Let's talk Neva Masquerades
The gorgeous Neva Masquerade is the colour pointed version of the Siberian cat. This means that the Neva Masquerade’s ears, legs, face and tip of the tail are darker in colour than the rest of their body, creating an eye-catching and unique appearance. Personality-wise, there is much to love about the breed as well. Just like the Siberian cat, they are devoted to their humans and show open displays of affection. The Neva Masquerade is an active and playful cat, capable of getting on with children, cats and dogs once trained.Official name: Neva Masquerade
Other names: Siberian Colourpoint
Origins: Russia
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Warm weather? |  |
| Energy level (high, low, medium) *: | Moderate | Family pet? * |  |
| Compatibility with other pets: |
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* We advise against leaving pets alone for long stretches. Companionship can prevent emotional distress and destructive behaviour. Speak to your veterinarian for recommendations.
Every pet is different, even within a breed; this snapshot of this breed’s specifics should be taken as an indication.
For a happy, healthy and well-behaved pet, we recommend educating and socialising your pet as well as covering their basic welfare, social and behavioural needs.
Pets should never be left unsupervised with a child.
All domestic pets are sociable and prefer company. However, they can be taught to cope with solitude from an early age. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or trainer to help you do this.
| Baby age: | Birth to one month |
| Kitten age: | 1 to 12 months |
| Adult age: | 1 to 7 years |
| Mature age: | 7 to 12 years |
| Senior age: | From 12 years |
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Origins of the breed
For many enthusiasts, the Labrador Retriever remains one of the most popular all-round dogs worldwide. It’s thought that Labrador Retrievers originated from the coast of Newfoundland, Canada, where fishermen used dogs of this appearance to retrieve fish. The breed as we know it today, however, was established by the British in the early 1800’s.
The Labrador Retriever Club was founded in 1916 and the first standard followed soon after, predominantly tailored to working Labrador Retrievers who found early fame, having been originally introduced to the U.K. in the late 1800’s by Col Peter Hawker and the Earl of Malmesbury.
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2 facts about Neva Masquerades
1. Phantom of the opera
The breed’s name consists of two inspirations. Neva is the name of the river in St. Petersburg, the city where the breed hails from. Along the Neva river, there were many masquerade parties. A perfectly fitting name for this feline, whose colourpoint coat gives the impression of a mask on their face!
2. Express yourself
The Neva Masquerade is well known for their diverse vocal range, which spans from purring, to chirping with some trilling and joyful sounds thrown in for good measure. However, the Neva Masquerade is not a noisy cat to live with—they simply like to express themselves throughout the day at a low volume.
History of the breed
The Neva Masquerade and the Siberan have a shared history, which dates back 1000 years or so and has inspired many folktales. Their plush, protective coats are a definite nod to their Siberian origins, where the climate is subarctic.
The 1980s saw a resurgence in the Siberian breed, which led to the Neva Masquerade. Their pointed colour was intentionally introduced by cat breeders in St. Petersburg, who crossed the Siberian with Balinese, Siamese and Himalayan cats.
This closeness between the Siberian and the Neva Masquerade is not without its controversy. Some Siberian breeders consider the Neva Masquerade as an inferior breed. In some cat shows, the breed is presented within the Siberian category, in others it is recognised as its own separate breed.
Today, the Neva Masquerade is bred across the globe with a presence in North America, despite remaining a rare breed. They were recognised by the WCF (World Cat Federation) in 1992 and in 1997 by the FIFe (Fédération Internationale Féline).
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From head to tail
Physical characteristics of Neva Masquerades
1. Eyes
Large, round-shaped eyes that are always blue in colour.
2. Body
Large powerful and muscular body with medium length legs.
3. Coat
Think double coat with tufting and a dense undercoat.
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Things to look out for
From specific breed traits to a general health overview, here are some interesting facts about your Neva Masquerade
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Caring for your Neva Masquerade
Grooming, training and exercise tips
The Neva Masquerade’s plush coat requires extensive grooming. During the winter months, brush the coat a few times a week to prevent them shedding all over your furniture, and swallowing their own hair. Nails are to be kept trim, ears should be regularly checked and daily teeth-brushing is advised. Exercising your Neva Masquerade is non-stop pleasure, as they truly thrive with outdoor time. No matter the weather, thanks to their thick coat, the breed is not deterred by rain or a bit of snow. So, not the breed for faint-hearted humans. Indoors, you can train your Neva Masquerade with a range of interactive toys and intelligence games to keep their brains working. They are a smart breed, content to please their human family, so you shouldn’t run into any difficulties.
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All about Neva Masquerades
Absolutely. This active breed with a daredevil attitude makes for a surprisingly calm cat around the house. They adapt well to new surroundings, and form strong attachments to their humans. Their willingness to please their humans makes the Neva Masquerade a highly-trainable cat, who is content to play with small children, cats and cat-friendly dogs before coming for some snuggles with you.
The average life expectancy of a Neva Masquerade is 12-15 years, as their health is pretty sturdy. This gorgeous feline continues to grow in popularity and satisfies a lot of cat-owners requirements. They fit well with most humans, albeit those who can keep up with their energy, and will shower you with plenty of affection and attention (while expecting the same in return).
Sources
1 - Veterinary Centers of America https://vcahospitals.com/
2 - Royal Canin Cat Encyclopaedia. Ed 2010 and 2020
3 - Banfield Pet Hospital https://www.banfield.com/
4 - Royal Canin BHN Product Book