Meet the Sphynx

High Kitty I.Q.

High Kitty I.Q.

Best Fur Friend

Best Fur Friend

Uniquely Chic

Uniquely Chic

If you’re looking for a quirky, fun-loving companion with a unique look and lots of love to give, I’m the breed for you! I know I don’t look like other cats, but my hairlessness is just one part of what makes me so special. Got kids and other pets? Good news – I’m super friendly and I get along with everybody! I’m also great for people with allergies. I just love to be with my humans, whether we’re snuggling or playing together. I’m a high-energy athletic cat so I need lots of fun toys and a cat tree to climb on. I can amuse myself, but I’d much rather be playing with you – especially fetch! I’m extra sensitive to the sun though, so keep me indoors pawlease! Some humans think my lack of fur means that grooming me is a breeze, but I actually need extra love in that department. Sans fur, my body oil will build up so I need weekly baths. I promise you’ll be rewarded with lots of affection and a funny little playmate to make you laugh. There’s a reason why I’m the 8th most popular cat breed!
关于我

Personality

Loving

Playful

Smart

Origin

Toronto, Canada

Life Span

9-15 Years

Breed Popularity

#8 of 45

Length Range

13-15 Inches (head to tail)

Weight Range

6-12 Pounds

Coat Details

Type

Hairless

Texture

Suede-like, Peach Fuzz

Colors

White, Black, Blue, Red, Cream, Chocolate, Lavender, Cinnamon, Fawn, Sable, Champagne, Platinum

Pattern

Tabby, Tortoiseshell, Calico, Bi-Color, Pointed, Mink

Hypoallergenic

Yes

Cost to Buy

$1,800-$3,000

My Many Looks

My Many Looks

My Breed Characteristics

My Breed Characteristics

Playfulness:
Intelligence:
Energy Level:
Health Issues:
Affection Level:
Grooming Effort:
Pet-Friendly:
Shedding:
Kid-Friendly:
Chattiness:
Furbulous Fact

Furbulous Fact

Because we Sphynx are so smart and trainable, we make purrfect animal actors! Perhaps the most iconic Sphynx of all time is Mr. Bigglesworth, Dr. Evil’s trusted companion from the Austin Powers movies. Mr. Bigglesworth, who was played by a champion purebred Sphynx named Ted Nude-Gent, is the parody version of the famous white Persian cat in the original James Bond movies. Of course, we Sphynx are much smarter and funnier than Persians, so it’s no surprise that they chose one of us as the fan-favorite feline in the parody movies. Yeah, baby!
As I Grow Up

As I Grow Up

History of My Breed

History of My Breed

Even though we share a name (if not a spelling) with the ancient Egyptian Sphinx, we Sphynx cats are originally from Canada. We’re a pretty new breed, and while some might say we were an accident, we think we are a miracle of nature! In Toronto, Ontario, in 1966, a hairless kitten named Prune was born to Domestic Shorthair parents. Hairless cats occur naturally (although rarely) as a result of a genetic mutation, but my breed (originally called the Canadian Hairless) came about as a result of selective breeding. Prune was bred with his mother to produce another hairless kitten, and the earliest Sphynx cats were born! There were a few bumps in the road for us, though. The Cat Fanciers’ Association originally recognized us in 1970, but they took it back because my ancestors who were related to Prune were having some health problems and the gene pool was not big enough. Luckily, another proto-Sphynx soon popped up on a farm in Minnesota. In 1975, a hairless kitten named Epidermis was born, and the year after that, another hairless kitten named Dermis came along. The humans who owned the farm, Milt and Ethelyn Pearson, sold these kittens to an Oregon breeder named Kim Mueske, who started a breeding program. In addition to the Minnesota line, there is another line from Toronto essential to the development of our breed as it is today. In 1978, a Siamese cat breeder named Shirley Smith found three abandoned hairless kittens – Bambi, Punkie, and Paloma. Along with the Epidermis/Dermis Minnesota line, the Bambi/Punkie/Paloma Toronto line are the foundation of today’s Sphynx cats. Now a healthy and happy breed, we were officially recognized by the Cat Fanciers’ Association in 1998, and today we are the CFA’s 8th most popular breed!
Care Tips

Care Tips

from Dr. Jessica Greenberg, Associate Veterinarian
1

Protect your Sphynx’s skin.

Since Sphynx cats do not have fur, they must be protected from cold temperatures. It is suggested that they wear a sweater at all times. They are also at an increased risk for sunburn, so using cat sunscreen is advised when skin is exposed.

2

Bathe frequently with medicated shampoo.

Because of their lack of fur, Sphynx cats have extremely oily skin and must therefore be bathed frequently with warm (not hot) water using an anti-seborrheic type shampoo – once or twice weekly controls the grassiness and odor.

3

Feed your Sphynx according to special nutritional needs.

Sphynx cats have an exceedingly high metabolism and require a diet that is high in calories in order to maintain body heat. Feed them multiple small meals throughout the day using specially formulated food.

Training Tips

Training Tips

from Dr. Jessica Greenberg, Associate Veterinarian
1

关于我
  • Personality

    Loving

    Playful

    Smart

  • Origin

    Toronto, Canada

  • Life Span

    9-15 Years

  • Breed Popularity

    #8 of 45

  • Length Range

    13-15 Inches (head to tail)

  • Weight Range

    6-12 Pounds

  • 动物皮毛

    Type

    Hairless

    Texture

    Suede-like, Peach Fuzz

    Colors

    White, Black, Blue, Red, Cream, Chocolate, Lavender, Cinnamon, Fawn, Sable, Champagne, Platinum

    Pattern

    Tabby, Tortoiseshell, Calico, Bi-Color, Pointed, Mink

  • Hypoallergenic

    Yes

  • Cost to Buy

    $1,800-$3,000