Sfinx

FIFe:

SPH

Place of Origin:

Canada

Ancestors:

House Shorthair Cats

Breed type:

Hairless cat

Body type:

Soft, muscular

Weight:

3.5 - 7 kg

Colour variants:

All colours

History: Hairless cats like Sphynx were appeared centuries ago, as well as ancient Aztecs, who bred hairless dogs too. The gene corresponding to the absence of hair is recessive. It can therefore be donated from one cat to another for generations without appearing. The hairless kitten is born when two cats are matted, they are carrying the same recessive gene for hairless.

The first Sphynx was apparently discovered in 1966 in Canadian Ontario in the litter of short-haired kittens. By the end of the 19th century, however, there was a Mexican hairless-breed cat called a Mexican Hairless Cat.

Because of a small number of individuals of this breed, House Cats or Devon Rex are pre-crossed too. From crossbreeding with a House Cat, first-born kittens are born hairy, when we matte these kittens with the Sphynx they can be hairless.

Temperament: It is a cuddly and intelligent cat that builds a confidential and deep relationship with man. Sphynx is a social foundations, loves the company of people and other domestic animals. Against stress, they are quite resilient, so they are well accustomed to a busy household with children. They do not enjoy to stay alone. They are active and playful, they like running and climbing. Temperament is very good-natured and friendly.

Body: Sphynx has a medium-sized, oscillating, barrel-shaped body. Leg lengths are in good proportion to the body, the back legs are higher than the front. The front legs are far apart and stand weak shape “O”. Standing feet are oval, with long fingers. Feet pads are significantly thicker than other cats. The correspondingly long tail extends to the tip. Medium wedge-shaped head of medium size has rounded shapes and is slightly longer than wider. The chin is massive and the nasal profile shows a slight deflection. Very large ears are wide at the base, on the head they are seated neither too high nor too far down. Large, slanting eyes are lemon-shaped.

Coat: Although Sphynx is known as a hairless cat, it has very short and fine fluff throughout the body. Tactile hairs are short and wavy but may also be missing. The skin is wrinkled and by touch it feels like a skin of peach.

Care: Sphynx is hairless cat but its body is cover by soft fluff. The skin forms skin wax, so these cats should be washed twice a month with a neutral pH shampoo. Unlike hairless dogs, the Sphynx cannot be burnt by the sun. They can be tanned - their skin gets darker in darker pigmented places. In summer, most of them also get freckles. Ears should be cleaned when it is necessary and claws cut too.

Colour variants: Sphynx can be found in all existing colours and colour combinations, with white spots. Black tabby, tortoiseshell and spotted are common. The colour of the coat, however, it is hard to detect due to the little coat. The colour of the eyes matches the colour of the skin.