Sphnyx Cat Information
The Sphynx, named after the Great Sphinx of Giza, is a relatively new cat breed, accepted for competition by the Cat Fancier's Association in 2002. The Sphynx's lack of hair makes it an easily recognizable breed. The Sphynx breed is relatively rare, which means purchasing a kitten from a breeder might be more expensive than purchasing a more common cat breed. The Sphynx has few health or genetic problems.
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History
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The first Sphynx cat dates back to 1966. A cat in Toronto, Canada, gave birth to a hairless kitten, according to the Cat Fancier's Association. This oddity turned out to be a natural mutation. From there, cats with this mutation were bred to create the Sphynx breed. The line became extinct in 1970 because of the belief that the mutation caused health problems and breathing difficulties, according to the Pet Place website. In 1975 a cat in Minnesota gave birth to a hairless kitten. The owners sold the kitten to a local breeder, who worked to resurrect the hairless breed by widening and strengthening the gene pool.
Features
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The most defining feature of the Sphynx cat is its lack of hair. Some Sphynx have a fine covering of hair that the Cat Fancier's Association likens to a warm peach. The Sphynx also has large pointy ears, thick paw pads, large lemon-shaped eyes, a wedge-shaped head, prominent cheekbones, a strong chin, a broad chest and hard muscles. Sphynx cats come in many color varieties.
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Temperament
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The Sphynx is an inquisitive breed that enjoys being the center of attention. A devoted, loyal cat, the Sphynx follows its humans around the house, purring and wagging its tail like a dog, according to the Pet Place website. The Sphynx is a lively breed that enjoys performing acrobatics from high-up places such as bookshelves and the tops of doorways. The breed has a sense of adventure and mischief and loves human companionship. The Sphynx also enjoys the company of other cats and dogs.
Considerations
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The Sphynx's lack of hair means the cat requires frequent bathing and ear cleaning. On a furry cat, the hair absorbs some of the cat's body oils, but on a hairless Sphynx this is not possible, according to the Cat Fancier's Association. Getting the Sphynx used to bathing and handling while it is young makes it easier to bathe it as an adult.
Benefits
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As a hairless cat, the Sphynx can live with people suffering from some cat allergies. The Sphynx makes a good pet choice for cat lovers who cannot own a cat because of mild allergies, but those with more severe allergies might still have a problem.
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References
- Photo Credit canadian sphynx image by Indigo Fish from Fotolia.com
