The Neva Masquerade as well as the Siberian cat has its origin in Russia.
The Siberian cat has a long history which dates back to the 17th century, living on the tree tops in the dense Siberian forest.The Neva cat is only known in Middle Europe since the fall of the "Iron Curtain" and is therefore still quite unknown over here.
Perhaps this is an advantage because due to the short time of breeding history the cats are still very healthy and without optical extremes.
Over the centuries this breed adapted to Siberia’s harsh climates which no other breeds could do.
In the 1930s, Siberians were discovered in the south central area of Russia, living on the streets of Novosibirsk and nearby small towns.
Breeding with Siamese and Birman cats (whether naturally, or with man’s interaction) the Siberians offspring is known as a Seal Tabby Point, due to its color.
Soon after, this breed was transported to Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) and announced as a “New Breed” called Neva Masquerade. This name was derived from the nearby Neva River, and the masquerade parties so prevalent among the wealthy people living near the river.
The long road toward world recognition of the Siberian breed began in 1987, when the first cat fanciers’ clubs appeared in Russia and controlled breeding was undertaken.
The Siberian standard has been revised and honed by the “Fauna” Cat Fanciers’ Club in Moscow, through the painstaking and tedious breeding efforts of O.A. Sizova and T.P. Bobina, by the “Kotofei” Cat Fanciers’ Club in Saint Petersburg (previously Leningrad), and with the collaboration of numerous affiliates and spin-offs of these original clubs.
The official standard was given final approval on December 4, 1994 at a WCF session attended delegates from Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (SNG), to which felinologists from other international cat associations were also invited.
General description: Strong, massive, muscular cats of large and medium size. Females are significantly smaller than males.
Head: Taking the form of a short, wide trapezoid, it should be in good proportion to the body. The forehead is not high; there is a smooth, gradual slope from the forehead to a broad and straight nose line. The nose is of medium length without any upturn. Thecheekbones are low, the cheeks are full, the jaw is strong. The chin is wide and rather strong, but not prominent.
Neck: Strong, short.
Ears: Medium length, wide at the base, set more than one ear-width apart at the base. The outer line is vertical, the outer side of the base starts slightly higher than eye level. The ears are tilted slightly forward. The tips are rounded. Lynx tipping and tufts are desirable.
Eyes: Large or medium, rounded, wide, and slightly angled. Green or yellow of any shade, evenly colored. Blue is allowed in color-points and whites.
Type: Strong, dense.
Body: Compact, dense, with well-pronounced muscles, of medium length on strong, short limbs. Feet are large and round. Tufts between the toes.
Tail: Wide and strong at base, length almost to the shoulders, well draped, blunt at tip.
Coat: The outer hair is hard, shiny (oily), water resistant. Longer past the shoulder blades, draping down at the sides and at the base of the tail. On the sides the coat is softer, close, very thick. The undercoat is of two types, depending on the season: in warm weather it is slight, short, and close; in winter it is rich, long, very thick and tight, with a beautiful texture. The ruff is long, but thick in the form of a collar and bib. The coat is shorter on the shoulders. Fancy britches and well draped tail. During seasonal shedding the ruff, bib, and britches may almost totally disappear.
Color: All colors are allowed, preferred are the tabby and agouti with their characteristic texture. Colorpoints and colorpoints with white are called “Neva Masquerade” (Siberian colorpoint). Judging is separate according to colors.
Condition: Healthy, strong, with power and stature.
Penalize: Straight profile, like that of the Persians; long, light, narrow muzzle; flat cheeks; weak cheekbones; weak chin. Small, round, deeply seated eyes. Large or low ears, straight or high setting, Persian type (small, low, excessive draping). Short body, elegant type, weak bones, small feet. Lack of tufts between the toes. Long, thin neck. Short tail, poorly draped, sharp tip. Coat without undercoat, hard, matted, not shiny on the back and flanks. Too much undercoat (like Persian).