Felis catus
Russian White Longhair
The Russian White Longhair is the longhaired division of the Russian White, a solid-white colour variant of the Russian Blue developed in Australia in the 1970s alongside the Russian Black. TICA recognizes the Russian White. The standard shares the Russian Blue's conformation applied to a pure white coat and a semi-long expression.
Quick facts
- Origin country
- Australia (developed from Russian Blue stock)
- Origin period
- Developed in Australia from the 1970s; TICA recognition
- Coat type
- Long
- Coat colors
- Solid white
- Size category
- Medium
- Average lifespan
- 12–16 years
- Recognition
- —
Origin
The Russian White was developed in Australia beginning in the 1970s by introducing the dominant white (W) gene into the Russian Blue's gene pool. The goal was to create white and black colour variants of the Russian while preserving the distinctive foreign-type conformation, dense silky coat, and vivid green eyes. TICA recognizes the Russian White and Russian Black as colour divisions alongside the Russian Blue. The longhair division produces the same traits in a semi-long coat.
Standard
The TICA standard for the Russian White applies the Russian Blue's conformation standard to a pure white coat: modified wedge head, medium-large ears, vivid green almond-shaped eyes, and a long, graceful foreign-type body. The coat must be pure white with no yellow tinge. The longhair division has a semi-long, silky coat. The eyes are vivid green — not blue, which is found in white cats carrying the W gene combined with certain deafness-linked genotypes.
Eye Colour Requirement
The Russian White's TICA standard requires vivid green eyes — the same requirement as the Russian Blue — specifically to distinguish the breed from the numerous white cat breeds that carry blue or odd-coloured eyes (Turkish Angora, Turkish Van, Khao Manee). Green eyes in white cats indicate that the dominant white (W) gene is not linked in this line with the cochlear degeneration gene that can cause deafness in blue-eyed white cats. Russian White breeders actively select against blue-eyed individuals.
Sources & further reading (2)
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-05-27
- registry-breed-profile — accessed 2026-05-27
Frequently asked questions
Are Russian White cats deaf?
White cats with blue eyes can be predisposed to deafness linked to the dominant white (W) gene. However, Russian White cats are bred to have vivid green eyes, not blue eyes, and breeders select against blue-eyed white individuals to minimize the associated deafness risk. Russian White cats with green eyes are not typically deaf.
Is the Russian White recognized by CFA?
CFA does not recognize the Russian White or Black; CFA's Russian Blue standard accepts only the blue colour. TICA recognizes both as colour divisions.
Is it possible to have a Russian White with blue eyes?
Blue-eyed individuals can occur in Russian White litters; they are a known result of the dominant white (W) gene in combination with certain other genetic factors. However, blue-eyed Russian White cats are not accepted in TICA's standard and are typically sold as pets rather than as show or breeding stock. Breeders screen for green-eyed offspring to maintain the breed standard and minimize deafness risk.
