THE SPHYNX AT SHOWS
Sphynx cats were first introduced into the UK in 1989 and created a great deal of interest because of their unusual appearance - a lack of noticeable fur. Initially they were allowed on exhibition at a couple of GCCF shows, however this permission was soon withdrawn.
The number of Sphynx in this country continued to grow and the GCCF allowed them to be registered “to protect the Rex breeds by ensuring that cats descending from Sphynx were registered as such and should not therefore be used to breed either Cornish Rex or Devon Rex”. For some 15 years responsible breeders registered their Sphynx with the GCCF in the hope that one day the cats would be allowed at their shows. Various proposals for preliminary recognition were put forward and on each occasion these were rejected by the Executive Committee.
In June 2004 the GCCF Executive committee made a proposal to no longer accept the registration of Sphynx. In effect banning them once and for all. This move actually opened the door for Sphynx breeders, as it had never been possible to put the case for the cats before the whole of the Council.
An excellent case was presented to the Council on behalf of the Sphynx - completely refuting the reasons for the cessation of registration. The proposition was heavily defeated. A great day for the breed!
It is worth mentioning that Sphynx have had Championship status in all other cat fancies for a number of years. They can be seen at Cat Shows worldwide except at GCCF shows.
In September 2004 a proposition for Preliminary Recognition of the breed was made to the GCCF Executive by the Colourpoint Rex-coated and AOV Cat Club. A vote for this will be taken at the GCCF Council Meeting in October 2005.
At the February 2005 Council Meeting a joint proposition was made by the Essex Cat Club and the Colourpoint, Rex-coated and AOV Cat Club to allow Sphynx Cats to be put on exhibition at GCCF shows. This was carried with only one delegate voting against the proposition. The first Sphynx cats to be at a GCCF cat show since the early 1990’s were at the Sussex Cat Show on March 19th 2005. The cats created a lot of interest and lots of judges and interested parties were able to see the cats ‘in the flesh’ so to speak. This wonderful breed is now in a position to dispel rumours and hearsay. People are now able to make up their own minds.
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
The Sphynx is probably the most debatable of all current breeds. It has had various names over the years including Mexican Hairless, Canadian Hairless, Moon Cat, Wrinkled Cat, and Birthday Suit Cat. In France it is called “Chat sans Poils”.
In reality the word hairless is not correct, because the do have hair in varying amounts - especially on their extremities, a better description would be furless.
Once you have spent time with a Sphynx you will realise just how special a cat it is. They adore companionship whether it be other cats or humans. A solitary Sphynx is not a happy cat. They do not appreciate being left on their own for long periods of time.
They enjoy roaming all over the house with you and do not appreciate being locked out of rooms - even bedrooms. They are amazingly curious and want to be involved with whatever you are doing. At night they are quite partial to sleeping with you because of the transfer of your body heat to them. Although you never end up with a bed covered with hairs - which is a great bonus.
HISTORY
Depending upon where you look there are various accounts of the history of cats with no fur.
Sightings have been reported over the past hundred years or more and there is a lot of evidence to support the existence of Mexican Hairless cats at the beginning of this century. Some people believe these were descendants of cats kept by the Aztecs.
Hairless cats were reported to have been exhibited in the USA at the beginning of this century. There is even an early photograph to verify this in some publications.
There have also been reports of hairless cats appearing occasionally in the USA, Canada and France throughout this century.
It is quite feasible that such cats were born in random locations, but they would not survive for any length of time unless a caring human came along and looked after it.
However this did change in the 1960’s when apparently hairless kittens were born in both Minnesota, USA, and Toronto, Canada. These cats became the foundation of the current breed of Sphynx.
Both sets of parents were domestic shorthair and a because of interest a breeding programme was established.
Championship status was achieved in 1971 with the late CROWN organisation, but because there was concern about problems encountered when rearing the kittens the Championship Status was later withdrawn and the breed appeared to be in danger of dying out again.
A few cats were exported to Europe and a determined effort was made to succeed at breeding. Eventually the first Sphynx arrived in Britain in 1989.
Even today it is still a relatively rare breed, although there are several hundred Sphynx in this country.
SHOW STANDARD
When you handle a Sphynx for the first time you will be able to see that it does have some hair. Its skin is mostly covered with a very fine and hardly visible down. It does not feel like human skin at all - it has been described as feeling like warm suede, or a warm peach. The cats tend to have short velvety hair on their faces and ears, but not always. The paws may also have fine hair up as far as the ankles, and there may be hair on some or most of the tail.
With males their testicles are covered with close-lying hair.
As a result of outcrossing with other breeds one Sphynx may look very different to another. Head shapes may vary slightly as may the earset. However in general the head should be wedge-shaped with large ears which are wide at the base and set upright. There may be a few short whiskers on the muzzle.
They also come in all colours.
The body should be pear shaped, just as though he has had a good meal. Although the body should be muscular and powerful it is not too large and has fine detail. The back legs are usually longer than the front legs. These should also be muscular and compliment the body. The tail is long and tapers from the body to the tip - it looks rather like a whip or a rat’s tail.
The eyes should be large and lemon-shaped, are set an eyes width apart, and are somewhat set back into the face. The neck is flexible in that when the cat is looking towards something in a curious manner it can extend rather like E.T.’s. However in a somewhat more elegant style.
Sphynx paws are oval shaped and look rather dainty, with long slender toes. When they walk it appears as if they are walking slightly off the ground.
They come in all colours and patterns, but a quick glance makes it look as though the colours have been tattooed onto their skin.
In the early 1990’s TICA granted Championship status to the Sphynx and in 1998 the CFA also granted it Provisional Championship status so it does appear that at long last the Sphynx is heading towards some kind of universal recognition - in North America any way. There are a number of organisations such as the Progressive Sphynx Alliance and the International Sphynx Breeders and Fanciers Association.
These are always prepared to answer any questions you may have.
The next hurdle was Europe. At a FIFé meeting in June 2001 Sphynx were granted Championship status as from January 2002 which means they can now become Champions at F.B. shows.
At the moment they still cannot be shown at GCCF shows in the UK. However they were given permission to be put on exhibition as from 23 February 2005.
PERSONALITY
These cats are like no other in that they crave human contact. They are intelligent and most curious. They do enjoy being your companion - on their terms.
Sphynx are sensitive and extremely loving, but do take time to get to know strangers so do not be put off if initially they study you at a distance.
Patience is another feature that Sphynx are endowed with, and they are always happy when in familiar surroundings or with people they know.
Sphynx love playing with anything, especially people and other cats. At times they use their paws just like hands and are quite versatile when it comes to acquiring objects they are not supposed to have.
Although published photographs of them are not especially flattering their wonderful character more than makes up for their unusual appearance. In fact when you have lived with them for a while you wonder what the fuss is all about.
The French describe them as: part monkey, part dog, part child and part cat. This is probably nearer to the truth than we care to admit.
AT HOME
Sphynx do not have a coat to keep them warm so they do appreciate somewhere warm to sit and relax - they really like the top of central heating boilers or television sets. Having said that they are in fact very hardy animals in that they often live in much lower temperatures as long as there is a nest or somewhere they can cuddle up. It is essential that if you have heating that goes off at night the cat needs somewhere to keep warm if it is not going to sleep with you.
They do enjoy eating so it is important for them to have dried food and water available at all times - day and night. As they are very energetic they do need to top up energy levels on a fairly frequent basis. Variety of food is also important because just as we like a change of diet so do Sphynx from time to time.
It is a fallacy that Sphynx are suitable for people who have allergies. It all depends what type of allergy the person has. An allergy to fur might mean you could live with a Sphynx because of their lack of it, but remember that Sphynx do carry small amounts of hair. However an allergy to dander is a completely different problem as this is basically dries saliva which becomes airborn. Should you have such an allergy then you do need to spend some time in close proximity to the cats to see if there is a reaction.
You may find that if there is a reaction you can learn to live with it as some people do, because the pleasure the Sphynx gives you far outweighs the discomfort you suffer.
Finally it is worth appreciating that Sphynx cats are very special and need very special people to live with.
FACT OR FICTION?
Are Sphynx cats really No. They are in fact hairless? furless. Their skin feels like a peach or chamois leather.
Do they suffer from No. They can grow hair
(Baldness) Alopecia when in a cold environment.
Universalis?
Do they have to live in No - normal household
a hot house? temperatures are more than
adequate, although they do like to find warm places to sleep.
Can they go out in the Yes. However, exercise caution
sun? as with any other animal.
Do they have a higher Not according to our vets.
body temperature than
other cats?
Do they exude large They do perspire - similar to
amounts of body oil? humans so need bathing instead of grooming.
Are their eating habits No. They eat anything and
different to other cats? everything.
Are they very different No, but they have a wonderful
to hairy cats? personality and loving nature.
