History

• A female hairless stray cat was discovered in Toronto, Canada, in 1966 that give birth to a bald male kitten. The son was bred to the mother to produce another bald kitten, according to the Cat Fanciers' Association. One bald farm cat in Minnesota named Jezabelle was discovered in 1975, according to "ASPCA Complete Guide to Cats." These are all considered the ancestors of the modern Sphynx. Since there were so few bald cats in the late 1960s to the 1980s, they were bred to the Devon Rex and the American shorthair.
  
  

Identification

• The ideal Sphynx is mostly bald or has a coating of fuzz reminiscent of plush velvet. Some cats have noticeable hair on the tail, face and paws. The heavy skin comes in myriad colors, from solid to bi-colors to a Siamese color pattern. The cat has a long, lean body with large, bat-like ears. The eyes can be any color. Adults average 8 to 10 pounds.
  
  

Temperament

• Sphynx cats are generally very friendly, playful and outgoing. They get along well with other cats, dogs, other pets and with children, according to "ASPCA Complete Guide to Cats." They are intelligent and, as SCG Ted Nude-gent shows, trainable. Some Sphynx cats are more vocal than other breeds, but not as much as a Siamese.
  
  

Health Problems

• Bald cats cannot live outside because they cannot tolerate temperature swings. They are easily chilled, sunburned and are prone to minor skin wounds because they lack protective fur. Sphynx cats also need to be bathed once a week because their bodies cannot produce a normal amount of body oil. If not bathed, the cats become sticky and greasy.
  
  

Misconception

• Although sometimes described as a hypoallergenic cat, people who are allergic to cats may still be allergic to bald Sphynx cats. The allergy is to the cat's saliva and body oil, not the hair. However, Sphynx cats do not secrete as much body oil as cats with hair. Each person that is allergic to cats will react differently to the presence of a Sphynx cat.