Neva Masquerade

The Neva Masquerade is a breed or sub-breed of semi-longhaired domestic cat, which originates in Russia. It is the sister breed or colourpoint variant of the Siberian cat, a pedigreed breed selectively bred from a centuries-old Russian landrace.

The colourpoint markings are the result of a colourpoint gene, originally found in Asian cats. The Neva Masquerade is believed to be derived from crossing the Siberian cat with (Asian) colourpointed random-bred cats, or possibly pedigree cats related to those. The colourpoint Neva Masquerade has distinctive blue eyes and darker (tabby) point markings. It is a medium to large sized, muscular semi-longhair breed with a unique triple-coat and bushy tail.

Some cat registries classify the Neva Masquerade as a colourpoint variety or sub-breed of the Siberian cat, whilst others consider it to be a separate sister breed. Regardless of its classification, all Neva Masquerade cats are selectively bred and pedigreed today in all major cat fancier and breeder organisations under the Siberian (Forest) cat or Neva Masquerade. This means that all Neva Masquerade cats are purebred cats with a formally registered ancestry.