 | Sphynx: The Hairless Wonder of the Feline World
Captivating to look at and sure to take over as the center of attention anytime he walks into the room, the Sphynx cat first came into existence in 1966. It was then that a domestic cat first gave birth to a hairless kitten in the city of Toronto, Canada. This kitten was discovered to be a natural mutation and, in a surprisingly short amount of time, this kitten graduated from being the ëugly ducklingí of the cat world, to becoming a favorite amongst cat fanciers, worldwide.
Breeders throughout Europe and North America have been selectively breeding the Sphynx, crossing it to normal-coated cats, as well as to the hairless variety, for more than 30 years. The end result is to create a very beautiful cat that has all the vigor and longevity of a hybrid breed, weeding out most risks of health or genetic defects. Of course, some might argue that the Sphynxí lack of hair, itself, might be a genetic defect, though fans of this fascinating breed are sure to set any naysayers straight.
Despite what most thing, the Sphynx is not always completely hairless. In fact, most have a very fine, fuzzy down that covers their body, making them feel more like a toasty-warm peach or brushed suede. Some light hair is often seen at the nose, the tail, and the catís toes, and they can be registered in a wide variety of colors. This faint hue of color can be detected in the Sphynxí fine hair, giving them a softer, almost pastel kind of look. Of course, while they are intriguing and unique to gaze upon, such beautiful cats do not come without their own drawbacks - as many would imagine, the nearly-naked Sphynx cat is susceptible to extreme temperatures as well as sunburn. During the colder months, you should be prepared to bundle your Sphynx for any outside trips and, unlike most other cats, the Sphynx cat requires regular bathing in order to keep clean.
A medium-sized cat, the Sphynx is a healthy and intelligent feline, but can also be somewhat demanding. Seeming to prefer human attention over that of dogs or other cats, the Sphynx are prone to performing silly antics in order to gain attention and, if ignored, can be downright mischievous. Additionally, Sphynx tend to be somewhat clumsy, so it may be a good idea to ensure anything breakable is placed up and out of reach, just in case someone doesnít have the time to lavish affection on your Sphynx.
While some people that suffer from cat-related allergies find that they can live with Sphynx cats, donít ever assume that this is a ësure thing.í Sometimes, depending on what type of allergy they have, and the severity of their reactions, some people are still unable to have a Sphynx cat as a pet. Before bringing one of these darling little babies into your home, be sure to check with others and ensure that this is a group decision and that all are in agreement - once you welcome a Sphynx into your home, youíre never going to want to be without this darling and enigmatic breed of feline friend.
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