The History of the Russian Whites
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Here is a brief history of the development of the Russian Whites in Australia, “ ...a member wrote from Australia, with detailed information and color photos: During that two years, we bred several litters from our Siberian White with one of our best Russian Blue males and after being viewed by three members of our ruling body (at our home) we were entiltled to show them. They convinced the consultive committee that we were indeed breeding Russian type kittens, and we were granted our experimental program. This was one of the strictest programs ever laid down by the RAS. One step the wrong way and we’d have been out for life. we had to report every kitten born, report every death and every kitten had to be desexed before leaving our cattery. No other breeder was allowed to particpate. We had to do it alone. We had to accept full responsibility all the way. We began by keeping two of the best white females and mated them to two unrelated blue males. Then we chose the best 1st generation white female from each of the two litters. Then two white females from the two second generation, and two from the third and finally, two from the fourth. We bred white females to blue males always, and always only the best males and females were used. During our program we kept seven Russian Blue studs to avoid inbreeding. We combined outcrossing and linebreeding to establish the finest type and characteristics of the Russian Blue to our exquisite Whites. The Whites sometimes didn’t call for 18 months. All were very silent and we had to watch their antics or miss a mating. White Kittens and the silver striped grey found in Siberia appeared in early litters. After the third generation, the striped group disappeared and the self Blues and pure Whites only evolved. White kittens are usually born with a blue smudge on top, between the ears. We look for this, which is a reliable sign of perfect hearing; the smudge disappears as the kitten matures to adulthood. Our Whites now have the beautiful silky, pluch coat of the blues with the same thick fine undercoat. Eyes are brilliant green. Standards for the Whites is exactly as for the Russian Blue, except for coat color, which must be brilliant, dazzling, pure white, and soft as silk. After breeding our 4th generation kittens, we contacted the Head Geneticist of Sydney University, whose advice we followed from the beginning. He wrote to our governing council that our cats were genetically 100% pure Russian and that blues in white litters, after four generations, should be accepted on full register and vice versa. Our governing council aibied by his decision. ***(Rubanthom edit: see his letter quoted below) Fifth generation whites are due soon to our beautiful GgCh Myemgay BORZIOIS, and we shall send photographs of these kittens as we really expect something else from him. If one of your RB association clubs would like to exchange sashes with one of our Australian clubs notify me. It would help to promote popularity if USA would exchange sashes. There is no actual RBA in Australia much as we should like to have one. Unfortunately we are both hampered by ill health and haven’t the time and energy to even begin such as undertaking. Dick & Mavis Jones |
