Cat got your nose?: Siberians may be
the answer for some allergy-riddled pet lovers 03/24/2001 | By Steve Steinberg / The Dallas Morning
News
Cat lovers, this is nothing to sneeze
at.
The Siberian breed has become hot news
among allergy sufferers who have always wanted a cat but feared
the resulting wheezes, sneezes, hives, watery eyes and other
problems. But some breeders and allergic owners say that many
people who react to other cats can cuddle a Siberian without
trouble.
Melissa Young of Arlington has a 2 1/2-year-old
nephew, Keegan, whose immunodeficiency disorder makes him allergic
to dogs and cats. He's even been hospitalized a couple of times
after reacting to cats.
Yet Keegan, who spends a lot of time
at the Young house, plays with the Youngs' 6-month-old Siberian
without any problem.
"[Keegan] loves the cat, and he
cries when he has to leave," Ms. Young says.
Or take 6-year-old Zach Mays of Wylie,
who would normally react strongly if he held a cat. But he can
play with his 3-month-old Siberian kitten with nothing more
than occasional slightly reddened eyes, says his mom, Denise
Mays.
Allergy sufferers don't love their Siberians
just for the non-sneezy benefits. Siberians are handsome, round-faced,
shaggy cats, and breeders and owners even ones without allergies
cherish the cats for their affectionate natures.
Pet Lenhard of Melbourne, Fla., said
her Siberian, Grigori, seemed "to know I'm sad right now"
after her husband died in May 1997. Writing to Florida breeder
Lynda Nelson, who sold her Grigori, Ms. Lenhard said: "He
washes my arm or face and gives massages in the early hours
of the morning when I can no longer sleep."
A Nelson client who does have cat allergies,
Ernie Sherman of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., wrote in 1997: "It
is still somewhat difficult to explain how these beautiful creatures
have changed my life. They have provided me with a special feeling
of companionship and responsibility. They have all the qualities
associated with cats, yet show traits usually attributed to
dogs. They exhibit a loyal and protective behavior which other
people also notice." Mr. Sherman, who has had lifelong
asthma and could not have pets before, now owns four Siberians.
The cats are said to have regal bearing;
they also carry a pretty majestic price tag. Breeders charge
, depending on age and other factors. However, that price may
include not only the cat's basic vaccinations, but spaying and
neutering too.
Why many allergy sufferers can own Siberians
without swelling like the Goodyear blimp remains a mystery.
Ms. Nelson says the cat lacks the allergy-triggering Fel d 1
protein usually found in feline saliva and skin secretions.
(Cats spread the allergen around mostly via their dander.)
Not likely, says Dr. James R. Richards,
director of the Feline Health Center at Cornell University's
highly regarded veterinary school. "I am unaware of any
studies that show that any one breed is less allergenic than
another, or that one breed produces lower levels of Fel d 1,"
he says.
A prominent immunologist agrees: "In
every cat species that's been looked at, there's been this major
allergen [Fel d 1] lions, tigers, Sphinx [hairless house cats],"
says Dr. Peyton Eggleston, a researcher in pulmonary immunology
and urban asthma at Johns Hopkins University's National Institute
of Environmental Health Sciences Center.
The fur is flying
Georgia breeder Kathy Wade cites tests
done by an independent Virginia laboratory in 1999. Indoor Biotechnologies,
which does sophisticated tests for the presence of allergens,
sampled fur from four cat breeds sent to the lab. Ms. Wade says
the tests revealed much lower levels of Fel d 1 among Siberians
and Abyssinians than typical house cats.
Not so fast, the lab says. In its most
recent Web posting, the lab says breeders have misinterpreted
the test results and that the Siberian fur actually showed high
levels of allergen.
"The company would not provide recommendations
on pet ownership based on the results provided under these circumstances,"
the lab states. "The results do not provide convincing
scientific data that Siberian cats are 'hypoallergenic,' and
it is unfortunate that they have been widely disseminated on
the Web and used by breeders of Siberian cats to promote the
breed."
Minnesota's Dvorovoi Cattery offers another
theory: "Siberians produce less dander than most cats,
probably due to their oily base fur. Since dander is just dry
skin, the oils in the fur keep the skin from drying out."
"Interesting thought, but it still
seems far-fetched to me," says Cornell's Dr. Richards.
And Dr. Eggleston flatly rejects the notion: "One of the
sources of dander is the sebaceous glands, which produce the
oil."
Some breeders, such as Audrey Oliver
of Arizona, scoff at the whole nonallergenic business: "There's
no such thing as a hypoallergenic cat. ... It's something that
has created a lot of problems for those of us who are trying
to be very honest with people."
She advises allergic customers to bathe
the cat at least once a week, bar it from the bedroom, vacuum
and dust religiously and comb the cat frequently to reduce shedding.
Dallas allergist Dr. Gary Gross further
suggests using air cleaners with HEPA filters (and using a HEPA-filter
vacuum cleaner as well). He also suggests calling the Allergy
Control Products toll-free line (1-800-422-DUST) for detailed
information on allergen reduction.
So what's happening?
Can anything, then, explain why Ernie
Sherman can have four Siberians and still draw a breath?
Dr. Eggleston offers a couple of possibilities.
"There's a very significant emotional
component to allergic disease," he says. "It's not
that people are crazy, but in any therapeutic trial for asthma,
there's about a 30 percent placebo rate.
"People have done 'challenge' studies
where allergy sufferers are given allergen solutions to inhale.
With suggestion, you can markedly influence that response."
If you believe strongly enough that you won't be allergic, he
says, you may still have symptoms. They just won't bother you
as much.
He warns, though: "We see a lot
of people who are attached to cats who have lots of chronic
illness that we are absolutely sure is related to their ownership
of cats."
Dr. Eggleston also cites research done
by Tom Platts-Mills of the University of Virginia medical school.
Dr. Platts-Mills' data shows that "at higher levels of
cat allergen exposure, you may actually have less sensitization.
He's suggesting that maybe this is why people say they can tolerate
their cat. ... I'm not sure about this, but the data is there."
To help allergic prospective customers
decide, some breeders will send them a snip of Siberian fur
to put inside their pillowcase for a few nights' trial if they
can't visit the breeder.
But Dr. Gross calls the pillowcase trial
"ridiculous."
"The best way would be to go and
spend some time with a person who owns one or to go to a breeder
and spend the day there," he says. "Unfortunately,
some illnesses such as asthma are worse at night, so even a
negative daytime trial might not be definitive."
It may all boil down to this: If you
hang around a cat for a few days and it doesn't make you sneeze
and wheeze, that's all you need to know.
"If it works for you, it's fine,"
says Dr. Eggleston. "You don't need lots of explanations."
It worked for Lynda Nelson's client Georgi
Brochstein, who sent the breeder this e-mail about his family's
new Siberian:
"She has fit in beautifully and
has such a place in our hearts. Everyone who comes in contact
with her is charmed by her friendly manner and patience around
small children. One small child in particular is my 2-year-old
grandson, Logan, who has had problems with asthma since he was
an infant. The look of pleasure on his face when he has the
kitty in his lap and pets her gives us such joy because he couldn't
understand before why he couldn't be around animals."
Siberian Cat History - Timeline
1000
Siberians first appeared in recorded
history. Siberian Cats from the unforgiving climate in Siberia
first appeared in recorded history around the year 1000.
1700
Siberians at first cat show in England.
The Siberian cat was one of the three longhairs represented
at the first cat shows held in England in the 1700's.
1900
First entry into USA found in a book.
First entry into USA, found in a book -- originally published
in 1900 by Helen M.Winslow entitled "Concerning Cats,"
"Mrs.Frederick Monroe of Riverside Ill. owns a remarkable
specimen of a genuine Russian cat, a perfect blue of extraordinary
size. The Russian long-haired pet is much less common even than
the Persian and Angora."
1960
First feral pointed patterned cats found.
Russian People had thought that long ago the feral pointed patterned
cats and the feral Siberian cats "got together" along
the banks of the Neva River in Leningrad (which is now named
St. Petersburg) in the 1960s.
1987
The first cat show in the city of Leningrad,
Russia. It was organized by two cat clubs ‘Kotofei’
and ‘Kis’. This is the actual date of the beginning
of breeding of Siberians in St. Petersburg. The Soviet Felinological
Association registered the Siberian breed. It included both
the traditional colors and the Siberian color point (Neva Maskarade).
1990
06/28/90 Siberians First Arrived in
USA. The first breeding Siberians were introduced in the United
States in 1990. Elizabeth Terrell imported the initial kittens.
They arrived on June 28, 1990. Their names were KALIOSTRO VASENJKOVICH
OF STARPOINT, OFELIA ROMANOVA OF STARPOINT and NAINA ROMANOVA
OF STARPOINT.
07/24/90 Registration accepted in ACFA. The original 3 Siberians
imported by Beth Terrell were accepted for registration in ACFA
10/15/90 First magazine article in USA. Cat Companion from Friskies
contained the first article about Siberians.
8/??/90 First ACFA show in USA Fort Worth
8/??/90 First TICA show El Paso
1991
WCF accepted a working Siberian Standard
7/13/91 First Siberian Litter sired and born in USA. "Anastasie
gave birth to the first litter sired by Aleks - 3 babies in
litter
Linda Gray and Mary Armentrout both of Maine were the first
ones to purchase breeding cats from Beth "
Kotofei met in 1991 to establish their own Siberian standard.
1992
02/23/92 ACFA granted Siberians probationary
status. ACFA semi annual approved the standard and granted probationary
status
03/06/92 TICA accepted the standard. TICA accepted the standard
with some adjustments & put Beth & Foye & Sandy
Roberson on breed committee
03/08/92 CFF granted Siberians experimental status. CFF accepted
the standard and the Siberian as Experimental - ( the first
registry we had to work from the ground up
03/??/92 CCA, NCFA, & ACA approached CCA. NCFA ( later accepted
) & ACA approached & approved standards
CFF 91-92 show season first National year end award Starpoint's
Irida Kaliostrovna earned the title of 2nd Best Experimental
in CFF
11/??/92 TAIGA formed 11/92. The first Siberian Breed Club was
formed by Elizabeth Terrill for the promotion of the Siberian
breed through out all registries.
12/24/92 Second generation of Siberians born in USA. First litter
of Starpoint kids born out of Starpoint Cattery to Mary Armentrout
in Maine
06/24/93 First introduced to CFA. "The Siberians were first
presented to CFA in 1993 by Linda Gray, but were not accepted
for MISC. class. Starpoint's Irida Kaliostrovna & Starpoint's
Karina Loukanovna - another cat was there from another importer
from CA but did NOT look like the 2 Starpoint cats."
12/11/93 First Siberian Champion. First Siberian Champion in
any registry - AACE - Audrey Oliver with non Starpoint cats
- AACE accepted for championship immediately
1993
AACE new registry formed Siberian Accepted
1994
Russian Standard Official standard was
accepted by the expert commission of WCF in 1994
03/10/94 Asked to present Siberians to CFA Board. Tom Dent (
CFA EXEC DIR ) asked Beth to present Siberian to board - she
declined due to the expense ( remember they also invited the
breed in 93 ) she sent written presentation
05/01/94 CFF accepted Siberian as provisional. Siberian grandfathered
in as Provisional by CFF after a changing of their Experimental
rules
10/30/94 First Grand Champion AACE - Troika Zahar Ahlmazovich
11/26/94 Largest competitive Siberians in one show. Largest
competitive Siberians in one show - 13 - CFF
1995
Russian Standard published
04/30/95 First Supreme Grand AACE Troika Zahar Ahlmazovich
05/06/95 CFF accepts Siberians for Championship
Standard of St.Petersburg Felinological Society and was published
in the compilation of WCF standards.
05/07/95 ACA accepts for championship
1996
01/01/96 Siberian accepted in Italy
05/01/96 CP accepted for championship in AACE
05/01/96 first Siberians in Canada
06/09/96 1st GRC Siberian in CFF Comrade Vashin Paschanovich-
1st and still only GRC in CFF
08/31/96 TICA accepted Siberians for championship
1997
02/28/97 Color point introduced in the
US First color point was imported by Dana Osborn.
05/01/97 CP's accepted for NBC in TICA
1998
02/24/98 1st litter of colorpoints born
8 babies - Dana Osburn
09/01/98 1st white Siberian enters US Barbara Naame
09/01/98 1st Siberian in Hawaii
1999
02/20/99 ACFA accepts breed for Championship
2000
05/01/00 Accepted in CFA as MISC Accepted
for Misc. Class in CFA.
2001
04/30/01 Siberian is TICA International
Cat of the Year "IW,SGC Treskuchiy Sibirskiy Moroz Mur
Owner: Dan & Judy Chappetta"
2002
05/01/02 CP advances to championship
in CFF
05/01/02 CP advances to championship in TICA
Welcome
to Exotic Siberian Cats.com, where we breed quality exotic siberian
cats, the world's best breed of cat! Our Siberian kittens are
loving, playful, energetic, full of purr-sonality and waiting
to be new family members of loving homes. Siberian cats are
known for their uncanny "dog-like" personality, and
hypo-allergenic fur.
BREED
STANDARD - The
Siberian Cat is one of the 2 Largest Cats, and is very similar
in size to a Maine Coon, just cuter and more "dog like" in
personality! It's large rounded head, a modified wedge, is
one of "circles" rather than "triangular" like the Maine Coon.
In our opinion, the Siberian Cat is the most beautiful, loyal,
affectionate cat on the planet.
The
breed standard with TICA ( The International Cat Association)
as follows:
RECOGNIZED
CATEGORY / DIVISIONS/COLORS: Traditional Category, all Divisions,
all colors.
GENERAL
DESCRIPTION: The Siberian is a large, strong cat which takes
5 years to mature. The females weigh less than the males. They
are extremely agile and great leapers. Their muscles are mighty,
outstanding and powerful. The back is long and very slightly
curved or arched, but appears horizontal when in motion. Convex
muscular waist and round, compact belly develop with age. The
hind legs, when straightened, are slightly longer than the forelegs.
The paws are round, big and quite powerful. The overall appearance
should be one of great strength, force and size with an excellent
physical condition and alertness; the facial expression is quite
sweet. The general impression is one of roundness and circles,
rather than the rectangles and triangles of similar breeds.
HEAD:
The head is a modified wedge of medium size with rounded contours,
broader at the skull and narrowing slightly to a full rounded
muzzle with well-rounded chin. There may be a slight muzzle
curvature, but the transition between the side of the head and
the muzzle is gentle and inconspicuous. The cheek bones are
neither high set nor prominent. There should be a good distance
between the ears and eyes. The top of the head is flat, with
a slight nose curvature before the tip. The neck is medium-long,
rounded, substantial, and well muscled.
TAIL:
The tail is medium in length, wide at the base, blunt at the
tip without ticking or kinks, evenly and thickly furnished.
EARS:
The ears are medium-large, wide and set as much on the sides
of the head as on the top; ideal position is 1 to 1-1/2 ear
width apart. The tips are rounded and the ear tilts forward.
Lynx tipping is desirable. Hair over the back of the ears is
short and thin; from the middle of the ear, the furnishings
become longer and cover the base completely.
EYES:
The large, almost round eyes are set wide with the outer corner
slightly angled toward the lower base of the ear. There is no
relationship between eye color and coat color/pattern, however,
the typical adult color is yellow-green.
COAT:
This is a moderately long to longhaired cat, with hair on the
shoulder blades and lower part of the chest being thick and
slightly shorter. There should be an abundant ruff setting off
the large, impressive head. There is a tight undercoat, thicker
in cold weather. Allow for warm weather coats. The coat gives
the impression of lacquer and oil when ungroomed. The hair may
thicken to curls on the belly and britches, but a wavy coat
is not characteristic. The skin may have a bluish cast. Clear
strong colors and patterns desirable, but are secondary to type.
ALLOWANCES: buttons, spots or lockets.
PENALIZE:
Adult cats not having substantial weight. Straight profile.
Narrow or fox-like muzzle. Almond shaped eyes. Very long legs.
VARIETIES:
The Siberian Cats come in a variety of colors and markings.
Taken from CFA (Cat Fanciers Breed Standard) All colors are
genetically possible. In the traditional class all colors and
combinations are accepted with or without white. In the tabby
group white or off white is allowable on the chin, breast, and
stomach area. Buttons, spots or lockets are allowable in all
colors. The pattern/color descriptions are the same as the Persian.
In the colorpoint class, mitted, bicolor, lynx and tortie patterns
are allowed. The pattern/color descriptions for the colorpoint,
mitted and bicolor are the same as the Ragdoll. The pattern
description for lynx points and tortie points are the same as
a Birman. In the traditional colors, description for the blue
golden is the same as the golden except tips are blue rather
than black. No outcrosses are allowed for this breed.
COLORPOINTS:
Russians have had the colorpoints as a part of their breeding
program since records were kept by the various cat fancy clubs
in Russia. People had thought that long ago the feral pointed
patterned cats and the feral Siberian cats “got together”
along the banks of the Neva River in Leningrad ( which is now
named St. Petersburg ) in the 1960’s. Russian breeders
soon noticed the festive pattern of these cats and began incorporating
them into their Siberian breeding program. The Russians use
the nickname “Neva Masquerade” for this breed- Neva
for the river and Masquerade for the coloring. Neva Masquerade
is not a separate class of the Siberians but is a Siberian.
According to breeders no outcross has ever been used to produce
the colorpoint Siberian. They say that being a natural breed
of cat anything is possible in any line of the breed. Three
breeders in United States soon noticed that there were not any
of the colorpoints here. When the kittens arrived controversy
began on acceptance of the colorpoint. After much debate the
colorpoints are now an accepted part of the Siberian standard
in the United States. Many other countries still do not allow
the colorpoints into their breed standards of acceptance.
PERSONALITY: The Siberians have a wonderful dog like purrrrrrrsonality
and they are very affectionate!!! A Siberian never runs off
and hides under a chair or bed when seeing a stranger. Unlike
many breeds this breed will come over and greet the stranger.
They are very intelligent and learn quickly and even "problem
solve" to get what they want. They love to be spoken to
and will come running if called by name. Siberians also have
a triple purr and unlike other breeds have a chirping sound
when coming up to greet you. They also have a large bushy tail
that stands at attention and does a shimmering effect when happy,
that may look like they are spraying to some which is not what
they are doing. Siberians have a fascination with water, often
dropping toys into their water dishes or investigating bathtubs
before they dry. This is the ideal lap cat that is calm and
yet very active at playtime.
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