The Neva Masquerade Cat is a graceful animal that attracts attention not only by its beauty but also by its balanced temperament, in tandem with high mental abilities.
Characteristics of the Neva Masquerade cat - character and behavior
The main character trait of Neva is self-respect, which sometimes does not allow him to be familiar. The pet treats the owner and household members carefully but is wary of strangers. Strangers should not try to pick him up, let alone provoke him to show emotions.
A pronounced character trait is a willfulness. Therefore, the owner needs to educate and train the kitten from childhood, since an already mature individual does not tolerate inhibitions.
The St. Petersburg masquerade cat is very active. Outdoor games, with elements of hunting, delight her. She is curious, so not a single unusual and unfamiliar object that comes into her field of vision will remain unexplored.
Important! Neva is distinguished by a docile disposition, so it is impossible to piss him off.
Description of the breed - what the Neva Masquerade looks like
Outwardly, the St. Petersburg masquerade cat resembles a cross between the Siberian and Siamese breeds. She is a strong, mother, and her bright external data delight others.
Appearance
Breed standard:
- Head. It resembles a wedge in shape, has rounded features.
- Eyes. Rounded, slightly slanting shape. The iris is blue, but until the pet is one year old, it may be green.
- Nose. The nose is wide, of medium length.
- Ears. The ears are medium in size, slightly sloping downward, and the tips are slightly rounded.
- Tail. The tail of the Neva looks like a fox - of medium length, pubescent with a rounded tip.
- Extremities. The limbs are muscular, of medium length.
The size
The size of the breed varies between 25-40 cm.
The weight
The weight of adult cats is no more than 10 kg, cats - no more than 6 kg.
Table. Neva Masquerade kitten weight by month
Wool
The attractive, flowing coat has a double undercoat and a long awn. This type of wool protects individuals from bad weather conditions. The presence of a lush mane on the neck and "panties" is a must.
Colors
The coat is usually light in color, but there is also red and dark on the tips of the ears, paws, and tail. The mask that adorns the faces of cats is also dark in color.
There are several categories of colors:
- Seal point and seal tabby point are the most popular.
- Bluepoint.
- Blue tabby point.
- Redpoint.
- Tortoiseshell point - this color is unique as it is found only in cats.
Also, bred colors are interspersed with silver. All of them are allowed by the breed standard.
Life expectancy - how long do Neva Masquerade cats live?
Life expectancy is influenced by the conditions created for the life of pets. With a balanced diet, careful attitude, and subject to time visits to the veterinary office, the life expectancy of animals is up to 20 years.
Are Neva Masquerade cats hypoallergenic or not? How often do they shed?
Breeders value this breed because of its hypoallergenic coat. Individuals molt once every six months, and they molt profusely in the summer - at this time, the pets shed their fur from their luxurious "pants", ears and collar.
Is the Neva Masquerade cat a friendly breed?
At home, pets are friendly. They love each family member and enjoy it when they pay extra attention to them, but they cannot endure it for a long time.
Attitude towards children
Developed parental instinct makes the animal a caring nanny for the child. The pet will be happy to spend time with the kids, frolic, and take an active part in the games. Neva does not release its claws, so parents do not have to worry that he can scratch the child.
Relationship to other animals
Individuals willingly make contact with animals, especially those with whom they grow up from an early age. Due to the developed instinct of a hunter, Neva poses a threat to the life of rodents and birds, therefore it is not recommended to keep them in the same territory.
Playfulness
Playing with family members is a favorite pastime for the breed. At the same time, individuals perfectly control their emotions and do not allow themselves to go beyond what is permitted. Playfulness can change aggressiveness if the animal senses a threat to life.
How does loneliness endure
Representatives of the breed can easily endure loneliness, so much a cat is suitable for people who are constantly busy at work. The animal does not feel the need for regular and prolonged communication with the owner and being alone, it will find something to do with its interests.
Potential health problems
Representatives of the breed have strong immunity. The main health hazard is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which is hereditary.
The disease is insidious, so it is almost impossible to identify it in the early stages. Disease symptoms:
- dyspnea;
- fast fatiguability;
- lethargy;
- lack of appetite.
A threat to the health of an animal is created by its wool cover: due to abundant shedding, hair often penetrates the digestive tract along with food and water. Their stomach is unable to digest, therefore bezoars are formed. You can get rid of them only by calling the gag reflex.
Kittens cost
The price category of kittens may differ due to the region and belonging of the individuals to a particular class. The minimum price for pet-class and breed-class kittens is 12,000 rubles, and the maximum price is 30,000 rubles.
The former is less valued by breeders since it is believed that it is impossible to get high-quality offspring from them. The latter has excellent reproductive characteristics, which is reflected in their cost.
The price of a show-class kitten is a maximum of 35,000 rubles. The purchase of a tortoiseshell animal will cost about the same amount.
Important! Females are always more expensive than males.
Nurseries of the Neva Masquerade
Organizations specializing in the sale of kittens are located in all major cities of Russia. The following nurseries have recommended themselves from the best side:
- Good luck talisman.
- Beloved beauty.
- Blue.
Important! You can buy a four-legged friend from a private person or in a cat club.
Need for care
Hair grooming is a complex undertaking. It is required to clean it from dirt and comb it out every day. During the seasonal molt, which takes place twice a year, the animal must be bathed once a week.
Bathing a pet requires diligence from the owner. To clean the coat, you will need to apply the cleanser to the scalp at least three times and then rinse it off the same number of times. In conclusion, the owner should take a basin of water and squeeze the juice of one lemon into it and rinse the wool with this composition.
You need to comb your cat twice a week. The procedure is carried out using a metal comb, which is sold at a pet store.
Important! It is forbidden to comb the tail of the neva, as the hair on it is not fluffy and new hairs grow for a very long time.
Neva's ears, eyes, and teeth need constant care. Impurities in the ears are removed with a cotton swab soaked in oil. The eyes are cleaned with a cotton swab daily. Oral cavity care is carried out with a small toothbrush and special paste.
Maintenance cost
The most expensive is the first year of keeping the animal. At this time, the owner will have to make a number of one-time purchases, such as bowls, loungers, hygiene products, and toys.
In subsequent years of maintenance, funds are spent on:
- Scheduled and unscheduled visits to the veterinary office. The minimum cost of admission is 1,000 rubles. Also, it is worth remembering the need for vaccination, which is not always free.
- Nutrition. Since Neva are fastidious breeds that sort out food, the owner, wanting to choose the right brand, can spend a very impressive amount. After the feed is selected, at least 2,000 rubles will be spent on its purchase per month. If a natural diet is chosen, then feeding in this case will cost approximately 2,500 rubles.
- Toys and care products. The cost of one toy is at least 100 rubles, and of hygiene products - from 250 rubles per product.
As a result, the monthly cost of Neva maintenance is at least 3,000 rubles.
Nutrition
Representatives of the breed are distinguished by their fastidiousness to food, so it is often difficult to choose what to feed them. It is easier to organize meals with ready-made food of at least premium class. However, here, too, a difficulty may arise - often pets refuse to eat a product of a certain brand.
If a choice is made in favor of natural nutrition, then the following foods should be included in the diet:
- meat (it is forbidden to offer pork to a pet);
- dairy products;
- vegetables;
- cereals.
Offal and fish can be added to the diet, but often they cannot be offered to neva, as they can change the color of the coat.
Veterinary
A visit to a veterinary hospital, for examination, is shown at least 2 times a year. The number of visits can be increased on the recommendation of the veterinarian.
Exhibitions
Animals are not allowed to participate in the exhibition:
whose growth is less than the norm;
- with a straight head profile;
- with a long, light, or narrow muzzle;
- with a weak bone;
- which lack hair between the toes;
- with a sharp tip of the tail.
Pros and cons of the breed
Pros:
- devotion;
- outstanding mental ability;
- tolerance of loneliness.
Minuses:
- complex care of the woolen cover;
- profuse molt;
- fastidiousness in food;
- change in color under the influence of indoor air temperature.
History of the breed
The ancestors of the Nevaks are Siberian cats, but there are still discussions about who the breed representatives owe their unusual color to. There is a version that they owe their color-point color to Persian point cats, and according to another - to Siamese relatives.
Over the breeding of the breed, the superiority was taken by an expert of the international category Olga Miro neva. In 1988, representatives of the breed took part in an exhibition event that took place in Leningrad. In 1992, the WCF recognized the breed as an independent breed.
Interesting facts about the Neva Masquerade cats
- The wool of newborn kittens is white. Dark spots, which are considered a feature of the breed, appear later.
- The breed standard allows different colors in the coat, but a color-point pattern is a prerequisite.
- Individuals are strong, massive, but a cat can be easily distinguished from a cat - it is always much larger.
- The full color, which nature has awarded the individual, is revealed by the age of five.
- The famous cat Dorofey Medvedeva is a Nevak.
- The attractive appearance of the breed was also appreciated by the directors. You can see the Neva Masquerade cat in the film "9 Lives" with Kevin Spacey.
Owner reviews
On the forums where owners share their opinions about various cat breeds, there are a lot of reviews about the Neva Masquerade cat. Most owners speak kindly of their pets, especially emphasizing their loyalty, kindness, and patience. But, there are those who leave negative reviews about Neva. So, their dissatisfaction is caused by fastidiousness in food and the abundant molting of pets.
Similar breeds
There are 3 breeds that are similar in character, temperament, and appearance to the Neva Masquerade cat:
- Siberian cat.
- Himalayan cat.
- Siamese smooth-haired cat.
The Neva Masquerade cat is a relatively young breed, which for a short period of its existence has managed to become one of the most popular, and all thanks to its attractive appearance and calm character.