The most unusual breed of cats can definitely be called the Sphynx breed - a cat without a coat. The attitude towards these funny animals is very ambiguous: if some are delighted with them, then others categorically do not accept a specific appearance.
It is assumed that hairless cats arose as a result of natural mutations. Exact reasons the lack of wool in the sphinx is unknown. There are three varieties of sphinxes: the Canadian Sphynx, the Don Sphynx and the St. Petersburg Sphynx. So far, only the Canadian Sphynx, whose history goes back about 40 years, has received recognition in the world. Younger breeds - Don and St. Petersburg - are still on the way of development. These breeds are just over 15 years old.
Hairless cats have been known since ancient times. The Aztecs deified these unusual creatures and kept them in temples. Hairless cats lived in the palaces of the Egyptian pharaohs and were the subject of worship. There is evidence that hairless cats lived in Mexico in the 20s, in Morocco, India and Paraguay in the 30s. But no one was engaged in their breeding at that time and they quickly disappeared.
The history of modern sphinxes began its report in 1966, when in Canada ordinary cat a kitten was born without hair. An attempt was made to start breeding these cats, but the attempt ended in failure. The reason was the small number of the breed, high mortality among kittens, ignorance of the Sphynx genetics and the wrong breeding strategy. But in 1975, another hairless kitten was born in the US state of Minnesota, whose mother was an ordinary shorthair cat. A year later, another naked cat was born there. These kittens became the founders of the most elite line of the breed. In the late seventies in Toronto, three hairless kittens were found on the street: a male and two kitties. The cat was in critical condition. He needed several surgeries. And although he managed to save his life, he was not destined to become the ancestor of the breed. Two cats were sent to Europe, where they laid the foundation for the European branch of the Canadian Sphynx breed. As a result of crossing the Sphynx with the Devon Rex, they have lost their original features, such as heavily wrinkled skin. In modern Canadian sphinxes, folds have been preserved only on the neck and on the limbs. And although kittens are still born wrinkled, their folds smooth out with age. The Sphinx is becoming more and more like a figurine.
The Canadian Sphynx today is a medium-sized cat, with a muscular body, a raised muzzle, huge ears and a bewitching look of oval eyes.
For some time, the Canadian Sphynx was the only breed of hairless cat, until in 1987 a resident of Rostov-on-Don picked up an incomprehensible, according to the woman’s assumption, sick kitten on the street. The kitten turned out to be healthy and later became the ancestor of the Don Sphynx. Russian breeders quickly got involved in the development of a new breed and in a short period of time received a new breed, which is now known throughout the world.
Common to the Canadian and Don Sphynx is only the absence of wool. Otherwise, cats have significant differences. The Don Sphynx has a rather heavy and powerful skeleton, the Canadian Sphynx is more refined. The Canadian Sphynx has a shorter head and a more noticeable transition from the forehead to the nose. The eyes of these two breeds are especially different. In the Canadian Sphynx, the eyes are oval, in the Don breed they are almond-shaped, more obliquely set. The eyes of the Don Sphynx are unique; none of the known cat breeds has such eyes, either in shape or location.
They differ not only in phenotype, but also in genotype. The absence of wool in representatives of the breeds is caused by the presence of different genes.
If you take the Sphinx in your arms, you can feel the hot body, rough to the touch. The Sphinx loves to sit on the owner's shoulder. Sphinxes are good with water and are always happy to splash. Another feature of the sphinx is long, well-developed fingers, with membranes between them. They are happy to take food with their paws and put it in their mouths.
Sphynxes are very smart and sociable animals. They are mobile, cheerful, energetic, love children, get along well with other pets. Sphinxes are unusually affectionate and gentle, they love to poke their muzzle into the owner's face and look into his eyes, which is unusual for animals. They are curious and take part in all the affairs of family members. They should always be the center of attention. Sphinxes are not aggressive and not vindictive. These cats are very clean, we must remember that they never go to the toilet in an uncleaned tray.
The content of the Sphinx has its own characteristics. First of all, it is necessary to provide the sphinx with a warm room and even warm clothes, although sphinxes tolerate coolness quite well. Sphinxes love to sleep under the covers, putting their head on the pillow and cuddling with all their hot body to the owner. Sphinx has more high temperature body, increased heat transfer and rapid metabolism. This affects the sphinx's appetite - they are literally omnivores, and are ready to eat all the time. The owner of the Sphynx must strictly monitor the observance of the cat's diet and avoid overeating, which can lead to diseases. gastrointestinal tract or obesity. If you have any health problems with the Sphynx, you should definitely contact your veterinarian - the treatment of the Sphynx is different from the treatment of cats of other breeds. special care require the ears of the sphinx, due to the rapid accumulation of secretions in them, so it is recommended to clean the ears as often as possible. The eyes of the Sphynx must be washed daily, because cats do not have eyelashes and the eyelids can stick together due to the secretion secreted. Sphinxes are subject to this unpleasant disease like acne. The main reason for the occurrence acne is hyperfunction sebaceous glands. The disease is most often hereditary and is associated with the color of the animal. Blue, cream and red sphinxes are more susceptible to the disease.
The third representative of the sphinxes is the St. Petersburg Sphynx (Peterbald), obtained by crossing the Don Sphynx and oriental cat in 1994. The shape of the head, ears and eyes of this type of Sphynx is different from previous breeds. The Peterbald is a large tall cat with long legs. It cannot be called a completely naked cat. The body of the Peterbald is covered with a thin, barely noticeable undercoat.
All three types of sphinxes have similar character traits. All of them are friendly, sociable, love the company of people and are very attached to the owner. The same can be said about caring for sphinxes: the specifics of caring for these cats is connected precisely with their “naked” state.
Wool type: shorthaired
The size: medium
Country of origin: America, Russia
In our country, Canadian, Don and St. Petersburg sphinxes are distinguished.
Appearance of sphinxes
Once you get used to the look of a hairless cat, you will notice additional differences from other cat breeds. The ears look quite large, and remarkably, good cat should be quite wrinkled. Sphynx is the most folded cat breed. Adult sphinxes should have as many wrinkles as possible, mainly on the head, but these wrinkles should not be clearly defined.
Sphinxes only appear naked. It would be more accurate to say that they are hairless, because their skin is covered with a very thin layer of wool, its texture reminiscent of suede. The body is warm and soft to the touch, reminiscent of the skin of a peach. Short, fine hairs are acceptable on the feet, outside of the ears, tail and scrotum.
Despite the minimal coat, the color of Sphynx cats is very diverse in both color and color.
Character
Despite the fact that the Sphynx cat breed lacks one of the defining characteristics of a cat - coat, do not let yourself be confused. This hairless cat breed makes very sweet, affectionate and loyal pets. Sphynx love to be the center of attention and often demands it from a person or other animal. It should be remembered that children may often be reluctant to get a hairless cat, feeling that they will not be able to communicate and cuddle with him as with most other breeds.
Smart and very energetic sphinxes love to show off in front of the owner and are very friendly towards guests.
When it's time to sleep, they go in search of a warm cozy place, most often under a blanket.
They seek people's attention and follow them everywhere, wagging their tails in joy and purring in pleasure to be around a human. Despite their alien appearance, they are real cats that are "in their own minds." If you have lost your sphinx, check the tops of your dwelling, you may find your pet looking down on you from somewhere. Hide and seek is their favorite game and you participate in it.
Sphynxes are very good with their bare paws with long fingers, grabbing small objects. Sphinxes are extremely curious, they will squeeze anywhere and turn everything in the world to satisfy their curiosity.
Sphynxes have strong personalities and do not do well if left alone at home all day. If your sphinx is unhappy, then it will not be good for anyone.
Diseases
Sphynx cats are generally a healthy breed, however, they have several hereditary diseases.
A heart disease that is fairly common in other breeds is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. it serious illness, characterized sudden death in young years.
In addition, some lines of the Sphynx breed are predisposed to rare hereditary disease, which causes progressive muscle dysfunction and is called hereditary myopathy. The disease first affects the muscles of the neck, and then can lead to general muscle weakness in the process of maturation of the sphinx.
The most common cause of death for Sphynxes is obstruction. respiratory tract due to the inability to swallow food. Fanciers of this breed do their best to eliminate the disease, but this disease is regulated by a recessive gene, so it is very difficult to deal with it.
Care
Lack of hair does not mean that sphinxes do not need to be groomed. In fact, this breed has relatively high grooming needs. Sphynxes need to be bathed (they may or may not like it) at least once a week. If this is not done, the Sphynx becomes dirty and sticky to the touch, they may develop skin problems. It is also important to regularly clean the ears and trim the nails. Sphynx cats are meant to be kept indoors, as they are very sensitive to the cold and can easily get sunburned.
Note
The fact that sphinxes have almost no hair does not mean that they do not cause allergies. Of course, you will be spared the hair on the furniture, but this will not save you from allergies. In people allergic reaction cause substances contained in the saliva and sebaceous glands of the animal. In fact, the Sphynx can even cause a more severe allergic reaction in some people.
It is important to spend a lot of time in the presence of a cat before buying in order to understand how your body reacts to the presence of a Sphynx.
Some people who experience a mild allergic reaction to cats may live with Sphynx cats. However, this depends on the individual animal and the individual reaction of the human body.
Keep in mind that every cat is different. This description is typical for the breed as a whole and does not always fully coincide with the characteristics of a particular cat of this breed!This breed of cats, kittens and cats has a very specific character, therefore, to describe it, it is necessary to pay attention to their other features presented with detailed description in this article.
How much does a Sphynx cat cost without documents in Russia and Ukraine
The Sphinx can be bought in Russia and Ukraine for about the same price. Undocumented cats cost 5,000 rubles (UAH 2,000).
Don Sphynx character and reviews
Most reviews of the Don Sphynx owners are positive. They claim that their cat is active and playful. This character is inherent in almost every cat of this breed, for which it gained popularity. But, it is worth considering that the Don Sphynx can clearly show their aggressiveness, if he doesn’t like something. Such common cases are not rare, but they do happen.
The cat draws attention with its constant activity. What only weird things Don Sphynxes can do when they lack the caress of the owner. So don't expect this cat breed to sit quietly and wait until you want to show interest in them.
How much does a Sphynx cat cost in Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Belarus with documents
Russia - 10,000 rubles.
Ukraine - 3000 hryvnia.
Kazakhstan - 35000 tenge.
Belarus - 230,000 rubles.
How much does a Canadian Sphynx cat cost in Russia in rubles
The Canadian Sphynx in the Russian Federation can be taken with hands for 7000-10000 rubles.
How much does a kitten and a Sphynx cat without a pedigree adult cost
A Sphynx kitten without a pedigree, in comparison with its counterparts with a pedigree, is not so expensive. Small kittens can be taken for 3 thousand rubles. An adult cat will cost not much more - up to 5-7 thousand rubles.
How much is the Sphinx of the Don
The Don Sphynx will cost you 4-5 thousand rubles.
Canadian Sphynx character and care, habits of the breed, content
Canadian hairless cats have a soft and compliant character. They are talkative and sociable, which does not exceed the measure. That's only if you leave the cat on for a long time one, then he will actively voice, which the neighbors can hear.
Caring for the Canadian Sphynx is quite specific. Unlike other cats, this one will have to allocate a personal place without drafts and even buy clothes. Because these cats understandable reasons very sensitive to cold. Bath procedures should be carried out frequently. They sweat profusely, and plaque will noticeably increase on their skin, which must be washed off once a week. Canadian cats also need claw sharpeners, because they cannot sharpen their claws without harm in apartment conditions.
This breed loves to play and will not refuse various toys. After long games, it will demand to eat - you need to satisfy this desire with the right portions. Chicken necks are added to the usual diet, which clean the teeth of cats, as this breed is very clean.
Sphynx cats character and characteristics, features of the breed
Humble, curious and playful are part of the qualities that sphinxes possess. These are unusual cats with a developed intellect. They surprise with their affection for the owner and unusual curiosity. Therefore, they often hide from them all the items that usually took place on the table.
Perhaps the most bizarre breed can easily be considered a sphinx. “Where has it been seen that a cat was without hair! She's obviously sick!" Such a verdict was made by a grandmother who visited a cat show with her granddaughter. If you think about it ... And why, indeed, the sphinx is without hair, because a cat is a cat that should be distinguished by a chic fur coat.
According to most zoologists and felinologists, lies in gene mutations that endured by these cute animals. Hairless creatures, however, remain as affectionate, kind and loyal as any other cat.
The character of the sphinx
The Sphynx likes to be in the center of everyone's attention like no one else, which requires other animals in the house and people. Patience distinguishes the Sphynx from other members of the cat family. A hairless cat will never brazenly wake up the owner, she will only modestly wait until he wakes up himself.
The hairless handsome man simply glows with intelligence and energy, which allows him to attract the eyes of admiring guests. The Sphinx loves to sleep under the covers more than other members of the cat family.
Being close to a person is the purpose of the life of representatives of the breed. These cats, like other baleen-striped cats, walk by themselves and do not like it when they are forbidden to enter any room. The worst punishment for a sphinx is to call a full house of guests, and lock him in a room alone.
The sphinxes' favorite game is hide and seek. And the owner should not forget that he is also included in this fun. If you can’t find a cat, you need to check all cabinets, drawers and, and also be sure to look at the top of the wall or wardrobe. Yes, yes, it is there that the sphinx will gladly hide.
Excessive curiosity can cause the loss of a mustache over a gas burner, flying from a window or balcony. The Sphinx will do anything to satisfy its curiosity.
If the house is boring, and the owner has nothing to do - you need to get a hairless cat, which will instantly return joy and light to all household members. Making some kind of Skoda, the sphinx will not even guess that it is doing something bad, so you should not scold and even more so beat the pet. A highly developed intellect helps the pet understand everything that the owner tells him.
The Sphinx will obey any member of the family, but will definitely choose a pet. Next to the selected person, the pet will spend most of the time, while having time, without disappearing from sight, to explore the entire territory and look with its curious face into every drawer or locker.
Anger and aggressiveness are absolutely not characteristic of representatives of this breed. Soft and affectionate temperament helps the Sphynx cat to be an excellent mother not only for her children, but also for the master.
Aristocratic manners and good manners are of particular admiration. The cat will not interfere, will not be imposed, but will gladly join the game. Do not forget that the game has already begun, and the Sphynx cat is already looking for its owner. By the way, people suffering from allergies, contrary to popular belief, should not be advised to get a Sphynx - they are not at all hypoallergenic, despite the absence of wool. about these cats.
Some features of the breed
The body temperature of sphinxes is somewhat higher, they have increased heat exchange and accelerated metabolism, which is why hairless cats eat more often than others. However, do not overfeed your pet - for them it will not end well. The Sphynx has no cilia, so it is necessary daily that the eyelids do not stick together from the secretion secreted.
Sphynx cats are perhaps the most unusual representatives of the domestic feline kingdom. They seem to be some kind of alien creatures. There are many misconceptions about them that need to be resolved.
Sphinxes - Egyptian cats
In mythology, the sphinx is a monster with the body of a lion and the face and chest of a woman. The most famous statue of the Great Sphinx. According to the definition of Titus Flavius, a Roman scientist and writer, the Egyptian sphinx is a symbol of strength and intelligence: the lion's body denotes strength, the human face - the mind. The sphinx needs both strength and intelligence to guard pyramids and temples full of treasures. Contrary to the associative opinion that cats - sphinxes - came from Egypt, the Aztecs first mentioned them. They were called Mexican hairless cats.
An interesting fact: for most of the year they were really bald, but with the onset of cold weather they were overgrown with wool, which they then “dumped” during the period of warming. There were also mentions of bald cats - participants in cat shows of the 20s, but the last pair of animals, unfortunately, did not leave offspring. In the 1930s, hairless cats were reported from France, Morocco, and the United States. French biology professor E. Lethar registered hairless kittens born from a couple Siamese cats, and described a mutation caused by the h.
All sphinxes are equally bald
The first modern hairless kitten was born to a Canadian cat in 1966. Breeders became interested in the original cat, and did everything possible to continue the naked race. And in the late 80s, the first hairless cat was born in Rostov-on-Don, becoming the founder of the Don Sphynx family.
At the same time, felinologists from St. Petersburg bred the Peterbald breed, regardless of their Rostov colleagues. All three varieties have not only external, but also emotional differences. Canadian sphinxes are considered the most calm and friendly, distinguished by rounded ears and smooth lines. In the Don Sphynx, the muzzle is more elongated and sharply defined, while the Peterbalds are distinguished by the greatest sophistication, huge ears and elongated proportions.
In addition, for each of the breeds, coat options are acceptable - from completely bald "rubber" cats without whiskers and eyebrows to covered with wool. different lengths fully or partially. It's funny that at first they tried to treat the first-born sphinxes for lichen, until they realized that the absence of wool - normal feature their bodies.
Sphinx differs from a fluffy cat only in appearance
Body temperature in adult sphinxes can reach 39 degrees. They love to sleep under a blanket next to the owner - they warm themselves. The same feature is due to the rapid flow colds and excellent appetite - the Sphynx's metabolism is much faster than that of cats of other breeds. If the room in which the sphinx lives is heated too well, and the temperature in it exceeds 20-25 degrees, brown wax-like sweat appears on the body of the animal. However, the latter is easy to wipe off with a damp cloth.
The skin of sphinxes is quite dense, which simplifies the procedure for injections during treatment. It will be quite simple to give an injection to a "naked" animal. Due to specific features skin, sphinxes are shown short-term sunbathing, but in no case do not leave your pet for a long time under the scorching midday rays - the skin of these cats burns faster than humans. Most sphinxes love to swim, but detergents It is worth choosing from the category of gentle children.
Sphinxes are exotic, which means they have character
Contrary to their frightening appearance for most, sphinxes are distinguished by a friendly character and a high degree socialization. This is an animal that is directly contraindicated to be alone for a long time. Many breeders notice "dog" character traits in their pets - incredible devotion, sociability and ability to train.
The Sphynx is one of the few cats that will respond and come running when they hear their name, not because you are holding a piece of sausage in your hands, but simply because you called. In addition, these are cats that look like humans - they have natural fingers on their paws, and sphinxes prefer to sleep under the covers, with their heads on the pillow. The Sphinx puts itself on the same level with the owner, preferring an equal relationship, rather than the royal behavior inherent in cats.
The sphinx is hard to care for
Thanks to an enviable metabolism, sphinxes have excellent appetite and at the same time total absence fastidiousness. But there are also pitfalls here - unlike the usual breeds of cats, the Sphynx rarely leaves the bowl half empty, so you need to feed it in portions and very carefully to prevent overeating.
Particular attention should be paid to the ears of the animal - increased secretion provokes the accumulation of plaque faster than in an ordinary cat. Some veterinarians, not knowing the specifics of the breed, begin to treat the cat for ear mites, so be careful and warn the doctor about the features of your pet known to you. Otherwise, the Sphynx is much easier to care for and maintain than long-haired cats. It does not leave hair on clothes and is highly clean.
Weak immunity and health
Elongated proportions, curved front paws and lack of hair give the impression of being gentle and defenseless, including against viruses and infections. Add a stereotype here good health outbred cats and weaknesses of thoroughbreds, and get the myth that with a sphinx you will not leave the veterinarian's office. In fact, the immunity of the sphinx is in no way inferior to the immunity of the yard Vaska, and even vice versa. Elevated temperature body helps to quickly cope with viruses and infections. Even if the sphinx caught a cold, he will recover pretty quickly. Don't be afraid to arrange for your pet physical exercise- games with a fishing rod, balls and in cat complexes will strengthen the body and help maintain the health of the sphinx.
Sphynx is a hypoallergenic cat
Many allergy sufferers who dream of having a pet at home opt for sphinxes, arguing that they lack wool. In fact, the main cause of cat allergies is not wool, but an allergenic protein found in saliva, sebaceous gland secretions, and particles of the animal's epidermis. Symptoms may be reduced because the Sphynx licks less often and does not leave allergens along with the hair throughout the apartment, but this does not mean that the reaction will be completely absent.
If you decide to get a bald pet and make sure that the reaction to it is not as intense as to fluffy cats, remember a few simple rules. First, intact males produce more allergen than neutered males. Secondly, dark cats produce significantly more allergens than light ones. And thirdly, cats produce more allergen than cats. In fact, no breed of cat is confirmed to be hypoallergenic, so you need to select a pet individually.