Neva Masquerade

Temperament

In personality, the Neva is no different from its traditionally colored Siberian cousin. It is a sociable, self-assured cat that follows its people around, comes when called and likes to fetch. Breeders joke that it is 90% calm and 10% mischief: it can sleep away the afternoon on the windowsill and then race through the whole apartment in the evening. It is patient with children and usually warms up to a dog quickly. It does not meow much; it purrs and murmurs more often. It likes water more than the average cat, checking out the bathtub and playing with a dripping faucet. It meets guests with some reserve, but without fear. Because it matures slowly, even a 3- or 4-year-old cat can still act quite kittenish. It does not like long stretches alone, but unlike the Oriental breeds, it does not wreck the house out of boredom.

Energy

calmvery energetic

Affection

independentvelcro pet

With children

not idealgreat

With other pets

difficultgreat

Trainability

stubborneager to learn

For first-time owners

for experienced ownersyes

With strangers

waryoutgoing

Playfulness

dignifiedeternal puppy

Shedding

minimalheavy

Grooming

easydemanding

Being left alone

strugglescopes well

Apartment living

needs a house and yardgreat in a flat

Talkativeness

quietchatterbox

Indoor-only life

needs outdoor accessgreat

Scores of 1–5 compare the breed with other breeds of the same species, based on the sources at the bottom of the page. Every animal is different. How we score traits

Who is the Neva Masquerade for?

The Neva Masquerade suits families with children and a dog, and people who want a large, affectionate cat without the nonstop chatter of the Oriental breeds. It does well in an apartment with vertical space for climbing. People with allergies should spend time with the specific cats before buying, because reactions vary and no cat is hypoallergenic. It is a weaker choice for anyone who cannot tolerate fur during shedding season.

Size and looks

Care and exercise

The Neva's coat is water-resistant and less prone to matting than you might expect, but it needs regular checks. Combing once a week is usually enough, with a careful look at the belly, the area under the tail and the britches on the hind legs, where mats form most often. In spring and fall the cat sheds its undercoat by the handful, so comb it every 1–2 days then. The coat thickens in winter and gets noticeably shorter in summer. This is an active, athletic jumper: it needs a tall cat tree, shelves and at least two play sessions a day. It takes well to a harness and reward-based training. It grows slowly, reaching full size at around three years old and maturity as late as five, so do not overfeed it. Good-quality protein and weight control protect its joints.

Health and breed-related conditions

Siberians, including the Neva Masquerade, are considered a hardy breed, but not one free of inherited disease. In reviews of the genetics of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, Siberians appear among the breeds with described HCM-linked variants, and DNA tests do not cover every cause, so the parents should have a current heart ultrasound. As a large breed, the Neva can have hip dysplasia; a Czech study recorded severe changes in Maine Coons and Siberians. The popular claim that Siberians are hypoallergenic is not well supported by independent research: data collected by breeders show that Fel d 1 allergen levels vary widely between cats. TICA gives a life expectancy of 11–18 years.

• hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)Siberians are listed among breeds with described genetic variants linked to HCM; heart ultrasounds of the parents are recommended.
• hip dysplasiaA Czech study of purebred cats recorded severe hip changes in breeds including Maine Coons and Siberians.
• mats and hairballs during sheddingThe triple coat changes with the seasons; without combing, mats form on the belly and britches.

This is general breed information, not a diagnosis. If something worries you, talk to your veterinarian.

Breed history

The Siberian is a natural breed from the forests of Russia that lived for centuries on farms and in towns. Pedigree breeding began only in the late 20th century, when Russian enthusiasts started registering cats and writing a standard. In St. Petersburg, some breeders worked with pointed cats, with dark points and blue eyes. The variety took its name from the Neva River. The first Siberian colorpoints reached the US in 1997, and that same year TICA accepted them into its new breed class. Over time, FIFe split the Neva off as a separate breed with the code NEM, while allowing it to be crossed only with the Siberian. WCF, TICA and CFA still treat it as a color within the Siberian breed.

Fun facts

• The name Neva comes from the Neva River, which flows through St. Petersburg.
• The first Siberian colorpoints arrived in the US in 1997.
• In FIFe, the Neva Masquerade may be crossed only with the Siberian.
• A Siberian's coat gets noticeably thicker in winter and shorter in summer.

Frequently asked questions

This breed also appears in

• Long-haired cat breeds
• Largest cat breeds

Sources

1. 1CFA – Siberiancfa.org
2. 2TICA – Siberian breedtica.org
3. 3TICA – Siberian breed seminar (colorpoints 1997)tica.org
4. 4FIFe – Breeds (NEM, SIB)fifeweb.org
5. 5FIFe – Breeding and registration rulesfifeweb.org
6. 6WCF – Breed standards semi-longhairwcf.de
7. 7PMC – Genetic Basis of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in Catspmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
8. 8Siberian Research – Allergen levelssiberianresearch.com

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.