Sphynx

The Sphynx, or Canadian Hairless, is a rare breed of cat that is famous for it lack of a coat. It first came into existence in 1966 when a hairless kitten was born to a domestic cat as the result of a natural mutation.

Description
While the Shpynx appears to be hairless, its skin is in fact covered with very short, fine hair that has been likened to the skin of a peach. This very thin layer of hair means that the Sphynx feels the cold much quicker than other cat breeds and therefore enjoys curling up beside people or other animals for heat. The skin can be very warm to touch and due to the lack of a coat, it can appear very wrinkled. It is not unusual for whiskers to be broken, or completely absent. Apart from the lack of coat, the Sphynx is also recognised by its wedge-shaped head, big almond-shaped eyes and large ears. All colours and patterns may appear on the Sphynx, which is apparent in the pigment of the skin.

The Sphynx is an intelligent, very inquisitive breed that craves attention.

Care
While the Sphynx is a healthy breed that can live for many years, it is very important to pay attention to keeping its extremely thin coat clean. As they have very little hair to absorb sweat and natural oils, sores can quickly appear in the folds of their skin and so regular sponging down is essential.