General Breed Standard
The Siberian Forest Cat, Russia’s native feline, boasts a history tracing back to around the year 1000. Originating from the harsh Siberian climate, this breed is a testament to natural selection, embodying resilience and balance without extremes. Siberians are medium to medium-large, powerfully built cats distinguished by their impressive triple coat and surprising weight for their size. The breed’s overall impression is one of strength, commanding presence, and keen alertness, softened by a gentle facial expression. Notably, Siberian cats are slow to reach full maturity, often taking up to five years. Females are typically smaller than males, a factor to consider when evaluating them against the breed standard, especially when comparing to males or younger cats. Breed type is prioritized over size. The Siberian’s conformation emphasizes roundedness and circular forms, contrasting with angular or rectangular silhouettes.
Head Conformation
Shape
The Siberian’s head is a modified wedge shape of medium to large size, proportionate to the body, and characterized by rounded contours. It is broadest at the skull’s apex, gently narrowing towards a fully rounded muzzle. Cheekbones are neither high nor overly prominent. A slight dome is present between the ears, transitioning to an almost flat forehead. Mature males will exhibit well-developed jowls, while females present a more refined appearance.
Ears
Ears are medium to large, rounded at the tips, and broad at the base, tilting slightly forward. Their placement is more to the sides of the head than directly on top. The fur on the ear’s exterior is short and fine, becoming longer and denser within the ear, particularly at the base. Ear tipping, or lynx tipping, is permissible.
Eyes
The eyes are medium to large, nearly round, and harmoniously sized with the head. The outer eye corners are subtly angled towards the ear base. Set wider than one eye’s breadth apart, the eyes should convey openness, alertness, and expressiveness. Eye color is independent of coat or color pattern, with the exception of colorpoints, which possess blue eyes. Eye color itself is not assigned specific points in judging.
Chin
The chin is well-rounded, yet not protruding, aligning vertically with the nose.
Muzzle
The muzzle is moderately short, full, and rounded in profile. A gentle muzzle curvature is present, with a smooth, subtle transition from the head’s sides to the muzzle.
Profile
In profile, the head presents an almost flat top, featuring a slight nose curvature that forms a gentle slope from the forehead to the nose, concluding with a subtle concave curve just before the nasal tip.
Neck
The neck is rounded, robust, and well-muscled, supporting the substantial head.
Body Structure
Torso
The Siberian’s body is medium in length, powerfully muscled, with a back that arches slightly higher than the shoulders. A barrel-shaped, firm abdomen contributes to the sensation of substantial weight. A moderate stomach pad, sometimes referred to as a famine pouch, on the lower abdomen is acceptable.
Legs
Legs are medium in length and feature substantial boning. The hind legs are slightly longer than the front legs, providing a subtle slope to the topline.
Feet
The feet are large and rounded, with toe tufts being a desirable trait, adding to the breed’s rugged charm.
Tail
The tail is medium in length, ideally somewhat shorter than the body’s length. It is broad at the base, tapering gradually to a blunt tip, without any thickening or kinks, and is uniformly and thickly furred.
Boning
Skeletal structure is substantial, reflecting the breed’s robust nature.
Musculature
Musculature is substantial and powerful, indicative of the Siberian’s strength and agility.
Coat, Color, and Pattern
Length
The Siberian boasts a moderately long to longhaired coat, characterized by a distinctive triple coat. The fur on the shoulder blades and lower chest is dense yet slightly shorter. Adult Siberians are adorned with a profuse, full collar ruff that frames the head. Seasonal coat variations are expected, with a less dense coat in warmer months. The coat may exhibit thicker, curling tendencies on the belly and britches, but a consistently wavy coat is not typical.
Texture
Coat texture ranges from coarse to soft, and can vary based on color. Mature cats possess a dense undercoat, which becomes significantly thicker in colder climates, providing excellent insulation.
Color and Pattern
Siberian cats are accepted in all colors and combinations, with or without white markings. White is permissible in any quantity and location. White or off-white markings are common on the chin, chest, and stomach of tabby Siberians. Buttons, spots, and lockets are also allowed. Strong, vivid colors and clear patterns are favored. Slight tarnishing in silver varieties is not penalized.
Alt text: Siberian Forest Cat Breed Standard Point Distribution Chart: Head (45 points), Body (40 points), Coat/Color (15 points). Head: Shape 15, Profile 3, Ears 5, Eyes 5, Chin 4, Muzzle 10, Neck 3. Body: Torso 10, Legs 5, Feet 3, Tail 5, Boning 10, Musculature 7. Coat/Color: Length 5, Texture 5, Pattern 3, Color 2.
Temperament
Siberian cats are known for their unchallenging temperament. They are generally affectionate, playful, and adaptable, making them wonderful companions.
Allowances and Penalties in Judging
Allowances
Given the Siberian’s slow maturation, judges should consider coat development and physical structure when evaluating kittens and young adults. Buttons, spots, and lockets are permissible and should not be penalized.
Penalties
Faults to be penalized include a straight profile, narrow or fox-like muzzle, excessively long tail, delicate boning, lack of muscularity, elongated body, almond-shaped eyes, and disproportionately long or short legs. An adult Siberian lacking adequate body weight or exhibiting a long body should also be penalized.
Disqualifications
Disqualifying traits include a kinked tail, incorrect number of toes (polydactyly is not standard), and crossed eyes. Any evidence of illness, poor health, or emaciation is also grounds for disqualification.
Alt text: Siberian Forest Cat Profile Close-up: Illustrating the breed’s rounded muzzle, medium-large rounded ears, and gentle facial slope, key features of the standard head shape.
Siberian Color Varieties
Eye Color
Acceptable eye colors for Siberians include shades of green, gold, green-gold, or copper. White Siberians and those with white markings may have blue or odd eyes (one blue and one of another permissible color).
Nose Leather and Paw Pads
Nose leather and paw pad colors can be any color or combination, not necessarily correlated with coat color, except in specific color-linked cases. Cats with white feet may have pink paw pads or bi-colored/multi-colored pads.
Buttons, Spots, and Lockets
The presence of buttons, spots, and lockets is permissible across all colors and patterns. Cats exhibiting these markings are judged based on their primary color, without penalty for these white markings.
White
Pure glistening white. Nose leather and paw pads: pink is desirable.
Black
Dense coal black, solid color from root to tip. Nose leather: black is desirable. Paw pads: black is desirable.
Blue
Uniform tone from nose to tail tip, solid to the roots. Nose leather and paw pads: blue is desirable.
Red
Deep, rich, clear, brilliant red, without shading, markings, or ticking. Nose leather and paw pads: brick red is desirable.
Cream
Uniform shade of buff cream, unmarked. Solid to the roots. Lighter shades are preferred. Nose leather and paw pads: pink is desirable.
Chinchilla Silver
Pure white undercoat. Black tipping on the back, flanks, head, and tail gives a sparkling silver appearance. Legs may have slight tipping. Chin, ear tufts, stomach, and chest are pure white. Black outlines rim the eyes, lips, and nose. Nose leather: brick red is desirable. Paw pads: black is desirable.
Shaded Silver
White undercoat with a mantle of black tipping shading down from the ridge, face, and tail to white on the chin, chest, stomach, and under the tail. Legs match the face tone. Darker overall effect than chinchilla. Black outlines rim eyes, lips, and nose. Nose leather: brick red is desirable. Paw pads: black is desirable.
Chinchilla Golden
Warm cream undercoat. Black tipping on back, flanks, head, and tail creates a golden appearance. Legs may have slight tipping. Chin, ear tufts, stomach, and chest are cream. Black outlines rim eyes, lips, and nose. Nose leather: deep rose is desirable. Paw pads: black is desirable.
Shaded Golden
Warm cream undercoat with a black-tipped mantle shading down from the ridge, face, and tail to cream on the chin, chest, stomach, and under the tail. Legs match face tone. Darker effect than chinchilla golden. Black outlines rim eyes, lips, and nose. Nose leather: deep rose is desirable. Paw pads: black is desirable.
Shell Cameo (Red Chinchilla)
White undercoat. Red tipping on the back, flanks, head, and tail creates a sparkling appearance. Face and legs may have slight tipping. Chin, ear tufts, stomach, and chest are white. Nose leather and paw pads: rose is desirable.
Shaded Cameo (Red Shaded)
White undercoat with a red-tipped mantle shading down the sides, face, and tail to white on the chin, chest, stomach, and under the tail. Legs match face tone. Redder effect than shell cameo. Nose leather and paw pads: rose is desirable.
Shell Tortoiseshell
White undercoat. Delicate black tipping with defined patches of red and cream-tipped hairs, characteristic of tortoiseshell patterns, on the back, flanks, head, and tail. Face and legs may have slight tipping. Chin, ear tufts, stomach, and chest are white to slightly tipped. A blaze of red or cream tipping on the face is desirable.
Shaded Tortoiseshell
White undercoat. Black-tipped mantle and defined patches of red and cream-tipped hairs (tortoiseshell pattern). Shading down sides, face, and tail from dark on the ridge to slightly tipped or white on the chin, chest, stomach, legs, and under the tail. Darker effect than shell tortoiseshell. A blaze of red or cream tipping on the face is desirable.
Black Smoke
White undercoat, deeply tipped with black. Appears black at rest; white undercoat visible in motion. Face, legs, and tail black with a narrow white band at hair base, seen when fur is parted. Light silver frill and ear tufts. Nose leather and paw pads: black is desirable.
Blue Smoke
White undercoat, deeply tipped with blue. Appears blue at rest; white undercoat visible in motion. Face, legs, and tail blue with a narrow white band at hair base, seen when fur is parted. White frill and ear tufts. Nose leather and paw pads: blue is desirable.
Cream Smoke
White undercoat, deeply tipped with cream. Appears cream at rest; white undercoat visible in motion. Face, legs, and tail cream with a narrow white band at hair base, seen when fur is parted. White frill and ear tufts. Nose leather and paw pads: pink is desirable.
Cameo Smoke (Red Smoke)
White undercoat, deeply tipped with red. Appears red at rest; white undercoat visible in motion. Face, legs, and tail red, with a narrow white band at hair base, seen when fur is parted. White frill and ear tufts. Nose leather, eye rims and paw pads: rose is desirable.
Smoke Tortoiseshell
White undercoat, deeply tipped with black with defined, unbrindled patches of red and cream-tipped hairs (tortoiseshell pattern). Appears tortoiseshell at rest; white undercoat visible in motion. Face, legs, and tail tortoiseshell pattern with narrow white band at hair base, seen when fur is parted. White ruff and ear tufts. A blaze of red or cream tipping on the face is desirable.
Blue-Cream Smoke
White undercoat, deeply tipped with blue, with defined patches of cream (blue-cream pattern). Appears blue-cream at rest; white undercoat visible in motion. Face, legs, and tail blue-cream pattern with narrow white band at hair base, seen when fur is parted. White ruff and ear tufts. A blaze of cream tipping on the face is desirable.
Tabby Patterns
Classic Tabby Pattern
Markings are dense, clearly defined, and broad. Legs evenly barred with bracelets extending to body markings. Tail evenly ringed. Multiple necklaces on neck and upper chest, locket permissible. Frown marks on forehead forming an “M.” Unbroken line from outer eye corner. Swirls on cheeks. Vertical lines on back of head to shoulder markings (butterfly shape with dotted wings). Back markings: vertical spine line with parallel stripes, separated by ground color stripes. Large side blotch encircled by unbroken rings. White buttons/lockets allowed.
Mackerel Tabby Pattern
Markings are dense, clearly defined, and narrow pencillings. Legs evenly barred with narrow bracelets to body markings. Tail barred. Necklaces on neck and chest, white locket allowed. Head barred with “M” on forehead. Unbroken lines from eyes. Lines down head to shoulders. Spine lines form narrow saddle. Narrow pencillings around body. White buttons/lockets allowed.
Patched Tabby Pattern (Torbie)
A patched tabby (torbie) is a silver, brown, blue, or blue-silver tabby with red and/or cream patches. White buttons/lockets allowed.
Spotted Tabby Pattern
Body markings are spots, varying in size and shape, ideally round and evenly distributed, not forming a broken mackerel pattern. Dorsal stripe runs body length to tail tip, ideally composed of spots. Face and forehead have typical tabby markings. “Vest buttons” on underside. Legs and tail barred. White buttons/lockets allowed.
Ticked Tabby Pattern
Body hairs ticked with shades of marking and ground color. Body appears free of distinct spots, stripes, or blotches from above, except for darker dorsal shading. Lighter underside may show tabby markings. Face, legs, and tail show distinct tabby striping. White buttons/lockets allowed.
Tabby Color Variations
Brown Patched Tabby
Brilliant coppery brown ground color with black classic or mackerel tabby markings and clearly defined red and/or cream patches on body and extremities. Red/cream blaze on face desirable. Lips and chin match eye ring shade.
Blue Patched Tabby
Pale bluish ivory ground color (including lips and chin) with deep blue classic or mackerel tabby markings, contrasting well with ground color. Clearly defined cream patches on body and extremities. Cream blaze on face desirable. Warm fawn overtones or patina overall.
Silver Patched Tabby
Pale silver ground color (including lips and chin) with black classic or mackerel tabby markings and clearly defined red and/or cream patches on body and extremities. Red/cream blaze on face desirable.
Silver Tabby (Classic, Mackerel, Spotted, Ticked)
Pale, clear silver ground color (including lips and chin). Dense black markings. Nose leather: brick red is desirable. Paw pads: black is desirable.
Blue-Silver Tabby (Classic, Mackerel, Spotted, Ticked)
Pale, clear silver ground color. Deep blue markings for good contrast. White trim around chin and lip allowed. Nose leather: old rose is desirable. Paw pads: rose is desirable.
Blue-Silver Patched Tabby
Pale, clear silver ground color with deep blue classic or mackerel tabby markings for contrast. Clearly defined cream patches on body and extremities. Cream blaze on face desirable. White trim around chin and lip allowed.
Red Tabby (Classic, Mackerel, Spotted, Ticked)
Red ground color. Deep, rich red markings. Red lips and chin. Nose leather and paw pads: brick red is desirable.
Brown Tabby (Classic, Mackerel, Spotted, Ticked)
Brilliant coppery brown ground color. Dense black markings. Black leg back from paw to heel. Nose leather and paw pads: black or brown is desirable.
Blue Tabby (Classic, Mackerel, Spotted, Ticked)
Pale bluish ivory ground color (including lips and chin). Deep blue markings for contrast. Warm fawn overtones or patina overall. Nose leather and paw pads: rose is desirable.
Cream Tabby (Classic, Mackerel, Spotted, Ticked)
Very pale cream ground color (including lips and chin). Buff or cream markings sufficiently darker for contrast, within dilute color range. Nose leather and paw pads: pink is desirable.
Cream Silver Tabby (Classic, Mackerel, Spotted, Ticked)
Cream markings. White undercoat. Nose leather and paw pads: pink is desirable.
Cameo Tabby (Classic, Mackerel, Spotted, Ticked)
Red markings. White undercoat. Nose leather and paw pads: rose is desirable.
Golden Tabby (Classic, Mackerel, Spotted, Ticked)
Rich golden ground color. Pale honey to bright apricot undercoat. Markings range from rich brown to black, contrasting well with ground color, intensity varies with age. Lighter shading around muzzle, chest, undersides, and almost white toes possible. Nose leather: rose, with or without darker outlining. Paw pads: black.
Blue Golden Tabby (Classic, Mackerel, Spotted, Ticked)
Rich golden ground color. Pale honey to bright apricot undercoat. Dense blue markings for contrast. Nose leather: rose. Paw pads: blue or rose.
Parti-Color Patterns
Tortoiseshell
Black with red patches or soft red intermingling on body and extremities. Multiple red shades acceptable.
Calico
White with unbrindled black and red patches. Minimum white: feet, legs, undersides, chest, muzzle. Inverted “V” blaze on face desirable.
Dilute Calico
White with unbrindled blue and cream patches. Minimum white: feet, legs, undersides, chest, muzzle. Inverted “V” blaze on face desirable.
Blue-Cream
Blue with solid cream patches. Clearly defined, well-broken patches on body and extremities.
Bi-Color and Van Patterns
Bi-Color
Solid color and white, tabby and white, smoke and white, shaded and white, colorpoint and white. White allowed in any amount, any area. White/off-white on chin, breast, stomach of tabbies allowed.
Van Bi-Color
Black and white, blue and white, red and white, or cream and white. White cat with color restricted to extremities: head, tail, legs. One or two small body color patches allowed.
Van Calico
White cat with unbrindled black and red patches restricted to extremities: head, tail, legs. One or two small body color patches allowed.
Van Dilute Calico
White cat with unbrindled blue and cream patches restricted to extremities: head, tail, legs. One or two small body color patches allowed.
Tabby and White
White with colored portions conforming to established tabby color standards.
Smoke/Shaded/Shell and White
White with colored portions conforming to color standard.
Tortoiseshell and White
White with colored portions conforming to tortoiseshell standard.
Blue-Cream and White
White with colored portions conforming to blue-cream standard.
Any Other Siberian Colors
Any other color or pattern except those indicating hybridization (chocolate, lavender/lilac, or these with white).
Colorpoint Patterns
Siberian (Point) Pattern
Body: clear color preferred, subtle shading allowed. Allowance for darker color in older cats, but definite contrast between body and point color. Points (ears, legs, feet, tail, mask) show basic cat color. Ideal mask extends from above eyes to chin and beyond eyes laterally.
Seal Point
Body: even pale fawn to cream, warm tone, shading to lighter on stomach/chest. Points deep seal brown. Nose leather and paw pads: seal brown. Eye color: blue.
Blue Point
Body: bluish white, cold tone. Points blue. Nose leather and paw pads: slate blue. Eye color: blue.
Flame (Red) Point
Body: creamy white. Points deep orange flame to deep red. Nose leather and paw pads: flesh to coral pink. Eye color: blue.
Cream Point
Body: creamy white. Points buff cream. Nose leather and paw pads: flesh to coral pink. Eye color: blue.
Tortie Point
Body: creamy white or pale fawn. Points seal with unbrindled red and/or cream patches. Nose leather and paw pads: seal brown and/or coral pink. Eye color: blue.
Blue-Cream Point
Body: bluish white or creamy white. Points blue with cream patches. Nose leather and paw pads: slate blue and/or pink. Eye color: blue.
Lynx Point Patterns (Tabby Points)
Siberian Lynx (Point) Pattern
Mask clearly lined with dark stripes: vertical “M” on forehead, horizontal on cheeks. Light rings around eyes, dark spots on light whisker pads (dark outlined edges). Inner ear light, ticking on outer ear. Markings dense, defined, broad. Legs barred with bracelets. Tail barred with lighter underside. Body shading may show ghost striping.
Seal Lynx Point
Points beige-brown ticked with darker brown tabby markings. Body pale cream to fawn, warm tone. Nose leather: seal brown or brick red. Paw pads: seal brown. Eye color: blue.
Blue Lynx Point
Points light, silvery blue, ticked with darker blue tabby markings. Body bluish white, cold tone. Nose leather: blue or old rose. Paw pads: blue. Eye color: blue.
Flame (Red) Lynx Point
Points deep orange flame ticked with deep red tabby markings. Body creamy white. Nose leather and paw pads: flesh to coral pink. Eye color: blue.
Cream Lynx Point
Points pale cream ticked with dark cream tabby markings. Body creamy white, lighter than points. Nose leather and paw pads: flesh to coral pink. Eye color: blue.
Tortie Lynx Point
Points beige-brown with dark brown tabby markings and red patches. Body creamy white or pale fawn. Nose leather and paw pads: seal brown, brick red and/or coral pink. Eye color: blue.
Blue-Cream Lynx Point
Points blue with darker blue tabby markings and cream patches. Body bluish white, cold tone. Nose leather and paw pads: blue, old rose and/or pink. Eye color: blue.
Seal Silver Lynx Point
Points silvery, ground color ticked with brown to brownish black barring. Colder, duller seal coloring compared to non-silver seal tabby point. Body ivory to pale fawn beige. White undercoat. Silver white underside of tail base. Nose leather: pink to seal to brick red, with/without black lining. Paw pads: brownish black with rosy undertones allowed. Eye Color: blue.
Blue Silver Lynx Point
Points bluish silver ticked with darker blue-gray tabby markings. Body bluish white to silver gray, cold tone, no brown trace. Silver white underside of tail base. Nose Leather: blue or old rose lined in blue. Paw Pads: dark blue to slate gray. Eye color: blue.
Bimetallic Colors
Bimetallic Colors
Unique agouti gene expression giving silver and gold combination appearance with darker tipping (shaded) or tabby markings in recognized patterns (shaded, tabby, bi-colors, pointed). All bimetallic cats have white to off-white undercoat, appear primarily silver with pale gold areas. Tipping/tabby markings from black in silver areas to rich brown in golden areas. Lighter shading on muzzle, chest, undersides, and almost white toes possible. Body markings less prominent with age; head and facial markings are key. Nose leather: pink to rose, no outlining. Paw pads: black desirable.
Siberian Color Class Numbers
Siberian Allowable Outcross Breeds: None.
| Color Class | Male Class Number | Female Class Number |
|---|---|---|
| Bi-Color and Parti-Color | 3730 | 3731 |
| All Other Siberian Colors | 3700 | 3701 |
| AOV | None | None |
