Russian Blue, breed of shorthaired cat, originally from the vicinity of
the city of Arkhangel'sk, Russia, but known in England by the mid-19th
century. At first the breed was known by a variety of names, including
Spanish blue, Archangel, and Maltese. The cat has a distinctive light blue
coat with guard hairs that give it a silvery sheen. The coat is double,
dense, and silky, similar to the coat of a seal.