Felis catus
Russian Black
Featured photorussian-black.jpgThe Russian Black is a GCCF-recognized variant of the Russian Blue, sharing the same foreign body type, dense plush double coat, and green eyes but in a solid jet-black color. Developed in Australia during the 1970s by Rachel Burnside through selective breeding of Russian Blues, the black and white variants were submitted to GCCF for recognition, which was granted in 2002. The Russian Black retains the silent, gentle character associated with the Russian breed group.
Quick facts
- Origin country
- Australia
- Origin period
- Developed Australia 1970s; GCCF recognition 2002
- Coat type
- Short
- Coat colors
- Solid jet black (only accepted color)
- Size category
- Medium
- Average lifespan
- 14-20 years
- Recognition
- GCCF 2002
Origin
The Russian Black is a 20th-century color variant of the Russian Blue, developed in Australia during the 1970s by breeder Rachel Burnside. Burnside crossed Russian Blues with black domestic cats to introduce the black color while maintaining the Russian body type, dense plush double coat, and vivid green eye color. The Australian Cat Federation recognized the new colors ahead of the UK registries. The GCCF evaluated the variants over an extended period and granted full championship status in 2002, recognizing the Russian Black and Russian White as part of the Russian breed group.
Recognition
The primary recognition of the Russian Black is through GCCF (UK, 2002), which maintains it alongside the Russian Blue and Russian White as part of a single Russian breed group differentiated by coat color. The Australian Cat Federation and New Zealand Cat Fancy also recognize the Russian Black and White as variants. The Cat Fanciers' Association and TICA in the United States do not maintain separate registrations for the Russian Black and White; those registries recognize only the Russian Blue.
Standard
The GCCF standard for the Russian Black is identical to the Russian Blue in all respects except color. The breed is a medium-sized, fine-boned, elegant cat with a long body, long legs, a wedge-shaped head with a flat forehead and prominent whisker pads, and large, wide-set ears with very little inside furnishing. The coat is the breed's most distinctive feature: dense, plush, double, and standing away from the body so that a hand drawn through it leaves a visible track. Eye color is vivid green. Coat color must be a solid, even jet black with no white hairs or ghost markings.
Sources & further reading (2)
- gccf-registry — accessed 2026-05-07
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-05-07
Frequently asked questions
Is the Russian Black the same breed as the Russian Blue?
The Russian Black and Russian Blue share the same breed type, body structure, and coat quality. They are considered variants of the same breed by most registries that recognize both. The GCCF registers the Russian Black, Russian Blue, and Russian White as part of a single Russian group. CFA and TICA recognize only the blue variant under the Russian Blue name.
Where was the Russian Black developed?
The Russian Black was first developed in Australia during the 1970s by breeder Rachel Burnside, who introduced black domestic cats into Russian Blue lines to produce a solid-black variant with the same body type and dense plush coat. Australia recognized the variant before the UK; GCCF recognition followed in 2002.
What coat texture does the Russian Black have?
The Russian Black has the same distinctive double coat as the Russian Blue: dense, plush, and standing away from the body so that a hand drawn through the coat leaves a visible track. The outer guard hairs and dense undercoat produce a tactile quality unlike most shorthaired breeds. The coat is solid jet black with no shading or white hairs.
