All about sphynx
The hairless gene has appeared spontaneously in both cats and dogs over the past century.
The first breeding program for hairless cats was initiated in Canada in 1966, when a domestic shorthaired cat produced a hairless kitten. These early cats were at first called “The Canadian Hairless”, “Moonstone Cats” and “Canadian Sphynx”. Over time “Sphynx” became the official name. The lineage of these Canadian hairless cats only continued for a brief time and other hairless kittens that appeared spontaneously in various litters in the United States during the 1970s became the true corner stone of the breed.
The Sphynx has become more and more popular due to them being very affectionate, intelligent, loyal, trainable, playful and inquisitive they are akin to a small dog. Despite the lack of shedding hair, time is still required to have weekly/fortnightly baths.
The Sphynx isn’t truly hairless
On closer look, one will see that it is actually covered with a very fine down. The skin feels quite a bit like a chamois/peach fuzz. Hair is most likely to appear around the ears, muzzle, tail, feet and scrotum. The lack of coat makes the cat feel quite warm to the touch.
A lion tail – a puff of hair on the tip of the tail, is apparent in some cats. The tail is whippy, and tapers from the body to the tip, akin to a rat’s tail. The kitten’s skin is very wrinkled and as the cat ages, the wrinkles will diminish, although not completely.
The Sphynx is very muscular. All colours and patterns may occur including any amount of white.
Temperament
The Sphynx is sweet-tempered, lively, intelligent and easily trainable, they are very playful, inquisitive and can be hyperactive and mischievous at times. The Sphynx is very happy to be close and cuddled, very friendly with children and other animals
I have found they aren’t a very vocal breed although I encourage my cats to be talkative. Some breeders regard the Sphynx as a very communal cat that fits into the new family’s home very well.
Health
The main problem is the breed’s potential to suffer from the extremes of heat and cold. I highly recommend they live indoors and have an fully covered in outdoor area so you know your cat is safe and sound at all times and they get the added benefit of some sunlight and fresh air. You don’t have to go to extreme costs to do this as you can purchase suitable cat playpens with tunnels and such joined to them which are quite easy to pop up and down as necessary. A heating pad or small cat/dog jumper and some plush warm blankets is a must in periods of cold. Pale-skinned cats are most susceptible to sunburn, although all can burn if not provided with adequate protection. Skin cancer from exposure to the sun is not only limited to us.
The ears lack hairs to filter dust and dirt and need to be cleaned out weekly. They do tend to eat a lot more food than another breeds of equal size and this is likely to be a means of regulating body temperature in the colder months. Some individuals will be more sensitive to the cold than others.
Grooming
While no brushes are needed, a weekly/fortnightly bath will keep the skin clear of oils and dust (depending on just how dirty they get) unscented Baby wipes are often used between baths. Cleaning of the ears and toenail trims should also be done when having a spa day, unlike most cat breeds most Sphynx like water.
HCM vets veterinary cardiologist, Dr Richard Woolley or Dr Brad Gavaghan.
ACF STANDARDS Sphynx
Page 1 Effective 1 January 2018 SPHYNX [SPH] (Standard Source: TICA 1999)
General 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. A lion tail (puff of hair on the tip of the tail) is acceptable.
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. The head is slightly longer than it is wide with prominent cheekbones and a distinct whisker break. The profile has a slight to moderate stop at the bridge of the nose. The eyes are a large, rounded lemon in shape slanting to the outer corner of the ear. There is slightly more than the width of an eye between the eyes.
The ears are very large, broad at the base and open, with no interior hair. They are upright, neither low set nor on top of the head. The neck is medium, well-muscled and rounded, arching from the shoulders to the base of the skull. The neck is powerful, especially in males. The chest is broad, and may tend toward being barrel-chested. The body is medium to medium long, well- rounded, thick through the abdomen, having the appearance of having eaten a large meal, but not fat.
The Sphynx is very hard and muscular, having medium bone structure; it is not a delicate cat. The tail is whippy, tapering from the body to the tip (rat tailed). The tail length is to be in proportion to the body. The leg length is in proportion with the body, but not fine-boned; the legs are firm and muscular to the feel. Female's legs may be more slender than those of the males. The hind legs are slightly longer than the front. The forelegs are widely set. The paws are oval, with long, slender toes and the paw pads are thicker than in other breeds, giving the appearance of walking on air cushions.The cat should not be small or dainty. Males may be up to 25 percent larger so long as proper proportions are maintained.
Head Size Medium Shape Modified wedge with rounded contours, slightly longer than wide. Skull Slightly rounded with a rather flat forehead. Profile Slight to moderate stop at bridge of nose. Cheekbones Prominent. Muzzle and Chin Strong rounded muzzle with distinct whisker break and firm chin. Neck Length Medium. Shape Rounded, well-muscled. Miscellaneous Arches from shoulders to base of skull. Powerful, especially in males. Ears Shape Broad at base and open. Size Very large. Set Upright, neither low set nor on top of the head. Miscellaneous Interior is totally hairless. Slight amount of hair allowed on lower outside edges and on the back of the ear. Eyes Shape Rounded lemon. Size Large. Placement Slanting to outer corner of ear. Slightly more than an eye width between eyes. Colour Any colour including green or hazel acceptable. Body Size Medium. Length Medium to medium long. Chest Broad, may tend toward barrel chested. Abdomen Well-rounded, having the appearance of having eaten a large meal, but not fat. Boning Medium. Musculature Hard and muscular, not delicate. Tail Shape Whippy, tapering from body to tip (rat-tailed). Length In proportion to body. Miscellaneous Lion tail (puff of hair on tip) acceptable. Legs Length in proportion with body. Hind legs slightly longer than front. Front legs widely set. Boning Medium. Musculature Firm and muscular.
ACF STANDARDS
Sphynx Page 2 Effective 1 January 2018
Feet Shape Oval with long, slender toes. Size Medium. Paw Pads Thicker than in other breeds, giving the cat the appearance of walking on "air cushions". Toes Very long, slender and prominent. Coat & Skin Length Appears hairless. May be covered with short, fine down.
May have puff of hair on tip of tail.
Texture Chamois-like. A feeling of resistance may be felt when stroking the skin of some cats. Whiskers Sparse and short. Wrinkles 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. Colour All colours and patterns, including varieties with white; any amount of white allowed. Penalise 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. Significant amounts of hair above the ankle. Withhold Any indication of wavy hair or suggestion of the Devon Rex, or Cornish Rex in All Awards moult; any evidence of depilating, plucking, shaving or clipping or any other means of hair removal.
Remarks For judging purposes varieties are divided into Agouti, Agouti & White, Non-agouti and Non-agouti & White ie in each group a certificate is awarded.
SCALE OF POINTS HEAD (35 points) Shape and Size 5 points
Muzzle and Chin 5 points Profile 5 points
Cheekbones 5 points Eyes 5 points
Ears 10 points
BODY (35 points)
Chest 10 points
Abdomen 10 points
Legs and Feet 5 points
Tail 5 points
Neck 5 points
Coat and Skin 30 points
————— 100 points
RECOGNIZED PATTERNS & COLOURS All patterns and colours.
BREEDERS NOTES Allowable outcross: none
