Nebelung

The long-haired “creature of the mist”

The Nebelung is a long-haired Russian Blue type, developed in the United States in the 1980s. The name comes from the German word for mist, “Nebel”, which fits its silvery-blue coat. It is a rare, quiet breed with green eyes and a plumed tail.

It is a gentle, reserved cat that bonds closely with its family.

Nebelung at a glance

Origin: USA
Size: Medium
Weight: Usually 3 to 5.5 kg
Lifespan: Often 12 to 16 years
Coat: Long, soft and silky, with a silver tip that gives a misty look
Colours: Blue-grey only

Personality scorecard

Energy: 3 out of 5
Affection: 4 out of 5
Chattiness: 1 out of 5
Grooming needed: 3 out of 5
Good with children: 3 out of 5
Good with other pets: 3 out of 5

Our own rough guide. Every cat is different.

What they look like

A slender, graceful cat with a long body, a wedge-shaped head, big upright ears and vivid green eyes. The medium-long, silky coat is blue-grey with silver-tipped hairs, with a ruff, feathering on the legs and a plume of a tail. The double coat sheds lightly and lies close to the body.

Personality

Gentle, loyal and shy with strangers. Nebelungs usually bond closely with one or two people, are quiet and playful, and like routine. They can take a while to warm up to visitors and may hide when the house is noisy. They are usually fine with calm children and cats.

Care and grooming

Comb or brush two or three times a week, more when moulting. Give them calm, predictable surroundings, play and hiding places. Measure meals, and keep up with dental checks.

Health to know about

Generally healthy and long-lived, though because the breed is rare and small, ask breeders about health testing and how closely related the parents are. Like all cats, they are not hypoallergenic.