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Originally Siberia was populated by nomads, fishers and hunters and according to many the Siberian Cat originates from the russian immigrants that during the 18th century brought cats with them, moving to Siberia. Siberia is no agricultural land and the cat was a beloved pet and was not primarally needed to keep rats away from the grains. Eventually, maybe due to a mix from locally present cats or the harsh climate, the cats developed a long, thick and water repellant coat. the tough life shaped them to be excellent hunters. Far from Europe these cats developed to be a healthy and strong breed where only the fittest could survive the rough climate. Finally the breed came back over the Urals to Moscow and St. Petersburg where cat clubs during the 1980's discovered the remarkable unique qualities of the Siberian Cat. Genetically, these these cats have been kept separate from european cats for over 100 years. Along came Glasnost and the fall of Berlin Wall and the borders against east were opened so the Siberians where now spreading out through West Europe. The origin of the breed can be seen from two different angles; one is the planned breeding that started in St. Petersburg 1987, second is the historical tales and stories in the old Russia about large, long haired cats from the eastern parts of the country as Siberians.

As early back in 1889 the Russian Longhair is mentioned in Harrison Weir´s book "Our Cats"!

It took a while before the Siberian Cat was considered to be a true breed outside Russia. 1997 the breed was recognized by Fédération Internationale Féline d´Europé (FIFe) and in 1998 the breed was certified. Already in 1992 the first Siberians were imported to Finland, but it would not be until the year 2000 that 10 Siberians were imported to Sweden.

 

The Siberian Cat is considered to be the native cat of Russia. In the 17th century immigrants brought cats with them as pets when colonizing the harsh land of Siberia. The hard climate and/or the mixing of wild cats made the Siberians develop a thick, waterproof coat. They are very able hunters and enjoy the company of humans.

When Vera Kravtsova Marklin moved to Sweden from Russia she was surprised that no one ever heard of the Siberian Cats. Together with a friend, Gunilla Wikstrom, she embarked in the year 2000 on the ordeal in bringing in 10 Siberian Cats to Sweden. After a lot of paperwork and the approval of a homebuilt quarantine Vera and Gunilla brought 2 males and 8 females from St. Petersburg and Moscow. These ten cats are the base of the Swedish breeding program.

Out of these ten cats, Brus, Betsi and Berta are siblings, as are Chalcedon Valenvic and Chrysanthema Valenvic. Tajga Valenvic has the same mother as Chalcedon and Chrysanthema. Evlalia Sant André is also related to Chalcedon and Chrysanthema on their fathers side. One of the goals of the association is to work for a healthy breeding and we hope to keep records of all Swedish cats to help in finding a suitable partner for those who wish.

Vera Marklin started breeding with the name "Knjaze" using Brus, Jeanne, Lubava, Chrysanthema and Tajga. Gunilla Wikström started breeding with the name "Staffansgården" using Chalcedon, Pelagea, Evlalia, Berta and Betsi.

In 2001 the Swedish national cat club had 39 registered Siberians.

The Swedish Agriculture Board allows cats to be imported to Sweden without quarantine if the cats originate from within in the EU/EFTA-countries and if the cat has been vaccinated and tested for rabies antibodies.