Nebelung Cat Breed

Registration: GCCF, TICA
Country of Origin: United States of America
Hypoallergenic: No
Size: Medium
Coat: Long
Colours: Blue with silver tips
Temperament: Intelligent, Loyal, Affectionate, Gentle, Shy, Calm

History

American breeder Cora Cobb developed the Nebelung cat breed in the 1980s and achieved its recognition in The International Cat Association.

The first registered Nebelungs were Siegfried, who was born in 1984 and named after the murdered dragon slayer from a Germanic poem, and Brunhilde, who was born in 1985 and named after the Icelandic queen in the same poem.

The mother of Siegfried's was a black domestic shorthair cat named Elsa, owned by Cora's son, Karl, and Siegfried's father was a longhair that looks like a black Angora cat. Siegfried was the only blue longhair kitten. He was a beautiful, large kitten with a medium-length coat, long legs, and long tail.

After five months, a second litter was born with another longhaired blue cat; however, this time, it was a female cat that Cora named Brunhilde where the coat was longer and lighter than Siegfried's. These two beautiful cats were the foundation of the new breed. In 1986, Siegfried and Bruhilde had their first litter and shortly afterwards, in 1987, with the assistance of Dr. Solveig Pflueger, Cora applied to The International Cat Association for New Breed status (NBC).

The International Cat Association recognized the Nebelung cat breed for championship competition in 1997.

Appearance

The Nebelungs are very much comparable to the elegant-yet-muscular Russian Blue breed. But this breed has a thick, glistening, medium-length coat. These muscular cats are medium-sized with a long but sturdy body covered with a smooth medium-length blue coat gleaming silver at the tips. Nebelung cats look like the type of longhaired cats from Russia in the late nineteenth and early 20th centuries.

Their long tail has a full thick plume, elegantly balancing their long body. Their large ears are in proportion to their head and add to the elegant appearance. They have wide-set green eyes that convey a look of intelligence to their face.

Their dense coat is medium in length. The silver tips to the ends of their hair give the cat's silky-soft coat a glowing, misty aura. Thus enhances the cat’s allure and mystery, linked with a mythical creature rising from the mists.

Nebelung kittens may have yellowish-green eyes. However, when they turn two years old, their eyes will develop into a vivid green. They are born with “ghost stripes” that serves as a reminder of their tabby gene that all cats carry. But as they grow older, these fade, leaving them with a solid blue coat. Moreover, their coat generally does not develop fully until two years of age.

In cat shows, they call the coat’s colour blue instead of grey. It is ideal if their fur is silver-tipped, which makes their coat appear shimmering. However, silver tipping is only noticeable on their head and shoulders.

Personality

Dedicated to their human companions and family members, the bright Nebelungs can be shy with guests and young children. Nebelung kittens require time to adjust to their new home so you’ll need to be patient and let them come to you in their own time. Once settled, the playful Nebelung kitten will become an affectionate, cuddling feline companion that won’t leave your side.

Nebelungs can form a strong bond with one human, usually the one that feeds them. Once they get to know one family member, they usually develop an attachment to that person and will follow them devotedly wherever they go. They are highly intelligent, playful, energetic, good-natured cats that make wonderful feline companions for older children and other pets.

While Nebelung cats are affectionate and loyal, they can be shy and even aloof to people they are not familiar with. It is not uncommon for these reserved cats to hide away when there are guests visiting the house. So, give them small spaces in the house like boxes where they can hide out if needed.

What is commendable about this cat breed is they are very undemanding yet caring. They will do fine on their own if you have to leave to go to work. They also have a playful side; that’s why you need to make sure that you provide them with lots of interactive toys and any other forms of enrichment to keep them mentally stimulated, entertained, and exercised.

Like most cats, the Nebelung is known to do well with routine. So, make sure that only a few changes happen in your household as too much change can make them feel unsettled and nervous. Also, they can be picky with their food. But once you find what they like, keep an eye on their weight as they can quickly become overweight.

Trainability

Because of their tendency to be shy and reserved, early socialisation and training is a must for these beautiful cats. Starting socialisation when they are kittens and continuing it for a long time will minimise the chances of them becoming anxious.

As you start them young, you can also train them to do easy tasks such as using the litter box and scratching post. They are highly intelligent, so training them is easy. Challenge their clever mind by making sure that they have puzzles, interactive toys, and other forms of enrichment to keep them mentally stimulated, entertained and exercised.

When a Nebelung is appropriately trained and socialised to different people, animals and various situations and environments during their kittenhood, they will grow to be a well-mannered, well-behaved and well-bred feline companion.

Coat & Care

Brush or comb your Nebelung’s coat at least twice a week to ensure that it does not become tangled or matted. This will also eliminate dead hair and distribute skin oils.

Start a grooming routine with them as early as possible. Begin by using a very soft brush to gently smooth the coat and eliminate dead hairs that cause hairballs. Make sure it is a fun and pleasurable experience for your Nebelung and reward them with treats for behaving well.

Allot ample time weekly to examine your Nebelung’s ears and eyes. For their ears, check for visible dirt and wax buildup. Remove it gently using clean cotton balls to wipe it out. Remember not to use cotton swabs, as this may irritate and damage the inner ear structure of your cat. Check for any odour coming out of their ears as this may indicate infection.

For their eyes, check for stains and discharges. Clean them using a clean, soft cloth moistened with a vet-approved cleanser. Just make sure to use a different part of the cloth to avoid the spread of infection.

For their dental health, weekly brushing is sufficient to keep your cat from tartar buildup and tooth and gum diseases. Ask your vet for the best toothbrush and toothpaste for your cat to effectively clean their teeth and mouth. For their nails, keep them clean by trimming them using a proper pet nail clipper twice a month or as needed.

Keep their litter boxes clean at all times. The Nebelung is particular about their bathroom hygiene. If always left soiled, they may develop a behaviour of using other areas of the house for their business. Also, a clean litter box prevents their long coat from getting dirt, debris and clumped litter stuck to it.

Health

The Nebelung cat is generally a healthy breed with no known predispositions. Still, we recommend only buying from a registered breeder who runs DNA health checks on their cats. That way, you’ll have peace of mind that they will live a long and healthy life.

An owner’s main issue will perhaps be the cat's hearty appetite. These cats like to eat a lot, which can turn them from sleek to overweight in no time. It is also essential to keep your cat’s vaccine and shots up-to-date along with regular vet check-ups.

Children & Other Pets

While they are an affectionate cat breed, Nebelungs develop a strong bond with one family member, so they thrive as companions to people who live alone. As they tend to be shy or reserved, they do best in a household without young children as they desire a peaceful and quiet home.

Moreover, it is also best for a Nebelung to be in a household without frequent visitors or changes as this can make them anxious. If there’s a child in the household, teach them to treat this cat with a gentle touch and respect.