Originally, these magnificent animals made their homes in Russian monasteries, where they would walk along the high beams as lookouts for intruders. Their agility, speed, and large size made them worthy opponents in the monasteries' shadowy interiors. But the monks who cared for these animals regarded them as loyal and loving companions. True to their heritage, the modern Siberians are still renowned for their sense of loyalty and their almost human displays of affection. People often say that they have personalities more like dogs than cats. Siberians are healthy, agile, strong and powerfully built. They are densely muscled. All their physical characteristics fall under the guidelines of medium. Although, their general overall appearance is powerful and thick rather than dainty, they are not the largest domestic cats. Siberians are well proportioned. Ears are medium in size; legs are thick and medium in length. The body and tail are proportionate to one another. They are hefty and well balanced. Siberian kittens are extremely intelligent, playful and affectionate. They are easy to train, travel well, and have dog-like loyalty. Siberians are wrapped in plush, non-matting, and non-allergic fur. They quickly shed in spring and fall in a year. The females average 8-12 while the males average between 12-16 pounds. Full maturity takes 4-5 years. Most of the size is reached in the first year and a half. Muscles continue to develop and strengthen and they will add weight during the second through the fifth year. They are densely muscled so they are heavy whatever their size.