Sphynx

Today's Sphynx descend from a spontaneous mutation in 1966, when a domestic cat in Toronto, Canada, gave birth to a hairless kitten ^[1]. TICA records the kitten's name as Prune, for its wrinkled skin ^[2]. Hairlessness is recessive, so over some 30 years breeders crossed hairless cats with coated ones and back again to build a diverse gene pool ^[1]. In 1975 two cats with the same mutation turned up in Minnesota and were named Epidermis and Dermis. They were bred with American Shorthairs and Devon Rex and folded into the Sphynx population ^[1]. Later genetic work placed the Sphynx hairless variant on the KRT71 gene, the same gene behind the Devon Rex's curly coat ^[3]. CFA accepted the breed for registration in 1998 and championship in 2002 ^[1].

• Body: medium-sized and sturdy, with good muscle and a round belly that looks like it just finished dinner ^[1].
• Head: a modified wedge with prominent cheekbones, and wrinkles that give a worried or inquisitive look ^[1].
• Ears and eyes: large, bat-like ears and lemon-shaped eyes ^[1].
• Skin and hair: looks hairless but usually has fine down, with short hair on the nose, ears and tail. The degree of hairlessness varies between cats and can change with season and hormones ^[1].
• Feet: thick paw pads and long, finger-like toes ^[1].
• Colours: colour and pattern show in the skin pigment. TICA accepts all four of its categories: traditional, pointed, mink and sepia ^[2].
• Weight: about 6–12 lb per TICA ^[2].

Sphynx are curious, outgoing, very intelligent and anything but shy ^[1]. They make their needs, usually attention or food, very clear, chattering as they follow you from room to room ^[1]. They're heat-seekers that will spend hours pressed against you, and many sleep under the covers with their owners ^[1][2]. Children love them, but kids should be old enough to understand that the skin is delicate and not made for rough play ^[1]. They thrive with other cats, especially other Sphynx, and don't do well alone for long; a pair is worth considering ^[1].

• Bathing: the skin is oily and needs regular baths ^[1]. TICA warns that over-bathing can make the skin produce more oil, and that a gentle shampoo every few months is often enough ^[2]. Ask your breeder or vet what suits your cat.
• Ears, nails, eyes, teeth: hairless ears collect wax, so clean them gently every week. Trim nails weekly, and keep up with eye and dental care ^[2].
• Warmth and sun: the skin sunburns easily and these cats feel the cold ^[2].
• Food: a fast metabolism means a bigger appetite than the average coated cat, but keep an eye on weight ^[2].
• Allergies: not a low-allergen cat, even though some allergic people tolerate them ^[1][2].

• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM): listed by both CFA and TICA. TICA recommends echocardiogram screening by a veterinary cardiologist for breeding cats and pets alike ^[1][2].
• Other issues CFA lists for the breed: respiratory problems in kittens due to lack of hair, hereditary myopathy, sensitive digestion, urticaria pigmentosa (a skin condition) and periodontal disease ^[1].
• Lifespan: UK life tables estimate Sphynx life expectancy at birth at about 6.7 years, the lowest of 12 breeds analysed, with a wide confidence interval (4.5–8.8 years) ^[4]. TICA estimates 7–15 years ^[2].

Ask breeders for the parents' heart-screening results, and talk to your vet about any specific concern.

Don't confuse with…

• Egyptian Mau: a coated, naturally spotted breed ^[6]. The Sphynx simply borrows the name of the Egyptian Sphinx ^[2].
• Devon Rex: a short wavy coat, not bare. Its mutation sits on the same KRT71 gene ^[3].
• Peterbald and Donskoy (Don Sphynx): other hairless breeds that FIFe recognises separately ^[5].

• The first hairless kitten (1966) was called Prune, for its wrinkles ^[2].
• Two hairless cats found in Minnesota in 1975 were named Epidermis and Dermis ^[1].
• A Sphynx feels like warm suede or a soft peach ^[1].