Breed Profile:

In 1966 a domestic cat gave birth to a hairless kitten in Toronto, Canada. It was discovered to be a natural mutation and the Sphynx cat, as we know it today, came into existence. This cat and a few other naturally hairless cats have been found worldwide. These have magically been produced by Mother Nature and are the foundation for this unusual breed. Cat breeders in Europe and North America have bred the Sphynx to normal coated cats and then back to hairless for more than thirty years. The purpose of these selective breedings was to create a genetically sound cat with a large gene pool and hybrid vigor. This is a very robust breed with few health or genetic problems. 

The Sphynx is not always totally hairless; there can be a fine down on the body, which makes the cat feel like a warm peach. Some light hair is often present on the nose, tail and toes. The texture of the Sphynx skin has been likened to suede, a hot water bottle, or a heated chamois. They can be registered in a wide variety of cat colors. The color is seen in the pigment of the skin and the few hairs that they do have. One of the questions most asked is "Don't they get cold?" Well, of course, if it is too cold for you it will be too cold for a hairless cat too. However, these cats are smart enough to find a warm human, dog or cat to curl up with or they will get under your bed covers. 

This is a substantial cat, medium sized and strong, with adult males being larger than adult females. Sphynx have sturdy boning and good muscle development and should have a bit of a belly as if they just finished dinner. They have an open-eyed, intelligent face and a friendly expression. 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. 

Because of the lack of hair that would normally absorb body oils, the Sphynx needs to be bathed periodically. This is not a difficult task with a cat that has been accustomed to a bath from kittenhood and it takes no time at all to dry a Sphynx. 

Some people who suffer from cat allergies can tolerate living with Sphynx cats. However, depending on the type and severity of the individual's allergic reactions, there are still people who cannot live with this breed. 

The Sphynx was accepted for registration, and competition, in the Miscellaneous Class by The Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) in February 1998. Sphynx lovers feel this is one of the most rare and unusual breeds in the cat fancy today…Sphynx are pure enchantment. 

Sphynx are rare and most breeders have a waiting list for their kittens. Pricing on Sphynx usually depends on type, applicable markings and bloodlines distinguished by Grand Champion (GC), National, National Breed and/or Regional winning parentage (NW, BW, RW) or of Distinguished Merit parentage (DM). The DM title is achieved by the dam (mother) having produced five CFA grand champion/premier (alter) or DM offspring, or sire (father) having produced fifteen CFA grand champion/premier or DM offspring. Usually breeders make kittens available between twelve and sixteen weeks of age. After twelve weeks, kittens have had their basic inoculations and developed the physical and social stability needed for a new environment, showing, or being transported by air. Keeping such a rare treasure indoors, neutering or spaying and providing acceptable surfaces (e.g. scratching posts) for the natural behavior of scratching (CFA disapproves of declawing or tendonectomy surgery) are essential elements for maintaining a healthy, long and joyful life.

Breed Standard:
Updated: April 20 2005

POINT SCORE
HEAD (35)
5 .. Size/Shape 
10 .. Ears 
5 .. Muzzle/Chin 
5 .. Profile 
5 .. Cheekbones 
5 .. Eyes 
BODY (35)
5 .. Neck 
10 .. Chest 
10 .. Abdomen and Rump 
5 .. Legs and Feet 
5 .. Tail 
COAT/SKIN .. 30

GENERAL: the most distinctive feature of this cat is its appearance of hairlessness. The Sphynx is of medium size and body conformation with surprising weight for its size. Females are generally smaller than males. The head shape is a modified wedge, with prominent cheekbones and whisker pads giving a squared appearance to the muzzle. The body feels warm and soft to the touch, with a skin texture akin to either a soft peach or a smooth nectarine. The Sphynx is sweet-tempered, lively, and amenable to handling. 

HEAD: the head is slightly longer than it is wide, with prominent cheekbones and a distinctive whisker break. The skull is slightly rounded with a flat plane in front of the ears. The nose is straight and there is a slight to moderate palpable stop at the bridge of the nose. 

CHEEKS AND CHEEKBONES: prominent, rounded cheekbones which define the eye and form a curve above the whisker break. 

MUZZLE AND CHIN: whisker break with prominent whisker pads. Strong, well developed chin forming perpendicular line with upper lip. 

EARS: large to very large. Broad at the base, open and upright. When viewed from the front, the outer base of the ear should begin at the level of the eye, neither low set nor on top of the head. The interior of the ears is naturally without furnishing. 

EYES: large, lemon-shaped, with wide-open center while coming to a definite point on each side. Placement should be at a slight upward angle, aligning with the outer base of the ear. Eyes to be wide set apart with the distance between the eyes being a minimum of one eye width. Eye color immaterial. 

BODY: the body is medium length, hard and muscular with broad rounded chest and full round abdomen. The rump is well rounded and muscular. Back line rises just behind the shoulder blades to accommodate longer back legs when standing. Boning is medium. 

NECK: the neck is medium in length, rounded, well muscled, with a slight arch. Allowance to be made for heavy musculature in adult males. 

LEGS AND FEET: legs are medium in proportion to the body. They are sturdy and well muscled with rear legs being slightly longer than the front. Paws are oval with well-knuckled toes; five in front and four behind. The paw pads are thick, giving the appearance of walking on cushions. 

TAIL: slender, flexible, and long while maintaining proportion to body length. Whip-like, tapering to a fine point. 

COAT/SKIN: the appearance of this cat is one of hairlessness. However, short, fine hair may be present on the feet, outer edges of the ears, the tail, and the scrotum. The bridge of the nose should be normally coated. The remainder of the body can range from completely hairless to a covering of soft peach-like fuzz, no longer than 1/8th of an inch (two millimeters) in length. This coat/skin texture creates a feeling of resistance when stroking the cat. Wrinkled skin is desirable, particularly around the muzzle, between the ears, and around the shoulders. There are usually no whiskers but if whiskers are present they are short and sparse. 

COLOR: color and pattern are difficult to distinguish and should not affect the judging of the cat. White lockets, buttons, or belly spots are allowed. 

PENALIZE: hair other than described. Delicate or frail appearance. Thin abdomen, thin rump, or narrow chest. Bowed front legs. Should not resemble the Devon Rex, Cornish Rex or Oriental body type. 

DISQUALIFY: kinked or abnormal tail. Structural abnormalities. Aggressive behavior endangering the judge. 

SPHYNX COLORS

GENERAL: all colors and patterns, in any combination, found in felines is acceptable in the Sphynx with exception to any of the colors or patterns that are determined by the placement of color on the single shaft of hair. e.g. shaded, cameo, smoke, chinchilla, ticked or otherwise tipped hair shaft. Being a cat noted for its lack of hair, these descriptions would not apply to the Sphynx. Note: exposure to sun will intensify all colors. 

WHITE: white to pink. Nose leather and paw pads: pink. 

BLACK: black. One level tone from nose to tip of tail. Nose leather: black. Paw pads: black or brown. 

BLUE: blue. One level tone from nose to tip of tail. Nose leather and paw pads: blue. 

RED: deep, rich, clear, brilliant red, without markings. Lips and chin the same color as the skin. Nose leather and paw pads: brick red. 

CREAM: one level shade of buff cream, without markings. Nose leather and paw pads: pink. 

CHOCOLATE: rich chestnut brown, even throughout. Nose leather: brown. Paw pads: brown or cinnamon. 

LAVENDER: frosty-grey with a pinkish tone, even throughout. Nose leather and paw pads: lavender-pink. 

CINNAMON: cinnamon, even throughout. Nose leather and paw pads: cinnamon. 

FAWN: pale, pinkish fawn, even throughout. Nose leather and paw pads: pale fawn. 

CLASSIC TABBY PATTERN: markings clearly defined on legs and tail. Pattern tends to fade on hairless body. Legs evenly barred with bracelets coming up to meet the body markings. Tail evenly ringed. Several unbroken necklaces on neck and upper chest, the more the better. Markings seen on the skin. Frown lines on head form an intricate letter "M" Unbroken line runs back from outer corner of eye. Swirls on cheeks. Vertical lines over back of head extend to shoulder markings which are in the shape of a butterfly with both upper and lower wings distinctly outlined and marked with dots inside outline. Back markings consist of a vertical line down the spine from butterfly to tail with a vertical stripe paralleling it on each side, the three stripes well separated by stripes of the ground color. Large solid blotch on each side to be encircled by one or more unbroken rings. Side markings should be the same on both sides. Double vertical rows of buttons on chest and stomach. 

MACKEREL TABBY PATTERN: markings clearly defined on legs and tail. Pattern tends to fade on hairless body. Legs evenly barred with narrow bracelets coming up to meet the body markings. Tail barred. Necklaces on neck and chest distinct, like so many chains. Head barred with an "M" on the forehead. Unbroken lines running back from the eyes. Lines running down the head to meet the shoulders. Spine lines run together to form a narrow saddle. Narrow pencillings run around body. 

SPOTTED TABBY PATTERN: markings on the body to be spotted. The spots can be round, oblong, or rosette-shaped. Any of these are of equal merit but the spots, however shaped or placed, shall be distinct. Spots should not run together in a broken Mackerel pattern. A dorsal stripe runs the length of the body to the tip of the tail. The stripe is ideally composed of spots. The markings on the face and forehead shall be typically tabby markings. Underside of the body to have "vest buttons." Legs and tail are barred. Markings clearly defined on legs and tail. Pattern tends to fade on hairless body. 

PATCHED TABBY PATTERN: a patched tabby (torbie) is an established silver, brown, blue, red, cream, etc. tabby with patches of red, cream, lavender, fawn, etc. clearly defined on both the body and extremities; a blaze on the face is desirable. 

SILVER TABBY: skin ground color, including lips and chin, pale clear silver. Markings dense black. Nose leather: brick red. Paw pads: black. 

BROWN TABBY: skin ground color brilliant coppery brown. Markings dense black. Lips and chin the same shade as the rings around the eyes. Back of leg black from paw to heel. Nose leather: brick red. Paw pads: black or brown. 

BLUE TABBY: skin ground color, including lips and chin, pale bluish ivory. Markings a very deep blue affording a good contrast with skin ground color. Nose leather: old rose. Paw pads: rose. 

RED TABBY: skin ground color red. Markings deep, rich red. Lips and chin red. Nose leather and paw pads: brick red. 

CREAM TABBY: skin ground color, including lips and chin, very pale cream. Markings buff or cream sufficiently darker than the ground color to afford good contrast but remaining within the dilute color range. Nose leather and paw pads: pink. 

CHOCOLATE (Chestnut) TABBY: skin ground color is warm fawn, markings are rich chestnut brown. Nose leather: chestnut, or pink rimmed with chestnut. Paw pads: cinnamon. 

CHOCOLATE-SILVER TABBY: skin ground color, including lips and chin, is silver. Markings rich chestnut. Nose leather: chestnut or pink rimmed with chestnut. Paw pads: cinnamon. 

CINNAMON TABBY: skin ground color, including lips and chin, a pale, warm honey, markings a dense cinnamon, affording a good contrast with skin ground color. Nose leather: cinnamon or coral rimmed with cinnamon. Paw pads: cinnamon. 

CINNAMON-SILVER TABBY: skin ground color, including lips and chin, a pale glistening silver. Markings dense cinnamon. Nose leather: cinnamon. Paw pads: coral. 

LAVENDER TABBY: skin ground color is pale lavender. Markings are a rich lavender, affording a good contrast with skin ground color. Nose leather: lavender, or pink rimmed with lavender. Paw pads: lavender-pink. 

LAVENDER-SILVER TABBY: skin ground color, including lips and chin, a cold clear silver. Markings lavender. Nose leather: lavender or pink rimmed with lavender. Paw pads: lavender-pink. 

FAWN TABBY: skin ground color, including lips and chin, pale ivory, markings dense fawn, affording good contrast with skin ground color. Nose leather and paw pads: pale fawn. 

TORTOISESHELL: black mottled or patched with red and/or cream. Blaze on face desirable. 

BLUE-CREAM: blue mottled or patched with cream. Blaze on face desirable. 

CHOCOLATE (Chestnut) TORTOISESHELL: rich chestnut brown mottled or patched with red and/or cream. Blaze on face desirable. 

CINNAMON TORTOISESHELL: cinnamon mottled or patched with red and/or cream. Blaze on face desirable. 

LAVENDER-CREAM: lavender mottled or patched with cream. Blaze on face desirable. 

FAWN-CREAM: fawn mottled or patched with cream. Blaze on face desirable. 

CALICO: white with unbrindled patches of black and red. White predominant on underparts. 

VAN CALICO: white with unbrindled patches of black and red confined to the extremities; head, tail, legs. One or two small patches of color on body allowable. 

DILUTE CALICO: white with unbrindled patches of blue and cream. White predominant on underparts. 

DILUTE VAN CALICO: white with unbrindled patches of blue and cream confined to the extremities; head, tail, legs. One or two small patches of color on body allowable. 

BI-COLOR: solid color and white, tabby and white, tortoiseshell and white, pointed and white, any color and white, etc. 

VAN BI-COLOR: solid color and white, tabby and white, tortoiseshell and white, etc., with color confined to the extremities; head, tail, and legs. One or two small patches on body allowable. 

FAWN-CREAM CALICO, LAVENDER-CREAM CALICO, CINNAMON-CREAM CALICO: as for calico above, with appropriate marking color. 

FAWN-CREAM VAN CALICO, LAVENDER-CREAM VAN CALICO, CINNAMON-CREAM VAN CALICO: as for van calico above, with appropriate marking color. 

POINTED PATTERN: point restricted colors show little or no color contrast between body and points in the mature Sphynx. Although born very light in color, the pointed Sphynx will darken and appear solid in color as an adult. Eye color: vivid blue. Nose leather and paw pads: appropriate to coat color. The pointed pattern may be combined with ANY other pattern (except mink) and ANY colors, e.g. lilac-silver lynx point and seal-tortie point with white (shown in the Bi-Color Class). 

MINK PATTERN: point restricted colors show little or no color differentiation between body and points in the mature Sphynx. Although born very light in color, the mink Sphynx will darken and appear solid in color as an adult. Eye color: aqua. Nose leather and paw pads: appropriate to coat color. The mink pattern may be combined with ANY other pattern (except pointed) and ANY colors, e.g. natural mink, blue mink, champagne mink, platinum mink, natural tabby mink, blue-cream, tortie mink and white (shown in Bi-Color Class). 

SABLE: the mature specimen is a rich, warm, sable brown without shadings, barring, or markings of any kind. (Kittens are often lighter in color.) Nose leather and paw pads: brown. 

CHAMPAGNE: the mature specimen should be a warm honey beige without shadings, barring, or markings of any kind. Nose leather: light, warm brown. Paw pads: warm, pinkish tan. 

PLATINUM: the mature specimen should be a pale, silvery gray without shadings, barring or markings of any kind. Nose leather and paw pads: lavender-pink. 

OSC (Other Sphynx Colors): any other color or pattern. Cats with no more than a locket and/or button do not qualify for this class, such cats shall be judged in the color class of their basic color with no penalty for such locket and/or button. Examples: any color with one, two, three, or four white feet. All point restricted colors such as seal point, chocolate point, natural mink, blue mink, sable, champagne, platinum, etc. 

The following information is for reference purposes only and not an official part of the CFA Show Standard. 

Sphynx Color Class Numbers

All Championship Colors 5100 5101
(All accepted colors as defined in the Show Standards.)

Sphynx Allowable Outcross Breeds: American Shorthair, Domestic Shorthair/ Domestic Sphynx Outcross. Sphynx born on or after December 31, 2010 may have only Sphynx parents.

                                                            ARTICLE XXX11
                                         Championship Breeds/Drivisions & Colors
                     32.01  The following breeds and colors are recognized as entitled to
                                win Championship or Premiership honors.

                    (note)   Male cats of any of the following colors are never eligible for Kitten,
                                Championship or Premiership competition, but are eligible for an AOV
                                class as provided in Article XXXIII):  Shell Tortoiseshell, Shaded
                                Tortoiseshell, Tortoiseshell Smoke, Shell Blue-Cream, Shaded Blue-
                                Cream, Blue-Cream Smoke, Silver Patched Tabby (Torbie), Blue-
                                Silver Patched Tabby, Brown Patched Tabby (Torbie), Blue Patched
                                Tabby (Torbie), Tortoiseshell, Calico or Dilute Calico, Van Calico or
                                Dilute Van Calico, Tortoiseshell Smoke & White, Blue-Cream Smoke
                                & White, Blue-Cream, Tortie Point, Blue-Cream Point.)