| In 1966
a domestic
cat gave
birth to a
hairless
kitten in
Toronto,
Canada. It
was
discovered
to be a
natural
mutation and
the Sphynx
cat, as we
know it
today, came
into
existence.
This cat and
a few other
naturally
hairless
cats have
been found
worldwide.
These have
magically
been
produced by
Mother
Nature and
are the
foundation
for this
unusual
breed. Cat
breeders in
Europe and
North
America have
bred the
Sphynx to
normal
coated cats
and then
back to
hairless for
more than
thirty
years. The
purpose of
these
selective
breedings
was to
create a
genetically
sound cat
with a large
gene pool
and hybrid
vigor. This
is a very
robust breed
with few
health or
genetic
problem.
The Sphynx
is not
always
totally
hairless;
there can be
a fine down
on the body,
which makes
the cat feel
like a warm
peach. Some
light hair
is often
present on
the nose,
tail and
tail. The
texture of
the Sphynx
skin has
been likened
to suede, a
hot water
bottle, or a
heated
chamois.
They can be
registered
in a wide
variety of
colors. The
color is
seen in the
pigment of
the skin and
the few
hairs that
they do
have. One of
the
questions
most people
asked is
"Don't they
get cold?"
Yes, if it
is too cold
for you, it
well be too
cold for a
hairless
cat. But the Sphynx is
smart enough
to find a
warm place
under a
cover, or a
dog, or a
human body.
The
Sphynx is a
medium size,
strong cat,
with the
males being
larger then
the females.
They have
good muscle
tone, and a
bit of a
belly as if
they just
finished
dinner. They
have large
wide eyes,
an intelligent
face, and
large ears.
They have an
abundance of
energy and
mischief, and
they love to
perform for
you.
Because
of the lack
of hair that
would
normally
absorb body
oils, the
Sphynx needs
to be bathed
periodically.
This is not
a difficult
task with a
cat that has
been
accustomed
to a bath
from
kittenhood,
and it takes
no time to
dry. Some
people who
suffer from
cat
allergies
can tolerate
living with
a Sphynx.
However ,
there are
still people
who cannot
live with
this breed.
It depends
on the
Individuals. |
