Sphynx

What is a Sphynx?

A hairless cat of 3-6kg, covered in a fine down that feels like warm suede. The hairlessness comes from a recessive mutation in the KRT71 gene. They are among the most people-focused cats in existence, and among the highest-maintenance.

History and origins

The modern breed descends from a hairless kitten, Prune, born in Toronto in 1966, and from further spontaneous hairless kittens found in Minnesota and Toronto in the 1970s. Outcrossing to Devon Rex and domestic shorthairs built the gene pool. The GCCF recognised the breed in 2006.

Appearance and size

20-25cm, medium-boned and surprisingly heavy, with a wedge head, enormous ears, prominent cheekbones and a pot belly. Wrinkled skin, especially over the shoulders and between the ears. The skin carries the cat's colour and pattern, so a "black" Sphynx has black skin and a tabby Sphynx has visible tabby markings.

Temperament and personality

Relentlessly affectionate. They greet visitors, follow you between rooms, sleep under the duvet and insist on participation. They are clowns - climbing, showing off and demanding attention. They are also genuinely poor at being alone, and many breeders will only home them in pairs or to households that are in during the day.

Intelligence and trainability

Very high. They learn fetch, tricks, harness walking and door handles. They need enrichment as much as a Bengal does, though they will accept company as a substitute for stimulation more readily.

Children and other pets

Excellent. They are sociable with everything and rarely scratch. They must not go outdoors unsupervised: no coat means sunburn, cold injury and no protection in a fight.

Health problems

• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy - prevalence in the Sphynx is high, reported in some studies at around 15-20%. There is no single definitive breed DNA test, so annual echocardiograms of the breeding cats by a cardiologist are the standard of care, and asking for the dates and results is the most important thing you will do.
• Congenital myasthenic syndrome (CMS) - DNA test available; both parents clear.
• Skin conditions - yeast, acne and blackheads on the chin and tail; urticaria pigmentosa.
• Hereditary myopathy and, in some lines, dental disease from an early age.
• Their high metabolism means they eat a lot and cool quickly.

Daily care routine

Wipe the skin daily, especially in the folds, the armpits and between the toes - the oil that would normally coat the fur has nowhere to go. Clean the ears weekly; they produce a lot of wax. Keep the house warm and provide fleece beds and hides. Sun cream or shade for a cat sitting in a window.

Grooming and coat care

Weekly bath with a gentle cat shampoo, plus daily wiping. Nails and nail beds need cleaning - they get greasy. This is more work than grooming a Persian, and it surprises people.

Exercise needs

High. Climbing furniture, wand play, puzzle feeders and, ideally, a second cat.

Feeding and diet

They burn a lot of energy staying warm and eat perhaps 20% more than a comparable cat. £30-£50 a month, high quality, wet-led. Frequent small meals suit them.

Price

£900-£2,000 from a registered breeder with annual echo screening. Setup £250-£450; ongoing £55-£95 a month, including higher heating and food costs. Insurance is expensive and heart cover is the part that matters.

Buying advice

Ask for the date and result of both parents' most recent echocardiogram, performed by a cardiologist, and the CMS DNA results. Ask whether the breeder homes singly or in pairs, and take their answer seriously. Visit the cattery - skin and ear condition of the adults tells you how well the line is managed. Kittens at 13 weeks, vaccinated, registered.