Читать книгу 77 Things to Know Before Getting a Cat - Susan Ewing M. - Страница 23

Many breeds begin with a spontaneous genetic mutation, and that’s the case with the Sphynx, which began when a hairless kitten was born in 1966 in Toronto, Canada. While a Sphynx may have a bit of hair on the nose, ears, and tail, and may sometimes be covered in a fine down, generally, the Sphynx feels like a suede-covered hot water bottle. The skin is loose, so your Sphynx will look a bit wrinkled. All colors are possible in the breed.

Sphynx are lovable, energetic, mischievous, and generally happy to meet strangers. They use their toes almost like fingers when exploring new things.

While there’s no long hair to brush, the Sphynx does need periodic bathing to help remove skin oils that hair would normally absorb. Start out young with your kitten to make sure he gets used to being bathed.

The Sphynx weighs between 6 to 12 pounds (2.7–5.4 kg) and has a life expectancy of eight to fourteen years. As with many other breeds, there’s a danger of HCM and hereditary myopathy, a neurological disease that affects muscle function. The Sphynx may also develop skin conditions, such as urticaria pigmentosa or cutaneous mastocytosis. While any cat may develop periodontal disease, Sphynx seem especially susceptible, so start a tooth-brushing routine with your Sphynx starting in kittenhood.

Sphynx