Nebelung

The Nebelung is a rare semi-longhaired domestic cat breed developed in the United States in the 1980s.

Breeder Cora Cobb founded the lineage in Denver, Colorado, after a black domestic shorthair produced a solid blue kitten with long fur and emerald eyes in 1984. She named the male Siegfried, inspired by the German epic poem Song of the Nibelungs. A subsequent litter in 1985 produced a similar female named Brunhilde, whose coat was lighter and longer. Breeding between Siegfried and Brunhilde in 1986 produced the foundation generation. The International Cat Association accepted the Nebelung for New Breed status in 1987 and granted full championship recognition in 1997.

Typical weights range from 3.5-5 kg (8-11 lb) for females to 4.5-6.5 kg (10-14 lb) for males. The physical profile shows a semi-foreign conformation with a graceful neck, athletic musculature, oval paws, and wide-set eyes ranging from yellowish-green to bright green. A dense, silky double coat features solid blue fur tipped with silver, which produces a luminous sheen across the body. Breed standards describe the temperament as gentle, mild-mannered, quiet, and deeply devoted to its family. The cats display intense loyalty to specific owners, though they remain reserved around noisy strangers.

Coat maintenance requires thorough combing twice every week to remove loose strands, prevent felted mats, and protect the soft britches and tail plume. Regular ear inspections and feline dental cleanings help maintain general hygiene. Health vulnerabilities observed in the breed include hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, bladder stones, dental periodontitis, feline idiopathic cystitis, and obesity.