The Sphinx is a touch of eternity, it is a living legend. The Sphynx is definitely a cat...but it's more than a cat. Sphinxes have grace, elegance, and dexterity, but at the same time, sphinxes have phenomenal intelligence and devotion to humans. The sphinxes have amazing magic, something fantastic and bewitching.
Sphynxes are the most unusual and exotic representatives of the cat tribe. Their strange and even slightly unearthly appearance leaves no one indifferent. One of two things: either delight or complete disgust; as a rule, there is no middle ground.
Try to pet the Sphynx or pick it up - the sensations you experience are so unusual and pleasant that you may well become seriously ill with this breed and for a very long time. A wedge-shaped face, large ears slightly tilted forward, half-closed eyes, a forehead with many vertical folds forming a pattern above the eyes and a hot body with velvety, soft and completely hairless skin. But such a mysterious species is accompanied by a strong nervous system, fearlessness, super contact, sociability and amazing tenderness and affection towards its owners.
Not yet a person, but no longer a cat
The word "Sphinx"
has a special magic: it evokes associations with pyramids, desert sands, the mysticism of ancient Egypt and simply secrets and riddles.
The Sphynx cat
is also magic, but real, consisting of flesh and blood. This cat is like a figurine: soft lines of the body, absolute harmony and the look of boundless eyes straight into the heart.
The Sphinx cannot even be called a cat; rather, it is a creature that came to us from another planet. This is the embodiment of all the best that exists in living nature and man. And the magic of the sphinx’s personality is so great that it makes you forget about his unusual, exotic appearance.
According to the owners, the sphinx is no longer a cat, but not yet a person - a creature that is in the middle. He fits into any company - human, dog, cat - immediately and forever. By the way, the lack of fur does not make them infantile creatures; they are quite capable of leading a semi-vagrant lifestyle.
The Sphynx is one of the few cat breeds that people who are allergic to cat fur can afford. However, among lovers and admirers of Sphynx cats there are not so many allergy sufferers...
About the breed
Actually, Sphynx cats are not one breed, but even several: the Don Sphynx, the Canadian Sphynx. But these cats have one thing in common: a complete or almost complete absence of hair on their bodies. Because of this feature, Sphynx cats need to be cared for differently than other cat breeds.
Origin
Images of hairless cats were discovered among the Aztecs. Perhaps the descendants of those very cats have survived almost to this day under the name “Mexican Hairless Cat”. Single specimens of this breed could still be seen at exhibitions in America at the beginning of this century. But, unfortunately, it was not possible to save it, and the last Mexican cat died in the 20s, leaving no offspring. Mexican hairless cats were different from modern Sphynx cats. They grew mustaches, were of a lighter type, had a wedge-shaped head with large ears and amber eyes; in winter, short hair grew on their back and tail, which disappeared by summer.
Country of origin: USA. Beginning of the formation of the breed: 1975. The almost complete absence of hair was the result of a genetic mutation, achieved repeatedly, at different times and in different countries. The first attempts to breed a hairless cat were made in Canada in the 1960s. However, later similar work was successfully carried out in the USA.
Character
The Sphynx is a “bright personality”, an extremely affectionate and sociable cat, easily gets along with other pets and constantly strives to communicate with people. The Sphinx is quite active, inquisitive and full of interest in its surroundings and in all living creatures among which it lives.
Description
Perhaps the most important thing about the Sphinx is its amazing softness of outline. There is not a single straight line in his figure, they are all rounded, all forms are convex, and at the same time fluid, smooth. In this way, it resembles a Chinese figurine (perhaps that is why the second, less well-known name of the Sphinx is “Moon Cat”).
Even the front paws of the Sphinx are slightly curved in the manner of a “bulldog”, and the tail is very flexible and is always smoothly curved or pressed to the side with a tight “donut”. The ends of the ears are also necessarily round, and the ears themselves are large and wide. Another feature unique to the Canadian Sphynx is thick skin that forms folds. Kittens up to one month old are completely folded, including even the tail and paws. With age, wrinkles smooth out, and in adults they remain on the head, neck, a little on the stomach and torso, which gives them a characteristic “old man” appearance. The more folds an adult Sphynx retains, the better, and their lack is considered a serious defect; the Sphynx has folds on the chin, cheekbones and neck.
The body of the Sphinx is dense and muscular. In no case should it be “lean”; on the contrary, the belly is shaped like a “pear” and the cat has eaten well. The hind limbs are longer than the front, which is why the Sphynx has a very peculiar gait.
The leather feels like suede to the touch - due to the very short fluff covering it. All sphinxes retain fur on the nose and on the back of the ears; small amounts are allowed on the ends of the paws and tail. The wool is extremely thin, almost imperceptible. In addition, wool in these places can appear due to improper feeding, low temperature or hormonal changes during the maturation period.
Color options:
The very first copy of the Sphinx was two-color - black and white. Today, the standard allows all colors and patterns, including color point and bicolor. The presence of several white “medallions” and “plaques” is also acceptable. Of course, the color of the cat in this case is determined not by the color of the fur, which is practically absent, but by the pigment of the skin.
Head:
has the shape of a blunt triangle, with a flat forehead
Eyes:
large, lemon-shaped, green or golden, according to body color
Ears:
very wide, lacking hair on the inside
Tail:
proportional to the size of the body and resembles a whip in shape
Sphynx cats are very sensitive to temperature. It is necessary to maintain a constant temperature of 20-25 degrees Celsius (usual room temperature) in the room in which the Sphynx cats are located. Drafts and dampness should not be allowed - this can make Sphynx cats sick.
Sphynxes can be “insulated” with clothes - they usually don’t mind. Sphinxes are thermophilic, and therefore often bask near the central heating radiator, in the summer - in the warm sun. But it is necessary to ensure that, due to its love for warmth, the pet does not overheat.
Description of the breed
Many people spoke quite impartially about this breed, pointing out that sphinxes have no future, since they are unaesthetic animals and sensitive to cold. They argued that the breed was of purely technical interest.
At the same time, many generally considered animals to be harmful and abnormal, since they are not able to provide for themselves on their own and are completely dependent on humans.
If we talk about modern sphinxes, then their description will not be unambiguous, since even one breed may differ in some differences in the exterior, as well as in the type of hairlessness.
Appearance
Modern Sphynxes practically no longer have the main feature - folded skin, which created the appearance of cats similar to wrinkled old men. These days, these are animals that resemble smooth porcelain figurines. It should be noted that kittens do have some excess skin, but this disappears over time as they grow older, although these obvious signs can still be seen on the neck or head.
Nowadays, among the Canadian sphinxes one can still note a significant number of the most folded specimens.
Important point! As a rule, modern catteries highly value natural similar breeds of cats that appear from time to time in the United States. Many breeders try to work with such animals, breeding new breeds of animals that are most consistent with their ancestors.
According to many experts, a large proportion of modern Sphynxes are beginning to degenerate and are becoming more and more similar to the hairless Devon Rex of the usual type, with thin skin, relatively round eyes, low-set mustaches, a short head and a bone structure that is uncharacteristic of Sphynxes.
Sphynx - All about the breed
Breed standards
Each breed of hairless cats has its own beauty criteria. In addition, it should be noted that within each breed several variants of the requirements for the exterior of cats can coexist. Sphynx cats, for example, are valued according to both CFA and TICA standards.
The most interesting thing is that experts are of little interest in the fact that an animal has no hair, since they pay more attention to the shape of the head, the constitution of the body, the grace of movements and the general impression created by the breed.
As for the details, experts are interested in muscular limbs, with the hind legs being longer than the front ones, the paws being proportional, the tummy pear-shaped and, at the same time, an elegant tail, although it looks like a “rat’s”.
It is important to know! The ears of this breed are large, open and straight, and the eyes are somewhat slanted, shaped like lemons of any color. The skeleton is heavy, and the body itself is quite muscular.
Skin folds are more characteristic of the head, muzzle, neck, and shoulders. If you touch the skin covered with delicate down, you feel warm suede. Any body color is taken into account, including those with white spots.
A high-breed sphinx, as a rule, has a magical effect on those around it, which is due to the presence of rather smooth lines of the animal’s naked body, as well as the penetrating gaze of its unique eyes.
Character and behavior
As a rule, many are frightened by the unusual appearance of sphinxes, but those who dare to pick up this animal immediately turn into one of the lovers of these unique animals. Sphinxes are not known for their obsessive behavior, although they always prefer to be close to their owner. These animals have a peaceful and friendly character. They accept strangers as their long-time friends and easily get along with other animals in a person’s home.
In addition, sphinxes are considered intelligent, affectionate and affectionate creatures who can patiently wait for their owner if he is delayed for some reason.
These animals completely trust a person and love them if a person treats them the same way. These cats are easy to train due to their intelligence and memory. Moreover, these are strong animals that can reach a height of at least 1 meter without much effort.
Their behavior sometimes resembles that of a dog, since sphinxes are able to bring various objects to their owner. They easily open doors, as well as various cabinets, and can repeat basic tricks. Thanks to their unique appearance, as well as their natural acting talent, sphinxes are loved by filmmakers and photographers.
How long do sphinxes live?
At one time, a sphinx named Bambi set a longevity record, living for 19 years. Since then, no representatives of hairless cats have managed to break this record.
According to experts, the average life expectancy of sphinxes is just over 12 years, which is due to the consequences of breeding. In order for your pet to live as long as possible, special attention should be paid to a healthy diet, attentive care, and frequent visits to an experienced veterinarian.
Leather
The absence of fur will be a huge plus for many, especially for allergy sufferers. And things don’t need to be cleaned after your pet has slept on them. But this raises another problem. Like people, the skin of Sphynx cats tends to sweat; all representatives of this breed have this to one degree or another. Plus, the sebaceous glands secrete a protective lubricant. Therefore, dust and dirt constantly stick to them. And even though cats lick themselves, after a week or two the pet will have to be washed or regularly wiped with a damp cloth. An improperly balanced diet or poorly selected shampoo can cause a number of skin problems, from common pimples to large age spots.
Sphynx cats need to be bathed regularly in warm water using a special mild shampoo. By the way, unlike many other cat breeds, Sphynxes are normal about bathing and even swim in the water with pleasure. You just need to make sure that water and soap do not get into the animal’s eyes and ears.
Sphynx cats willingly sunbathe and sunbathe, but they should not be allowed to spend long periods of time in direct sunlight. Just like in humans, your skin can become sunburned or even severely sunburned.
I would also like to mention the tail, very often it becomes covered with acne. This may be due to age or due to poor nutrition. Do not try to squeeze pimples under any circumstances; this may lead to more serious problems.
Origin story
The ancestors of modern hairless cat breeds were known back in the times of the Aztecs and were called Mexican Hairless. This breed was distinguished by its elongated body and wedge-shaped head, as well as long whiskers and amber-colored eyes. The last representatives of this breed did not leave any offspring in the last century.
Somewhere in the 30s of the last century, information about cats without fur appeared in countries such as the USA, Morocco and France. Despite this information, the year of birth of the hairless cat is considered to be 1966. This year, a hairless kitten named Prune was born in Ontario. When the kitten grew up and became an adult, it began to be crossed with its mother, and then with new offspring.
The results of such work had to be expected for several years, and already in 1970 this breed was registered with the CFA as a new breed of Sphynx. As for the United States, the ancestor of hairless cats is considered to be the cat Jezebel, who gave birth to two hairless kittens in 1976. This offspring subsequently produced the best breeder of Sphynxes in TICA.
After the breed was approved by TICA in 1986, other organizations agreed to allow Sphynx dogs to begin participating in championships.
Interesting fact! The first generation of Canadian Scythians in Russia appeared from the cat Nefertiti and the cat Aztec Baringa, who was nicknamed Pelmen. At one time, the founder of the Ruaztec nursery took a cat and a female cat from the USA.
The Canadian Sphynx today is considered the oldest and most sought-after breed, in whose veins the blood of the Devon Rex flows. The Don Sphynx was bred 20 years later, only in 1986, in Rostov-on-Don. The Peterbalds were born even later, only in 1994, and are of St. Petersburg origin. This breed is the result of crossing an Oriental cat and a Don Sphynx. The Ukrainian Levkoy was created as a result of the mating of the Scottish Fold and the Don Sphynx even later, only in 2000.
Claws
Perhaps this point applies to almost all cats. It is necessary to trim the claws once every two weeks, this will protect the furniture and, as for Sphynxes, they will not be scratched after playing. It is also customary to trim nails before visiting the veterinarian, exhibitions and before mating.
Only the white tip of the claw needs to be cut off. Special tweezers are used for cutting.
Sphynx cats with eye color like David Bowie's were found on the Internet (9 photos + 1 video)
Two Sphynx cats have become real Internet stars. The popularity of pets is explained by the unusual color of their eyes: one is yellow, the other is blue. Many Internet users paid attention to this and noted their similarity with the eyes of the famous British singer David Bowe, who passed away in early 2020.
Two Sphynx cats have become real Internet stars. The popularity of pets is explained by the unusual color of their eyes: one is yellow, the other is blue.
Nutrition
Sphynx cats have a metabolism that is different from other breeds. The body temperature of sphinxes is 38-38.5 degrees Celsius and to maintain it, sphinx cats spend a lot of energy. Therefore, Sphynx cats need to be fed generously, and on cold days, the calorie content of the Sphynx cat’s diet should be increased so that they do not freeze.
You can use ready-made food, or you can “put” the Sphynx on a “natural” diet. A complete diet for sphinxes should include meat, fish, and dairy products. For meat, preference should be given to raw or boiled chicken and lean beef. It is better not to give fatty pork to the Sphynx. You should not give boiled bones - they clog the cat's intestines.
The Sphynx's diet must contain fiber. A cat can get it from carrots, beets, zucchini, and cauliflower. The Sphynx should be accustomed to vegetables from childhood; it is better to give them grated.
As for dairy products, it is better to give Sphynxes cottage cheese, kefir, and yogurt. You can give Sphynx cats regular milk, but it often causes digestive problems in Sphynx cats.
It is recommended to give fish no more than 1-2 times a week. Eggs should not be given to the cat whole, but only the yolk - once every 5-7 days.
Who said that sphinxes are nasty creatures? They are pure charm! (41 photos)
Hairless cats of the exotic Sphynx breed have a controversial reputation - some consider them the standard of “alien” beauty, while others can’t stand them. These cats are not like others, and this makes them unique. Despite their serious appearance, they can also be cute and funny. If you still think sphinxes are terrible gargoyles, look at these cute photos - your opinion about them will definitely change!
Hairless cats of the exotic Sphynx breed have a controversial reputation - some consider them the standard of “alien” beauty, while others can’t stand them.
Character
If you decide to get yourself this animal, then keep in mind that it does not consider itself a cat. Well, tell me, what other cat is not afraid of dogs and other animals, is peaceful, easy to learn, amazingly loving and at the same time perceives people as equals, treats people in a completely “human” way.
She is able to amaze you with her non-cat actions, for example, eating food from a bowl, picking it up with her paw and bringing it to her mouth.
And he (or she) will only sleep in your bed, covered with your blanket and resting his head on your pillow or on your shoulder. Don’t drive him away, because the bed is the warmest place in the house, and it is not recommended for Sphynxes to freeze, you don’t want to treat a cat’s runny nose.
In addition to all this, Sphynx cats are excellent parents, they tolerate pregnancy well, and their maternal instincts are very strong. Cats help each other during childbirth and feeding their offspring, and even cats take part in raising kittens: they warm them, lick them, and play with them.
This creature can be described as follows: a little kitten, a little puppy, a little monkey and a little child in one small hot body, dressed in a leather or suede blanket for growth, forming many folds. Sphynx cats are very sociable, playful, and need attention. Therefore, when purchasing a Sphynx, you should think in advance: will you be able to devote enough time to the cat?
