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There are historical records of hairless cats in Central America. However, the gene causing hairlessness is recessive.
If it is to come across in the next generation, it is necessary that both parents were its carriers. Therefore hairless
cats appeared only spontaneously and randomly.
The contemporary hairless cat breed known as Sphynx was bred at the end of the 60's of the 20th century in North America,
specifically in Canada. This is why Sphynx is often designated as the Canadian hairless cat.
The first Sphynx was born in Toronto in 1966 as a kitten of an American short-haired cat.
But even Sphynx in fact has a very short undergrowth.
This is why, when you stroke a Sphynx, you have a feeling as if you were touching a peach.
A cat without fur is something unimaginable for many people.
This may also be the reason why FIFe organisation recognised the breed as late as on 1.1.2002.
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As for the temperature specifications, what applies for short-haired cats such as Rexes,
goes for hairless cats twice as much. Absence of hair causes inclination to various temperature-related illnesses.
This is why a Sphynx can be kept almost solely indoors.
And that means a well-heated interior, because they hate to dwell in cold places.
Similar to Rexes, also the Sphynx's body temperature is about two degrees higher than in a common cat.
Faster metabolism causes an increased food consumption. Fortunately, the Sphynxes are not too choosy with food.
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| Sphynx breed standards |
| Head: |
Shape of modified wedge with rounded contours, slightly longer than wide. Skull is slightly rounded with a flat plane on the forehead and with prominent cheekbones. Strong rounded muzzle and a firm chin. Whiskers are whole or broken, coarse. |
| Nose: |
Slight to moderate stop at bridge of a straight nose. |
| Ears: |
Large, broad at base and open, slightly rounded tips Interior is totally hairless, slight amount of hair allowed on lower outside edges and on the back of the ear.
Placement: upright, set at a slight angle on the head, not flaring. |
| Eyes: |
Lemon shaped, large, slanting to outer edge of ear, slightly more than an eye width between eyes.
Colour of eyes ideally to conform to skin colour. |
| Neck: |
Medium length, shape is rounded and well muscled, arches from shoulders to base of skull, powerfull, especially in males. |
| Body: |
Medium long, hard and muscular, not delicate, full rounded abdomen, but not fat, broad rounded chest. |
| Legs: |
Length in proportion with body, medium long, hind legs slightly longer than front, front legs widely set, medium boning, firm and muscular. |
| Paws: |
Oval with long slender, prominent toes, pads thicker than in other breeds, giving the cat the appearance of walking on “air cushions”. |
| Tail: |
Slender, broader at the base and tapering to the tip, length in proportion to body, lion tail (puff of hair on tip) acceptable. |
| Coat and skin: |
| Texture: | Appears hairless, may be covered with short, fine down. Chamois-like, a feeling of resistance may be felt when stroking the skin of some cats. |
| Wrinkles: | Wrinkled skin desirable especially around the muzzle, between the ears and around the shoulders, although wrinkling should not be so pronounced that it affects the cat’s normal functions. Short, soft, fine hair is allowed on the feet, across the bridge of the nose and cheekbones, at the back of the ears, the scrotum and the tip of the tail. |
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| Colour: |
All colour varieties and patterns are permitted, including those with white. Any amount of white is permitted. |
| Faults: |
| Head: | Straight profile, narrow head, lack of wrinkles on the head. |
| Body: | Overall small cat, body that is too thin, frail appearing or delicate or fine boned, too cobby or Oriental. |
| Coat: | Significant amounts of hair anywhere else as described under coat, any indication of wavy hair or suggestion of the DRX or SPH in molt, any means of hair removal. |
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Overall
impression: |
Medium-sized cat.
Surprising weight for its size. |
| Comment: |
The cat should not be small or dainty. Males may be significantly larger so long as proper proportions are maintained. The Sphynx is sweet-tempered, lively, intelligent and amenable to handling. |
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Due to the heat exigency, Sphynx is logically a rather clinging companion.
On the other hand, it is a rather hip animal that loves its freedom.
This is why it does not quite bear a firm grasp or cuddling.
But otherwise it is a sociable animal that will adapt to its master.
They are playful and do not show any aggressive tendencies.
Sphynxes are medium-sized cats with a long, muscled body, long and thin legs, and small, soft paws.
The tail is relatively long and thin. The neck is medium-sized and the head is only slightly prolate.
Almost inadequately large ears with lightly rounded tips are wide at the root. The eyes are sunk and slant.
A hairless cat requires minimum care. On the other hand, the fur protects the other cats from weather.
And this is what the Sphynxes lack. This is why they must avoid abiding in the open. It is simply your home pet.
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