Got the Blues? 

May 22, 2025

A Brief History and Unique Features of the Three Exclusively Blue Cats

Carla Bizzell, CFA Allbreed Judge

 

Throughout centuries, blue cats have captured the fascination and admiration of feline enthusiasts across the globe. These enchanting creatures, sporting shades of blue and gray, possess a rich history intertwined with myths, legends, and cultural significance. Among the various breeds, three stand out for exclusively having a blue coat: the Chartreux, the Korat, and the Russian Blue. Each breed boasts a unique heritage and an enduring legacy that continues to charm cat lovers today.

The Chartreux

The Chartreux, a breed renowned for its robust build and smiling expression, has origins shrouded in mystery. Legend has it that these cats were brought to France by Carthusian monks from the Grande Chartreuse monastery in the French Alps. However, historical records suggest that the Chartreux may have arrived in France as early as the 16th century, possibly brought by merchants or returning crusaders. In France, the Chartreux became prized for its hunting prowess, particularly in controlling the rodent population. The breed’s distinct blue-gray coat made it a favorite among French nobility and commoners alike. It is believed that the Chartreux took its name from a particular type of fine wool, due to the wooly texture of its coat. Breeding programs began in France in the 1920s, originally using individual cats from natural colonies of local blue cats. Chartreux were first imported to North America in 1970. Although still quite rare in North America, dedicated breeders strive to maintain the Chartreux as a natural breed while nurturing its gentle character.

The Korat

Hailing from Thailand, the Korat is a breed steeped in cultural significance and folklore. Known as “Si-Sawat” in its native land, the Korat is considered a symbol of good fortune and prosperity. Ancient Thai manuscripts describe the Korat as one of the country’s seventeen “good luck” cats, characterized by its blue-silver coat and luminous green eyes. Traditionally, Korats were given as gifts to newlyweds or individuals embarking on new ventures, and were believed to bring prosperity and happiness. The breed remained relatively unknown outside Thailand until the mid-20th century, when a pair of Korats was presented to an American couple as a gift during their diplomatic service in Thailand. The breed quickly gained popularity in the West, admired for its affectionate nature and striking appearance.

The Russian Blue

The Russian Blue, known for its silvery-blue coat and vivid green eyes, has origins that are as captivating as the breed itself. Believed to have originated in the Archangel Isles of northern Russia, these cats were reputedly favored by Russian czars and nobility. The breed’s plush double coat provided insulation against the harsh Russian winters, and its gentle temperament made it a cherished companion. The first documented appearance of the Russian Blue in the West occurred in the late 19th century, when sailors brought the cats to England. The breed quickly gained recognition and was exhibited at cat shows, where its elegance and grace captivated audiences. Despite facing challenges during the World Wars, dedicated breeders in Europe and the United States ensured the preservation and continued development of the Russian Blue.

What’s Next?

Now that you know a bit about each of these breeds, what exactly makes each one unique? How can a casual observer distinguish the differences between these three breeds of blue cats? They are all so … BLUE! Hopefully, by the end of this article, you’ll be able to easily recognize the unique traits that set each breed apart from the others.

Mastering the Art of Identification

The key to identifying a blue cat’s breed lies in examining its physical features, including the head, ears, eyes, body, and coat. We will start with a description of each, and then you will understand how the cats’ features distinguish them from one another. (click on each image to see a larger, diagrammed version)

The Chartreux features a rounded, broad head with full cheeks and a powerful jaw. The narrow muzzle, juxtaposed with the rounded head, creates a charming smile. Their medium-sized ears are set high on the head, and their rounded eyes range from copper to gold, with a preference for orange hues. Chartreux cats have robust, medium-long bodies with broad shoulders, deep chests, and muscular builds. Their legs are comparatively short and fine-boned, with a medium-short, slightly woolly coat in shades of blue from ash to slate, often silver-brushed. The coat on a mature Chartreux will naturally “break” like a sheepskin at the neck and flanks.

In contrast, the Korat’s face is heart-shaped. The heart shape is created by visually connecting the eyebrow ridges, prominent cheekbones and a rounded, tapered muzzle that comprise the face. They have large ears that are set high on their head, so ear set alone will not easily distinguish Korat from Chartreux. However, the Korat’s large, luminous, oversized green eyes DO help to distinguish the Korat from the Chartreux.  Korats feature semi-cobby bodies, broad chests, and muscular, supple builds with well-proportioned legs. Their short, glossy single coat lies close to their bodies and is silver-tipped, creating a “halo” effect. This unique body shape and single, close-lying coat also help identify this blue cat as a Korat.

Now let’s consider the Russian Blue. This breed has a medium wedge-shaped head with smooth lines. The muzzle seamlessly integrates into the wedge shape without a break. The profile is flat, with a straight line from above the eyes to the tip of the nose. The head shape alone set them apart from Chartreux and Korat. Their ears are large, pointed, and set far apart, further differentiating Russian Blues from the Chartreux and Korat. The Russian Blue’s eyes are rounded and vivid green, adding to their striking appearance. Russian Blues possess long, muscular bodies with long, fine-boned legs. They have dense, plush double coats that are soft in texture, unlike the Chartreux’s woolly coat or the Korat’s close-lying coat. The uniform blue coat (preferably in lighter shades) has silver-tipped guard hairs, giving a silvery sheen.

 

 

Final Exam!

Now that we have discussed the unique features of each breed, near you and seek out the blue cats to test your new skills. If you see a slightly woolly, robust blue cat with a rounded head, narrow muzzle, medium ears set high on the head and rounded gold to copper eyes – you are looking at a Chartreux. If the blue cat is instead sporting a semi-cobby build, a close-lying coat, a heart-shaped face with large, high-set ears and large green eyes – you are likely viewing a Korat. And lastly, if you come upon a plush blue cat with a wedge-shaped head, large ears set wide on the head, long legs and rounded green eyes – you have surely found a Russian Blue! Try it for yourself at a CFA show near you soon.

(Wanting to know what blue breed those kittens on the featured image are?  They are a litter of very young Russian Blue kittens.)