A Natural Mutation

Home About Us FAQ Sphynx History Studs/Queens Nursery Gallery Links Contact Us Web Creation

A Natural Mutation ...........

Though incorrectly thought of as an Egyptian cat, in 1966 one of these mysterious mutant genes surfaced on the streets of Toronto, Canada. What happened to be a naked kitten born in an otherwise normal coated litter was discovered. This kitten "Prune", his mother "Elizabeth", and a few other bald mutations later discovered were the basis of the early Sphynx breed.

Despite tales of "barnyard breeders" here and there, most of today's pedigreed Sphynx spring from two females, Punkie and Paloma, who were rescued from the streets of Toronto, Canada and sent to Dr. Hugo Hernandez in Holland in 1980. As there was no whole Sphynx male (stud cat) available in Holland, a white Devon Rex male, Curare van Jetrophin, was used in the breeding program. The offspring of this breeding were sold in Holland and France and are the foundation of most of our present day breeding Sphynx.

The breed continued to gain in popularity among fanciers in the 1990's and gained acceptance into the ACFA Championship class (1994) and CFA Miscellaneous class (1998) while reaching other milestones such as RW/IW SGC Mar-Rob's Double Delite (Bob Mullen/Marc Costa, Los Angeles) winning TICA's Best International Shorthair Cat for the 1991-92 show season, SGC Belfry's Ted Nudegent (Michelle Berge, California) appearing as Mr. Bigglesworth in the 1997 Hollywood motion picture Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery and being named CATS magazine's cat of the year for 1999 and IW/RW SGC Apophis Nordstrom of Classicalcats (Owners: Marilyn Keith/New Hampshire and Kathy Wolfe/Massachusetts; Breeder: Tammy Poole, Maryland) winning TICA's Best International Alter Cat for the 1998-99 show season.

Although the Sphynx is referred to as being hairless, this breed is not actually totally hairless. You will find that the Sphynx will have a fine down on their body, which may be present on the outer ears, muzzle, tail and paws.

The Sphynx breed can produce any color/color combination, and all can be registered. The color in the Sphynx is found in the pigment of the skin, and can be a little hard to determine. Compared to the color being found in the coat of a coated feline.

Sphynx are a substantial cat, medium sized, yet strong. A adult Female usually weights 6-8 pounds, and the adult Male usually weights 8-11 pounds, having sturdy boning and muscle development. Having an abundance of energy, and being very mischief. Sphynx will always demand you attention, always wanting to curl up next to you and yes they will even want to be under the bed covers with you.

Sphynx Breed Profile

**Pictured: Best of Breed**

GC, BW, NW MAJIKMOON KUGEL CORUSCATE, Red Sphynx Male.
Photo: © Marc L. Rosenblum

In 1966 a domestic cat gave birth to a hairless kitten in Toronto, Canada. It was discovered to be a natural mutation and the Sphynx cat, as we know it today, came into existence. This cat and a few other naturally hairless cats have been found worldwide. These have magically been produced by Mother Nature and are the foundation for this unusual breed. Cat breeders in Europe and North America have bred the Sphynx to normal coated cats and then back to hairless for more than thirty years. The purpose of these selective breedings was to create a genetically sound cat with a large gene pool and hybrid vigor. This is a very robust breed with few health or genetic problems.

The Sphynx is not always totally hairless; there can be a fine down on the body, which makes the cat feel like a warm peach. Some light hair is often present on the nose, tail and toes. The texture of the Sphynx skin has been likened to suede, a hot water bottle, or a heated chamois. They can be registered in a wide variety of cat colors. The color is seen in the pigment of the skin and the few hairs that they do have. One of the questions most asked is "Don't they get cold?" Well, of course, if it is too cold for you it will be too cold for a hairless cat too. However, these cats are smart enough to find a warm human, dog or cat to curl up with or they will get under your bed covers.

**Pictured: Second Best of Breed**

GC, RW PRIDESPHYNX BARIS KARLOFF, Black Sphynx Male.
Photo: © Jim Child

This is a substantial cat, medium sized and strong, with adult males being larger than adult females. Sphynx have sturdy boning and good muscle development and should have a bit of a belly as if they just finished dinner. They have an open-eyed, intelligent face and a friendly expression. The Sphynx are extremely inquisitive and love to be the center of attention. They perform silly antics for your entertainment and are sometimes downright clumsy…on purpose it seems. They make great show cats because of this "look at me" attitude and they are easy for judges to handle. They prefer human attention but enjoy the company of dogs and other cats. They have an abundance of energy and mischief and are always with you, on you or showing off for you. "Love Mooch" is the perfect term for these amazing cats.

Because of the lack of hair that would normally absorb body oils, the Sphynx needs to be bathed periodically. This is not a difficult task with a cat that has been accustomed to a bath from kittenhood and it takes no time at all to dry a Sphynx.

Some people who suffer from cat allergies can tolerate living with Sphynx cats. However, depending on the type and severity of the individual's allergic reactions, there are still people who cannot live with this breed.

**Pictured: Third Best of Breed**

GC, RW SUEDEKITTY LIZZIE OF EMPTYNEST, Blue Sphynx Female.
Photo: © Chanan 2004

The Sphynx was accepted for registration, and competition, in the Miscellaneous Class by The Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) in February 1998. Sphynx lovers feel this is one of the most rare and unusual breeds in the cat fancy today…Sphynx are pure enchantment.

Sphynx are rare and most breeders have a waiting list for their kittens. Pricing on Sphynx usually depends on type, applicable markings and bloodlines distinguished by Grand Champion (GC), National, National Breed and/or Regional winning parentage (NW, BW, RW) or of Distinguished Merit parentage (DM). The DM title is achieved by the dam (mother) having produced five CFA grand champion/premier (alter) or DM offspring, or sire (father) having produced fifteen CFA grand champion/premier or DM offspring. Usually breeders make kittens available between twelve and sixteen weeks of age. After twelve weeks, kittens have had their basic inoculations and developed the physical and social stability needed for a new environment, showing, or being transported by air. Keeping such a rare treasure indoors, neutering or spaying and providing acceptable surfaces (e.g. scratching posts) for the natural behavior of scratching (CFA disapproves of declawing or tendonectomy surgery) are essential elements for maintaining a healthy, long and joyful life.

There are CFA clubs devoted to the promotion, protection and preservation of the Sphynx breed. For more information, please send inquiries to CFA, PO Box 1005, Manasquan NJ 08736-0805.

Text: Lynne Thomas, modified by Jim Stacy.
Last Updated: July 20 2005

Once you are around a Sphynx, you will find that these wonderful and loving Sphynx are Exceptional Friends For Life.

For Show Information visit the following Links CFA / TICA

CFA ( Cat Fanciers Association )

TICA ( The International Cat Association

Pridesphynx Fatty Unbuckle