History Of The Sphynx Cat
The contemporary breed of Sphynx (known also as the Canadian Sphynx, distinct from the Russian Sphynx breeds - Peterbald, Don Sphynx) started in 1966, in Roncesvalles, Toronto when a hairless kitten named Prune was born. The kitten was mated with its mother (inbreeding), which produced one more naked kitten. Together with a few naked kittens found later it founded the first attempt to create a hairless breed. The first sphynx breeders faced a number of problems: The genetic pool was very limited; breeders had rather vague ideas about sphynx genetics, and many kittens died. There was also a problem with many of the females suffering convulsions. The last 2 descendents of Prune, a brother-sister pair, were sent to Holland in the 1970s, but the male was uninterested in mating and the female conceived only once, but lost the litter.
In 1978 and 1980, two further hairless female kittens ware found in Toronto and were sent to Holland to be bred with Prune's last surviving male descendent. One female conceived, but she also lost the litter. By then, the one remaining male had been neutered, never having been interested in mating with any of the females. As a result, no modern Sphynx cats are traceable to Prune. With no male Sphynx's, breeders instead used sparsely-furred Devon Rex studs. Two hairless female kittens born in 1975 and 1976, Epidermis and Dermis, to barn cats in Minnesota became an important part of the Sphynx breeding program and further hairless cats were found in Texas, Arkansas and Minnesota. Modern Sphynx therefore trace their origins to the second Canadian bloodline and to the Minnesota cats.
In 1978 and 1980, two further hairless female kittens ware found in Toronto and were sent to Holland to be bred with Prune's last surviving male descendent. One female conceived, but she also lost the litter. By then, the one remaining male had been neutered, never having been interested in mating with any of the females. As a result, no modern Sphynx cats are traceable to Prune. With no male Sphynx's, breeders instead used sparsely-furred Devon Rex studs. Two hairless female kittens born in 1975 and 1976, Epidermis and Dermis, to barn cats in Minnesota became an important part of the Sphynx breeding program and further hairless cats were found in Texas, Arkansas and Minnesota. Modern Sphynx therefore trace their origins to the second Canadian bloodline and to the Minnesota cats.
SPHYNX CHARATERISTICS:
The Sphynx appears to be a hairless cat, but it is not truly hairless. The Sphynx (also known as Canadian Hairless ) is a rare breed of cat known for its lack of a coat. Lack of coat makes the cat quite warm to the touch. The skin texture resembles that of chamois leather. It may be covered with fine hair. They may have light peach fuzz on their ears, tails, and feet. Because the sphynx cats have no pelt to keep them warm they huddle up against other animals and people. They love to sleep in your lap or your bed cuddled under the blankets. They even tend to cuddle up and sleep with their owners under the covers. For this reason many owners describe them as their living hot water bottle. They tend to eat more to maintain their body temperature which results in them using their litter pan more then a regular cat.. Whiskers and eyebrows may be present, either whole or broken, or may be totally absent. The skin is the color their fur would be, and all the usual cat marking patterns (solid, point, van, tabby, tortie, etc.) may be found on Sphynx skin. Sphynx generally have wedge-shaped heads and sturdy, heavy bodies. Sphynx cats are known for their extroverted behavior. They display a high level of energy, intelligence, curiosity, and affection for their owners. The Sphynx is one of the most friendly, social and loving cat there is, they have an affinity to humans and get along very well with children and other pets including dogs and other cats. They are very curious and are constantly exploring inside every box, bag and even drawers.
The Sphynx appears to be a hairless cat, but it is not truly hairless. The Sphynx (also known as Canadian Hairless ) is a rare breed of cat known for its lack of a coat. Lack of coat makes the cat quite warm to the touch. The skin texture resembles that of chamois leather. It may be covered with fine hair. They may have light peach fuzz on their ears, tails, and feet. Because the sphynx cats have no pelt to keep them warm they huddle up against other animals and people. They love to sleep in your lap or your bed cuddled under the blankets. They even tend to cuddle up and sleep with their owners under the covers. For this reason many owners describe them as their living hot water bottle. They tend to eat more to maintain their body temperature which results in them using their litter pan more then a regular cat.. Whiskers and eyebrows may be present, either whole or broken, or may be totally absent. The skin is the color their fur would be, and all the usual cat marking patterns (solid, point, van, tabby, tortie, etc.) may be found on Sphynx skin. Sphynx generally have wedge-shaped heads and sturdy, heavy bodies. Sphynx cats are known for their extroverted behavior. They display a high level of energy, intelligence, curiosity, and affection for their owners. The Sphynx is one of the most friendly, social and loving cat there is, they have an affinity to humans and get along very well with children and other pets including dogs and other cats. They are very curious and are constantly exploring inside every box, bag and even drawers.