Nebelung at a glance
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 3.5–6.5 kg
- Life expectancy
- 15–18 years
Typical for the breed, not a promise about any one cat.
Is the Nebelung right for you?
Like every breed, the Nebelung is not the right fit for every home. Based on the breed’s typical traits:
May suit you if…
- This would be your first cat and you are ready to learn.
- You have, or would like, another cat.
- You have a calm, cat-friendly dog and can introduce them slowly.
- You would enjoy an active, playful cat and have time to play every day.
Consider another breed if…
- You cannot offer any safe outdoor space.
- You have young children at home.
How would the Nebelung fit your lifestyle?
Choose a few details for a general, non-guaranteed view.
About the Nebelung
The Nebelung is an elegant, muscular cat with a dense, shimmering semi-long coat in an even medium blue, often tipped with silver so that it seems to glisten. Its name is German for creature of the mist. It is typically sweet-natured and affectionate with the people it knows, but often shy with strangers. It is sometimes wrongly called a semi-longhaired Russian Blue: the two look alike, but the Nebelung is a separate breed.
Key characteristics
General breed tendencies, not a prediction for an individual cat.
- Size
Medium
A mid-sized cat.
- Coat length
Semi-long
A semi-long coat.
- Activity level
Lively
Lively and playful; needs daily play.
- Grooming
Weekly
The coat usually needs brushing about once a week.
- Shedding
Moderate
Sheds a moderate amount, varying by cat and season.
- Vocal
Tends to be quiet
Usually a fairly quiet cat.
- Good with children
Older children
Usually better with older, calmer children.
- Good with other cats
Usually sociable
Usually enjoys the company of other cats.
- Good with dogs
Often fine
Often gets on with a cat-friendly dog.
- Suits first-time owners
Often
Often suits first-time cat owners.
- Time alone
A few hours
Usually copes with a few hours alone.
- Indoors and outdoors
Some outdoor space
Benefits from some safe outdoor space, such as a cat-proofed garden.
The breed began in the United States in the 1980s. In 1984 a black shorthaired female belonging to the son of Cora Cobb, of Denver, Colorado, had a litter that included a blue longhaired male, Siegfried, and a later litter produced a blue longhaired female, Brunhilde. Their names came from Wagner's opera cycle, the Ring of the Nibelung. The two were bred together in 1986, and Cora Cobb went on to develop the breed with advice from a geneticist.
The first standard was based on that of the Russian Blue, with only the coat length different. After objections from Russian Blue breeders, it was revised to describe a breed resembling the blue-grey cats brought from Russia in the 19th and early 20th centuries. TICA gave the Nebelung championship status in 1997, and it was first shown to the GCCF in the UK in 2011. The GCCF lists it as a minority breed.
Nebelung temperament
Nebelungs are known for their affectionate, sweet temperament and soft voice. They can be shy at first and may take a while to settle in a new home, so early socialisation and time to explore at their own pace are important.
Once settled, they usually form strong bonds with their family and enjoy being fussed, petted and played with. They can be a little demanding when they decide it is time for a cuddle, following their owners from room to room. They are sensitive to noise and bustle, and Purina warns that a loud home or a constant stream of visitors can upset them and may lead to problems such as toileting in the wrong place or over-grooming.
Size and appearance
The Nebelung has a long, firm, muscular body of medium to large build, with long, slender but not fine-boned legs and neat, round paws with tufts between the toes. Purina gives an adult weight range of about 3.5 to 6.5 kg, and males are noticeably heavier than females.
The head is a modified wedge with high, broad cheekbones, large pointed ears and large, almond-shaped eyes set wide apart. Adult eye colour should be as vivid a green as possible, although kittens may have yellow eyes.
The semi-long coat has a fine undercoat beneath thicker guard hairs and feels soft and silky. There is a small ruff, a well-furnished tail like a brush, and often breeches and ear tufts. The coat length and undercoat vary with the seasons, and the adult coat can take up to two years to develop. There is only one colour, an even medium blue, though kittens may show faint tabby markings.
How active is the Nebelung?
Nebelungs are intelligent and quite energetic, and need stimulation and exercise. They tend to stay playful well beyond kittenhood and enjoy interactive games such as fetch, racing around the house and climbing the furniture.
Climbing trees and platforms, food-dispensing puzzles and toys all help, particularly for indoor cats. Purina notes that they respond well to positive clicker training.
Nebelung grooming
The GCCF recommends a gentle groom with a steel comb once a week to stop the double-layered coat from matting. Purina also suggests a quick daily check for dirt under the tail and around the mouth and ears. Shedding is moderate.
Indoors and outdoors
Nebelungs are fit and active enough to enjoy time outdoors, but Purina advises keeping them secure in their own garden or a cat run. They may hunt and get into trouble, and their striking looks can make them a theft risk. The silky coat is not very weatherproof, so they can overheat in hot weather and get very cold in the wet. Purina says they should be kept indoors in hot summer months.
They can adapt well to life in a flat or a house, as long as they have mental stimulation and plenty of exercise. They usually cope with some time alone each day but do not like being left for long periods.
Living with a Nebelung
The Nebelung tends to suit a quieter household with older children or adults. The GCCF says it will happily accept younger family members, but Purina notes it can be worried by noise, busy homes and a constant stream of strangers.
Whatever the breed, young children should be supervised around cats and shown how to stroke them gently and let them walk away.
Children
Usually better with older, calmer children.
Other cats
Usually enjoys the company of other cats.
Dogs
Often gets on with a cat-friendly dog.
Indoors and outdoors
Benefits from some safe outdoor space.
Being left alone
Usually copes with a few hours alone.
First-time owners
Often suits first-time cat owners.
Other cats and pets
Nebelungs usually get on well with other cats, and with dogs that are used to cats.
Nebelung health
Not yet reviewed by a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice: speak to your vet about your own cat’s health.
The GCCF describes the Nebelung as a hardy, healthy breed with few health problems and no known breed-related diseases, and Purina reports no common disorders at present.
Weight gain
The GCCF notes that the main concern for many owners is the Nebelung's hearty appetite, which can quickly turn a sleek cat into a stout one.
What health checks should you ask about?
Responsible breeders and rescues are happy to talk about health, and any pressure to decide quickly is a reason to walk away. Before taking a Nebelung home, it is reasonable to ask about:
- Health testing of the parents. Ask which health tests the parents have had for conditions known in the breed, and to see the results.
- Veterinary and vaccination records. Kittens should have had a first vaccination and a vet check, with records you can take home.
- Microchip information. In England, cats must be microchipped and registered by 20 weeks old. Ask who the chip is registered to and how the transfer works.
- Registration paperwork. Registration papers, where they apply, record pedigree. They do not by themselves prove health or how a kitten was raised.
How much does a Nebelung cost to own?
There are two costs: bringing a Nebelung home, and looking after one well. Kitten prices depend on the breeder, health testing and demand; the adverts below show what sellers are asking today.
Ongoing costs are the ones new owners most often underestimate: food, insurance (which usually rises with age), routine vet care, vaccinations and parasite treatment, dental care, grooming, litter, scratching posts and toys, and a cattery or a sitter for holidays. Budget for the whole of the cat’s life, typically 15–18 years, not just the first year.
Buying a Nebelung
If you have decided the Nebelung suits your life, take the same care choosing where your cat comes from. Meet the kitten in person, see it with its mother, and look at how the litter is raised.
- Check who you are dealing with: every Mypetzilla advert shows the seller type and what we have checked.
- Ask about health testing, vaccinations and the microchip before you commit.
- Take your time. Do not be rushed by deposits or "last one left" stories.
- Meet in person before paying anything, and keep conversations on Mypetzilla.
Adopting a Nebelung
Nebelungs do come up for adoption, through rescue organisations, breed rescues and private rehoming, often because an owner’s circumstances have changed rather than any fault of the cat. An adult cat arrives as a known quantity: its size, coat and character are already on show.
Rescues will usually talk you through the cat’s history, any medical care, and the home it needs, including children, other animals and time alone. Be honest about your circumstances: a good rescue would rather place a cat once, well.
Nebelungs looking for homes
Live from Mypetzilla, updated as pets are listed.
There are no Nebelung adverts at the moment.
Find Nebelung adverts for sale and for adoption on Mypetzilla now.
Similar breeds you may want to consider
Somali
Affectionate, intelligent, inquisitive, playful, loyal, curious, lively and alert.
View breed guide
Nebelung FAQs
Is the Nebelung good with children?
Usually better with older, calmer children. Individual cats vary with breeding, upbringing and health, so ask about the cat you are considering.
Can the Nebelung be an indoor cat?
Benefits from some safe outdoor space. Indoor cats need daily play, places to climb and scratch, and a window to watch from.
How active is the Nebelung?
Lively and playful. Short play sessions every day help any cat stay fit and settled.
Does the Nebelung shed?
Moderate shedding.
How much grooming does the Nebelung need?
Typically: about once a week.
Can the Nebelung be left alone?
Usually copes with a few hours alone. Every cat needs company, play and someone to check on it each day.
Is the Nebelung a talkative cat?
Tends to be quiet. Individual cats vary with breeding, upbringing and health, so ask about the cat you are considering.
Does the Nebelung get on with other cats?
Usually enjoys the company of other cats. Introduce cats slowly, with separate food, water, litter trays and resting places.
Is the Nebelung good with dogs?
Often gets on with a cat-friendly dog. Individual cats vary with breeding, upbringing and health, so ask about the cat you are considering.
How long does the Nebelung live?
Typically 15–18 years. Lifespan varies with genetics, weight, care and luck.
How big does the Nebelung get?
Adults typically weigh 3.5–6.5 kg.