Domestic Longhair vs Russian Blue

Where Domestic Longhair and Russian Blue differ most

• Lifespan: Domestic Longhair 12–18 yrs · Russian Blue 15–20 yrsRussian Blue much longer-lived
• Est. monthly cost: Domestic Longhair $40–80 · Russian Blue $50–100Russian Blue much costlier
• Adult weight: Domestic Longhair 8–15 lbs · Russian Blue 7–12 lbsDomestic Longhair heavier
• Grooming needs: Domestic Longhair 3/5 · Russian Blue 1/5Domestic Longhair more upkeep
• Shedding: Domestic Longhair 4/5 · Russian Blue 2/5Domestic Longhair sheds more
• Good with other pets: Domestic Longhair 4/5 · Russian Blue 3/5Domestic Longhair rated higher

Full trait-by-trait breakdown

Which one should you choose?

A "Domestic Longhair" only tells you the coat is long, not what temperament comes with it — that's entirely down to the individual cat — while the Russian Blue is a defined breed bred toward a consistently reserved, quiet personality and a short, dense, low-maintenance double coat that needs far less brushing than most longhairs.

That grooming gap tends to be real and reliable: even an average plush-coated Domestic Longhair typically needs more brushing than a Russian Blue's short coat. Allergy-conscious shoppers are sometimes drawn specifically to the Russian Blue on the theory its coat triggers fewer symptoms, though how much relief that actually brings varies person to person — a claim no Domestic Longhair can make either way given how much its coat and shedding vary by individual.

Buying a pedigreed Russian Blue also runs considerably more through a reputable breeder than the adoption fee a shelter charges for a Domestic Longhair. Going the Russian Blue route buys a documented, reliably reserved, low-grooming temperament. Budget-conscious households comfortable evaluating an individual cat's temperament through a shelter should look closely at a Domestic Longhair, though expect more coat-care commitment than a Russian Blue typically demands.