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Sphynx breed profile
Dr David Richardson August 2005 Contact Australian Sphynx Breeders History of the Sphynx Breed of Cat
Early descriptions of hairless cats dates back to before Christopher Columbus in Mexico, and indeed an old name for the breed is the Mexican hairless. However the modern development of the breed started in Toronto in 1966 with the description of a hairless cat, and later during the 1970s several more hairless cats appeared. Some of the progeny of these cats were sent to Europe where the breed was developed principally in France and the Netherlands.
Description of the Sphynx breed of Cat.
The Sphynx is not actually hairless but is covered with a very fine down almost imperceptible to the eye or touch. Soft fine hair is allowed on the ears, muzzle, tail feet and scrotum. The cat feels warm to the touch and should have the texture of the chamois. Sphynx cats reportedly have their body temperature several degrees above that of other breeds.
Even apart from its hairlessness the Sphynx can have a very characteristic appearance. Wrinkles on the top of the head give it a worried expression. These wrinkles are also prominent on the neck, torso and around the front legs.
The Sphynx has a definite modified wedge muzzle highlighted by the obvious whisker pinch. Their eyes are large, lemon shaped and set at a slight slant. Eye colour should correspond to coat colour. Eyes are separated by slightly more than an eye width. The ears are large lows set broad-based, open to the front and contain no hair. The neck is medium in length and muscular especially in males the chest is broad tending towards barrell shaped. The abdomen should be well rounded as though the cat has just eaten a meal. The legs are long and tapering to be distinctive feet with their extra long toes and thick paw pads. The tail of the Sphynx is long and tapering and has been likened to a rat’s tail. Coat colour can of course be hard to determine and one may be more reliant than usual on the nose and paw leathers for assistance.
What I'm Looking for when Judging the Sphynx
I'm looking for a hairless, wrinkled cat with a worried expression. I'm looking for large open hairless ears set as much of the site is the top of the head. I’m looking for expressive lemon shaped eyes above the modified wedge muzzle with its definite whisker pinch. I’m looking for a barrel chest, a slightly full belly and a long tapering rat like tail. I'm looking for long legs leading to feet with long toes and thick paw pads. I'm looking for a cat that feels warm and smooth similar to a chamois.
Scoring the Sphynx
Head, neck, knows ears and eyes are worth 35 points. Body legs, paws and tail are worth a further 40 points, and the coat is worth 20 points.
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