Nebelung Cat: Full Breed Profile

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Carol has worked in specialty, emergency, mixed animal and general veterinary practices, and enjoys all aspects of veterinary medicine. Her special areas of interest include anesthesia, critical care, emergency, dentistry, internal medicine and small animal nutrition.

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Updated on: 02/07/2022

The Nebelung cat is a rare gem in the world of feline breeds and is quite stunning at first sight. This breed looks very similar in color and builds to the Russian Blue, displaying a silky blue-grey coat and deep emerald and/or topaz eyes. Nebelungs are very sociable cats and are known for their quiet disposition and relaxed, mellow nature. As befits “aristocrats,” these cute balls of fur are often restrained, relaxed, and well-mannered. However, they are known to avoid the company of annoying or loud house guests.

Characteristics

There are specific characteristics of this breed that include the following:

Weight	7 to 15 pounds
Height	9-13 inch
Colors and Patterns	silver-tipped blue/gray
Life span	15-18 years

History of the Nebelung Breed

The Nebelungs are a relatively new and rare breed, first appearing in the US in the early 1980s. The breed’s origin is credited to a woman named Cora Cobb of Denver, Colorado, who gifted her son a black domestic short-hair cat who happened to mate with a Russian Blue male. This resulted in one kitten from the litter having a long, blue hair coat. Ms. Cobb was delighted with the new kitten and named him Siegfried.

In the following years, Ms. Cobb’s son’s cat had another litter, and this produced a female kitten with the same long, blue hair coat. Ms. Cobb named this kitten Brunhilde. Because these two kittens had a distinctive gray, misty hair color and soft and silky coat, Ms. Cobb decided that she had an entirely new breed, and named the breed “Nebelung.” The term comes from the epic music saga created by composer Richard Wagner in which a Scandinavian race of dwarfs was ruled by Nibelung, the king of Nibelheim (land of mist). Ms. Cobb must have been a fan of Wagner, and dubbed her new breed Nebelung, or “creature of the mist.”

So in 1987, Ms. Cobb registered Siegfried and Brunhilde with the international cat association, and a new breed was born. The Nebelung breed was soon recognized by the TICA,^[2] and other breed organizations such as the WCF ^[3], and TCA ^[4].

If you are interested in adopting a Nebelung cat, try visiting a cat show, or do some online research to find reputable breeders.

Interesting Facts About Nebelungs

The Nebelung has several physical and personality characteristics that make it unique, and some of these are listed below.

Green Eyes. Although all kittens are born with yellow eyes, they eventually turn green as the cat matures. Their eyes can range from deep emerald green to a more topaz color.
Curiosity. This breed is distinguished by their increased curiosity, and they love to explore their environment. For example, if a Nebelung cat gets close to an unfamiliar object, he will give it a few sniffs, circle around it for a while, and if he determines that the object is not a threat, he will playfully pounce on it for a game of “cat and mouse.”
Easy to Train. Nebelung kittens are very easy to potty train, especially when it comes to the litter box. Given that Nebelungs are fairly intelligent, they can also be trained for other tasks such as fetching objects and toys.
Hunters. Like all felines, Nebelungs are natural predators, and they are always happy to chase a mouse around the yard or in the house. They also love to play with their humans as well and may enjoy a game of “feather on a string,” or even a game of fetch.
Life Expectancy. Although most cats live from 15-18 years, Nebelung cats can live longer provided they are healthy and have no existing medical conditions. It’s interesting to note that the longest-lived Nebelung lived to be 36 years old.

Personality

Nebelungs are wonderful cats, sporting a long, silky grey coat that is misty-gray in appearance, giving the breed its mysterious name of “creature of the mist.” As far as personality, they tend to be both independent and curious. They are not usually “cuddle bugs,” but they do enjoy being close to their humans and may even play favorites as to which humans they enjoy spending time with the most.

Nebelung Cats are typically mellow and do not tend to vocalize like other breeds. They can be playful and calm, kind and intelligent, and prefer not to be bothered by other cats or small children. In short, these are warm, loving cats who prefer a quieter household and environment.

Although the Nebelung cat may seem aloof to some owners, they miss their humans when separated for a long time. As a result, many breeders recommend that owners consider providing their kitty a pet friend, such as another kitty or a dog. Nebelungs tend to get along well with other calm pets.

Potential playfulness	4 out 5
Activity level	4 out 5
Friendly with other pets	4 out 5
Friendly with children	3 out 5
Grooming requirements	3 out 5
Need for attention	4 out 5
Affection toward owners	4 out 5
Intelligence	4 out 5
Independence	2 out 5

Exercise Requirements for the Nebelung Cat

Nebelung felines do require daily exercise, and it’s important to provide the Nebelung with a large selection of interactive toys or even consider taking your feline friend for a walk on a leash. Being outdoors can give your cat both fresh air, exercise, and mental stimulation. Other enrichment options include feline houses, cat trees, scratching posts, and other play toys. Scratching is a natural behavior for kitties, and scratching posts offer some mental stimulation and allows them to stretch their muscles and discourage them from scratching on furniture.

Photo by @kosobu from Freepik

READ MORE: Best Cat Trees

Nebelung Cat Health

The Nebelung is an extremely healthy cat, and there are no known genetic abnormalities or diseases. If you do decide to purchase a Nebelung kitten, make sure that the breeder can provide a health certificate to show that the kitten and both parents have undergone the necessary health checks. As far as diet, it’s important to offer your Nebelung a healthy, balanced diet, and prevent overfeeding as Nebelungs tend to become portly if overfed.

Regular veterinary exams and check-ups are also critical to your cat’s health, and it’s also important to ensure that vaccinations are up-to-date. Also, good health care for your Nebelung involves regular dental care, such as tooth brushing with a vet-approved toothpaste, or offering dental treats designed to break down dental calculus and plaque. If you have any questions about your kitty’s health, consult your neighborhood veterinarian.

Adopting a Nebelung Cat

It can be difficult to find a Nebelung kitty at a shelter or rescue center because they are quite rare. You can try local shelters that cater to all types of cats, including this breed, but you may have to extend your search out-of-state to find one. As an alternative, you may want to consider the Russian Blue, which is very similar in physique and temperament but is much more common.

Are Nebelung Cats Hypoallergenic?

The Nebelung is considered “partially” hypoallergenic. There are reports of allergy sufferers meeting Nebelungs and not having an allergic reaction to them, but on the other hand, some people who come into contact with this breed can experience an allergic reaction. People allergic to cats are not allergic to the hair, it is the saliva that triggers reactions. The saliva that cats leave on their hair coats after grooming is what causes such allergic reactions as sneezing or watering eyes.

If you are looking for a truly hypoallergenic cat, or wish to cut down on cat hair and dander, it may be worth investigating one of the parent breeds, the Russian Blue. Both cats are similar in character and appearance, but the Russian Blue has a shorter hair coat.

The Bottom Line on Nebelung Cats

The Nebelung is a mild-mannered and brilliant American cat and is perfect for those owners who spend a lot of time at home, or in households with multiple pets. It’s recommended not to leave the Nibelung cat alone for a long time, as they can get lonely. If you need to be gone for a long time, consider getting your Nebelung a friend, and if you allow your cat to go outdoors, make sure that space is escape-proof. Also, be prepared to do a bit of grooming and regular brushing to keep your feline friend’s hair coat soft, silky and free of tangles.

FAQs

Are Nebelung cats rare?

The Nebelung breed is quite a rare breed and has only been around for the last 40 years. According to Ms. Cora Coob, there are only an estimated 270 Nebelungs worldwide, so it may take some research if you are looking for a true Nebelung. Although they do look similar to the Russian Blue, be sure you purchase a Nebelung kitten from a responsible breeder who can provide a pedigree and health record for the parents. ^[1]

Are Nebelung cats expensive?

Finding this breed in the US can be a challenge, and you may notice that if you do find a reputable breeder, you may pay anywhere from $700 to $1,700 for a kitten. It is also best to do your research when looking for a breeder. Make sure that the breeder is certified by the Cat Fancier’s Association (the cat equivalent of the American Kennel Club). Another source is The International Cat Association (TICA), which has a large genetic registry of pedigreed and domestic cats.

How do I groom my Nebelung cat?

The Nebelung breed is noted for its soft, silky but dense fur coat, and to keep your feline friend free of tangles, it’s recommended to groom him at least twice weekly. You can use a brush with fine bristles to gently groom your cat, and in most cases, the Nebelung loves the attention from a good brushing. It’s also important to keep your kitty’s nails trimmed to prevent broken nails or nail injuries. If you are not comfortable clipping your cat’s nails, contact your veterinarian or a local groomer.

Do Nebelungs like other cats?

Nebelung cats get along well with other cats, but they need some time to get used to dogs and other types of pets, especially if they tend to be noisy and energized. In most cases, Nebelungs tend to prefer calmer companions and maybe a bit timid when first introduced to new house-mates. It’s always good to note that cats are individuals, and not every Nebelung cat is identical in personality, but in general, this breed gets along with other cats.

How can you tell if a cat is a Nebelung?

Nebelungs have a longer hair coat than Russian Blues with silky, smoky hair color, and have well-developed muscles. Cats of this breed are characterized by a graceful gait and mesmerizing green, emerald eyes. The head shape is almost wedge-like in proportions, and the neck tends to be elongated and thin. The ears of the Nebelung are long, erect, and pointed, and set at the edges of the head. Their green eyes are not overly large, but oval in shape. By the age of two, when the Nebelung cat matures, the eyes can become more greenish-blue than a true emerald color.

The main feature of the breed is their extraordinary grey-smoky long coat, which is soft and silky. When determining whether or not you have a Nebelung cat, you can compare the above characteristics, or if you have purchased your cat from a reputable breeder, you can look at the pedigree and registration papers. It is always best to do your research when ensuring the pedigree of your cat.

Article Sources:

“Finding the Purrfect Pedigreed Kitten.” TICA, tica.org/phocadownload/lookingforakitten.pdf.
Nebelung Breed, TICA, 13 Aug. 2018, tica.org/nebelung-breeders.
“Breed Standard – Nebelung.” World Cat Federation, wcf.de/en/semi-longhair/.
“FAQ for the Nebelung Cat.” Traditional Cat Association’s Website, breeds.tcainc.org/BreedInfo/FAQNebelung/FAQNebelung.html#top.