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Information on Hypo-Allergenic FurHow is it that the Siberian is non-allergic? Scientists have named the protein in the feline saliva, FEL D-1. When the cat cleans itself, the protein then dries on the fur leaving dander. The dander particles are small and air filters cannot remove them from the air. The Siberian is void of the FEL D1 protein, therefore no dander. However if the allergic party suffers from the IgE late trigger' antibody reaction, their chances of compatibility of owning a Siberian are lowered. Are studies being done on the non-allergic fur? No official study has been commissioned to date. Someday Science will be interested in this wonderful anomaly. But for now we have empirical analysis. After hundreds of sales to people with “cat allergies” over a 5 year period, I already know what you must find out, that most people with cat allergies can in fact have a Siberian. One of my Orange McTabby and white kittens from Katja and Dmitri was recently mentioned in the following article printed in the Greenville News. The Montjoys named the kitten Sulley.
________________________________________________________________________________ Siberian cats find places in hearts of allergy sufferers Owners say breed does not cause severe symptoms When it came time for Michael and Teri Montjoy of Mauldin to consider getting a pet for their 7-year-old daughter, Madelyn, a cat wasn't high on their list of possibilities. But Michael, who is highly allergic to felines, also knew a dog wouldn't be a good fit with his and his wife's busy working schedules. "When it came right down to it, we felt like a cat was the only option for a real pet," he said. "Our daughter just wouldn't be happy with anything other than a cat or a dog." The Montjoys then began researching specific breeds of cat until they located a rare type described by many breeders as hypoallergenic -- the Siberian. Michael visited a few Siberian catteries to test out the description, he said. "From my experience in being highly allergic to cats, yes, they are less allergenic," he said, "but I don't think they're hypoallergenic. I still had some reaction, but it wasn't as bad as what I'd get from a normal cat." The Siberian cat is the national cat of Russia, but it wasn't introduced to the United States until the 1990s, according to The Cat Fanciers' Association. The longhaired, full-coated cats are still rare in America, and most breeders have waiting lists. Kim Stuart of Greenville also has severe allergies to cats and researched different breeds when deciding on a pet for her family. "I actually grew up with a cat and I loved my cat, but I suffered for 17 years," she said. At the end of August, her family purchased a Siberian kitten, Stoley, who hasn't bothered Stuart's allergies one bit. So far, his personality is also a good fit, she said. "He's very playful, and he loves to lick everybody," she said. "I've got two little girls, 5 and 3, so I supervise them when they're around him, but he's been very gentle with them." Likewise, the Montjoys decided to pay a breeder in Georgia and wait for a Siberian kitten, and a year after bringing one home, James P. Sullivan -- or Sulley as Madelyn calls him -- is now a full-fledged, leg-stropping member of the family. "A lot of people say this breed has the personality of a dog," Montjoy said. "They'll meet you at the door and are very sociable. They like to follow you around and enjoy human interaction. He's great." Madelyn and Sulley are also best friends, he said. The young girl is rarely found without the complacent cat being carried around in her arms. "After we'd had him for two months, we were afraid he'd forget how to walk because she was carrying him all the time," Montjoy said. "She had him wrapped up in blankets and was doing all sorts of things to him. A normal cat wouldn't let you do that. He's very tolerant of her. If she leaves, he stands at the door, meowing and watching for her to come back. They're pretty attached to each other." As for Montjoy's allergies, he's on medication that allows him to live in peace with the family pet. "When I'm in a house with a normal cat, it's 15 minutes and it feels like I'm breathing through a drinking straw," he said. "With him, if I was around all weekend, I'd feel a little tightness in my chest, but that's it. I started taking some daily allergy medicines and that's cleared it up. I don't have any problems around him now." Stuart agreed. "I have absolutely no problem now," she said. "With Stoley, I have no symptoms at all."
________________________________________________________________________________ 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.
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