Ussuri
Meoww!!
The Ussuri cat is a wild-looking cat with an athletic, well-boned but graceful body. The rounded head is medium size with well-shaped but not prominent chin.
In 5 Words
- Intelligent
- Skillful
- Instinctive
- Athletic
- Playful
Snapshot
Size: medium to large cat
Weight: no record
Origin: Russia
Life Span: no record
Colour: gray stripes, tabby
Characteristics – No clear record since this cat is considered extinct
Learn About the Ussuri
The Ussuri is a rare natural breed, even in Russia where it originated. It is from the region of the Amur River in Russia and is derived from natural hybrids with small wild cats known as “Amur Forest Cats” and “Amur Leopard Cats”. Semi-wild Ussuris were then naturally hybrid with Siberians and European/Domestic Shorthairs. This hybrid origin is based on guesswork and their appearance.In the mid 1990’s, a translated breed standard for this and other native breeds was published, but nothing has been established since and the breed status is unclear.
The ussuri is not recognized as a formal cat breed by any major cat fancier and breeder organisation. The ussuri’s numbers may be dwindling due to interbreeding with local domestic cats and, without a breeding programme to preserve the strain, it will likely disappear. But some other Russian minority cat breeds, such as the ussuri-unrelated, hairless Donskoy and Peterbald, whose standards were published in English at the same time, are now actively bred outside Russia in selective breeding programmes. . However, while other Russian cat breeds boomed in popularity, the Ussuri diminished. Today, a few cat clubs worldwide recognize the breed. Even in their homeland, the Ussuri is rare and is considered one of the rarest cat breeds in the world.
The Ussuri cat is a wild-looking cat with an athletic, well-boned but graceful body. The rounded head is medium size with well-shaped but not prominent chin. The muscular legs are medium length. The feet are rounded and firm. The tapering tail has a rounded tip very similar to one of the European Wildcat. The tips of the ears often have typical “lynx” brushes. There is a dark dorsal stripe. The flank pattern consists of stripes, rings or spots on golden-brown or goldish-fawn background and bronzed buttons on the paler belly. Semi-wild Ussuris then hybridised naturally with Siberians and European/Domestic Shorthairs. This hybrid origin is based on conjecture and their appearance.
The Ussuri cats are an intelligent, skillful and instinctive breed, as they have a wild heritage. They have a natural talent for problem solving and hunting, so there will be no mice and rats left around. They are athletic, but would rather be hunting than playing and aren’t as playful as the average cat. They form strong bonds with usually only one person in the house who they become loyal to. They aren’t the type to follow their owners around the house begging for attention or food and aren’t demanding or vocal.
They can eat in the morning and then usually don’t look for food again until the evening or possibly the next day. Naturally talented at hunting, so you can be sure there will be no mice and rats left around. Usually form strong bonds with only one person in the house. They are not lap cats and hardly be called indoor cats; they do need to spend time outdoors. . If you have an Ussuri, you will have to learn to give it freedom, as this breed is independent. They tend to ignore humans and pets that they have no interest in and do not tolerate children well at all. They need space to expel excess energy and a loving human to snuggle into when resting.
The Ussuri is a naturally robust, hardy breed with an average life span of 15 years. They are a rare breed with no known hereditary health issues and are susceptible to all the common ailments that affect cats, but no more than usual. As interbreeding continues so breeders can repopulate this breed, it may result in future health problems.
The Ussuri needs a weekly brush to keep its coat in good condition. This will need to be increased in frequency during the shedding season to reduce the risk of hairballs and loose hair on carpets and furniture
The short coat of Ussuri cats is glossy and close-lying, with thick undercoat. Occasional grooming should be fine. Shedding is seasonal.
