Sphynx Cat Breed Facts

Mexican Hairless is an earlier term for the traditional Sphynx cat.

The Sphynx cat breed developed in the late twentieth century. These cats are medium sized and usually weigh between 6 and 10 pounds fully grown. According to the Pet Planet website, the Sphynx cat breed has few health issues.

History

In 1978, Shirley Smith, a Siamese cat breeder from Ontario, Canada, found three hairless and homeless kittens. She sent two of these kittens to the Netherlands where Dr. Hugo Hernandez crossbred them with a white Devon Rex. The offspring developed into the Sphynx breed.

Identification

Sphynx cats have large eyes, large ears, wrinkled skin and no whiskers. These "hairless" cats have a thin, suede-like coat of hair that covers their bodies. The Sphynx breed has no determined color standards. The skin of Sphynx cats has the pigmentation their coats would have if they had fur.

Grooming

Owners need to bathe Sphynx cats once a week, because they do not have a coat of hair that soaks up the oil from their skin. Owners also need to clean the cat's ears regularly.

Benefits

According to the Cats of Australia website, people who have cat allergies can sometimes tolerate female Sphynx cats.

Temperament

According to The Traditional Cat Association website, Sphynx cats are affectionate and people-oriented. They are also inquisitive and love to be the center of attention, according to the Cat Fancier's Association website.

References

• The Traditional Cat Association: FAQ Traditional Sphynx
• The Cat Fancier's Association: Breed Profile: Sphynx
• Cats of Australia: Hypoallergenic Cat Breeds - Low Allergy Cats
• Pet Planet: Cat Breeds - Sphynx
• Petfinder: Sphynx Cat