks like a Russian Blue with a long coat.
Nebelungs are medium in size with an elegant, fine-boned build, and the eyes are green. The coat is a clear, even medium blue with a silver sheen, silky and soft, with a plume of a tail. The nose and paw pads are slate-grey to pink-lavender. TICA gave the breed new-breed status in 1987 and full championship in 1997. Several other registries also recognise it, and it remains rare.
Temperament and living with one
Nebelungs are gentle and quiet, and often reserved with strangers. Many hide when visitors arrive and come out once things settle. With their own family they can be warm, loyal and affectionate, following one favourite person from room to room. They prefer calm, regular routines and may dislike sudden change.
They are playful in a measured way and love a chase game, a wand toy or a high perch where they can watch the room. Voices are soft and used sparingly. They can live happily with a gentle dog or another calm cat, and with older children who respect a cat's space. Early, gentle socialisation helps a kitten become confident.
Care: coat, food and play
The semi-long coat resists tangles better than many longhair coats, but it still benefits from combing twice a week, and more often during the seasonal moult. Pay attention behind the ears and under the legs, where fine fur can knot. Trim the nails and check the ears and teeth.
Feed a complete adult diet in measured meals to avoid weight gain. Give climbing space, interactive play each day, and a quiet retreat where the cat can go when the house is busy.
Health
The Nebelung is generally considered a healthy breed, and no breed-specific disease list is well established. As it is a rare breed with a small gene pool, ask the breeder what health testing the parents have had, including heart screening, since heart disease can occur in any cat. Ask your vet about vaccination, parasite control and dental care, and about any change in appetite, weight or litter box habits.
Is it right for you?
Choose a Nebelung if you want a loyal, quiet cat with a beautiful coat and can offer a calm home. It will take time to trust visitors. If you prefer a short coat in the same colour, compare the Russian Blue, and for a larger, longhaired cat look at the Norwegian Forest Cat or the Siberian.
Profile last reviewed November 7, 2026