Hairless cats are unique creatures that are very different from their furry counterparts. According to scientists, they appeared as a result of a mutation of the gene responsible for the presence of wool. In today's article, we will try to understand how the hairless cat breeds look and are called.
Content Features
Adult hairless cats have an elevated body temperature of about 39 ° C. This means that they do not tolerate cold and are not suitable for those people who are not able to create an appropriate microclimate in their home. Since such animals can catch a cold from a regular draft, it is undesirable to ventilate the room where they are located. Uncontrolled sun baths are also contraindicated for them. Prolonged exposure to direct ultraviolet rays can cause burns.
All representatives of hairless cat breeds are prone to excessive sweating. Therefore, they need special skin care. It is recommended to bathe them at least twice a month. To do this, you can use special hygiene products or ordinary baby soap. The eyes and ears of such pets should be regularly cleaned of dust and dirt.
Feeding hairless cats is recommended more often than their furry counterparts. Boiled meat, fish, vegetables, dairy products and egg yolks must be included in their diet. Having dealt with the features of the content of these animals, you can begin to review specific breeds.
Canadian Sphinx
Work on the creation of this breed began in 1966. After eleven years, the efforts of breeders were successful, and in 1975 these animals received official recognition by the felinological organization.
The Canadian Sphynx is one of the most popular breeds of hairless cats, the characterization of which is difficult to describe in a few words. These are harmonious, proportionately folded animals with huge ears and graceful, springy strides. On an elongated, rounded head with pronounced cheekbones and a straight nose, there are slanting, widely set eyes, the shape of which resembles a lemon. The whole body of the sphinx is covered with folded, warm to the touch and fairly thick skin of any shade. Most often, gray, white and spotted individuals are found among them. Chocolate, black, blue and piebald animals are in great demand among breeders.
Having figured out what the breed of hairless cats looks like and what is called, it is necessary to mention its character. The Canadian Sphinx is endowed with a calm, even disposition. He is very curious, intelligent and somewhat reminiscent of a dog. Literally the first time the pet remembers his nickname and is able to learn simple commands. These loving, completely not touchy creatures love to play with children and need constant contact with people. They do not have a hunting instinct, so they do not pose a threat to poultry and rodents.
Don Sphinx
This breed of hairless cats has a very interesting history, which began in 1986 in the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don. One of its residents picked up a fluffy lump on the street and brought it to her home. After some time, the cat, which received the name of Barbara, began to lose hair. All the efforts of the veterinarians who treated the animal for lichen did not bring the desired result. In 1990, Barbara gave birth to three completely naked babies, two of whom died immediately. The surviving cat, called Chita, became the founder of the Don Sphinxes.
Representatives of this breed differ in average size. Their weight ranges from 3-5 kg, and by winter they begin to accumulate fat. On the wrinkled wedge-shaped head with a straight nose and pronounced superciliary arches are narrowed almond-shaped eyes and rather large ears. The whole body of the Don Sphinx is covered with elastic, wrinkled, warm to the touch skin that does not have a musky odor. The color of these animals can be any. But most often you can see lilac, smoky-gray, black, blue, bright red, reddish-pink and white individuals.
Don sphynxes are a popular breed of hairless cats, the price of which is from 9 to 30 thousand rubles. These are very affectionate and friendly creatures who prefer to spend time in the company of their owners. They enjoy playing with children and get along well with other domestic animals. Absolutely not vindictive and not jealous.
Peterbald
Petersburg Sphynx is a breed of hairless cats, officially registered in 2003. Russian breeders Olga Mironova and Tatyana Komarova worked on its creation. To obtain these unusual animals, Don sphinxes, oriental, Balinese and Siamese cats were used.
Peterbald is a sophisticated and incredibly graceful creature with a special, oriental flavor. On a small, narrowed wedge-shaped head with a straight nose and flat cheeks, slanting almond-shaped eyes and huge erect ears are located. The elongated and very flexible body of the animal is covered with delicate, thin skin that gathers in multiple folds. As for the color, it can be red, chocolate, cream, purple or white. Also among the representatives of this breed of bald cats with large ears, striped and two-colored individuals are found.
The Petersburg Sphinx is endowed with a gentle and peaceful disposition. He easily makes contact and does not tolerate loneliness. This cat is able to understand human speech and can remember simple commands. Peterbald is unusually talkative, quick-witted and clean. Plus, he gets along well with dogs, parrots and other domestic animals.
Ukrainian Levkoy
This is one of the youngest breeds of hairless cats. Work on its removal began in 2001. This process was led by Kyivan Elena Biryukova, who owns a cattery Lada cats. Despite the fact that Ukrainian levkoys are very popular with domestic and foreign breeders, they still have not received official recognition of professional felinological organizations.
Having found out what breed of hairless cats was bred in Ukraine, you need to understand how these animals look. Levkoys do not differ in large sizes, their average weight does not exceed 5 kilograms. They are easy to recognize by their completely bare skin and small hanging ears. In general, they give the impression of elegant and graceful creatures with long legs and an elongated body. On an elongated wedge-shaped head with a flattened forehead and prominent cheekbones, there are wide-set, forward-curved ears and slanting almond-shaped eyes. The whole body of the animal is covered with folded, elastic skin of any shade.
Ukrainian left-handed - a playful, peaceful and completely non-aggressive cat, quickly getting used to its owners. He is very curious, social and afraid of heights. If desired, it can be trained in simple teams and kept in the same territory with any other pets.
Elf
Surely many of you for the first time hear the name of the breed of hairless cats, bred in North America in 2006. To obtain it, breeders used Curls and Canadian Sphinxes. Despite the fact that the elves managed to win popular love, they still have not received official recognition and are considered an experimental breed that needs to be improved and consolidated in basic characteristics.
These are large enough animals, whose weight can reach 6-8 kilograms. They are easily recognizable by pointed, bent back ears and completely naked skin. On a triangular head with developed cheekbones and a straight, wide nose, there are huge slanting eyes of a bright blue or green hue. The entire muscular harmoniously folded body of the animal is covered with an absolutely smooth, very hot folded skin, painted in beige-gray colors.
Elf is a “good” breed of hairless cats, endowed with an unusually calm and balanced disposition. It makes an impression of a phlegmatic and lazy creation. These animals do not feel affection for one owner and need constant attention. They tolerate loneliness very poorly and can remember an undeserved insult for a long time. At the same time, elves are incredible cleanliness, high intelligence and the ability to get along with other pets.
Bambino
This is one of the youngest breeds of hairless cats. It was bred in 2005 by crossing the Canadian Sphinx and Manchkin. Already in 2006, miniature short-toed nude were recognized by TICA as an experimental breed.
Bambino is easily recognizable by its stretched, powerful body and short muscular limbs. On a wedge-shaped broad-browed head with high cheekbones and a slightly protruding chin, there are huge erect ears and large eyes of green, yellow, gray or blue. The whole body of the bambino is covered with hairless skin, gathered in small folds.
Representatives of this experimental breed are endowed with a friendly, welcoming and completely non-aggressive disposition. They have completely no hunting instinct, because these cats get along well with any pets, including budgies and hamsters. Bambino grow up very late and do not lose their playfulness until old age. They are strongly attached to one owner and hardly endure forced separation. These cats are incredibly smart, clean and do not feel distrust of outsiders. They love to be in the center of global attention and will not miss the chance to meet the host guests. Since this is a rather rare variety, they sell bambino at a fairly high price. The breed of hairless cats, the name of which many of you heard for the first time, is “young” and still rare, and therefore its representatives cost from 50 to 350 thousand rubles.
Dwelf
These hairless cats were bred as a result of intense breeding work. American curls, Canadian sphinxes and munchkins took part in the formation of the breed. Since it is a very young and rare species, it cannot boast of numerous livestock. Today in the world there are only a few dozen of these bald cats.
Dwelf - a very small animal, whose weight does not exceed 2 kilograms. It is easy to recognize by its short legs, large almond-shaped eyes and huge ears bent back. His entire muscular body is covered with completely bald skin that feels like suede to the touch. As for the color, it can be any.
Dwelf is an incredibly loving, restless and sociable creature. He gets along well with other pets and loves to play with children. Like other hairless cats, the dwarf needs special care. It must be protected from drafts and bathed at least once every ten days. Under favorable conditions, this unusual cat will live up to 15-19 years. Due to the specific genes, delfs are endowed with excellent health and rarely get sick.
Cohona or hawaiian hairless
Work on the creation of this bald breed began in the 80s of the XX century. It was held in several Hawaiian, English and American nurseries. Despite the relatively long history, the cohon still remains unrecognized by official felinological organizations. To date, about fifty representatives of this breed are registered in the world.
Hawaiian hairless - not too large cat, visually resembling sphinxes. She has a harmoniously developed muscular body and smooth long legs. On a small head are beautiful almond-shaped eyes and middle ears with rounded ends. The tail of these animals is twisted with a tight ring and pressed to one of the sides. The uniqueness of the cohone is manifested in the complete absence of hair follicles, vibrissae and eyebrows. The smooth elastic skin of these animals is covered with multiple folds and looks like warm wax.
Hawaiian Hairless - an unusually friendly and faithful cat that needs attention. She needs constant communication with people and does not tolerate loneliness. Kohona is incredibly sensitive to changes in his master's mood and will never refuse to play.
Owner reviews
Most people with bald cats living in their houses claim that these are extremely cute, friendly and calm creatures that are distinguished by a memorable alien appearance. But those who only plan to buy a representative of one of the above breeds will have to be prepared for the fact that these unusual animals require special care and special conditions.
Therefore, if you are not sure that you are able to maintain the desired microclimate, or are not determined to regularly wipe each fold on the skin and for many years protect the animal from drafts, direct sunlight and hypothermia, choose a pet from any other breed of cat for yourself - do not bald that do not fade. You should also warn those who suffer from allergies that any of these four-legged pets can cause an attack, since the substances that provoke the disease are not only on the coat, but also in saliva.