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The Sphynx is a rare breed
of cat. The Sphynx
appears to be a hairless cat, although it is not truly hairless. The skin should
have the texture of chamois. It may be covered with very soft, fine down, which
is almost imperceptible to both the eye and touch. On the ears, muzzle, tail,
feet, and scrotum, a short, soft, fine hair is allowed. Lack of coat makes the
cat quite warm to the touch. Whiskers and eyebrows may be present, either whole
or broken, or may be totally absent. Their skin is the color their fur would be,
and all the usual cat marking patterns (solid, point, van, tabby, tortie, etc)
may be found in Sphynx too. People are surprised by how different their
personalities are. Many describe them as part monkey, pig and human because of
how intelligent, extroverted and affectionate they are.
Many people with typical allergies to furry cats
find that they tolerate the sphynx breed. This may be due to the fact that the
proteins in cat saliva are often the culprit. Because sphynx lack hair and do
not leave it behind, many have fewer difficulties living in harmony with the
breed. There is no guarantee, however, and allergies vary greatly between
individual people.
The Sphynx are extremely inquisitive and love to be
the center of attention. They perform silly antics for your entertainment and
are sometimes downright clumsy.. .on purpose it seems. They make great show cats
because of this ''look at me" attitude and they are easy for judges to
handle. They prefer human attention but enjoy the company of dogs and other
cats. They have an abundance of energy and mischief and are always with you, on
you or showing off for you. "Love Mooch" is the perfect term for these
amazing cats.
Sphynx cats are not maintenance-free. Their lack of
hair results in increased body oils. Regular bathing is often necessary. Care
should be taken to limit the Sphynx cat's exposure to outdoor sunlight at
length, as they can develop a sunburn, similar to that of human exposure. In
general, Sphynx cats should never be allowed outdoors unattended, as they have
limited means to conserve body heat in colder temperatures, and their curious
nature can take them into dangerous places or situations.
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