Plain
The category includes solid colors - the body of the animal is painted in a single color. For Canadian Sphynxes, several variations are allowed here.
White
The animal's skin is clean, shiny, and has a delicate whitish-pinkish tint. There are no stains or inclusions. The nose, paw pads, and lips are pink.
White Sphinx:
Black
The skin is painted a uniform black color. White spots, tan marks, and “ties” are not allowed. Paw pads and nose are black or dark brown.
Black cat:
Blue
Uniform color from nose to tip of tail. Looks like silver or light gray. The animal's pads and nose are dark gray.
Blue Sphinx:
Red
The animal's skin is shiny, evenly colored in a soft red tint. There are no marks or stains. The lips and eye rims are the same color as the entire body. The nose and pads are brick red in tone.
Cream
The color of the Canadian Sphynx can be compared to the color of buffalo skin. The nose and paw pads are pink.
Cream Sphynx:
Chocolate
Cat skin has a rich brown, chestnut color. Nose, paw pads - cinnamon tones.
Chocolate cat:
Lavender
The correct description is frosty gray with a delicate pinkish “highlight”. The nose and pads of such a cat’s feet are dark pinkish and lavender.
"Fawn" ("faun")
A very interesting color - fawn, soft beige with a pink tone. The cat's paw pads and nose are also light fawn.
"Cinnamon" (cinnamon)
The color of the animal’s skin resembles a shade of spice – rich brown. The nose and paw pads are also cinnamon-colored.
Sphinx color "cinnamon":
Origin of the Canadian Sphynx
Abroad, these cats are simply called “Sphynx”. The prefix “Canadian” is used only in Russia.
The hairlessness mutation (the gene was named hr) was identified in Canada in 1966. In Ontario, an ordinary mongrel cat gave birth to a hairless kitten, wrinkled like a dried plum. It was called Prune (Prune) - Prune.
After Prune mated with his mother, hairless kittens were born in the litter. To consolidate the mutation, he was repeatedly bred with hairless cats. But the experiment failed - due to inbreeding, the kittens died and were sick. In 1971, the breeding of hairless cats was suspended.
Another hairless kitten was born on the border with Canada, in Minnesota in 1975, from an ordinary short-haired cat. It was called Epidermis. Epidermis' mother will give birth to another hairless kitten a year later, this time a girl. Epidermis is purchased by a hobby breeder from San Francisco, David Mare. To pair with him, he buys a hairless cat from Holland named Alopecia Totalis. David also had a third hairless cat from North Carolina, which was successfully exhibited at shows. But no information has been preserved about the descendants of David Mair's cats.
Canadian Sphynx
In 1978, in Toronto, Canada, Siamese cat breeder Shirley Smith picked up a cat with 2 kittens on the street, one of which was naked. The black and white hairless cat was named Bambi, he was neutered and lived for 16 years (until 1994).
In 1980, Bambi's mother brings a new litter, containing two hairless cats. These animals are probably undocumented descendants of Prune. They travel to Holland, where they are given the names Punkie and Paloma.
It was the cat Punkie who was bred with a Devon Rex cat. The result of the mating was hairless kittens in the first generation.
But let's return to America. Hairless kittens begin to be born on a Minnesota farm in 1975. In 1981, the Persons sold two adult hairless cats to Stardust Cattery in Oregon to breeder Kim Muesk. They were called Epidermis and Dermis. This has created some confusion, with a cat named Epidermis being confused with David Mair's Epidermis the cat.
Hairless cats were called “lunar” until the original and mysterious name “Sphinx” was invented
Kim mated hairless cats with different cats, but all the kittens were covered with fur. Then, on the advice of another felinologist, she acquired a Devon Rex. So Sphynxes were bred using this breed both in Holland and in the USA.
In 1985, a Sphynx nursery appeared in Texas, and interest in them grew. Hairless cats continue to be crossed with Devon Rex and American Shorthair cats, increasing the gene pool of the population. Nurseries actively exchange kittens.
The international organization for the breeding and development of new breeds of cats (Cat Fanciers' Association, CFA) recognized Sphynxes only in 1998. In 2002, the breed standard for judging was approved.
Canadian Sphynx on a walk
Until 2010, matings of Canadian Sphynxes with Devon Rexes were allowed. Now the breed is closed for interbreed matings. A Canadian Sphynx is considered purebred if its ancestors were Sphynxes in 4 generations.
"Tabby"
On the animal’s legs there are visible “necklaces” on the neck. The tail is also “ringed”. On the forehead the stripes form the letter “M”. A bizarre butterfly-shaped pattern spreads from the eyes along the cat’s cheeks. There are uniform stripes throughout the body.
The color variations of "tabby" are largely the same as solid colors. The animal’s body may have silver, lavender, fawn, brown, blue, chocolate, red, cinnamon, and cream spots.
Silver tabby
There are black markings on a cold silver background. Lips and chin are earthy in color.
Brown tabby
The main tone is copper, brown. There is a black pattern running across it. The chin, eye rims, and lips should be the same color. Hind legs - with black heels.
Blue tabby
The main shade is silver, pale gray. A more saturated blue pattern runs along it - the contrast is visible to the naked eye.
Red tabby
The main tone is warm soft red. The pattern is rich red.
Cream tabby
The main shade is pale soft cream. The pattern is buff color or a richer “cream”.
Chocolate tabby
Available in two varieties:
- Chocolate chestnut. The skin is a delicate, warm fawn color. There is a rich chestnut pattern running along it.
- Chocolate silver. The main tone is grayish with a cold metallic tint. It has chocolate-colored markings.
Cinnamon tabby
Again two variations are allowed:
- Cinnamon tabby. The main tone is light honey. The pattern is a rich cinnamon color.
- Cinnamon-silver tabby. The main color is metallic, “shiny silver”. Decorated about.
Lavender tabby
Breed standards also allow two varieties:
- Lavender tabby. The skin tone is pale lavender with a pinkish tone. The markings are a rich lavender (gray-lilac) hue.
- Lavender-silver tabby. Background color – cold milky, “transparent silver”. There is a darker lavender pattern running across it.
Fawn Tabby
The main shade is “ivory”. The pattern on the animal's skin is fawn, yellowish-brown.
Tiger type "Canadians":
Tortoiseshells
This group of colors of the Canadian Sphynx is characterized by a coloring reminiscent of a tortoiseshell - black, cream, red specks and spots. The nose and paw pads are also motley.
Turtle cinnamon
The main tone is cinnamon. The specks are darker or red.
Turtle "lavender"
On the skin of a delicate lavender tone there are dark lavender, creamy inclusions.
Turtle cream
The main color is fawn. A darker cream or fawn “shell” runs along it.
Tortoiseshell color of sphinxes:
The character of the Canadian Sphynx: 7 features of these cats
Not all sphinxes are the angels that breeders sometimes try to make them out to be. Much depends on the conditions of detention and the correct behavior of the owners. And most importantly, it depends on how compatible the temperaments of the sphinx and the people with whom it lives are. At the end of the section you will see a table that clearly shows that the same character trait can be both a plus and a minus.
Sociable
If you think that a cat should be independent and inconspicuous, the Sphynx is not for you. This breed is famous above all for its desire to communicate. The Sphinx is always next to its owner, no matter what he does.
Hello, do you need any help?
Baby yoga, or rather cat yoga
These cats climb on your hands at every opportunity, and can jump on your shoulders if you don’t wean them off. They spin around under your feet and actively help in everyday life - they throw themselves on a floor rag, take away your toothbrush, and chew on the pen you are trying to write with.
In addition to physical contact, the sphinx communicates through “talking”. Canadians meow a lot and willingly, and in different ways, depending on the occasion.
Active
The Canadian Sphynx is a real energizer, especially when young. This cat needs active games. The Sphynx can chase a teasing rod until he becomes out of breath, which is definitely not what you would expect from more phlegmatic breeds like the British.
A naked kitten is often called a monkey in people's hearts - not because of its external resemblance, but because of its endless pranks. A Canadian Sphynx left unattended can turn an apartment upside down. Perhaps only Abyssinian or Bengal cats can surpass them in activity.
What are you looking at, turn back!
Kittens are very active and always ready to play
Affectionate
One of the advantages of the Canadian Sphynx is their love of love. They always readily respond to affection, and they themselves demand attention, butting and rubbing themselves against their owners. In case of conflict, the Sphinx prefers to run away and hide rather than engage in open confrontation. This breed is not characterized by aggression.
You smell like chicken, can I lick you?
Curious
Even if the sphinx does not leave the apartment, it will continue to explore the space again and again. It is very important to install protective screens on windows and remove wires and other hazards from access.
There's nothing interesting in the closet, I checked
Gluttonous
Sphynx cats have an intense metabolism and require more food than a regular cat of the same size. You'll be surprised how much one naked cat can eat if you give it free rein. Owners laughingly describe how the cat puts its muzzle right into their mouth in the hope of begging for a tasty morsel.
Give me something tasty, man!
Smart
Canadian Sphynxes have developed intelligence, which is confirmed by the stories of their owners. One woman's cat learned to turn off her computer because she picked him up and pet him when she rebooted the computer. In another, he rang a special bell with his paw, demanding food. The Sphynx can be trained simply by observing it and rewarding certain behaviors.
Treat the sphinx!
Touchy
The Canadian Sphynx cannot be punished. The cat won’t understand why, and you’ll make the problem worse. If your kitten scratches your legs while trying to climb up, you shouldn't spank him. You should not poke a cat into a puddle made in the wrong place, even if it was your pillow.
Sphynx cats are gentle and affectionate cats, but their trust is easily destroyed by impulsive actions. If you are taking a naked kitten into your home, you better be patient in advance.
Glass left unattended - shared
The character of the Canadian Sphynxes: pros and cons
Character Trait Plus- Minus
| Sociability | A sociable and affectionate pet, a lot of positive emotions. | Does not tolerate loneliness well, can be intrusive and disturb. |
| Curiosity | Sphynxes are not cowardly, they make contact with other animals, adapt when moving, and love to learn new things. | They climb into places they shouldn’t, which can lead to injury – a window, a washing machine, a dresser drawer. |
| Voracity | The pet will not be picky, willingly gobbling up the food that you offer it. | Due to the constant feeling of hunger, sphinxes are prone to begging and theft, and if they are overfed, they become obese. |
| Friendliness | The Sphinx is a good companion for children; it is unlikely to bite or scratch unwary children. | If you pay little attention to your sphinx, he will experience stress. The pet needs to be petted a lot. |
| Activity | The cat is always ready to play and will not let you get bored, charging you with its energy. | People often mess around at home - they scratch furniture and curtains, throw things off, and destroy indoor plants. |
You don't need to study, pet the cat!
"Chintz" (Calico)
An interesting group that is united by the predominance of white (mainly on the lower part of the body). The suit is complemented by various variations:
- White with black and red spots gravitating towards the head, limbs, and tail.
- White with cream and blue spots.
- White with blue and blue spots on the head, legs, tail.
Group of suits "chintz":
Bicolor
The main feature of this category is a uniform combination of spots of only two colors on the animal’s body. Various options with white are allowed:
- Any color with white.
- Tortoiseshell and white.
- Striped and white.
Two-color "Canadians":
Rare colors
In conclusion - less common colors, but allowed by the standard.
"Siamese" (color point)
Kittens are born light, almost white. But as they grow older, a dark “mask” appears on their face, their paws and tail turn black. The eyes remain bright blue.
"Color point":
"Mink"
The baby is also born light-colored, but with age “puts on a coat” - platinum, blue, striped, cream, blue, champagne.
How to choose a kitten
Canadian Sphynxes are a rare breed, so their cost starts from 10 thousand rubles. You should buy kittens only from trusted breeders, preferably in reputable nurseries. You can choose your future pet based on the photo. But a visit to the nursery or apartment is mandatory. Assess the conditions in which the cats are kept, look at the baby’s parents.
The fragile health of small sphinxes requires a responsible attitude from breeders in the first 3 months of life. When purchasing a baby, find out whether he has received the necessary vaccinations.
Only a pedigree can confirm the noble origin of a kitten. The breed's exterior is formed in Canadians only by the age of one year, so the baby's health can only be visually assessed. Examine the kitten's skin and eyes. Various inflammations, acne on the skin, as well as accumulation of pus in the corners of the eyes indicate the presence of problems.
Reference! A little Canadian should look reasonably well-fed, with clear eyes and healthy skin. An important indicator is the kitten’s activity. If the baby is lethargic and is in no hurry to run, it means that not everything is in order with his health.
