Temperament
Cuddly, Elegant, Curious
Colors
All colors found in felines are recognized
WEIGHT
6 - 12 Pounds
HEIGHT
8 - 10 Inches
LIFE EXPECTANCY
8 - 14 Years
Maintenance Level
Low Maintenance
High Maintenance
Friendliness
Reserved
Extroverted
Aside from their unique, hairless look, the Sphynx has a unique personality as well. This breed is curious and smart, and they are always out to entertain. They make great family pets and love to cuddle, but it’s essential that their owners understand that just because Sphynx are hairless doesn’t mean they don’t require grooming and coat care.
Origin: Canada
The Cat Fanciers Association recognizes nearly all feline colors and markings in the breed standard. These are Black, Blue, Red, Cream, Chocolate, Lavender, Cinnamon, Fawn, White, Bi-Colored, and other markings.
Overall the Sphynx is a loyal, active cat with a hairless or mostly hairless coat. Most examples of the breed have a soft, almost suede-like feel.
Although the hairlessness of this breed is what first catches your eye, there’s much more to him than just a suede-like, buttery coat. The Sphynx cat is a medium-sized breed with a wrinkled face, big ears and lemon-shaped eyes. It’s also important to note that a Sphynx is not always completely hairless. There is usually some short hair around their nose and ears, and sometimes their toes and tail. Outside of that, different levels of hairlessness may be visible on different cats. They come in almost any color pattern, and both weather and hormones can play a part in the hair growth in some members of this breed, says Teri Lawrence of the Sphynx cattery.
Size
Tiny
Jumbo
Weight
Light
Heavy
Shedding
Minimal
Abundant
Coat Length
Short
Long
Grooming Frequency
Occasional
Frequent
Living Space
City apartment
Ranch
Exercise
Couch potato
Bring it on!
Climate
Warm
Cold
Personality
Antisocial
Outgoing
Behavior with Kids
Always monitor
Babysitter
Coat & Grooming: Known mostly for its hairlessness, the Sphynx has a suede-like coat that, while unnecessary to comb, does require regular bathing. The Sphynx coat has a tendency to become oily, and baths help prevent clogged pores and overall greasiness. It’s also important to dry your Sphynx off immediately after a bath to prevent their skin from getting chapped. The Sphynx is also prone to ear infections, so it’s important to be diligent about cleaning their ears to remove excess wax.
Shedding: Since they don’t have traditional fur, the Sphynx doesn’t shed like a regular cat does.
Personality: This is a highly social and curious breed, and they love company as well as a good cuddle.
Temperament & Behavior: Sphynx lovers will tell you that living with a cat of this breed is unlike anything else. In fact, “you will often hear that this breed is more like a dog than a traditional cat,” says Lawrence. The Sphynx is a pure people lover, highly sociable and entertaining. They get along well with strangers, kids and other pets, as long as they are properly cared for (their hairless coats need lots of attention!) and provided with lots of cuddles.
Behavior with Kids: The Sphynx is a gentle and loving cat, and they love to play and be around people.
Life span: On average, Pomeranians live to be about 12-16 years old.
Inherited Health Issues: The Sphynx is generally a healthy cat, however, may develop certain health conditions such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and a neurological disease called hereditary myopathy. Sphynx cats may also develop a dermatological condition known as Urticaria pigmentosa.
Preventive Care: Cats commonly develop renal disease later on in life so it is important to monitor blood values on a regular basis when your cat reaches is middle to senior aged. Dental disease is common in cats so it is important to ensure regular dental cleanings (once yearly after 12 months of age) are performed.
Feed a high quality diet that is also age appropriate. Ensuring your cat is being fed the appropriate amount based on the amount of calories per cup / can is important in preventing obesity.
Daily Consumption: An adult Sphynx eats 1/4 to 1/2 cup of dry food per day.
Energy Level: Frisky, energetic breed that is always ready for action
Exercise: The Sphynx is a breed that loves to entertain and keep people happy. They excel at interactive games and, because of their inquisitive nature, can often be seen “holding” objects that interest them.
Climate: The hairless Sphynx prefers warmer climates so they don’t get too cold.
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The Sphynx is the product of a spontaneous natural mutation.
Although the Sphynx doesn’t have a traditional fur coat, they are still not considered hypoallergenic, since they still produce dander, which is what causes allergies.
The Sphynx isn’t always totally hairless — there are different degrees of hairlessness for each individual cat.
The Sphynx is a favorite amongst celebrities, with owners like Lady Gaga and Steven Tyler making their love of the breed well known.
