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Raas vs Russian Blue
A very rare, high-energy, loud Indonesian cat against a quiet, calm, widely kept Russian Blue; the energy and voice are the gap.
Verdict
Both are short-coated cats that come in blue, with light grooming needs, but they live at very different speeds. The Raas scores 5 for energy and 4 for voice, suits a warm climate and a large home, and is very rare. The Russian Blue is quiet, scores 5 for apartments and for intelligence, and is far easier to find. Choose the Russian Blue for a calm household and a small flat. Choose the Raas only if you want a loud, athletic cat and have space.
Choose the Raas if
- You want a very energetic cat, scoring 5 for energy against 3.
- You enjoy a loud, deep voice; it scores 4 for voice against 1.
- You live in a warm climate and have space, since it scores 2 for apartments.
- You will search for one of the few official breeders of a very rare breed.
Choose the Russian Blue if
- You live in a small flat; it scores 5 for apartments against 2.
- You want a quiet cat, scoring 1 for voice.
- You are out for a workday; it scores 4 for independence against 3.
- You want the cleverer cat, scoring 5 for intelligence against 3.
Where they are alike
Both have short, close-lying coats, with grooming scores of 1 and 2 and shedding scores of 2 and 3. Each scores 3 for children and other pets, so a calm introduction matters with either.
Side by side
| Raas | Russian Blue | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Shorthair | Shorthair |
| Origin | Raas Island and Madura, Indonesia | Arkhangelsk region, Russia |
| Size | Medium | Medium |
| Typical weight | — | About 5-12 lb (2.3-5.4 kg); males are larger |
| Lifespan | — | 12-15 years |
| Coat length | Short | Short |
| Coat | Short to medium, close-lying, smooth and glossy coat | Short, dense, plush double coat; the guard hairs have silver tips |
| Cat Fanciers' Association | Not recognised by the CFA | — |
| How common | Very rare | Uncommon |
| Affection | 4 | 4 |
| Energy | 5 | 3 |
| Playfulness | 4 | 3 |
| Talkativeness | 4 | 1 |
| Grooming needed | 1 | 2 |
| Shedding | 2 | 3 |
| Good with children | 3 | 3 |
| Good with other pets | 3 | 3 |
| Happy alone | 3 | 4 |
| Trainability | 3 | 5 |
| Suits a small home | 2 | 5 |
| Suits | Someone in a warm climate, with time and space for an athletic cat, who is ready to seek out one of the few official breeders. | A quiet household or a single person who wants a gentle, loyal, clever cat and keeps to a regular routine. |
| Less suited to | A cold or very damp home, a small flat, or anyone who wants a quiet 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