Sphynx cat | Facts & Information

Temperament: sociable, curious, loyal, agile

Origin

In the past about a hundred years, hairless kittens have spontaneously appeared among the fateful puppies of various short-haired domestic cats. This natural, spontaneous mutation appears to be a relatively common one, since hairless cats have been discovered in Canada, France, Mexico, Russia, Australia, and the United States. However, many of these lines were never perfected.

The first official selection program of the breed began in the 60s, in Canada, when a pair of short-haired domestic cats gave anstere to a hairless kitten. In 1970, The Cat Fanciers Association (CFA), granted the "Canadian hairless cat" provisional breed status.

However, the following year, the CFA rescinded her provisional status due to health problems and growing difficulties. At the time it was thought that the gene associated with hair loss was lethal.

The Sphynx we know today appeared in 1975, when the owners of a Minnesota Farm, the Pearson family, discovered that their short-haired cat, Jezabelle, had given birth to a hairless kitten, which they named Epidermis. In 1976, another hairless kitten named Dermis is born. The two hairless cats are given to Oregon breeder Kim Mueske, who used them to create the breed.

The name "Sphynx" was chosen after the name of the Great Sphinx of Giza.

In 1983, a Canadian breeder, Shirley Smith, sent two kittens to Dr. Hugo Hernandez in Holland. Dr. Hernandez kept the two specimens, named Punkie and Paloma, until he got the Devon rex.

The descendants of these cats, along with the descendants of Pearson cats, formed the foundation for the creation of today's sphynx. In February 1998, the Sphynx was accepted by the CFA into its database and sustained efforts are being made to gain provisional status in the CFA.

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Appearance Sphynx Cat

Once you manage to get over the shock of seeing a "naked" cat, you will find that this breed has other distinctive features. Sphynxes are medium-sized cats with a body more long than wide, muscular and well proportioned. The chest is deep and well dressed by the musculature. The abdomen is prominent, but not batracian-like.

The head is triangular, with rounded corners, more long than wide, with a rounded skull and a slightly flat forehead. The jaws are prominent, and the chin is strong and well pointed. The ears are large and wide similar to parabolic antennae, lacking hair on their internal face. The nose is short, covered with skin of the same color as the one on the body.

The large, oval, lemon-shaped eyes, slightly oblique, well-spaced, expressive, are in color consistent with that of the hair, but can also be green. The neck is long, thin and muscular. Its tail is long and thin, conical. The legs are long, slender and with well-highlighted musculature.

The calves are of medium length, thin, but with strong bone. The paws are oval, with long fingers and thick pads. In reality, the Sphynx has no skin more wrinkled than any other cat. All cats have loose, wrinkled skin, the skin of the cat being the thinnest compared to other domestic animals, and also the most elastic. In fact, it is much easier to notice these creases in a hairless cat.

Despite your expectations, the Sphynx just seems to have no hair. Its skin is covered with extremely fine fluff, which brings with it the texture of deer skin.

The Sphynx is found in a variety of colors and patterns, but the exact color is sometimes difficult to determine in a hairless cat, so in feline exhibitions, no points are awarded or the animal is not penalized because of the color.

The body weight of the Sphynx is between 3.5-7 kg, the males being more robust.

Behavior Sphynx Cat

The Sphynx is an affectionate and playful pet. They are sociable, agile and extremely curious cats, being crazy for the company of man or other pets. The Sphynx is part monkey, part dog, part Child and another part cat, presenting character traits specific to each.

To say that the Sphynx is sharp and Lively is only a modest statement; they will perform aerial acrobatics similar to monkeys at the top of the door or library. Devoted and loyal, they will follow their master everywhere, wagging their dog's tail and purring relentlessly.

They will greet their master when he gets home and are very talkative. The Sphynx needs your unconditional attention and is just as naughty and cute as children.

Sphynxes are said to be champions of the torso. They like to be spoiled and do not give away from a good game of play.

They are medium active, with an average responsiveness, extremely curious and agile. Patient and docile, the Sphynx is the perfect pet.

They are extremely sociable cats tolerating without much effort other pets. Friendly and affectionate, the Sphynx will love children from the first moment. Especially seek attention from the master, liking to sleep in his arms or in his bed.

Features Sphynx Cat

Sphinx-ii are exclusively indoor cats because they have a diminished protection from environmental factors, not allowing them to Lancet on cold surfaces.

Their body temperature is a degree or two higher compared to other cats and they have an extraordinary ability to compensate for heat loss. Sphynxes have a characteristic, resort position, raising one of the front limbs.

Kittens are born covered with a fine fluff, which they remove when they become adults. Fur colors and patterns can sometimes be hard to spot in adults. Sphynxes can show all varieties of color. Sphynx requires weekly care. Nails should be shortened when necessary.

Sphynx should be bathed once a week, but you should always use only special products for cats. Cats are very sensitive, so it is very important to use only products addressed to them. It is important to dry it with a towel immediately after bathing and you should not allow it to stand in the cold or go outside.

Ears should also be cleaned once a week with hygienic chopsticks. The ear should be cleaned from the outside to the inside. If you have never done this before, your veterinarian will teach you.

Note that the Sphynx is an exclusively indoor cat. Their skin is extremely sensitive due to lack of hair, they are prone to sunburn.

Diseases Cat Sphynx

Despite its lack of hair that could give it less protection from environmental factors and various pathogens, the Sphynx is a hardy and healthy breed with few medical problems.

As with other breeds, these cats are prone to diseases of the oral cavity (gingivitis, dental tartar), skin allergies, and in the case of males should be given extra attention to possible urinary problems.

The Sphynx should not be exposed to sudden temperature changes, as well as should not be exposed to extreme temperatures, too low or too high, being prone to sunburn or frostbite.

Like genetic diseases, no specific sensitivity is reported in the literature.

Like other breeds, with age, respectively, after the age of 6-8 years, it is imperative to have a routine control of your pet, control accompanied by several investigations (ultrasound, X-ray, blood and urine tests) to detect in time any individual sensitivities and to try to institute a diet or appropriate treatment.

The average life expectancy at Spyhnx is 10-15 years.