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Nebelung vs Russian Blue
Two quiet, blue, reserved cats; the Nebelung has a long silky coat and the Russian Blue a short plush one.
Verdict
These are close in temperament. Both are gentle, soft-voiced, loyal to their own people and shy with strangers, and both suit a calm home with a regular routine. The thing that decides it is the coat. The Nebelung has a silky semi-long coat that needs regular combing, while the Russian Blue has a short double coat that needs little. Choose the Nebelung for the plume tail and silver sheen, the Russian Blue for easier care.
Choose the Nebelung if
- You want a semi-long, silky blue coat and a plume tail.
- You will comb it regularly; it scores 3 for grooming against 2.
- You want a medium cat of 8-14 lb, slightly larger than the Russian Blue.
- You accept that it is rare and may mean a wait for a kitten.
Choose the Russian Blue if
- You want a short, plush coat with silver-tipped guard hairs and light grooming.
- You are out for a workday more often; it scores 4 for independence against 3.
- You live in a small flat; it scores 5 for apartments against 4.
- You want the more intelligent of the two, scoring 5 against 4.
Where they are alike
Both are solid blue, with scores of 1 for vocal, and both can be reserved when visitors arrive. Each does best in a quiet household that keeps to a steady routine.
Side by side
| Nebelung | Russian Blue | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Longhair and semi-longhair | Shorthair |
| Origin | United States | Arkhangelsk region, Russia |
| Size | Medium | Medium |
| Typical weight | 8-14 lb (3.6-6.4 kg); males are larger | About 5-12 lb (2.3-5.4 kg); males are larger |
| Lifespan | Often reported as 12-16 years; few studies | 12-15 years |
| Coat length | Long | Short |
| Coat | Soft, silky semi-long coat with a fine undercoat and longer guard hairs, with a plume tail | Short, dense, plush double coat; the guard hairs have silver tips |
| How common | Rare | Uncommon |
| Affection | 4 | 4 |
| Energy | 3 | 3 |
| Playfulness | 3 | 3 |
| Talkativeness | 1 | 1 |
| Grooming needed | 3 | 2 |
| Shedding | 3 | 3 |
| Good with children | 3 | 3 |
| Good with other pets | 3 | 3 |
| Happy alone | 3 | 4 |
| Trainability | 4 | 5 |
| Suits a small home | 4 | 5 |
| Allergies | No breed is hypoallergenic. The Nebelung's silky coat sheds moderately, and cat allergen is present in skin and saliva whatever the coat. | — |
| 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. | A quiet household or a single person who wants a gentle, loyal, clever cat and keeps to a regular routine. |
| Less suited to | A busy house with constant visitors or noise, or anyone who wants a boisterous, outgoing cat. | A noisy house with many visitors, or anyone who wants a cat that greets every guest. |
| Registries that recognise it |
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Facts come from each breed's profile. Scores run from 1 (low) to 5 (high) and describe a breed in general. Every cat is an individual, so meet the cat before you decide.
Last reviewed November 7, 2026