Hairless Cat - Sphynx Cat
In this article, learn about the fascinating world of the hairless Sphynx cat breed, also known as the Hairless Cat. Discover the genetic mutation and selective breeding that led to their unique features, including chamois leather-like skin, and explore the advantages and challenges of their hairlessness. Delve into their diverse skin markings and patterns, and gain insights into their specific health considerations.
Hairless Cat - Sphynx Cat
In accordance with breed standards, the Sphynx cat's skin should possess a chamois leather-like texture, which may exhibit fine hairs or be completely hairless. Whiskers may be present in their entirety, broken, or absent altogether. These cats have a slender, elongated head and webbed feet. Their skin showcases the coloration that their fur would typically display, and various common cat patterns like solid, point, van, tabby, tortie, and others may appear on the Sphynx cat's skin. Due to the absence of fur, Sphynx cats tend to lose body heat more readily than cats with coats, resulting in their warm touch and a tendency to seek out warm spots.
"Breed Standards and Unique Features of the Sphynx Cat"
The breed standards, established by The International Cat Association (TICA), serve as a comprehensive set of guidelines for defining the characteristics and physical attributes of specific cat breeds. The Sphynx cat breed exemplifies these standards with its unique features. Sphynx cats are recognized for their wedge-shaped heads, accentuated by prominent cheekbones, and captivating large, lemon-shaped eyes. Their ears are particularly large, with hair adorning the inner part while the outer base is covered in soft down. These cats possess a well-developed, muscular neck of medium length. Regarding their body structure, Sphynx cats have a medium-length torso, a barrel-chested physique, and a full, round abdomen often affectionately referred to as a pot belly. Notably, their paw pads are thicker compared to other cats, creating the delightful illusion of walking on cushions. The tails of Sphynx cats are slender and taper from the body to the tip, with some individuals boasting fur along the entire length while others exhibit a puff of fur specifically at the tip, reminiscent of a lion's tail. Overall, these cats boast a muscular body that elegantly displays their strength and agility.
History of the Hairless Cat Breed
The contemporary Sphynx cat breed can be distinguished from Russian hairless cat breeds such as the Peterbald and Donskoy. While records of hairless cats exist throughout history, breeders in Europe began actively developing the Sphynx breed in the early 1960s. The foundation of the existing Sphynx breed can be attributed to two separate discoveries of hairless felines in North America during the 1970s.
- The current American and European Sphynx breed can trace its lineage back to two distinct lines of natural mutations.
- The first line originated from barn cats named Dermis and Epidermis in 1975, which belonged to the Pearson family in Wadena, Minnesota.
The second line emerged from stray cats named Bambi, Punkie, and Paloma in 1978, who were found in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and raised by Shirley Smith. These cats played a crucial role in shaping and establishing the Sphynx breed as we know it today.
Minnesota
The initial observed natural foundation Sphynx cats were discovered as hairless stray cats on a farm in Wadena, Minnesota, owned by Milt and Ethelyn Pearson. During the mid-1970s, the Pearsons noticed hairless kittens appearing in multiple litters of their domestic shorthair barn cats. Two female hairless kittens named Epidermis and Dermis were born in 1975 and 1976. They were subsequently sold to breeder Kim Mueske in Oregon, where they played a significant role in the Sphynx breeding program. Another breeder, Georgiana Gattenby from Brainerd, Minnesota, also worked with the Pearson line of cats and introduced breeding with Cornish Rex cats.
Toronto
The origins of the Canadian Sphynx breed can be traced back to 1966 in Toronto, Ontario. During that time, a hairless male kitten named Prune was born to a black and white domestic shorthair queen named Elizabeth. To further develop the breed, Prune was mated with his own mother, a breeding technique known as backcrossing, which resulted in the birth of another hairless kitten. Alongside a few more hairless kittens discovered later, Prune marked the initial steps taken to establish a hairless breed of cats.
Initially referred to as "Moonstones" and "Canadian Hairless," the breed caught the attention of Ridyadh Bawa, a science graduate from the University of Toronto. Bawa collaborated with his mother Yania, an experienced Siamese breeder, as well as Keese and Rita Tenhoves, to refine and shape the breed. Subsequently, the breed was officially named Sphynx. The Bawas and the Tenhoves made significant breakthroughs in understanding the autosomal recessive nature of the Sphynx gene responsible for hairlessness. They successfully implemented this knowledge into a breeding program that eventually produced kittens capable of reproducing. The Tenhoves initially obtained provisional showing status for the new breed through the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA). However, in 1971, the CFA Board revoked the status due to concerns over fertility within the breed.
The early breeders faced challenges due to limited genetic diversity, resulting in high kitten mortality rates. They also encountered issues with seizures among many of the female cats. In 1978, Shirley Smith, a cat breeder, discovered three hairless kittens on the streets of her neighborhood. In 1983, Smith sent two of these kittens, named Punkie and Paloma, to Dr. Hugo Hernandez in the Netherlands to breed with a white Devon Rex named Curare van Jetrophin. The resulting litter produced five kittens, and two males from this litter, Q. Ramses and Q. Ra, along with Punkie's half-sister Paloma, played a crucial role in the breed's further development.
Genetics and Breeding
Diverse hairless breeds may exhibit variations in body shapes and temperaments compared to the established standards of the Sphynx. Notably, there are emerging hairless breeds like the Don Sphynx and the Peterbald, originating from Russia, which originated from their unique spontaneous gene mutations. It's important to note that the criteria for defining the standard of the Sphynx can vary across different cat associations, such as The International Cat Association (TICA), Fédération Internationale Féline (FIFE), and Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA).
Breeding of Hairless Cat.
In 2010, extensive DNA analysis conclusively demonstrated that the hairlessness characteristic of Sphynx cats is attributed to a distinct allele of the same gene responsible for the short curly hair found in Devon Rex cats. This allele, referred to as the "re" allele, exerts an incomplete dominance over the Devon allele, while both alleles are recessive in relation to the wild type. Specifically designated as "hr" for hairless, the Sphynx's allele defines its unique trait. Presently, the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) exclusively permits breeding with the American Shorthair and Domestic Shorthair breeds, while other associations may have varying regulations. However, the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) allows the Russian Blue to serve as an acceptable outcross breed. Notably, the Devon Rex has been predominantly employed for outcrossing purposes in Europe.
Genetics of Hairless Cat.
The unique hairlessness observed in the Sphynx cat is a result of a specific mutation occurring in the KRT71 gene, which is also associated with the distinctive short curly coat found in Devon Rex cats. Additionally, studies have revealed a connection between the same gene and the curly coat of Selkirk Rex cats.
The KRT71 gene is responsible for the keratinization process of the hair follicle. In the case of the Sphynx mutation, there is a complete loss of function in the gene, causing structural damage to the hair. As a result, hair can still be formed but is easily dislodged. On the other hand, the Devon Rex mutation retains a residual activity of the protein.
It is worth noting that the Selkirk Rex allele (sadr) dominates over the wild type gene, which, in turn, dominates over the Devon Rex allele (re) and the Sphynx allele (hr). This establishes an allelic series as follows: KRT71SADRE > KRT71+ > KRT71re > KRT71hr.
Behavior of Hairless Cat.
Sphynx cats are renowned for their outgoing nature. They exhibit an abundance of energy, intelligence, curiosity, and a deep affection for their human companions. In fact, they are often considered one of the most dog-like breeds among felines. Sphynx cats frequently welcome their owners with enthusiasm at the door and display a friendly demeanor when encountering unfamiliar individuals. Their sociable and amicable disposition sets them apart from other cat breeds.
Maintenance and Grooming Needs of Sphynx Cats
Despite not having fur to shed or groom, Sphynx cats still require regular maintenance. Because their skin does not absorb body oils like fur does, these oils tend to accumulate on the skin. As a result, bathing the Sphynx cat on a weekly or bi-weekly basis is usually necessary. It is important to limit their exposure to prolonged outdoor sunlight, as they can experience sunburn and skin damage, similar to humans. Due to their limited ability to conserve body heat in cold weather, Sphynx cats should not be allowed outdoors unattended. In some colder climates, owners provide coats or clothing during winter to help them retain body heat.
Although Sphynx cats lack much of the fur that can trigger allergies in some individuals, they are not necessarily hypoallergenic. Allergies to cats are primarily triggered by a protein called Fel d1, which is found in cat saliva and sebaceous glands. People with cat allergies may still react upon direct contact with Sphynx cats, although reports suggest that some individuals with allergies tolerate them better than other cat breeds.
Sphynx cats may have more ear wax compared to hairy domestic cats because of the absence of hair in their ears. Regular cleaning of the ears is necessary, usually before bath time, to remove dirt, skin oils, and accumulated wax. Additionally, due to the lack of fur, oils and debris can accumulate under the nails and in the skin folds above the nails. Proper cleaning of the nails and surrounding skin folds is essential. Consequently, the Sphynx breed may require more grooming than typical cats with fur. Specialized grooming products have been developed for this breed, although they still require more grooming compared to most other breeds.
Health issues of Hairless Cat.
The Sphynx cat encounters certain difficulties due to its absence of protective fur. Prolonged exposure to sunlight can pose a risk of skin cancer for this breed. Additionally, the lack of hair can make kittens more vulnerable to respiratory infections during their early weeks of life. It is crucial for responsible breeders to ensure that kittens are at least 14 weeks old before placing them in new homes, as this timeframe allows the kittens to develop the necessary maturity to adapt to a new environment safely.
HCM Susceptibility in Sphynx Cats and Other Breeds: Insights & Screening.
The Sphynx cat, along with several other domestic cat breeds including Persian, Ragdoll, Norwegian Forest cat, Siberian cats, British Shorthair, Maine Coon, and mixed breeds, is prone to a genetic disorder called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Ongoing studies are focused on understanding the connection between breeding and the development of this disorder. Screening methods for HCM in cats involve echocardiography, electrocardiograms, chest radiographs, and blood tests.
A study conducted in 2012 involving 114 Sphynx cats found a high prevalence of heart disease, including HCM and mitral valve dysplasia. Among the cats examined, 34% had an abnormal heart, with 16 cats diagnosed with mitral valve dysplasia and 23 cats with HCM. These conditions were observed in cats with an average age of 2.62 years. Male cats tended to develop more severe disease at an earlier age, with an average onset at 19 months compared to 29 months for females. Due to the increased occurrence of genetic heart disease in the breed, many breeders strongly recommend yearly screening for HCM.
Advanced stages of HCM can lead to complications such as congestive heart failure (CHF) or thromboembolism.
Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome (CMS) in Sphynx and Devon Rex Cats.
Congenital myasthenic syndrome (CMS), previously referred to as muscular dystrophy, myopathy, or spasticity, is an inherited neuromuscular disorder associated with a deficiency of alpha-dystroglycan. This syndrome affects Sphynx and Devon Rex cats, as well as certain variations within these breeds. Typically, the symptoms of CMS appear between 3 to 23 weeks after birth. While cases of this syndrome are rare, they have been reported. Cats affected by CMS display generalized muscle weakness and fatigue, accompanied by ventroflexion of the head and neck, head bobbing, and protrusion of the scapulae.
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