Nebelung

A Nebelung typically lives 11-16 years, and well-cared-for individuals in calm homes often reach the upper end. The breed has no defining lethal or structural mutation, so lifespan is driven by ordinary husbandry plus vigilance for the Russian Blue–inherited risks: urinary stones and, less commonly, kidney disease. Lean body weight, good hydration, and prompt response to litter-box changes move the number more than anything else.

Functionally, yes — that is the most accurate way to set expectations. It was created from Russian Blue stock and uses the Russian Blue as an accepted outcross, so it shares the temperament (reserved, devoted, quiet) and the inherited health watch-list (urinary stones, possible PKD and PRA). The practical difference is the dense semi-long double coat, which adds a twice-weekly combing commitment the shorthair Russian Blue does not have.

They can be, in calm households, but this is not a robust, chaos-tolerant breed. Nebelungs are gentle and never aggressive, but they are reserved, dislike noise and unpredictability, and will retreat from rough or loud handling rather than tolerate it. They suit older, gentle children who respect a cat's space far better than boisterous toddler households, where the cat is likely to hide and the relationship never forms.

Moderate — about 10 minutes twice a week with a stainless steel comb, working through the ruff, britches, and tail plume where the dense double coat tangles first. Increase to every other day for two to three weeks during the spring and autumn seasonal shed. The coat resists matting better than a Persian's, so it is manageable, but it is a real recurring commitment, not the wash-and-wear coat of a shorthair.

Yes, with the caveat that companionship and stability matter more than space. Nebelungs are quiet (a genuine plus for apartments), adaptable to small homes, and not destructive, but they bond hard to one or two people and dislike being left alone all day or exposed to constant foot traffic. A consistent routine and 15-20 minutes of daily play matter more to a Nebelung's wellbeing than square footage.

Because the breed is built on Russian Blue genetics, prioritize three: urinary stones (the most common practical problem — monitor the litter box and keep the cat hydrated), polycystic kidney disease (ask the breeder for a PKD genetic test on the parents), and progressive retinal atrophy (an inherited vision loss reputable lines screen for). Add dental care and weight control as the everyday levers. A breeder who tests breeding cats for PKD is a meaningful filter.