Canadian Sphynx - one of several breeds of hairless cats, farmed for decorative purposes.

Canadian hairless cats - Sphinx, they "moonlight", they "Pharaoh Cats" are among the most rare and strange cats in the world.

Its hard to imagine anything more shocking and at the same time more harmonious. In the total absence of wool, which is offset by an abundance of wrinkles, nature has endowed sphynx strong, muscular body, the original head with huge ears, and intelligent eyes. The magical charm of the Sphinx is limitless.

At our first meeting people either fall in love with them at first sight, because they see in front of a miracle, or do not perceive them, and say that these cats should not be, but subsequently joined to the first.

Origin

The emergence of breed of hairless cats associated with 1966. When, in Ontario, Canada, among the normal domestic cat kittens born Hairless kitten, named Pruno. In due time, Prune was bred to his mother, and in the litter appeared normal and hairless kittens.

Until then, while it was possible, Pruna tied with his daughters and granddaughters to save as much as possible of the original genes. The result was two types of sphinxes, slightly different appearance. In 1971. CFA granted provisional status of the species, given her earlier. So what happened?

Breeding Sphynx was failing for several reasons:
- Firstly, the breed was extremely small, and there was hope of stabilizing it using before the breeders of animals. Also, breeders are not apprised of the genetics of sphinxes. Mistake to believe that a sign of Hairless connected with sex.
- Secondly, Sphynx kittens more demanding to care than their conventional counterparts, and often died.
- Third, did not have a breeding strategy in the first nurseries.

This story sphinx could end if it were not new discoveries.

In 1975, Vaden, Minnesota, from simple short-haired cats are born hairless cat, is not without humor named Epidermis. A year later, there is born a cat. Both animals were in the nursery, where the epidermis became the founder of the elite lines of breed today.

In the late 70-ies on the streets of Toronto, near the location first sphinxes, found 3 more hairless kittens: black and white cat, named Bambi, and two cats.

Unfortunately, the state of Bambi when he was found, it was terrible, he urgently needed surgery. Bambi did not have to be the ancestor of the breed, although his excellent type fully deserved it. But Bambi is famous in another: to date it - the champion of the longest-living sphinxes, lived a long and happy life, and finished it after his 19-second (!) Birthday.

The other two cats named Pinky and Paloma, were sent to Holland, where the line became the founders of the European breeds.

In the future, to support the genetic pool of the breed Sphynx kittens obtained as crossed with sphinxes, and with Devon Rex. Selecting Devon Rex has been very successful: their style and appearance was the closest to the Sphinx, to the same studs were the only breed in bundles which have a first-generation born bald kittens.

In Russia the first hairless cats were imported in the late twentieth century.

Breed Standard

Cat Breed Sphynx elegant and beautiful. More like statues, they are so beautiful and fragile.

General Characteristics: U sphynx constitution muscular, heavy body. The triangular head and high-set eyes. Clearly expressed his mustache and cheekbones. Males, in most cases, larger than females.
Body medium size, muscular, circular, strong. This skeleton relatively slim. Thorax broad, massive, rounded belly.
Head Medium size, slightly rounded modified wedge, is not much greater in length than width, with prominent cheekbones and short, powerful, well-defined rounded snout. Curved profile. The neck is medium length, muscular.
Eyes large, in the form of a lemon, put a slight angle. The distance between them slightly larger width of the eye. Eye color should harmonize with the coat of skin.
Ears very large, wide-set, broad at the base, completely devoid of brushes. Acceptable slight pubescence at the base outside of the ear.
Legs have an elegant structure, but the muscles strong. The forelegs are set wide because of the broad chest. Feet oval, with long toes.
Tail a long, thin, hlystoobrazny, without wool, but allowed the brush at the tip (lion's tail).
Skin: skin may have only a minimal invisible fluff, it's like a baby's skin. On the forehead, neck and limbs are the folds. The muzzle may be a short pubescence. Whiskers desirable.

Color

Colors clearly visible due to the strong pigmentation of the skin. The most popular of them - bi - and nice tricolor colors, ie, various options for the main color with white. Several rarer solid colors and various options tortoise.

Care

Cats of this breed can very well take care of themselves and pay the utmost attention to the purity of his body, but there are a number of hygienic procedures in which they need help from the owner.

Leather Sphynx requires regular care, as in the folds of constantly going to the remnants of sweat and dirt. The most valuable type of skin care - bathing a cat, it must be regular, one every two weeks. Wash sphynx should be a soft soap (you can use baby shampoo).
Eyes: for lack of eye lashes Don Sphynx often suffer from pollution. Need to wash my eyes a special tool or normal boiled water. Corners of the eyes free from dirt with a soft towel or cloth. Do not use for these purposes wool or cotton buds, since wool fibers can occur irritation.
Ears sphynx should be cleaned as often as possible, because the allocation of sulfur in them more intense than cats of other breeds.
Claws to be trimmed regularly, because their condition may become a threat to the delicate skin of animals.

Canadian Sphynx thermophilic, so they should be kept in a warm room. Outdoor maintenance is possible or desirable.

They love to sunbathe, but as people with fair skin, burn easily in the sun (especially in light colors and white spots), so they need sunscreen (suitable for children and the degree of protection 30).

Eat - this is probably the most popular pastime sphinxes. At that eat them all and in any quantity, they are passionate lovers of gastronomic excesses, including some rarities, off-key to our idea of cat food (eg: raw potatoes and fresh tomatoes, cabbage, watermelons and melons, apples and kiwi , and buckwheat noodles, green peas and corn list is long). But keep in mind: to eat - he eats, but then may have problems with digestion.

Therefore, feed should be tested sphinxes balanced meal, breaking the number of meals 3-4 times a day. Number of food can be a modest increase in per kilogram of body weight compared with normal cats, as a high body temperature (and - as a consequence - increased energy exchange) sphinx requires additional power.

Nature

Canadian Sphynx - very intelligent, lively and playful breed. They are extremely friendly and always in the mood to talk. A little monkey child and the dog - that's probably the best adjectives to describe them.

That cat will not lie next to you, she snuggle on your lap. They are not from the timid - with interest will get to know your guests, and would be happy to communicate with each family member.

Canadian Sphynx extremely friendly, so easy to get along with any pets (dogs, other cats, birds, fish, hamsters, etc.) and make every effort to communicate with other pets.

But! If you need a phlegmatic cat, which had once taken on hand or if you have very little time for communication - this breed is not for you. Sphynx will not lie on the couch thrown toy. If he would have no Playmate, he would suffer from loneliness.