Surprises of genetics: a cross between a sphinx and an ordinary cat

Origin story

Cats that looked like figurines were first mentioned in Ancient Egypt. The oldest breed of Sphynx was called the Mexican Hairless. Unfortunately, today it is completely lost. The last representatives were shown at the exhibition back in the thirties. Now the oldest breed - the Canadian Sphynx - is just over forty years old, the St. Petersburg Sphynx and the Don Lysak - even less.

British mix

As part of breeding work, planned matings between representatives of different breeds are allowed. This is done in order to obtain a new branch with certain specified parameters. For example, breeders want to get a smart, intelligent (like the Sphinx) and beautiful aristocrat (like the British). Such experiments may be planned or random.

It does not always turn out that the offspring of a mixture will display exactly those qualities of the breed that the breeder wants to consolidate. Hereditary factors are of great importance. Both Britons and Sphynx cats are prone to cardiomyopathy, a heart disease. If this quality is passed on to the offspring from both parents, the kittens will not live long.

There are examples of successful mating results between Sphynxes and British Folds. The kitten inherited its appearance from its British mother, but the fur was similar to mink fur - soft, shiny and short. He took after both his parents in character. The result was something between the sociability of a Sphinx and the independence of a Briton.

A case of the birth of a mixed-breed kitten from a Sphynx and a British Shorthair is described. He looked neither like his mother nor his father: without obvious standard breed characteristics, but with long, silky, curly hair.

Canadian Sphynx

In the late sixties in Canada, a hairless kitten was born to an ordinary cat. After a while, the owners crossed him with his mother and got several more hairless kittens. A few years later, the creation of the Canadian Sphynx breed was announced. Thus, the kitten named Prune became the ancestor of a new species.

Caring for my first kittens was not easy. The breeders did not yet know how to care for them, and therefore the kittens often simply died. Thanks to the fact that nine years later two more kittens appeared in Minnesota, the breed was able to improve and strengthen. However, for several years, hairless kittens continued to appear occasionally in the USA and Canada. Some of them were sent to Europe to create a new branch of sphinxes.

Sphynx kittens

You should buy a kitten from a reputable cattery. The seller must draw up a sales contract, provide the buyer with a veterinary passport indicating the vaccinations performed and a metric on the basis of which a pedigree can be requested.

Breeding

Crossing the Don and Canadian Sphynxes is prohibited. You cannot breed two completely hairless individuals, even of the same breed, as the cubs will not be viable.

Males mature at 8 months. The first estrus in females is observed at 6–7 months and proceeds rapidly. The Sphynx girl meows at the top of her lungs and behaves nervously and fussily. But you can’t knit at an early age, it will negatively affect the offspring and the health of the parents. Both the male and the female must be one and a half years old.

Vaccinated and healthy animals checked by a veterinarian are bred. Their claws are trimmed to prevent accidental injuries. The cat is taken to visit a gentleman and left for a couple of days.

Pregnancy lasts 63–65 days. Childbirth usually occurs without complications and human assistance is not needed. There can be up to 12 cubs in a litter.

Price

The cost of a representative of the breed is determined by pedigree and exhibition category. A pet-level pet (companion) can be bought for at least 5 thousand rubles. And the cost of breed kittens (for breeding) and show-level kittens reaches 100 thousand rubles.

How to choose the right one

When choosing a kitten, pay attention to the following signs of a healthy animal:

• affectionate, playful, active, friendly behavior (if the kitten is angry and fearful, then he is being mistreated or has mental problems);
• moderately well-fed body;
• clear teardrops of the eyes;
• ears and anus without discharge;
• skin without signs of dermatitis.

How to care in the first months

A kitten is purchased when it is 3 months old; at this age it already knows how to use a litter box and is vaccinated. The breeder is obliged to tell the buyer how to care for the pet. It is worth getting a phone number from the breeder so you can call if you have questions.

You should ask the breeder what food the kitten was fed in the nursery. The transition to another diet should be smooth so that the pet’s digestion is not disrupted.

The purchased kitten is taught to bathe and other hygienic procedures. Up to six months they feed 6 times a day, up to a year - 3 times, then - 2 times.

Appearance

The breed improved over time, and the appearance of the cats gradually changed. The first representatives had folds and grooves all over their bodies. Modern Canadian sphinxes have retained them only in places. They are not as wrinkled as their ancestors and have smoother skin. Reviews and description of the Canadian Sphynx breed:

• Their body size is quite average. They cannot be called large cats, despite their strength and muscularity.
• They have a magnificent long and thin tail that is gracefully curled upward.
• The hind legs are generally longer than the front legs, giving the dog a slightly elevated figure.
• Mustaches are practically absent.
• Little kittens are born with folds all over their faces. Over time, it smooths out a little, and in adult cats, as a rule, wrinkles remain only in the neck area and on the top of the head.
• Straight and widely spaced ears are a distinctive feature of this breed. It is allowed to have a small fluff on the tips of the ears. The tips are usually rounded.
• It has a well-formed and defined muzzle with expressive eyes and a large nose.
• The shape of this cat's head is called wedge-shaped. It is quite harmonious, as it has almost the same width and length.
• The eyes are usually large and round in shape, tapering slightly towards the tips.
• The paws are slightly curved and have convex pads at the ends.
• Thanks to its long toes and pads, the Sphynx has a unique gait. Externally, it feels as if he is gracefully walking on heels.

The greatest delight is the velvety, soft skin of sphinxes. According to owners, they constantly want to touch and stroke their pet. The color of cats can be very different. The breed standard identifies several types of Sphynx colors:

• Quite popular is brindle.
• The white color with dark spots is called “harlequin”.
• There is a Siamese color, which has four varieties.
• The striped tabby looks quite original and attractive.
• An interesting color called "van" has a completely white background with a spot on the top of the head. The presence of two or three spots on the body is also allowed.

There are also solid and bicolor shades, which can be seen in the photo of the Sphynx breed. Among monochromatic cats you can find lilac, chocolate, white and cream cats. There is also a rather rare red tint, blue and black. Bicolor color assumes the presence of any of the listed shades in combination with white.

Caring for these animals requires effort and attention from the owners. There are some features of Sphynxes that are unique to this breed. It should be borne in mind that these cats are practically not independent and are very attached to their owner.

Feeding pets

The Sphynx cat has a large appetite and is an immoderate eater. They are prone to obesity, for this reason it is necessary to pay special attention to the pet’s nutrition and ensure that its diet is balanced and low in calories.

Animals of this breed practically do not chew, therefore it is recommended to feed them food of the appropriate consistency. The most favorable products for them:

• lean meat;
• vegetables;
• dairy products;
• raw chicken egg yolk;
• cereal porridge.

It is forbidden to give bald animals cheese, various sweet pastries, sausage and other similar products. It is best to feed your pets with special dry food, which can be purchased at any pet store or pharmacy.

Sphynxes should also be walked outdoors, but should not be taken out in cold or too hot weather. For walks in the cool season, it is recommended to purchase a suit or overalls for your pets.

These cats look like fairy-tale creatures. They make a lasting impression on people. Thanks to their unique charm, these creatures can be called one of the most sought after among cat lovers.

How and what to feed the Sphynx

There are a lot of rumors and prejudices around this breed. For example, many believe that Sphynx cats are extremely picky eaters and are disdainful of eating food that has been sitting for two to three hours after cooking. This statement is completely wrong.

First of all, cats of this breed are big gluttons, since they have to spend a lot of energy to maintain heat. They eat much more and more often than others. Experts advise purchasing high-quality food for them, designed specifically for this breed.

Differences in character: a family for a cat or vice versa

Any appearance fades into the background when it comes to the behavior and attitude of animals towards people. After all, some cats are capable of demonstrating quite predatory habits, even aggression. In families with children, such an animal has nothing to do.

Fortunately, Sphynxes belong to the group of quite friendly representatives of the cat family, although Dons and Canadians have differences here too.

The Don Sphynx is friendly towards all family members and pets. The Sphynx kitten will spin under your feet, look into your eyes and wait for any reason to play together. Representatives of this breed are not afraid of new people and react calmly to large, noisy companies.

Canadians are less sociable; they choose their owner independently and prefer to spend time only with him. The head of the family does not necessarily become such an authority.

They treat other cats and dogs calmly - they will put up with such proximity, but will try to keep their distance from the group.

When trying to reduce the communication distance that is comfortable for him, the animal may show aggression. Even the exhibition standards of these cats provide for removal from the ring if the competitor does not give in to the hands of the referee and shows emotional incontinence.

Approximate diet

They are contraindicated in eating fatty, salty and smoked foods. Any of these products can cause a sticky brown residue to appear on your skin. As a rule, the daily diet consists of three types of food: natural, dry food and wet canned food. Owners are advised to place three bowls at the same time into which each of these feeds is added. Natural products must be raw (meaning meat) or cooked. So, what should you feed the sphinx?

• The majority of your daily diet should be beef or chicken. Animal liver is also allowed.
• About fifteen percent are dairy products. They should not be sweet or too fatty. Preference is given to fermented baked milk, cottage cheese and special milk intended for animals.
• Dry food is selected only from well-known companies specializing in cat nutrition.
• The animal is given a chicken egg no more than once a week.
• It is recommended to use porridge or vegetable mixtures. Their quantity should not exceed five percent of the total food volume.

Thus, we can summarize: 60% - meat, 20% - dry food, 15% - dairy products, 4% cereals and vegetables and 1% seafood.

What is the difference?

An experienced breeder or amateur will determine at first glance who exactly is in front of him. Detailed information about the difference in appearance and habits will help everyone else understand this issue. It must be considered according to several criteria.

Build

The first type has a wedge-shaped skull, sharply defined cheekbones, and a sloping forehead. The physique is dense , the chest is quite developed. Limbs of medium length, moderate ability to jump over long distances. The tail line is straight. It is strong and flexible.

The second has a rounded skull, less clarity in the lines of the muzzle, except for the bridge of the nose. The shapes are more graceful, the bones are thinner. Long legs, excellent jumping ability. The tail is narrowed; a “lion” tassel can stand out at the tip.

Sight

In both species it is magical, attracting to itself like a magnet. Only the Don Sphynxes have almond-shaped, slanted eyes, while their opponents have large, round eyes.

Hairiness degree

In the first case, naked gene carriers are completely hairless animals. Only the brush is born with hairs in the form of hard curls . Sometimes there are mustache curls. The skin is smooth.

In the second type, light fluff is visible on the body. The mustache is not expressed at all. Abundance of folds in the upper body.

Health status

Russian representatives of the breed have strong immunity. They are very hardy. Their overseas counterparts have a lower pain threshold and are more susceptible to the development of pathologies.

How to care for your skin

Owners of Sphynx cats often note in their reviews that after a while a brown coating appears on the surface of their pets’ skin. This is a feature of the structure of the skin. Sphynx cats should be bathed (or at least wiped with a napkin on their sides) at least once every fourteen days. In specialized stores you can buy shampoos designed specifically for sphinxes. As a rule, other detergents are not suitable for them. The seller can also offer cat care wipes. Fortunately, hairless pets love to bathe. Water treatments are easy and relaxed.

If you do not maintain hygiene, then over time various dermatological problems may arise, which will be quite difficult to get rid of.

Another feature of the Sphynx's skin is that it can tan. This can be seen in those cats that love to bask in direct sunlight. By the way, such procedures do not bring anything good for them. Being in the sun for a long time, a sphinx can easily get sunburned.

Care and maintenance

To properly care for a mixed-breed cat, you need to know what breed its parents were. This will help you better understand the conditions of detention, taking into account all the nuances that arise. The basic rules of care remain standard:

1. Choosing a balanced diet for your cat.
2. Carrying out mandatory hygiene procedures, cleaning teeth and ears once every 10–14 days.
3. Flea inspections.
4. Taking medications for internal parasites.
5. Preventative visit to the veterinarian.
6. Sterilize the cat if necessary.

Diseases and hygiene

Sometimes your cat has bad breath. This is primarily due to inflammation of the gums, which can be damaged by spicy foods (for example, shrimp). And also in the absence of oral hygiene when keeping sphinxes, the teeth of animals quite often deteriorate. They become covered with a yellow coating and become loose over time. You can purchase a special toothpaste for cleaning your teeth at your veterinary pharmacy. It is also recommended to feed the cat cleansing food for some time.

According to reviews of Sphynx cats, they are most often exposed to colds. This is a real scourge. A Sphynx cat should not be in a draft after bathing. Among hereditary diseases, the most commonly observed are airway obstruction, congenital disorders of muscle tone, and heart disease.

The skin and ears of the animal require special attention. A brown, sticky coating may form on the skin, and dirt may accumulate in the ears, leading to inflammation. Due to the lack of eyelashes, the Sphynx sometimes has eye problems. The owners will have to take full responsibility for caring for these parts of the body.

Cats have sebaceous glands under their tail that secrete oil. Sometimes the glands become blocked and then acne occurs. The owners must carefully remove them, and then wipe the tail with a special means for degreasing the skin.

Mixture of a sphinx and an ordinary cat

Mixed breeds do not call any particular breed of cat, but the offspring of animals of two different breeds. All outbred cats are inherently mestizos.

Important! When crossing purebred animals, you will not get elite kittens. They will not be given pedigrees and will not be allowed to do breeding work.

It happens that during a heat, a Sphynx cat took a walk with an ordinary cat - the owners did not notice. Or the sphinx boy fell in love with a non-prestigious “mongrel”. Interbreeding is often an accident; such matings are almost never organized purposefully.

Mixed breeds inherit a certain set of parental genes, and each kitten from the same litter has a different set of genes. If at the birth of purebred kittens a predominance of hereditary characteristics is expected, then a “batch” of newborn mestizos can surprise with its diversity.

As a result of a mixture of a Sphynx and an ordinary domestic cat, one mother can simultaneously give birth to:

• completely hairless kittens;
• ordinary, shaggy;
• with short “velor” fur;
• “combined” - with partial coat, sometimes in very unexpected combinations.

With age, the presence and location of fur on a cat's body may change. For example, a hairless kitten may acquire “pants” or “whiskers” upon reaching puberty. And it happened that shaggy cats completely lost their hair by the age of one year.

Important! It is impossible to predict the future appearance of kittens from a sphinx and an ordinary cat.

With age, only body structure and appearance do not change. A kitten from a mixed litter can inherit different genes from both parents: for example, the appearance (huge ears and eyes of a sphinx) from one, and the nature of the coat (the smoothness or fluffiness of an ordinary cat) from the other.

The appearance of mestizos can be unusual and even funny. However, there are frequent cases of the birth of rather scary, sometimes repulsive kittens. It’s good if kids take the best qualities from their parents: beauty, intelligence, endurance and good health. But if it’s the other way around, few people will want an ugly and angry pet.

This is interesting! Often in a mixed litter you can see a kitten, or even two, that do not resemble either parent at all. This is a manifestation of the recessive, “suppressed” genes of their distant ancestors.

Character traits

They are extremely attached to their owners and practically cannot do without a person. They may have conflicts with other animals. It has been noticed that sphinxes do not particularly like communicating with cats and cats, both their own breed and those of others. Owners sometimes get the impression that sphinxes consider themselves not cats, but people. For them, procedures that ordinary cats cannot tolerate are often considered normal. For example, they love to swim and are patient and calm about cutting their nails and caring for their ears. They are also quite convenient to treat.

Of all other breeds, Sphynxes are perhaps more inclined than others to eat human food. This doesn't mean it's good for them. It’s just that such close communication with people makes itself felt and the animal gradually takes over the human habits. For example, not every feline will eat, like the Sphynx, sauerkraut, fresh tomatoes, raw potatoes, fresh peas, and so on.

Character and behavioral characteristics

The Sphynx is a sociable cat, tightly attached to its owner, requiring constant attention. Loneliness for her is a disaster.

The character of sphinxes is kindness and tenderness, turning into pestering and importunity. Contact with the owner is so important for a cat that it can even interfere with his business. The pet's attitude towards strangers is friendly and welcoming.

Representatives of the breed willingly participate in children's games and are not inclined to bite or scratch. They get along with other cats and non-aggressive dogs without problems. The hunting instinct of sphinxes is poorly developed, so there is no need to worry about the fate of parrots and hamsters.

Nail care

To trim nails you will need to purchase a special device. Owners should carefully carry out the procedure, trying not to touch the pink edging, otherwise the cat will feel pain. A thin red vessel can be easily noticed and carefully walked around it. If blood does appear, the claws should be wiped with hydrogen peroxide. As a rule, only the tip of the nail is trimmed, leaving most of it. Sometimes cats bite off their claws themselves. Sphinxes also have this tendency.

Many owners also purchase scratching posts. They can be either horizontal or vertical. This item is selected depending on the animal’s habits. Not only kids, but also adults quickly get used to scratching posts.

Character traits

Sphinxes, living in the vastness of Russia, are reminiscent of playful children in their disposition. These are perky creatures who are never characterized by aggression. They love human company very much. Sometimes this takes the form of obsession. Then the pebble appears everywhere your foot steps. He starts his song, rubbing himself against your hands or face.

The pronounced curiosity and desire to always be at the epicenter of events are striking. They treat strangers with interest, but do not always allow them to approach them once they reach puberty. They are sensitive with their family members and subtly sense people’s moods.

Their Canadian counterparts behave differently:

• choose their only owner,
• feel equal to a person, not allowing themselves to beg for food,
• sometimes show impulsiveness
• a little secretive, “on their own”
• restrained in their actions,
• Only a select few allow themselves to be caressed.

At the same time, they are all very peaceful. They are endlessly devoted to those who care about them.

How to breed

Usually the female gives birth very easily and quite quickly. Sphynx kittens are born without difficulty. It is recommended to help the cat get rid of the placenta, as well as wipe newborn kittens and keep them warm until the mother finishes giving birth. Sometimes the number of kittens can reach twelve. In reviews of Sphynx cats, the owners of these cats say that they open their eyes quite early and are characterized by increased activity. In kittens, you can notice a light fluff on the top of the head, which goes away after two to three months. They are more wrinkled than their parents. As they grow, the folds smooth out and remain only in the head area.

The onset of pregnancy is usually difficult to miss. The cat becomes even more affectionate and affectionate towards its owner. Closer to childbirth, the female prefers to retire. After about sixty-three days, the long-awaited birth occurs.

TOP 10 facts about sphinxes

Here is a brief summary of everything interesting about sphinxes:

1. Hairless cats existed in ancient times. The Egyptians kept them in temples, and the Aztecs considered them healing animals.
2. The ancient cats became extinct. And the living sphinxes are an artificial breed obtained as a result of a gene mutation.
3. The average lifespan of cats is 14 years. But there are long-livers, reaching up to 17–19 years.
4. The body temperature of the sphinx reaches 39 °C.
5. Representatives of the breed love swimming in warm water.
6. Sphynx cats are not hypoallergenic, despite their lack of fur. Their saliva contains the same amount of allergen protein as other breeds.
7. Hairless cats love to sleep in the master's bed under the blanket. After all, this is the warmest place.
8. A newborn kitten opens its eyes after 3-4 days.
9. Sphynx cats have sensitive skin, so they love to be petted and caressed.
10. Due to their increased metabolism, cats defecate 3 times more often than other breeds, and the smell of their feces is intense. Therefore, you have to clean the tray often.

Mating

The owner of the male must accept the cat on his territory. First of all, he provides her with peace of mind and comfortable living conditions. Sometimes owners have to help their pets. The mating process itself lasts no more than two minutes. The fact that it has passed can be determined by the behavior of the animals. The female prefers to lie on her back and roll on the floor for a while, and the cat immediately starts licking her body.

Judging by the reviews about the Sphinx, the owners prepare for this process in advance. If the owner has decided to breed kittens, then it is highly not recommended to give the cat hormonal drugs to suppress desire. After he is convinced that everything is fine with the animal, he can look for a partner. Before meeting, the animals undergo a process of expelling worms and other parasites so that they do not infect each other. Cats also have their claws trimmed. The only thing you should not do before mating is bathe your pets, so as not to remove the specific cat aroma released by secretions.

Character

If you look directly into the eyes of the sphinx, he does not look away. This behavior in animals is considered quite rare, which emphasizes the natural intelligence and high intelligence of cats. Both the Canadian and the Don Sphynx will be happy to play with you and run around the apartment after the ball. However, at some point the cat will calm down, find a suitable place to rest, sit on the object and sit completely still.

At this very moment, others may get the impression that in front of them is the most imperturbable animal in the world. It is not for nothing that sphinxes are compared to crystal figurines - they sometimes prefer to sit for hours in their favorite position, without moving or moving from their place. “Donchaki” are recognized by breeders as more affectionate and devoted pets.

Features of the species

There are three types of sphinxes: Canadian, Don and St. Petersburg. Each of them has its own characteristics. For example, the St. Petersburg Sphynx has long limbs and a strong body. He has fairly wide cheekbones on a wedge-shaped head. The chin of these cats is also quite powerful. A distinctive feature of the St. Petersburg Sphynx is its almond-shaped eyes. The Canadian ones are round. Eye color is usually blue or green. The nose of this breed is quite large. Together with slanted eyes, it is a rather original animal in appearance, which is liked by many owners. Another distinctive feature of this breed is its pointed ears.

The Don Sphynx has a fairly large size and a muscular body. He also has almond-shaped eyes and well-defined cheekbones. The forelimbs of the representative of the Don breed are quite long, and their size is almost the same as the hind limbs. The ears are large and rounded at the ends.

Canadian Sphynxes have fairly large body muscles with short stature. He has large, expressive eyes that occupy most of his muzzle. The head is also wedge-shaped and whiskers are almost completely absent. A distinctive feature is the long hind limbs, as well as very large and wide ears.

In addition, almost all three types of sphinxes presented differ from each other in skin. For example, in Donskoy it is quite elastic and has wrinkles only under the arms and on the top of the head. The St. Petersburg Sphynx has rough and elastic skin. Unlike other types, it is quite redundant. The Canadian Sphynx has the most pleasant skin. Cats of this breed are covered with velor, velvety down, which is very pleasant to the touch.

Descriptions of breeds

The Don Sphynx is a breed that appeared in Russia relatively recently, in 1996. The first mention of animals without hair appeared in 1987. Later, the hairless cat gave birth to hairless kittens. This is how the youngest breed of hairless felines appeared in Rostov-on-Don.

Animals belonging to this breed are distinguished by their non-standard appearance: on a small head, large, erect ears attract attention, amazing eyes in the shape of almonds, the body is covered with the most delicate, silk-like skin.

Interestingly, not all representatives of the breed are completely hairless. In some species, babies are born with fur, but with age they undress.