Description: Nebelung
The Nebelung is a rare and elegant domestic cat breed, known for its shimmering, bluish-grey coat and striking green eyes. Developed in the United States in the 1980s, the breed’s name is derived from the German word 'Nebel,' meaning 'mist,' alluding to its silvery, mist-like fur. Nebelungs are medium-sized cats with long, graceful bodies and plumed tails. They are often described as gentle, affectionate, and shy with strangers, making them excellent companions for calm households. Nebelungs form close bonds with their human families but may take time to warm up to new people or environments. Their luxurious double coat requires moderate grooming to prevent matting. With their intelligence and playful yet quiet disposition, Nebelungs make wonderful pets for those who appreciate a beautiful, sensitive cat.
Nebelung ratings
Properties
The Nebelung is a rare and elegant breed of domestic cat known for its stunning long, silvery-blue coat and distinctively graceful profile. Developed in the United States in the 1980s, the Nebelung’s name comes from the German word 'Nebel,' which means 'mist' or 'fog,' aptly describing the breed’s shimmering, misty appearance.
The physical characteristics of the Nebelung are quite striking. Their soft, semi-long, double-layered fur requires regular grooming to prevent matting, but compared to other long-haired breeds, the Nebelung generally experiences less shedding and is easier to maintain. Their brilliant green eyes, medium-to-large size, and muscular, athletic body structure add to their unique beauty. The Nebelung's head is slightly wedge-shaped, and their ears are large and pointed, giving them a regal presence.
This breed is renowned for its gentle and reserved temperament. Nebelungs form deep bonds with their owners and are often described as loyal and affectionate, but they can be shy or cautious around unfamiliar people and environments. They thrive in calm households and may become stressed in chaotic or noisy settings. Nebelungs are intelligent and playful, enjoying toys, games of fetch, and interactive activities that challenge their minds. Their social needs are moderate—they generally prefer the company of their trusted humans and can get along with other cats if introduced properly.
In terms of adaptability, Nebelungs do well in indoor environments and are best suited to living indoors due to their sensitive nature and luxurious coats. They are not as vocal as some other breeds, but they will communicate their needs through soft chirps and purrs. Health-wise, Nebelungs are generally robust and not known for major breed-specific health issues, though routine veterinary care and attention to dental health, diet, and grooming are essential.
Because of their rarity, obtaining a Nebelung may require patience or waiting lists from reputable breeders. Over time, their devoted personality, striking appearance, and gentle disposition have won them a devoted following among cat enthusiasts seeking a graceful and loving companion.
Appearance
The Nebelung is a striking domestic cat breed prized for its elegant appearance and unique coat. This breed is medium-sized, exhibiting a graceful and elongated body shape with well-developed muscles. One of the most distinctive features of the Nebelung is its shimmering, medium-length, blue-grey double coat, which gives the cat an ethereal or 'misty' look—reflected in the breed’s name, which comes from the German word for 'mist' or 'fog.' The coat has a silvery sheen due to the tips of the guard hairs being silver, creating a sparkling effect that is particularly noticeable under sunlight or bright indoor lighting.
The Nebelung’s eyes are large, expressive, and typically a vivid green color, though kittens may have amber tones that change to green as they mature. The eyes are slightly oval-shaped and are set wide apart, contributing to a sweet and captivating expression. The head of the Nebelung is wedge-shaped with high cheekbones, offering a refined profile without harsh lines. The ears are large, pointed, and widely spaced, often with slight tufts at the tips and moderate furnishings inside, adding to the breed’s delicate yet wild appearance.
The legs are long and proportionate, ending in small, rounded, tufted feet, which further accentuate the cat's dainty appearance. The tail is one of the breed’s defining attributes: it is long and plume-like, with fur even longer than on the body, giving the Nebelung a majestic trailing flag as it moves. The overall coat texture is soft and silky but dense, with a fuller ruff around the neck and breeches on the hind legs during colder months.
Overall, the Nebelung’s luxurious blue coat, combined with its elegant body lines and bright green eyes, make it a cat of singular beauty. The breed’s gentle, reserved demeanor further enhances its mystique—looking almost like a living piece of art in the home. The Nebelung’s coat requires regular grooming to prevent matting, but it is less prone to tangling than some other long-haired breeds, and the silvery blue coloring is perhaps its most distinguishing aesthetic trait.
History
The Nebelung is a relatively recent breed in the world of pedigreed cats, but its origins are both fascinating and romantic. The name 'Nebelung' is derived from the German word 'Nebel,' meaning mist or fog, reflecting the breed's characteristic shimmering blue-grey coat and mysterious appearance. The story of the Nebelung begins in the mid-1980s in the United States when a woman named Cora Cobb was gifted a longhaired blue kitten from a litter produced by a black domestic shorthair mother and a blue domestic longhair father. This kitten, named Siegfried, exhibited a striking appearance that was reminiscent of the Russian Blue but differed substantially due to his semi-longhaired coat.
Cora Cobb became so captivated by Siegfried's looks and personality that, when another similar female kitten, Brunhilde, was born from a subsequent litter, she acquired her as well. Cobb noticed both cats retained consistent features: a long, graceful body; a dense, luxurious silvery-blue coat; and vivid green eyes. Recognizing the beauty and uniqueness of her cats, she began a focused breeding program to develop the characteristics seen in her foundation cats, with the ultimate dream of creating an official breed.
For breed development, Cora enlisted the help of Dr. Solveig Pflueger, a geneticist and member of The International Cat Association (TICA). With guidance, Cobb carefully selected breeding partners that reinforced the Nebelung’s key traits: body type, coat, and temperament. The breed’s standard was modeled after the Russian Blue—with notable differences, mainly the longer coat and a softer, more flowing tail plume. In 1987, Nebelung received the 'New Breed' status from TICA, and full championship status followed in 1997, allowing bred Nebelungs to compete at shows.
The Nebelung breed’s lineage suggests some Russian Blue ancestry, especially since outcrosses to Russian Blues have been allowed to strengthen the gene pool while maintaining the Nebelung’s signature long coat. Despite its beauty and charm, the Nebelung remains a rare breed, beloved by enthusiasts and breeders committed to preserving its ethereal qualities. Its development represents a successful collaboration of careful selection, genetics, and passion, providing cat lovers with a breed that is both elegant and affectionate.