Sphynx

For a unique, eye-catching and utterly enchanting cat, you can’t go past the Sphynx. Named after the mythical creature (and iconic Egyptian statue), the Sphynx’s primary trait is that it is seemingly hairless (in fact, a very soft, virtually undetectable peach fuzz covers its body).

Hairless cat breeds have been reported throughout history, but have only successfully been bred since the late 1960s. The Sphynx’s origins therefore come from North America rather than the Middle East, hence its alternative name, Canadian Hairless.

Breeding history
Many a cat breeder has tried to breed the hairless cat, but it wasn’t until 1966 when the first was born in Canada. The success was short lived, though, as the cat died kittenless. Greater success followed a year later, when a second Sphynx was born, this one later giving birth itself. The aim behind such ambitious breeding was to ensure a sound and wide gene pool. It’s been undeniably successful, as all bred hairless felines today are descendents of that trailblazing Sphynx. And as an added bonus for owner, the lack of hair means people who are traditionally allergic to cats can often live happily with this breed.

‘Mr Bigglesworth’, from the movie Austin Powers is arguably the world’s the most famous Sphynx. Originally a white Persian (in homage to the iconic Blofeld cat from the Bond films), Mr Bigglesworth ‘turned’ Sphynx following his, um, hair-raising escape in a cryogenic capsule with owner Dr Evil. Due to a error in the un-freezing process, Mr Bigglesworth became as bald as his owner, and is now played by the feline primadona Ted NudeGent!

Characteristics
Totally unmistakable in appearance, this cat is probably closest to humans in terms of habits and characteristics. It often likes to follow you around the house. Whilst the cat looks wrinkly and hairless, the peach fuzz covering it becomes apparent on stroking it. They usually have extra hair around their tails, noses, backs of the ears, feet and scrotum. Their lack of fur can be a problem in colder climates, so these cats often cuddle up to people and other animals to share some warmth. Which means they’ll be more than happy to share a doona with you!

Despite the lack of obvious hair, they still blend in with the rest of the cat family as their skin varies from tortoiseshell to tabby. The breed generally has big pixie-like ears, large eyes, very triangular-shaped heads and heavy bodies. Add to this a tendency to develop pot bellies and perhaps its not surprising that many people think of Gollum from The Lord of the Rings when first seeing a Sphynx.

However, they are well known to be extroverted, energetic, inquisitive and intelligent. A Sphynx has long slender toes and thicker paw pads than most cats, so they almost appearance to be walking on air.

These cats are the natural performers of the cat world. They will often play up just for your entertainment and love human attention. They are often compared to monkeys or dogs, particularly because of the way they greet you after work. Like an excitable child, these cats go at a hundred miles per hour — or are asleep. They are easy-going and are easily trained. They have even been known to fetch, so are popular with judges in cat competitions.

The socialite Sphynx is fantastic for families, mixing with other pets and experienced cat owners.

Health
Due to the breeders’ experimentation, this cat’s large gene pool means that the Sphynx is a healthy and genetically strong cat.

But while you won’t find your sofa covered in cat fur, these cats do require other forms of maintenance. Natural oils that would usually be absorbed into a hairy coat are rendered useless on a Sphynx, so your small friend will need to be bathed about once a week to stay clean, and will also need help to keep their ears free from oil build-up. You should also keep your Sphynx out of the sun as much as possible as they can be burnt. It’s also an idea to apply cat-friendly sun cream if you know your cat will be outside.

Sphynxes are active cats who eat large portions of food daily. An average female will weigh around three to four kilograms and a male between three and a half to four and a half kilograms.

Breeders
The Sphynx is widely regarded as being one of the most enchanting cat breeds due to its individuality. Being all flair and no hair, they rank seventh in popularity of the breeds recognised by the Cat Fanciers Association. The Sphynx is a rare breed and in high demand. Kittens are generally sold at 12 to 16 weeks old and hairier varieties will be sold for much less than the true bald ones.

If you’re looking to adopt, visit
http://www.cat-world.com.au/sphynx-cat-breeders-in-australia
http://www.sphynxcats.com.au/
http://www.aaadiamondsphynx.com/sphynx_kittens.htm
http://www.autumn-argus.com/Sphynx/sphynx_home.htm