Neva Masquerade – a mysterious name for a mysterious beauty! The Neva Masquerade is the point variant of the Siberian cat and shares many traits with this breed.
History of the Breed
The Siberian cat has only been systematically bred since the 1980s and has been delighting cat lovers in America since 1990. The Neva Masquerade is said to be no different from Siberian cats, except for its point drawing. The story of the Neva Masquerade also resembles that of the Siberian cat.
Long-haired cats have always been a large part of the feral domestic cat population found in Russia and Siberia. Why this so has long been the subject of discussion in research circles. While some scientists assumed an independent mutation, others rely on crossings with long-haired animals from the Orient and the resulting wild domestic cats with long fur. The name “Sibirskaja koschka”, “Siberian cat”, referred to these muscular domestic cats with lush, plush fur. They clearly differ in their physique and coat characteristics from the African falcon, which is considered to be the ancestor of all domestic cats. For this reason, it has long been assumed that Caucasian wildcats are close relatives of Siberian cats and that these do not descend from the black cat. However, a few years ago a team of researchers from Oxford University found that all domestic cats found on the five continents are descended from the black cat.
Long-haired cats were a rarity in Europe until the 19th century. So it is no wonder that the long-haired cats from Siberia caught the eye of traders and travelers and were imported to Europe. The Siberian cats were described in an edition of “Brems Tierleben” as early as 1864, after which they appeared sporadically in European publications. The long-haired animals from Siberia were also part of the first cat show at the Crystal Palace in London in 1871. After the first show at the Crystal Palace, the breed fell into oblivion. There were various reasons for this: Long-haired animals were rare and were therefore often crossed with one another. The Siberian cat was lost in the gene pool of popular breeds such as Persians and co. The political situation in Soviet Russia did one more thing to make Russia disappear from cat breeding history for the time being.
In the 80s the Siberian cats and with it the Neva Masquerade experienced a new beginning. Experimental breeding was started in the GDR in 1985 with “train tickets” imported from Russia. From 1986 the long-haired animals were also exhibited. In 1987 the breed called “Siberian Forest Cat” was officially recognized. In the same year, the first breeding pair of this breed came to the Federal Republic of Germany. After the first registered litter in 1989, the breed found more and more admirers, also overseas. At the same time, systematic breeding began in Russia, from where the first specimens were exported to America in 1990. However, the high costs of importing from Russia ensured that the population of Russian long-haired cats in the USA remained relatively small.
Today the Siberian cat is bred around the world. Its name was changed in 1991 from “Siberian Forest Cat” to “Siberian Cat” in order to better distinguish it from the “Norwegian Forest Cat”. In 1992 the breed was officially recognized by the World Cat Federation and in 1998 by the Fédération Internationale Féline (FIFe). Depending on the umbrella organization, the Point variant, known as the Neva Masquerade for some years, is bred independently. In plain language, this means: only Neva Masquerade may be mated with each other, crossing with Siberian cats of other colors is undesirable. This naturally leads to an extreme reduction in the size of the gene pool and to an increased risk of developing hereditary diseases. Ideally, Neva Masquerade is therefore crossed with Siberian cats. Since the point gene is passed on recessively and can thus remain undetected in the gene pool for many generations, Neva Masquerade can spontaneously appear in a litter of monochrome parents. Today, however, there is already a gene test for point mutations so that breeders can search specifically for carriers of the popular point gene.
Appearance
The Neva Masquerade is an eye-catching cat! As a point variant of the Siberian cat, the breed impresses with its original appearance: a long, thick coat with a collar and tufts of ears, a muscular body, and a bushy tail give the Neva Masquerade the appearance of a small wild cat. No wonder, the Siberian cat and thus the Neva Masquerade belongs to the forest cats!
Apart from its coloring, the Neva Masquerade should not differ from the Siberian cat. As a point variant of this breed, the medium-sized animals weigh up to nine kilograms. That is why they are late developers and only mature when they are around three years old. The half-length coat consists of a water-repellent, robust outer coat and a plush undercoat. The thick collar around the head and neck is a special feast for the eyes! In summer the Neva Masquerade loses the dense undercoat that keeps it warm in the Siberian winter – its summer fur looks much shorter and less lush. Any tufts of hair on the ears and between the toes and the long, bushy tail should also be retained during the warm summer months. Like the Siberian cat, the Neva Masquerade has a rather rounded skull with a rounded forehead, large eyes, and medium-sized, wide ears. The color of the eyes of the Siberian cat should be uniform and match the color of the coat. At the Neva Masquerade, a bright blue is often seen.
The color scheme makes the Neva Masquerade something special: it is one of the point cats. That makes them the only forest cat breed with which “Points” are allowed! The “cold” tips of the cat’s body (ears, tip of the tail, legs, and face) are colored according to the basic color of the cat, the rest of the body appears lighter. The cause of this unusual coloration is a mutation that leads to a deficient function of the enzyme tyrosinase, which would normally be responsible for the production of the pigment melanin. This leads to a so-called “partial albinism”. In the Neva Masquerade, good contrast between the points and the light body color is desirable. The eyes should be an intense blue.
There is also great variability in coloring within point coloring. With the Neva Masquerade, all basic colors permitted for the Siberian cat are permitted as point colors, and tabby stripes (“agouti”, wild-colored) are permitted. Monochrome animals may have so-called ghost drawings. By crossing Somali and Burma, attempts have been made for some time to achieve new variants in the coloring – the colors cinnamon and fawn and their dilutions chocolate and lilac are particularly popular here. Such crossings have a disadvantage, however: According to the breeding standard, they are not permitted in forest cat breeds such as the Siberian cat. Despite their interesting coloring, these new color creations are therefore often not recognized by the respective breeding associations. In addition, there is the possible introduction of hereditary diseases into the previously very robust gene pool of the Siberian cat.
Point cats like the Neva Masquerade have the following color variants:
- Seal-point: Neva Masquerade seal-point has a black basic color, which shows in the “cold” body tips.
- Blue-point: The black base color is diluted here to “blue” and shows up in the point tips of the cat
- Chocolate-point: Neva Masquerade with a brown base color is called “Chocolate-point”.
- Cinnamon-point: The red basic color of the Neva Masquerade is only visible in the point tips.
- Fawn-point: The red base color “Cinnamon” appears weakened – it is diluted to “fawn”
- Lilac-point: “Lilac” is the name given to the thinning of brown – here in Neva Masquerade
- “Lilac-point” is only visible in the body tips
- Creme-point: The dilution of red is called “cream” – Neva Masquerade creme-point have cream-colored points and therefore appear particularly light.
Other well-known Point breeds are the Birman and Siamese. Like all Point races, the Neva Masquerade is born very bright, its color darkens with advancing age.
Neva Masquerade Temperament
As a point variant of the Siberian cat, the Neva Masquerade shares a breed standard with this breed. This shows not only in the appearance of the cats but also in their character.
Just like the Siberian cat, the Neva Masquerade isn’t just original in its appearance. Her character is also considered to be uncomplicated and unbred. Like the Siberian cat, the Neva Masquerade is blessed with good instincts and is accordingly a good hunter. She likes to jump and climb, loves water, and wants to be exercised mentally and physically. Keeping them in an apartment is therefore not ideal for the animals who love to move – a cat-safe balcony or garden is more suitable!
Intelligent cats are curious and have their own mind. Consistent upbringing is therefore essential! Intelligence games and clicker training are ideal for mentally utilizing your Neva Masquerade. Foraging games are also gladly accepted!
Attitude and Care
The long, dense fur of the Neva Masquerade gives it a mysterious appearance and contributes to the fascination of this breed, but it can be very maintenance-intensive! Fortunately, the cats mostly groom their shorter summer fur themselves, but during the winter months and when the coat is changed, masters have to use combs and brushes from time to time. After winter, the Neva Masquerade almost completely loses its thick undercoat. Help with grooming can help keep loose fur away from clothing and upholstery and reduce the burden on the gastrointestinal tract from swallowing hair to a minimum. The administration of malt paste or corresponding treats as well as cat grass can support the natural removal of hair in the gastrointestinal tract before hairballs develop!
As an active outdoorsman, Neva Masquerade loves the outdoors. They are absolutely not squeamish and insist on their excursion into nature even in rain, storm, and snow. The intelligent cats love to sneak through the undergrowth, climb, ambush birds and small rodents, and are considered good hunters. They are only suitable to a limited extent for living exclusively in the home. The perfect home for a Neva Masquerade, therefore, offers enough opportunities to let off steam mentally and physically – indoors and outdoors! A secure garden is ideal, but calmer natures will also enjoy a secure balcony with a large outdoor scratching post and lots of play options.
Neva Masquerade Diet
Apart from that, a species-appropriate diet is the best guarantee for a long, healthy cat life. As carnivores, cats depend on food that is high in healthy protein. They can only utilize a small percentage of carbohydrates. For you, as a cat owner, this means: keep your eyes open when buying food! The right cat food for your fur nose should contain a lot of meat and only a few vegetable by-products. When you look at the food label, meat is at the top of the list of ingredients.
Breed
The breeding of the Siberian cat and with it the Neva Masquerade is relatively young. The breed has therefore been spared from a preposition for certain hereditary diseases. It is the responsibility of breeders and keepers to ensure that it stays that way! So please only trust a professional breeder and do not buy your Neva Masquerade from so-called “multipliers” who offer “pedigree cats at a low price” – often at the expense of the animals.
Cat breeding is an expensive hobby. From the mating of the parent cats to pregnancy, birth, and rearing of the young animals, the breeder incurs certain costs that he has to cover with the sales price of his cats. This includes stud fees, health care and veterinary costs including possible tests for hereditary diseases, a good diet, membership in a cat breeding association, rearing food and vaccinations for the kittens, health care for the kittens and and and … The breeding papers only make up a small part of the bill. But those who care about the well-being of their animals will not save on what is probably the biggest item: the veterinary costs. A responsible breeder has his parent animals looked after by a veterinarian. He also has the kittens checked by a veterinarian, takes care of the basic immunization against the most important infectious diseases, and can present the relevant documents to you.
All of this means that a Neva Masquerade cannot be bought at a bargain price from a professional grower. Friends of this breed have to put around 800 dollars on the table before they can give a Siberian beauty a home … Alternatively, a visit to the animal shelter is an option. Many cats, including pedigree animals, are waiting there for a wonderful new home! Animal welfare cats are often sold for a lower nominal fee, which covers a small part of the costs incurred for visits to the vet and vaccinations.
We wish you a wonderful, active time with your Siberian beauty!
