WESH NEFREW SPHYNX
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Sphynx Breed History
Hairless cats have been reported throughout history beginning with the Aztecs up to modern times. These cats are the products of a recessive gene that inhibits the normal growth of the feline coat.
The modern day Sphynx comes from directly breeding a handful of hairless natural mutations to other, coated cats called outcrosses. As early as the 1960’s, hairless kittens were reported in Canada. In the mid-1970s a group of natural mutations from the Minnesota farm of Milt and Ethelyn Pearson were found and cultivated. Shirley Smith of Toronto, Ontario identified a group of hairless kittens found on the streets in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Simultaneous breeding programs in North America and Europe created the foundation of the breed as we know it today.
David Mare of California, owner of Prune’s Epidermis, answers the question about the origin of the Sphynx name from the early 1970s as follows; “We (the CFA Board) were about to accept them as ‘Hairless Cats’ when one of them sat on the Board Table and looked at me in the same posture as the famous Egyptian Cat statue which is on display at the Louvre. To this day the breed is now referred to as Sphynx.”
Are Sphynx Cats like a normal cat?
Yes. Sphynx are just cats without fur - giving them the feel of a warm peach.
They still meow and purr…..a lot!
I have allergies. Can I have a Sphynx?
Sphynx are not hypoallergenic. That being said, I have never come across anyone with even the most severe allergies that have been negatively affected by my cats, including my own daughter. Many are led to believe this is because they think sphynx cats have no fur. Sphynx are not completely hairless, however. Some have minimal to no down on their bodies. And, they have little fuzz on their muzzle and ears. Therefore, they don’t feel the need to groom themselves. So, extremely minimal hair and extremely minimal saliva is good for allergy sufferers. But, my recommendation to allergy sufferers wanting a sphynx is to spend a good hour with one, rubbing the cat’s body and bring it up to the person’s face. Everyone is different.
Personality
The sphynx, known for its specific stance with one paw raised, has been affectionately said to be a mix between a cat, child, puppy, and monkey. They are extremely affectionate, intelligent, social and tolerant with children. They love to socialize with everyone and everything. They are very secure in life and don’t scare easily. So, dogs of any size are included in their friendship circle. When company comes knocking, these cats will be waiting at the door to see who is on the other side. They will make any guest feel like the most important person on the planet.
Sphynx cats hate being alone, they need company all day long whether it’s human or another cat or a small dog. This is their puppy and childlike nature coming out. When they are not helping you with your daily chores or whatever you may be doing, they are on top of you or all over you. Watch out when you walk, they will most surely be under your feet.
They are also very entertaining. Sphynx cats are so silly. They have crazy antics, like doing somersaults in the air while they play. And, they will play with anything! The sphynx also love to have playmates, of any species. They are quite clumsy, though. These cats will not always land on their feet. In fact, they rarely do.
They are also very intelligent. They quickly learn their name. And will come when called. I always tell people they are not like “other” cats that act too well for you and come when they feel like it… If they get cold – and they will – they will find a warm electronic, person, dog, or other cat to cuddle with. They are also geniuses at finagling themselves under a warm blanket. Be sure you have enough room in your bed, because they will definitely choose to be under the covers touching you at night. The sphynx also has no problems letting you know when something is not to their satisfaction. They will certainly tell you or show you.
How do you take care of a Sphynx Cat?
These cats do need care despite their lack of hair. In fact, that is why they need grooming care. Sphynx cats have oils on their bodies that normally get soaked up in the fur of furry cats. They also sweat. So sphynx need baths. However, it is debated about how often. Some say they need a weekly bath. Others say bathe your sphynx once every month or every other month. Really it depends on your cat’s ability to produce oil. I have one who get oily often and another that rarely every does. I like to bath my cats once a month. The other days or nights I will wipe my cats down with a pet wet wipe or baby wipe on the paws, and other dirty looking areas. They do need their ears cleaned with ear wash once a week. I recommend Vet Solutions: ear cleaning solution for cats. They also need their nails clipped regularly. This will be better for you furniture and your family. One of the ways a sphynx will grab your attention is to do just that... They grab you.
NEVER DECLAW YOUR SPHYNX!
Sphynx cats are very tolerant of cleaning care and will probably enjoy the attention.
Sphynx cats do get cold in chilly weather. I put sweaters and sweat shirts on my cats. However sphynx cats are very robust. They are hearty and healthy. One of their natural defenses against the cold is a raised body temperature of 4-6 degrees higher than a furred cat. However, a general rule about sphynx cats is that if you are cold, they are cold also.
Sphynx cats are strictly indoor cats. They will sunburn because they have no fur, not to mention someone will quickly snatch a free roaming sphynx! However, I will take my cats outside only under careful supervision - if they are on a cat harness and leash, it is warm, and they have shade.
What do Sphynx Cats eat?
Cats are carnivores. Point blank. This includes sphynx cats!
From the largest, fiercest lion to the most petite and delicate housecat, the unique and distinctive qualities of the feline are unmistakable. Equipped with superior eyesight, a keen sense of hearing, an acute sense of smell, lightning quick reflexes, strength that belies their size, and remarkable athleticism and agility, the cat occupies a place at or near the very top of the food chain in virtually every environment it inhabits. Its natural stealth and speed, along with its needle sharp claws, powerful jaws and razor sharp teeth, as well as its legendary curiosity, all combine to make the cat one of the Earth’s consummate predators. I recommend and feed my cats Wellness Core (a grain-free cat food) with periodic bits of raw meat. Raw meats of choice are chicken, some fish such as smashed canned sardines, anchovies or herring, & rabbit. Never feed raw beef or fluke, however. Only feed quality food to your sphynx, as their life is literally at stake. Poor quality food brings diseases and health complications. The pet food should have a high value of quality protein.
The Sphynx’s Carnivorous Characteristics include:
Sphynx have strong predatory instincts – stalking, chasing and pouncing with Sharp claws for traction while hunting and catching prey
Sphynx cats have superior eyesight, acute hearing, & keen sense of smell
Sphynx cats have soft paw pads for silently stalking prey
Sphynx cats have sharp teeth that come together to slice like scissors for gnawing, ripping and tearing as well as jaws that open and close in a vertical plane only, rather than moving horizontally.
Sphynx cats also have strong stomach acids for neutralizing potentially harmful bacteria on raw meat with short digestive tracts which makes for rapid digestive transit time that minimalizes the opportunity for potentially harmful bacterial colonization
How do Sphynx Cats do at the cat shows?
Sphynx are a huge hit at the cat shows. People love to see a cat with no hair. They are rare… And the cats eat up the attention. Yes, they are major attention hogs!
CFA Breed Standard
GENERAL: the most distinctive feature of this cat is its appearance of hairlessness. The Sphynx is of medium size and body conformation with surprising weight for its size. Females are generally smaller than males. The body feels warm and soft to the touch, with a skin texture akin to either a soft peach or a smooth nectarine. The Sphynx is sweet-tempered, lively, and amenable to handling.
HEAD: the head is a modified wedge, slightly longer than it is wide, with prominent cheekbones, a distinctive whisker break and whisker pads giving a squared appearance to the muzzle. The skull is slightly rounded with a flat plane in front of the ears. The nose is straight and there is a slight to moderate palpable stop at the bridge of the nose.
CHEEKS AND CHEEKBONES: prominent, rounded cheekbones which define the eye and form a curve above the whisker break.
MUZZLE AND CHIN: whisker break with prominent whisker pads. Strong, well developed chin forming perpendicular line with upper lip.
EARS: large to very large. Broad at the base, open and upright. When viewed from the front, the outer base of the ear should begin at the level of the eye, neither low set nor on top of the head. The interior of the ears is naturally without furnishing.
EYES: large, lemon-shaped, with wide-open center while coming to a definite point on each side. Placement should be at a slight upward angle, aligning with the outer base of the ear. Eyes to be wide set apart with the distance between the eyes being a minimum of one eye width. Eye color immaterial.
BODY: the body is medium length, hard and muscular with broad rounded chest and full round abdomen. The rump is well rounded and muscular. Back line rises just behind the shoulder blades to accommodate longer back legs when standing. Boning is medium.
NECK: the neck is medium in length, rounded, well muscled, with a slight arch. Allowance to be made for heavy musculature in adult males.
LEGS AND FEET: legs are medium in proportion to the body. They are sturdy and well muscled with rear legs being slightly longer than the front. Paws are oval with well-knuckled toes; five in front and four behind. The paw pads are thick, giving the appearance of walking on cushions.
TAIL: slender, flexible, and long while maintaining proportion to body length. Whip-like, tapering to a fine point.
COAT/SKIN: the appearance of this cat is one of hairlessness. Short, fine hair may be present on the feet, outer edges of the ears, the tail, and the scrotum. The bridge of the nose should be normally coated. The remainder of the body can range from completely hairless to a covering of soft peach-like fuzz whose length does not interfere with the appearance of hairlessness. This coat/skin texture creates a feeling of resistance when stroking the cat. Wrinkled skin is desirable, particularly around the muzzle, between the ears, and around the shoulders. There are usually
no whiskers but if whiskers are present they are short and sparse.
COLOR: color and pattern are difficult to distinguish and should not affect the judging of the cat. White lockets, buttons, or belly spots are allowed.
PENALIZE: hair other than described. Delicate or frail appearance. Thin abdomen, thin rump, or narrow chest. Bowed front legs. Should not resemble the Devon Rex, Cornish Rex or Oriental body type.
DISQUALIFY: kinked or abnormal tail. Structural abnormalities. Aggressive behavior endangering the judge.
TICA Breed Standard
HEAD:
Shape: Medium-sized, modified wedge with rounded contours,slightly longer than wide. Skull is slightly rounded with a rather flat forehead and prominent cheekbones and a distinct whisker break
Eyes: Large, rounded lemon shape. Slanting to outer corner of ear. Slightly more than an eye width between eyes.
Ears: Very large, broad at base and open. Set upright, neither low set nor on top of the head. The interior is totally hairless. Slight amount of hair allowed on lower outside edges and on the back of the ear.
Muzzle and Chin: Strong rounded muzzle with distinct whisker break and firm chin. Profile: Slight to moderate stop at bridge of nose.
Neck: Medium in length, rounded and well-muscled. The neck arches from the shoulders to the base of the skull and is powerful, especially in males.
BODY:
Torso: Medium in size, medium to medium long in length. The chest is broad, may tend toward barrel
chested. The abdomen is well rounded, having the appearance of having eaten a large meal, but not fat..
Legs: Length in proportion with body, with medium boning and firm musculature. Hind legs slightly longer than front. Front legs widely set. Females may have slightly finer boning.
Feet: Medium in size, oval shape with long, slender toes. The paw pads are thicker than in other breeds, giving the cat the appearance of walking on "air cushions". The toes are very long, slender and prominent.
Tail: Whippy, tapering from body to tip (rat-tailed). Length is in proportion to body. A lion tail (puff of hair on tip) acceptable. Musculature: Hard and muscular, not delicate.
Boning: Medium.
COAT/COLOR/PATTERN:
Length: Appears hairless. May be covered with short, fine down. May have puff of hair on tip of tail. Whiskers are sparse and short.
Texture: Chamois-like. A feeling of resistance may be felt when stroking the skin of some cats. The skin is very wrinkled in kittens. Adults should retain as many wrinkles as possible, especially on the head, although wrinkling should not be so pronounced that it affects the cat's normal functions.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: The Sphynx appears to be a hairless cat, although it is not truly hairless. The skin should have the texture of chamois. It may be covered with very fine down which is almost
imperceptible to both the eye and the touch. On the ears, muzzle, tail, feet and scrotum, short, soft, fine hair is allowed. Lack of coat makes the cat quite warm to the touch. Whiskers and eyebrows may be present, either whole or broken, or may be totally absent. The cat should not be small or dainty. Males may be up to 25 percent larger so long as proper proportions are maintained. The Sphynx is sweet-tempered, lively, intelligent and above all amenable to handling.
PENALIZE: Overall small cat. Body that is too thin, frail-appearing or delicate or fine-boned; too cobby or
foreign. Lack of wrinkles on the head. Straight profile, narrow head. Non-amenable dispositi o n . Significant amounts of hair above the ankle.
ALLOWANCES: Lockets.
WITHHOLD ALL AWARDS (WW):
Any indication of wavy hair or suggestion of the Devon Rex, or Cornish Rex in molt..
DISQUALIFY (DQ): Any evidence of depilitating, plucking, shaving or clipping or any other means of hair
removal. Inability to handle.
