The Sphynx - A Cat, Minus the Hair

by Vanilla

The Sphynx is a breed of hairless cat. They appeared in the world at different times. Mexican hairless cats date back to the pre-Columbian era. In 1938, French professor E. Letard described the mutant allele h in hairless kittens produced by a pair of Siamese cats. In 1966 in Ontario, Canada, Ms. Micalwaith’s female cat Elisabeth gave birth to a hairless male named Prune. Prune and Elisabeth then produced hairless kittens. The spontaneous mutation responsible for this trait is caused by the recessive allele hr. Also in Ontario and at the same time, Ms. Smith discovered Bambi, a black and white hairless male. Pinkie and Squeakie, two hairless females, were adopted by Hugo Hernandez in the Netherlands. In the 1980s, similar cases were reported in Great Britain.

As interest in these cats declined in the United States, their popularity grew in Europe, especially in France by 1983, as well in the Netherlands.

It is true that it is impossible to remain indifferent to these cats, adored by some and detested by others.

Seeing the success of these cats in shows and the curiosity they generated, American breeders began importing Sphynxes from Europe. The Sphynx breed of cat is quite rare nowadays.

The Sphynx is lively, mischievous, playful, and independant. Friendly toward other cats and toward dogs, Sphynxes are never aggressive. Very affectionate and even possessive, they adore being doted on.

Apartment life is perfect for them, since they are sensitive to cold, heat, and humidity. In winter, they should be fed a high-calorie diet in order to keep their body temperature slightly above normal. Although they tan, they must be kept out of direct sunlight, which can lead to sunburn.

Unlike other feline breeds, Sphynxes sweat through the skin and should thus be cleaned periodically, as they produce a great deal of wax

Female Sphynxes have no more than two heats per year. The breed has a high rate of neonatal mortality. Sphynx kittens are born with very wrinkled skin and hair along the spine that disappears with age.