Bernard in Antwerpen (Ciastek, Karolina and Olrun)

It was great to see Bernard, Christiane, Olrun again. They welcomed me with champagne (so sweet). When they came to pick up Olrun they brought champagne and eggs of their own goose. (so sweet).

Shortly after I arrived the Nebelung had to go to the judge. 3 cats, 2 people, so Bernard asked me to take Olrun…….. she was very easy going. She did not oppose to being carried by a strange women. (I do not know if she recognized me).

Olrun, but also Karolina and Ciastek were very sweet in front of the judge. Karolina was charming the judge with hugs and kisses. But Olrun, she was a bit shy, was best in variety of the 3 Nebelung as the judge liked her type best. Her type is most like a Russian blue was her comment.

When the price of best of variety was given on the stage Bernard wanted me to go with Olrun. So I do not have pictures….. I was on the podium, but Bernard made them. (I have photos of them in the cage, the photos are not so nice the light was the in a hall was very dim and yellow. So they are more like a souvenir than a good representation of Bernard’s beautiful cats!!! But I will post some.

It was a lovely day, the cats were really sweet. The girls were sleeping together and Ciastek was sleeping with Bashka (Russian blue, Best in variety Russian blue). They loved being cuddled; Olrun was lying with her tummy up so I could rub her belly. Her brother has the same love for belly rubbing.

Before the show was over I left to go home again. So I do not know the end result. But it was a great day. It was nice to see all of them!!! But it was also exhausting; I speak Dutch, English, a bit German and a close to nothing in French and Spanish. And Bernard speaks French and a bit German. But somewhere in between all these languish we could have a conversation. But I’m glad that we normally have the computer to translate 

P.S. The man who was my “cage” neighbor in Dordrecht (he is also on the first photo in the Dordrecht photo topic) was also Bernard his neighbor today…… It’s a small world!!!!

Karolina preparing for the judge



Ciastek in his personal VIP tent



Olrun

Interesting! Ölrun is the one I like less because she indeed looks more like a russian blue! Me I want lots of hair everywhere LOL

Intéressant ! Ölrun est celle que j'aime le moins justement parce qu'elle ressemble le plus à un bleu russe ! Moi, il me faut plein de poils partout Mdrrrr

laurence wrote:Interesting! Ölrun is the one I like less because she indeed looks more like a russian blue! Me I want lots of hair everywhere LOL

Intéressant ! Ölrun est celle que j'aime le moins justement parce qu'elle ressemble le plus à un bleu russe ! Moi, il me faut plein de poils partout Mdrrrr

Well now remember, we are not breeding a blue Maine Coon here, they already have them
we are breeding a SEMI longhaired cat, more coated like a Somali than fluffy all over like a MC! I once had a judge tell me that the Nebelung coat should be more like a Persians--huh??? Just goes to show you, as a breed group one must stand up for their cats looks and standards otherwise, judges will judge them based on what THEY want to see in the cat!

Yes I know, I have seen 2 blue MC at a show and thought them magnificent! I was very tempted!!! lol
But last time I saw Bernard's cats, Ölrùn was the one with less hair compared to Ciastek and Karolina. Hence my observation. But it's been a while since I last saw them.... I am looking forward to the show in Paris end of November as we will both be there. Who knows! I might change my mind It's all a question of tastes really.

Personally, I do not like RB because I find them too "thin/slim". The coat of the Neb hides that and gives them more volume.
Same reason why I do not like Abyssinine but love Somali. After all I looooove Chartreux and they are very massive cats (especially males) I think it was Bernard who told me that a judge once said that roughly a Chartreux was a potatoe on 4 sticks! That judge is not far from the truth

Nebelung coat should be more like a Persians

This judge is sick!!!!


Oui je sais, j'ai vu 2 MC bleus lors d'une expo et les ai trouvés superbes ! J'étais très tentée !!!
Mais la dernière fois que j'ai vu les chats de Bernard, Ölrùn était celle qui avait le moins de poil comparé à Ciastek et Karolina. D'où ma remarque plus haut. Mais ça fait un petit moment que je les ai vus... J'ai hâte d'être à fin Novembre pour l'expo à Paris ou nous serons tous les 2 exposants. Qui sait ! Je vais peut-être changer d'avis C'est vraiment une question de goûts.

Perso, je n'aime pas les bleus russes car je les trouve trop fins. La fourrure des Neb cache ça et leur donne plus de masse. Ce sont les mêmes raisons qui font que je n'aime pas les Abyssins mais adore les Somalis. Après tout j'adoooooore les Chartreux car ils sont très massifs (surtout les mâles) Je pense que c'était Bernard qui m'a raconté qu'un juge avait schématisé en disant que le chartreux était une patate sur 4 bouts de bois. Ce juge n'a pas vraiment tort ! Mdrrrr C'est vraiment une question de goûts.

Nebelung coat should be more like a Persians

La fourure d'un Nebelung devrait plus similaire à celle d'un persan
Il est malade ce juge !!!

laurence wrote:Yes I know, I have seen 2 blue MC at a show and thought them magnificent! I was very tempted!!! lol
But last time I saw Bernard's cats, Ölrùn was the one with less hair compared to Ciastek and Karolina. Hence my observation. But it's been a while since I last saw them.... I am looking forward to the show in Paris end of November as we will both be there. Who knows! I might change my mind It's all a question of tastes really.

Personally, I do not like RB because I find them too "thin/slim". The coat of the Neb hides that and gives them more volume.
Same reason why I do not like Abyssinine but love Somali. After all I looooove Chartreux and they are very massive cats (especially males) I think it was Bernard who told me that a judge once said that roughly a Chartreux was a potatoe on 4 sticks! That judge is not far from the truth

True, taste does play a part in choosing a breed, I personally like the slimness of the RB and NB cats--and Abys/Somalis/Siamese/Orientals etc Others like the more massive bodies of a Maine Coon/Persian/Brit/Chartreaux etc, but once decided on, we have to stick to a standard, and the RB/NB standard calls for a slim and elegant cat, and for the Neb, with a semi-longhaired body. But, because you are breeding one breed, doesn't mean you can't admire other breeds too, just don't try to incorporate their looks into the breed you are working with --LOL!! Once you get established in a breeding program, then it is always nice to get another breed to show as an alter (desexed) just for fun, I would like to have a cute little Devon Rex to show as an alter, just a fun time with no breeding committments!

But, because you are breeding one breed, doesn't mean you can't admire other breeds too, just don't try to incorporate their looks into the breed you are working with

Yes Vicki I fully agree with you! I have no intention of breeding Nebs but just having a lovely cat at home and taking him to shows so people can discover this great breed.

Oui Vicki je suis entièrement d'accord avec toi. Je n'ai pas du tout l'intention d'élever des Nebelungs, seulement d'avoir un merveilleux compagnon à la maison, et de l'emmener faire des expos pour que les gens puissent découvrir cette race superbe.

Il vaut mieux ne pas trop suivre l'avis des juges... Le Nebelung, qu'ils n'ont jamais vu, pour la pluplart, n'a pas besoin d'être autre chose que lui-même... Lorsqu'on voit ce qui à été fait avec le Siamois ou le Persan, il est bon que le Nebelung reste ce qu'il est, un Bleu Russe à poils mi-longs. Avec de beaux yeux vert et un caractère charmant. Capable de trucider la souris, si le cas si présente...

Translation by Laurence (thanks!!! by admin)
It is better not to follow closely the opinion of the judges. Most of them have never seen a Nebelung which does not need to be anything other but himself. When one sees what has been done to Siamese or Persian, it is good to check that Nebelung remains what he is, a RB with semi long hair. With beautiful green eyes and a charming personality. Able to kill a mouse if needed....

I agree with you. Only a few judges make a difference for me, they really know the Russian blue and have great comments.

For me breeding cats is like wine, tasting differed wines will help you to recognize a good wine (for your taste). Just as looking at Russian blue and Nebelung cats will learn you to see differences and make up your mind about your "perfect -I hope to be able to breed- cat" and your goals in breeding. That is why I love breeding specials etc. they are so educational.

Next week is the show in Almere. I’m looking forward to it!!!! There are probably 5 Nebelung at the show!!!!!

Regards