Neva Masquerade

The Neva Masquerade is a breed or sub-breed of semi-longhaired domestic cat, which originates in Russia. It is the sister breed or colourpoint variant of the Siberian cat, a pedigreed breed selecively bred from a centuries-old Russian landrace.

The colourpoint markings are the result of a colourpoint gene, originally found in Asian cats. The Neva Masquerade is believed to be derived from crossing the Siberian cat with Asian colourpointed landrace cats, or possibly pedigree cats related to those, such as the Himalayan (colourpointed Persian), Siamese or Thai breed.

Some cat registries classify the Neva Masquerade as a colourpoint variety or sub-breed of the Siberian cat, while others consider it to be a separate sister breed. Regardless of its classification, all Neva Masquerade cats are selectively bred and pedigreed today in all major cat fancier and breeder organisations under the Siberian (Forest) cat or Neva Masquerade. This means that all Neva Masquerade cats are purebred cats with a formally registered ancestry.

The colourpoint Neva Masquerade has distinctive blue eyes and darker (tabby) point markings. It is a medium to large sized, muscular semi-longhair breed with an unique triple-coat and bushy tail. Apart from the obvious similarities with the Siberian cat, the cat bears similarities with the Norwegian forest cat, and with other colourpoint long-haired cats, such as the Birman, Himalayan, and Ragdoll.