Hairless Sphynx Cats

Hairless Sphynx Cats AG WORLD Ag World 19-5-20 One of the more unusual cat breeds you'll ever see is the "Sphynx", a hairless breed that's gaining in popularity. "The first question people often ask is if they're really born that way," says Sherry Jordan, International Sphynx Breeders & Fanciers Association, Pinetop, Ariz. "As far as I know there are only about 600 hairless cats in the world." The Sphynx has soft warm skin covered with a very short fine down that can hardly be seen or felt. They have the most hair on the bridge of the nose, backs of the ears, outsides of the feet, and tail. There's virtu-ally no shedding. Kittens are born with loose, wrinkled skin that almost seems too big for them. Most of the wrinkles eventually disappear although the ones on the face remain. Most Sphynx have no whiskers, or very short, stubby whiskers. The cats come in various colors depending on skin pigmentation. According to Jordan, hairless cats appeared at least 100 years ago in France, and some authorities believe the Mexican Aztecs also had hairless cats. However, none were ever bred consistently. A few hairless cats were reported in North America in the early 1900's, but no line became established until the 1970's when two hairless kittens were born in Toronto, Ontario and two others in Brainerd, Minnesota. Those cats became the foundation for the breed. Sphynx cats love people and love to cuddle. They feel warm to the touch since there's no coat to insulate their body heat. They're strictly an indoor cat because they can't tolerate weather that's too cold or hot. They'll sunburn even in the nicest weather. A comfortable temperature for the cat is about 70 degrees. Sweaters aren't recommended as the material may cause skin irritation if left on too long. Because there's no coat the cat's body has to work extra hard to generate extra heat, resulting in a high metabolism and the need for more food and more frequent feedings than other breeds. The International Sphynx Breeders & Fanciers Association publishes a quarterly newsletter. A subscription and membership fee is $10. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Sherry Jordan, International Sphynx Breeders & Fanciers Association, HC66, Box 70035, Pinetop, Ariz. 85935 (ph 602 367-5511).

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