Coexistence is important that you have with your new friend. Before considering the acquisition of a cat of the breed "Sphynx cat (Canadian Sphynx)" you know certain factors. You must take into account their character, their need for exercise, their interaction with other pets, their care and if you have small children, their level of tolerance towards them.

The Sphynx it is a singular cat, that does not stop turning those who cross it. In fact, His physical appearance, with her bare and wrinkled skin, does not leave anyone indifferent.

But, only mentioned for a few decades, although the existence of naked cat breeds is not new.

In ancient egypt, hairless cats already attracted attention, and only pharaohs could have them. More recently, wall engravings from Aztec times show that they raised cats very similar to those of the Sphynx current.

In 1830, Swiss naturalist and physician J.R. Rengger described these cats in his book on the mammals of Paraguay (Naturgeschichte der Säugethiere von Paraguay).

In 1903, hairless cats were mentioned in the book The Book of the Cat, written by Frances Ann Simpson, a cat historian. He mentioned two nude specimens named Dick and Nellie who lived in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Pueblo Indians gifted them to an American cat lover, F.J. Shinick. They told him that they were the last two descendants of the cats bred by the Aztecs.

At a cat show held in Paris in 1930, a male and a female aroused great curiosity. The photos of them show that they look a lot like the Sphynx. Given the rarity of these individuals and the fact that they came from the same neighborhood in Paris, they were assumed to have the same father, which in turn should be hairless. But, the two owners refused to attempt mating.

In the following years, similar individuals were reported in Morocco, Australia and the United States.

The phenomenon was repeated in Toronto (Canada) in 1966: a pair of short-haired domestic cats gave birth to a litter in which one of the males, called Prune, I had no hair. This did not leave Ridyah and Yania Bawa indifferent, breeders by profession, who decided to start breeding naked cats. They acquired Prune and Elizabeth, his mother, and they made them raise. They obtained a litter with a hairless individual. With the help of Keese and Rita Tenhove, they continued their work to develop the breed, who was called first Moonstone Cat and then Canadian Hairless, finally choosing the name of Sphynx cat.

But, the early days were chaotic, with medical problems caused by limited gene pool and inbreeding. As a result, some kittens died quickly from undiagnosed illnesses. In fact, the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) granted recognition of the breed on a provisional basis in 1970, before withdrawing it the following year precisely for these health problems.

In 1975, Milt y Ethelyn Pearson, Minnesota farmers ((UNITED STATES)UU.), they found a hairless kitten in one of their litters, even though both of his parents did not have this specificity. They called it Epidermis. The following year they had more hairless kittens, one of whom they named Dermis. In 1981, Kim Muesk, from the Z’Stardust hatchery in Oregon, bought the two cats from farmers to try to develop the breed.

At the same time, another Minnesota breeder, Georgiana Gattenby, he also used naked kittens from the Pearson farm to cross with the Cornish Rex and help develop the Sphynx cat.

At the end of the year 70, a dutch amateur, The doctor. Hugo Hernandez, got a male cat and a female, named Starsky and Johnny respectively. Both specimens were probably descendants of Prune. Raised them, but the litter resulting from their mating died.

At the same time, more specifically in 1978, Shirley Smith, a Siamese breeder from Toronto (Canada), he found three little hairless cats on the streets of his neighborhood. He took them in and called them Bambi, Paloma and Punkie. Castrated Bambi, but he sold the other two to Hugo Hernández, who still owned Starsky and Johnny.

Hugo Hernández tried several crosses, but none of them were successful. Castrated Starsky in 1981 and sold Paloma to a German breeder. Finding herself without a male Sphynx able to create, raised Punkie with a white Devon Rex. She gave birth to a litter of five kittens, two of which were hairless and named Q-Ra and Q-Ramses. In collaboration with the German breeder, a mating was arranged between Q-Ra and Paloma, that allowed the latter to give birth to a small Sphynx called Hathor.

The two men also arranged marriages between Q-Ramses and Paloma. In 1983, one of the resulting litters passed into the hands of Patrick Challain, a Parisian breeder, and the breed was introduced in France. One of the kittens in the litter, Chnoem, came to acquire notoriety as European champion of the breed.

In 1985, a couple of French breeders, Aline and Philippe Noël, two little Sphynx were brought from Holland, Mogwi y Gizmo. They had a litter from which came a little cat named Amenophis Clone. The latter was used by the Official Book of Feline Origins (LOOF) to set the standard Sphynx.

Beyond the fact that the breed faced many pitfalls before it was born, sometimes faced a certain suspicion, even open hostility. In effect, if some cat lovers were quickly fascinated by this particular looking cat, others, on the other hand, they had a much less enthusiastic attitude, arguing that the gene that gives bare skin can be considered as a genetic disease, and that, therefore, this particularity should not be encouraged at all, and even less to be recognized by official authorities.

Your point of view is questionable, because the hairless skin trait is due to a spontaneous genetic mutation that has existed since ancient times, no to a disease. But, despite his detractors, the breed managed to develop and be recognized, especially thanks to the crosses made with the American shorthair cat and the Devon Rex: they were a precious help to expand the genetic background of the breed and avoid inbreeding.

Although the Sphynx cat It is a fairly recent breed and its beginnings were somewhat chaotic, was quickly recognized by the various reference bodies, both international and national.

The International Cat Association (TICA) was in 1986 the first official body to take the step. The Fédération Internationale Féline (FIFé), that brings together the feline authorities of some forty countries, including Switzerland and Belgium, did the same in 2002. It was also that year when Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) definitely recognized the Sphynx, after a true false start in 1970, when he was granted provisional recognition, to withdraw it the following year.

In fact, most official organizations in the world have done the same, as the World Cat Federation (WCF), the British Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF), the Canadian Cat Association (CCA) or the Livre Officiel des Origines Félines (LOOF) in France.

The unique appearance of this cat has not prevented it from being widely recognized throughout the world, and its success is undeniable.

In order to expand the still relatively small gene pool of the breed, and thus reduce the risk of health problems induced by inbreeding, Most organizations allow a Sphynx cat is raised with a representative of some other races.

The International Cat Association (TICA) allows crossings with :

• American shorthair cat
• Devon Rex.

In United States, the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) does the same, at least until 2023. In fact, starting at the 1 in January of 2024, Only kittens whose parents are both purebred can register with the organization. Sphynx.

In Great Britain, the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) add russian blue to the list. So, the Sphynx can cross with :

• The American shorthair cat;
• The European shorthair cat;
• The Russian Blue Cat.

On the other hand, the Canadian Cat Association (CCA) it is much more restrictive, since it only allows crosses with the American shorthair cat.

The Livre Officiel des Origines Félines (LOOF) French is the strictest of all, since it does not allow any crossing of the Sphynx cat with other races. In short, is already applying the policy that the CFA will follow from 2024.

Maybe the Sphynx be a recent breed of cat, but it is already very popular in both Europe and North America.
in Canada, despite a hiatus in 2018, in the second half of the Decade of 2010 occurred around 200 annual registrations with the Canadian Cat Association (CCA), which places it on the podium as one of the most popular cat breeds in Canada.

The United States also contributed a lot to its development, so it is not surprising that it is also well established there. Throughout the decade of 2010, log statistics on Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) placed them between sixth and ninth in the popularity ranking.

In France, the number of annual registrations in the Livre Officiel des Origines Félines (LOOF) has increased almost continuously since the beginning of the century. While at the beginning of the decade of 2000 there were barely hundreds, at the end of it the 300. Things picked up speed in the following decade, to the point that the number of registrations per year exceeded 1.000 at the end of the Decade of 2010, which even allowed the Sphynx enter the Top 10 of the favorite feline breeds of the French.

In Switzerland, things are more mixed. Certainly, annual enrollment statistics Fédération Féline Helvétique (FFH) show a regular progression from the beginning of the years 2000 until 2015, as their number went from a handful to almost fifty, which allowed them to approach the doors of the Top 10. But, in the following years there was a sudden collapse, and the number of cats Sphynx registered in the organization each year was reduced to about 20.

In Great Britain, there was also a similar decline from 2013, although it was much less pronounced. Like this, while the inscriptions in the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) they were approaching 400 early in the decade 2010 (versus less than a hundred in 2006, for example), later they were reduced to 250, and even some 200 at the end of the decade. As a result, after reaching the position 13 in the ranking of the most popular breeds in the country (based on the number of annual registrations) in 2012, the Sphynx cat had been demoted to the position 17 in 2019.

With her bare and wrinkled skin, its big ears and its long rat tail, the Sphynx cat is definitely a cat with an atypical appearance, and he rarely leaves those who come across him indifferent.

Its body It is medium in size and semicobby. Has well-developed musculature, that is very evident under her hairless skin. His chest has “barrel shape”: is wide and the abdomen is rounded, which gives the impression that you have eaten too much. In fact, this cat is heavier than most of its congeners, but this is mainly due to their muscle mass. The well-shaped hips and rump are proof of this..

The body ends in a tail long and flexible, slightly thick at the base, that looks like a rat. In some individuals, has a lock of hair on the tip: it is then said that they have a lion's tail.

The legs have fine bone structure and well-defined musculature. The hind legs are slightly arched. They all have oval feet with long, thin toes and clearly defined phalanges.. The pads are meatier than in other cat breeds. This gives the impression of walking gracefully on air cushions..

The head it is medium in size and triangular in shape, longer than wide. The skull and forehead are flat. The neck it is quite slim and arched, what gives to Sphynx a haughty look.

This is reinforced by the ears, that are totally oversized in relation to the head. Wide at the base and rounded at the tip, they are very open and have no hair inside.

The eyes they are very open, are lemon-shaped and have few or no eyelashes. all colors are accepted, and they give you in any case a penetrating and expressive look.

Profile, there is a concave curve from the forehead to the straight nose.

The cheekbones they are bulging and round.

The snout it celebrities, rounded and rather short. The pasterns, fleshy parts of the muzzle where whiskers normally grow, they are complete and round. But, the Sphynx he doesn't have mustaches. The chin is well defined and firm.

The skin of the Sphynx can be characterized by alopecia in the strict sense, all over the body. But, usually covered by a small, barely visible down. In both cases, is thicker than fur breeds, and quite comparable to the touch of the skin of a peach.

It also, kittens are born with very wrinkled fur. This softens a bit as they grow, but a Sphynx cat adult retains folds especially on the legs, neck and head. All colors and designs are accepted. But, black and white is the most common color. The pigmentation of the skin is what gives the breed its varied colors.

Last, this breed is not characterized by a sexual dimorphism very pronounced: the male and female are quite similar in size.

The Sphynx has completely bare skin or has a small amount of down. This alopecia is due to a spontaneous mutation of a gene, without human intervention.

This gene is autosomal, that is to say, can affect both men and women. It is also recessive in relation to the gene for short or long hair.: to have this morphological peculiarity, an individual must have inherited one copy of the mutated gene from each of their two parents. Otherwise, has hair.

More concretely, if both parents are carriers of the mutated gene and have fur at the same time (that is to say, are heterozygous in the gene that determines the presence or absence of fur), an average of 25% of their kittens have no hair.

If, on the other hand, one of the two parents is hairless (that is to say, is homozygous for the fur gene) and the other is a carrier of the gene but has hair (that is to say, is heterozygous), the 50% of the kittens have no hair.

Last, in the event that both ancestors are hairless (and, Therefore, homozygous for the fur gene), all their offspring are hairless.

But, as detailed by researchers from the University of Davis (California, (UNITED STATES)UU.) in an article titled “The naked truth: Sphynx and Devon Rex cat breed mutations in KRT71“, published in 2010 in Mammalian Genome Magazine, the specificity of the hairless skin of the Sphynx It is produced by the same gene that gives Devon Rex her curly hair. But, unlike the allele associated with curly hair, the one corresponding to the absence of hair is dominant. So, breeding cats Sphynx with cats Devon Rex would produce hairless individuals and was identified as an interesting way to increase the cat population Sphynx and, at the same time, diversify the breed's gene pool. But, It turned out that a large proportion of the individuals born from these matings suffer from dental or nervous diseases.

This gradually led most organizations to ban the breeding of the Sphynx with the Devon Rex. So they decided Livre Officiel des Origines Félines (LOOF) French, the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) British and the Canadian Cat Association (CCA). The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) has done the same, but this new rule will only be applicable in 2023: starting at the 1 in January of 2024, will stop recognizing kittens born from such a mating. The International Cat Association (TICA) it is the last major institution that admits these crossings.

Size and weight

• Size: 30 cm.
• Weight: Of 2,5 to 4,5 kg

Contrary to what its name might suggest, the Donskoy (Don Sphynx) it has nothing to do with him Sphynx cat.

The confusion is even more possible because it is also a naked cat breed and has a similar appearance.. This is why he was called Don: Don refers to the city of Rostov-on-Don, near which he was born, While Sphynx refers to the fact that it resembles the latter. But, their origins and stories are completely different.

The physical appearance of Sphynx cat can sometimes confuse, not to say discourage. But, his character makes him worth knowing.

He is especially affectionate and attached to his family, and even humans in general. In fact, loneliness weighs on him, for which he appreciates the company of another human in the absence of that of his relatives. So, can be easily attended by a third person in case of prolonged absence.

His attachment to his master makes him feel free to follow him everywhere., or even sleeping in his bed (preferably under the sheets, to be warm) if you are offered the opportunity. He also especially likes to lean on the shoulders, to scrutinize your surroundings while in contact with the person who matters most to you. In short, it is not recommended for a person who does not want an animal “sticky” or to be absent often during the day and leave you alone.

Although he has a particular attachment to his human reference, he is very tender with all members of the family. He is very cuddly and will cuddle up on the couch with everyone else to keep you company and warm., not hesitating to take advantage of their human warmth by snuggling with them.

He also really likes tenderness and pampering, and it must be recognized that caressing a Sphynx cat it is a very pleasant experience. In fact, her skin is as smooth as a peach, and radiates a reassuring warmth. It is sometimes used in zootherapy to combat nervousness or anxiety.

Nor is he deprived of welcoming his little world at the door., how would a dog. Sometimes she even winks to show how happy she is to have her family back..

It usually delights children, whose company you enjoy. Playful, patient and non-aggressive, it is an excellent entertainment companion for them. But, like any other dog, should never be left alone with a young child, Unsupervised, because a misunderstanding or awkward gesture can happen quickly. The safety of both parties is at stake.

It also, his closeness to humans is not limited to his family members: he is also very sociable and kind to strangers who come into the house. Far from greeting them with suspicion, as do most of his peers, does not hesitate to go to meet him, for example, jumping on his lap.
In short, whether it comes from your family or from strangers in the house, loves to be the center of attention.

They are very friendly, not aggressive and quite willing to share their territory, so they will easily coexist with a companion or a dog, especially if that dog is of a cat-loving breed. Sharing your home with another animal is a great way to help you cope with your family's absence.: if you are also well disposed, they can become best friends, playing together from morning to night. As he does with his humans, does not hesitate to sleep curled up against his little companion, to benefit from its body heat. So that the coexistence goes well, Ideally, each of the two protagonists should be used to the presence of the other from a young age. Otherwise, a gradual introduction is essential so that no one rushes and everyone gradually gets used to the situation.

Nor is it a problem that a Sphynx live with a bird or a rodent. But, if the family is out, it is always better to ensure the safety of the animal by keeping it in a closed place, either in a cage or in a room that the cat does not have access to.

In addition to his interpersonal qualities, the Sphynx he is a smart cat, lively and curious. All of these qualities combine to make the Sphynx an excellent student for anyone who wants to teach their cat tricks, how to look for objects and come when called. It is also very good at learning things by itself, especially when it follows its owners and observes them. So, it's not surprising to see him open doors, wardrove, drawers and taps. It is also a good idea to stimulate their intellectual faculties with interactive toys., with whom he usually enjoys.

Usually, cats like to rise up to observe the world around them, and the Sphynx is no exception. His master's shoulders are one of his favorite observatories, but this does not mean that a cat tree should not also be installed in the home where it can perch and contemplate its surroundings.

Last, the Sphynx cat it is much more adaptable than most of its congeners. Quickly and easily adapts to a possible change in environment, either punctual (for example, during a trip) the permanent (in the event of a move with your cat). In a way, gives more importance to where you live than to the people you live with.

Those who think that a hairless cat is necessarily less demanding than one with hair will be in for a surprise.: It is not the case of Sphynx cat.

In particular, their skin should be moisturized daily with a mild oil or lotion specifically for felines. As he likes very much to be caressed and does not mind being manipulated, these cares soon become a pleasure for him.

It also, the lack of fur means that the sebum emitted by their skin is not absorbed by the hair, so your skin quickly becomes oily. Daily cleaning with a feline washcloth will help keep your cat clean and prevent oil build-up on the skin., so that it does not leave greasy marks on furniture or fabrics. At the same time, it is necessary to bathe your cat every week with a moisturizing shampoo specially designed for cats. You should also make sure to rinse your cat well afterwards.: shampoo left on your skin could lead to scratching and irritation.

You should also plan to apply sunscreen if you have access to the outdoors and the weather is good.: replaces melanin, the protective substance against ultraviolet rays that, unlike other races, your body does not produce. This is a precaution that should not be overlooked, since sunburn can cause severe burns or even skin cancer if repeated.

It also, as in the case of any cat, you need to check your ears every week. Cleaning them with a damp cloth will remove impurities and prevent infection. (otitis, etc.); This is all the more useful as the Sphynx it has no hair to protect them.

Weekly care should also include checking the condition of the eyes. If they are dirty, it is necessary to clean the corner of them with a damp cloth to avoid the accumulation of dirt that could become infected.

The maintenance of the teeth of the Sphynx is especially crucial to avoid the risk of periodontitis to whom he is predisposed. Brushing once a day is ideal for limiting the buildup of plaque that, when it turns to tartar, not only leads to bad breath but also to more or less serious diseases. It is essential to always use a toothpaste specially formulated for felines.

Last, it is important to periodically check that its claws do not get too long, as this could cause discomfort or even break or injure you. In fact, even for an individual who has access to the outside, natural wear and tear is not always enough. So, inspecting them once a month allows you to check what is happening and, if required, trim them manually. In any case, whether the cat can leave the house or not, providing you with a scratching post is essential: prevents you from satisfying your irresistible need to scratch furniture.

Whether it's skin care, the ears, the eyes, teeth or claws, the need for maintenance of a Sphynx cat is not, Therefore, negligible, although there is nothing complex in these manipulations. But, it is better to know the proper gestures to be efficient and avoid hurting or even injuring him. As such, nothing better than using the experience of a veterinarian or a professional groomer the first time, to learn from them how to proceed in the best possible way.

In any case, this cat readily accepts being handled and, Therefore, it is much less resistant than its congeners to maintenance sessions. Of course, This is even more true if the owner instills a dose of tenderness and takes care of getting him used to it from a young age.: then they have every chance of becoming sweet complicity moments.

By being active and playful, the Sphynx cat need space. But, a garden is not necessarily essential: can be perfectly happy on a floor with enough room for her to run. In any case, is a cat made to live indoors, both because of his closeness to the family and because of his lack of hair, which makes it sensitive to extreme temperatures, either hot or cold. If you live in a house with a garden, the installation of a cat flap is essential so that you can come and go as you please, in particular to take shelter when you get too cold or too hot. Some owners even avoid letting it out unsupervised, since its high price makes it a target for malicious people.

The Sphynx Canadian is an extremely intelligent animal that quickly sees challenging toys. She loves that you spend a lot of time with her and demands daily playtime. He gladly accepts smart toys and also likes to chase toy mice or balls. Of course, like any other cat, he likes to rest. If possible, provide him with a large cat tree where he can play and sleep. A sunny and warm windowsill would also be ideal, where the cat can doze comfortably and warm up.

The Sphynx cat is generally in good health.

Although this is partially offset by a thicker layer of fat under the skin than in most other breeds., its lack of fur makes it more sensitive to cold. If you have access to the outside, you must have access at all times to a warm corner where you can come to warm up as soon as you feel the need.

This morphological peculiarity does not prevent it from tolerating heat well. But, does not produce melanin, the molecule that protects from ultraviolet rays. Thus, the risk of sunburn is especially high in this breed. Thus, if they have access to the outside, it is essential to apply a sun cream specially designed for cats, even when the weather is cloudy. It is important to be especially attentive, as repeated burns can lead to skin cancer.

It also, like any race, the Sphynx are prone to certain health problems. In your case, is about:

• The Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which is characterized by thickening of the heart muscle and can lead to breathing difficulties, fatigue and intolerance to exertion. It is caused by a genetic mutation that can be detected by a DNA test, but this does not indicate when the symptoms will appear;
• hereditary myopathy, sometimes known as spasticity, an extremely rare muscle degeneration due to neuromuscular dysfunction, leading to generalized muscle weakness. It occurs in the first months of life and can develop rapidly or remain stable for a short or long period of time before deteriorating abruptly.. In any case, is incurable and leads to the death of the animal;
• Cutaneous mastocytosis, a skin disease whose causes are still unknown. Results in skin lesions that require generally temporary treatment;
• The periodontal disease, a gum disease caused by plaque buildup, that turns into tartar. It can cause serious illnesses like sepsis.

Last, lack of hair can lead to comedones (excessive accumulation of sebum in the pores of the skin), especially on the chin or tail. But, there are treatments for it, which can be periodic or permanent.

Go to a breeder Sphynx earnestly will maximize the chances of adopting a healthy and well-behaved kitten. In fact, is the guarantee that the animal has been well socialized and, in general, has spent the first weeks of life in optimal conditions. It also, a professional worthy of the name takes care of genetic testing the subjects he intends to breed, to verify that they are not carriers of a hereditary defect that can be transmitted to their descendants. If they do it, are excluded from the breeding program. So, must be able to present the results of tests performed to parents and, possibly, to the pups, a certificate of good health from a veterinarian, as well as the details of the vaccinations received by the animal, registered in your health or vaccination card.

From the moment the adoption is finalized, the owner is responsible for keeping the animal in good health. As such, should take their pet to a vet for a full check-up at least once a year, and even more regularly as the pet gets older. This is an opportunity for the professional to diagnose any problems and, if required, treat it in the best possible conditions. It also, You can take advantage of this appointment to repeat the necessary vaccinations at the same time. As in all visits to the vet, usually goes smoothly, since the Sphynx is known for being handled without complaint.

Last, always in the field of prevention, the owner must ensure that his partner's deworming treatments are renewed throughout the year, so you are never unprotected against parasite risks. Even an individual who lives inside is not immune.

Like any other cat, the Sphynx you need a diet that meets your nutritional needs, both in terms of quality and quantity. Must suit your age, activity level and health status.

In any case, is distinguished by its greater appetite than most of its congeners. This is not simply because he is gluttonous: her nudity causes her to maintain a body temperature between 40 and 41°C at all times, which is about two degrees higher than most other cats. To maintain this temperature, need to burn more calories (especially in winter, if you have access to the outdoors), and therefore needs to eat more. To be clear about the amount of food you need each day, and thus avoid being underfed, do not hesitate to ask a veterinarian for advice.

In any case, industrial cat food is perfectly suitable for your cat, but the same cannot be said for human food. In fact, unless it has been carefully selected to fit your nutritional needs, chances are high that it will do you more harm than good. So it is best to avoid succumbing to his pleading gaze and never give him leftovers or let him rummage through the bins.. This is all the more true since some very popular foods among humans are toxic to cats..

Last, like all his classmates, the Sphynx cat must have fresh water available at all times.

Exceptional looking, the Sphynx Cat is also usually exceptionally priced, since it is one of the most expensive breeds of cats.

In effect, the price of a kitten Sphynx usually oscillates between 1000 and 2000 EUR.

whatever the country, the amount charged differs depending on the reputation of the kennel, the lineage from which the animal comes, but also and above all its intrinsic characteristics, especially on a physical level. Therefore, prices can vary greatly from one individual to another within the same litter..

One might think that a Sphynx cat it is especially suitable for allergy sufferers due to its lack of hair. But, this assumption is not entirely correct, since many people are allergic to cat dander or body secretions and not to hair. But, hairlessness can significantly reduce allergy risk. So, before acquiring a naked cat as hypoallergenic, I should test if it reacts or not.