Sphynx

Coat and looks how to spot one

hairless-looking skin with a fine down (chamois or suede feel)

The Sphynx looks bare but usually carries a very fine, short down that makes the skin feel like warm suede or a peach. A little short hair may show on the bridge of the nose, the backs of the ears, the feet and the tail tip. Wrinkles, especially on the head, muzzle and shoulders, are prized. The body is medium sized, solid and muscular with a broad, rounded chest and a full belly, a slim tapering tail, very large wide-based ears, big lemon-shaped eyes and noticeably long toes. Whiskers can be full, short or missing.62341

Personality what they are like

A bold, outgoing extrovert that wants to be part of everything its people do. Sphynx cats tend to follow their owners from room to room, chatter away, meet guests at the door and settle against a warm body whenever they can, which is why fans call them velcro lap cats. They are bright, inquisitive and a bit of a show-off, and usually mix well with children, dogs and other cats.24371

Daily activity how busy a day looks

High. They love to climb, jump and play, and young cats can be goofy and tireless. Offer interactive play, puzzle toys, climbing trees and perches; many learn to fetch and some open doors and cupboards with their nimble toes.475

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

More hands-on than a coated cat. The skin builds up natural oils, so regular baths with a gentle shampoo are part of routine care (TICA suggests every few months, other sources more often depending on the cat). Clean the ears weekly, wipe the eyes, trim the nails and check under them and in skin folds, and brush the teeth regularly. Keep them warm in cool weather and shielded from strong sun.423751

Home where they are happiest

An indoor home that stays comfortably warm, with cosy beds, blankets and sunny (but not scorching) resting spots, plus cat trees, perches and scratching posts. Not suited to being left outdoors unsupervised.7531

Food basics what goes in the bowl

A complete, high-quality cat food fed in two or three measured meals a day. Sphynx cats burn a lot of energy staying warm and tend to have big appetites, so portions should follow the cat's body condition.45

Company who they like around

Very high. They dislike being alone for long and do best in homes where someone is around often, ideally with another cat (another Sphynx is a popular choice) for company and warmth.253

The story where it all began

In 1966 a domestic cat in Toronto, Ontario produced a hairless male kitten called Prune, the result of a natural gene change. That first line did not last, and early provisional recognition with CFA was withdrawn in 1971. The breed was rebuilt from two further finds: hairless barn kittens on a farm in Wadena, Minnesota in 1975-76, including the females Epidermis and Dermis, and three hairless strays picked up in Toronto in 1978 by breeder Shirley Smith. Two of the Toronto cats went to the Netherlands, where Dr Hugo Hernandez crossed them with a Devon Rex. Breeders widened the gene pool with Devon Rex, Cornish Rex and American Shorthair outcrosses, and early names such as Moonstone and Canadian Hairless gave way to Sphynx. CFA accepted the breed for registration in 1998 and for championship in 2002.12345

Recognised by the official bits

CFA

Registered from 1998, Championship status from 20022

TICA

Fully recognised; TICA says it has recognised the breed for over 40 years4

FIFe

Fully recognised, Category 4, code SPH; standard gives recognition in 20026

GCCF

Recognised, Section 4 (Foreign), Group 23

ACFA / CCA-AFC

Recognised1