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Thank you, unknown activist of science,
traveller among endless and snow hidden spaciousness of Ukraine, mister
Filler!
“Die Edelkatze”, illustrated special magazine
for cat lovers (in German) #2 year 2003. New series: Rare breeds of cats.
Neva Masquerades – article of Dieter Filler.
The red texts are highlighting the most interesting
passages, if you have doubts – we can send you the original article
in German.)
Blue – our comments.
“One who is interested in endurable, easy in taking
care of cats, can’t leave without attention the beauty from cold
East. ( mr.Filler is very good at geography,
cats appeared from Ukraine – but nevertheless, they are from THE
EAST and very CO-O-OLD one!)
Origin.
Neva Masquerades, like their Siberia “sisters,”
are originated in Russia, to be exact in Ukraine. (Somebody,
present him a map, he doesn’t know any difference between Siberia
and Ukraine…) In climate
relation Ukraine is extremely unfriendly. (Rare
bird manages to reach the middle of Dnepr!!!) Semi long haired
house cats were known here from long ago. As well as Mane Coons at American
farms, these cats were great hunters for mice, that is why farmers loved
them. Their fur, that was shorter in the summer but grew longer in winter
helped them to adopt to Ukrainian climate.
(Maybe it’s better to call this breed “Kharkov Semi Long”
or “Mariupol’ Fluffy”, or “Kishka Ukrains’ka
Nezalezhna Polupuhlyava”?) Couple of so called “Siberian
cats” in 1895 came to Germany. They were demonstrated in the zoo
of Dresden. In “The Life of Animals” of Brehm, there is a
Tobol’sk cat from Siberia and Kaukasus-Kumanese cat. (Siberia
and Caucasus – they are… right here, after Ukraine, straight
to the left). Because Neva cats were first imported into Europe
after the fall of “iron curtain” in 1989, this breed is not
very popular here yet. This way, history of their selection, is still
quite short. Siberian and Neva cats, as well as Maine Coons and Norwegian
Forest Cats, developed, probably, without participation of humans in unpleasant
climate conditions and adapted to these conditions in the way of natural
selection. (Author allows himself to doubt, that
in development of factor of colour-point colour a man didn’t help
the nature). (Our comments – WO-OW!)
History. (Following the explanations
of German version of the standard CFA) (:It’s
touching – American standard for a Russian breed!)
Siberian cat – medium to large size, massive, originated from unfriendly
climate of Siberia. (But they were from Ukraine,
weren’t they? Generally, “was going to Odessa, but came to
Ural”). In the writings the cat first
appears in year 1000. According to repeating messages, these great animals
lived in Russian (in Ukraine?
Looks like, mister Filler – agent of unites church!) Monasteries,
making patrolling walks on the sealing polls - looking for uninvited guests.
(No comments – just imagine yourselves such
picture – just like in “Matrix” or something). Their
speed and strength made them desirable protectors of monastery’s
equipment. For people, taking care of these cats, they were faithful
and loving friends. No doubt, Siberian cat in Russia was an aboriginal
cat which appeared naturally. Its appearance (the way it looks) testifies
of the strength and massiveness, giving great health, and these features
are connected with liveliness and sweet expression of the muzzle..
Neva according to his words is
a “naturally appeared” semi long haired cat. Form of
the head is more rounded than trapezium like or triangular.
Breeding.
Neva Masquerade in Russia is bred quite recently, according to standard
of year 1987. In breeding of Siberians also from
very beginning Neva cats were used, it has its name from river
Neva (in St.Petersburg) (if the cats are originated
in Ukraine, why they were not called “Dnepr”?) In year
1986 Nevas started to be bred in DDR, according to preliminary standard.
In year 1987, together with family of immigrants from Russia, couple of
animals of Siberian breed came to BDR. Almost at the same time, a few
animals were imported from DDR and Czechoslovakia. In three years came
first Neva Masquerade cat. In a while Siberian cat was accepted by almost
all unions, but the colour-point version of it didn’t succeed everywhere.
Because together with Siberian cat, which exists in almost all “normal”
colours, represents the same breed, they can be mated with each other
– like, for example, Siamese and Orientals. That is how it is possible
that from mating of two pure Siberians, Siberian and Neva kittens can
be born, if both parents are carriers of colour-point colour. Nevas can
be also born from Neva cat with colour-point carrier.
Acception.
A few years ago it was very hard to find a good Siberian cat, and it was
impossible to find Neva. Besides, the type of animals was not the same.
Right now, there are many interested breeders, who successfully breed
these two attractive breeds. As it was already mentioned,
just now, Neva cats are not accepted everywhere, but the accepting everywhere
should be expected. Siberian cats also went hard way, until they got accepted
into organizations and unions.
Mister Filler had help in his research of “unfriendly
climate of Ukraine” of such knowledgeable people of the breed and
specialists, like Anke Muller & Harald Pailliart “Neva Cat”,
Raymonde Harland and Iouri Sochilnikov , Silvia Oberle „Delicious
Cat“ and Isolde Oellers.
What is interesting – there is no Russian
or Ukrainian breeder, judge, standard.
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