THE PERSONALITY OF THE SIBERIAN FOREST CAT

Siberian cats have gentle, loving nature and well rounded personality. They adore children, readily accept the other household pets and get along great with the whole family. Giving them the ability to blend in and adapt to almost any family situation.

Siberians have a dog-like devotion and personality. They are referred to as "the cat for dog people". Siberians enjoy being with their human companions. It is not in their nature to be a standoffish or aloof with their families. Coming when called, following the household members around and some more social cats even greet guests. Because they are a social cat, if left alone too often they can become quite lonely. An animal companion, such as another cat or a friendly dog can help relieve the loneliness and curb undesirable activities.

It is a slow to develop breed, retaining their kitten personalities their whole life. Possessing a hardy constitution with no known genetic defects. They like high places and are powerful leapers. Their sharp wit and muscular bodies enable them to be good hunters and excellent mousers. They can be easily trained to do simple tricks such as how to stay off tables, off counters, play fetch, and be leash trained. Without regular physical and mental stimulus they can become bored and mischievous.

If not given cause to fear water, they love fresh running water and will drink from a running faucet, preferring it to drinking out of a water bowl. Occasionally not only supervising your bath or shower, but actually joining you.

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Siberians are Russia's native cats and come from the unforgiving climate of the Siberia forest. Siberian Cats first appeared in recorded history around the year 1000. Russian farmers and trades people were the primary people who cared for the Siberians. Siberian Cats were needed to protect grain and other products from small varmints, as Russia was an agricultural country. Shopkeepers in Moscow were known to compete with each other over whose cat was the biggest and thickest. Russian people like cats and most children in Russia grew up with a kitten and the favorite cats were the Siberian cats. Siberian cats even existed in Russian Fairy tales as protectors of children and magical beings who opened gateways to realms beyond our ordinary senses.

Siberian Cats are very personable and want to be near their owners. They will meet you at the door when you come home and explain their day to you. They are a quiet breed that has melodic ways of expressing themselves using sweet mews, thrills, chirps and lots of purring. They love to sit in your lap and be groomed. A favorite pastime of one of mine is to find something and bring it to me for me to throw so they can play fetch. All types of toys intrigue them and they will play with just about anything. Another thing that mine are intrigued with is the moving cursor on the computer screen. You will need to shut the door of your computer room if you want to get any typing done. Some Siberians learn to stay off the keyboard at an early age but others will insist on adding indecipherable letters to your most crucial correspondence. Others will sit in the cubbyholes of your computer desk and watch entranced as you type, periodically extending a paw of support.

If you own a Siberian you will never be alone. They will watch TV with you, go to the restroom with you and then go to bed with you. And if you are trying to do something, they will insist on helping. Reading a newspaper, book, or magazine is next to impossible. In some ways they are like the Gypsies of fairy tails, if they like something, they will take it and play with it and in the process, it will be lost. I am still missing some jewelry that one of the cats decided was pretty. You can find toys and stolen items under every piece of furniture in my home.

Siberians also enjoy the company of dogs, other animals, and children. They are fearless and easygoing. Not much disturbs the natural calm and equanimity of a Siberian. Many parents affirm that their Siberian will always sleep with the children at the foot of their bed as a sentinel. And other Siberians are the nurse in the family, always spending time with the sick person who needs the support. Siberians seem to have a high level of intuitiveness, they know when they are needed for psychological and moral support and they get out of your way when you are too tense and busy to deal with them (there are those who are under feet no matter what). But in all the hard times in life Siberian have give support even if only for a headache.

The acrobatic nature of the Siberian is well known among owners. They will play hard, often executing amazing somersaults in pursuit of a feather toy. Some balance on clothing racks and seem to be executing attempting an uneven parallel bar routine rivaled only by Olympic athletes. Others balance carefully on lampshades as they watch their owners read. Many times I have rescued an over enthusiastic kitten attempting to climb the bricks on the fireplace or jump to the top of a bookshelf they can't quite reach. But the Siberian is always happy to be helped. They must be high on a shelf somewhere. Siberians stay playful throughout life and rarely could be mistaken for the couch potato