117
SHORTHAIRS
A WELL-BUILT AND PLUSH-COATED CAT WITH A TWIST IN ITS TAIL
AMERICAN RINGTAIL
No other cat possesses this breed’s unique tail, which is carried
in a flexible curl over the back or flank. The American Ringtail was
discovered by chance in California and, so far, its development has
included the introduction of Oriental-type lines. These cats are still
few and far between, but interest among breeders is gradually
increasing. There is also a longhaired version. Ringtails love games,
climbing, and nosing around anything
that appeals to their strong
sense of curiosity. The soft
trilling sounds that they make
gave them their original name
of Ringtail Sing-a-Ling.
Soft, dense brown
classic tabby coat
with plush texture
Flexible tail
carried in a
ring over back
Hindlegs slightly
longer than
forelegs
Powerful
hindquarters
Ears deeply
cupped
Large almond-
shaped eyes
Medium-length,
square muzzle
Broad, wedge-
shaped head
Large, oval
white paws
Place of origin US
Date of origin 1990s
Breed registries TICA
Weight range 7–15lb (3–7kg)
Grooming
Colors and patterns
All colors, shades,
and patterns.
Long body with
athletic build
White markings
on chest and chin
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CATALOG OF BREEDS
118
Evenly
distributed
white guard
hairs make
the fur roan
Large ears with
wide bases set
high on head
LYKOI
This new breed, established only in 2011, has been
likened to a werewolf due to its unique appearance. The
Lykoi displays a rare, naturally occurring mutation that
affects its fur, leaving it partially hairless. First
observed in the US in feral cats, the Lykoi
was developed by outcrossing to black
shorthaired cats that carried the recessive
form of the mutated gene and to feral
cats that possessed the same unique coat.
A black shorthaired cat carrying the Lykoi
gene was brought to the UK in 2013, where,
two years later, the first Lykoi kitten was born.
There are now both long- and shorthaired
varieties of the Lykoi in the UK.
Tapering tail
shorter than body
Medium-sized,
oval feet
Fur unevenly
distributed over
the body
A LITHE, INTELLIGENT, AND OUTGOING CAT WITH A UNIQUE ROAN FUR
Place of origin US
Date of origin 2011
Breed registries CFA, GCCF,
TICA
Weight range 7–15 lb (3–7 kg)
Grooming
Colors and patterns
Black roan.
Large, oval,
amber eyes
Muzzle with rounded,
hairless whisker pads
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119
SHORTHAIRS
THIS HAIRLESS CAT HAS AN ENDEARINGLY IMPISH CHARACTER
SPHYNX
Probably the best known of the hairless cats
that have appeared around the world, the
Sphynx originated in Canada and was named
for its supposed resemblance to the Ancient
Egyptian sculpture of the mythical Sphinx. The
cat’s hairlessness is a natural mutation, and
interest in its development dates from the
birth of a hairless male kitten produced by a
short-coated farm cat in Ontario in 1966. This
kitten, along with other hairless kittens that
appeared over the following decade, was used
to found the breed.
Although hairlessness is commonly
accompanied by other mutations, careful
selective breeding, including outcrosses to
Devon Rex (pp.128–129) and Cornish Rex
(pp.126–127) cats, has ensured that the
Sphynx is relatively free of genetic problems.
Sphynx cats are not completely bald—most
have a coating of fine, suedelike fuzz on
their bodies and often a little thin hair on
their head, tail, and paws. Undeniably an
extraordinary-looking cat—with its enormous
ears, wrinkled skin, and rounded belly—the
Sphynx does not appeal to everyone, but its
delightfully sociable and loving nature has
created more than a few converts. It is easy
to live with but needs to be kept indoors and
protected from temperature extremes. Lack
of a normal coat also means that excess
body oils cannot be absorbed, so regular
washing is required. Cats used to baths
from an early age are unlikely to object.
Wrinkled skin
around head
and shoulders
Whiplike
tail tapers to
fine point
Body has fine
peach fuzz, black
calico coat
Pronounced
whisker pads
lack whiskers
Very large,
broad-based,
upright ears
Well-rounded
belly
Slightly
arched neck
Muscular,
rounded
rump
Prominent
cheekbones
Thick
paw pads
Place of origin Canada
Date of origin 1960s
Breed registries CFA, FIFe,
GCCF, TICA
Weight range 8–15 lb (3.5–7 kg)
Grooming
Colors and patterns
All colors, shades,
and patterns.
The Sphynx’s wrinkled skin is not unique to the
breed—all cats are the same under their fur.
Sphynx kittens are wrinkly all over; adults
have wrinkles mainly
on the shoulders
and head.
WRINKLY SKIN
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CATALOG OF BREEDS
120
A CAT WITH OTHERWORLDLY LOOKS BUT A LOVABLE NATURE
DONSKOY
The founder of this breed (also known as the Don Sphynx) was
an ill-treated kitten rescued from the streets in the Russian city
of Rostov-on-Don. This stray lost its apparently normal coat
as it matured and produced offspring with the same mutation.
Various coat types occur in the Donskoy—some individuals are
truly hairless, while others have a partial coat
that can be fuzzy or even wavy. Uniquely, the
hairless types may develop temporary fur
patches in winter. With wrinkled skin and
oversized ears, the Donskoy does not have
universal appeal, but aficionados praise its
gentleness, sparkling personality, and social
ease. Grooming consists of regular bathing
to remove excess oil from the skin.
Broad chest
Very large, open ears
are set wide apart and
tilt slightly forward
Coat type varies
from hairless to
wiry or wavy
Long,
whippy tail
Very long,
webbed toes
Folds on
forehead
Arched,
powerful neck
Green eyes
slant upward
Place of origin Russia
Date of origin 1980s
Breed registries FIFe, TICA
Weight range 8–15 lb (3.5–7 kg)
Grooming
Colors and patterns
All colors, shades, and
patterns.
Elastic, heavily
wrinkled skin
Muscular, strongly
boned body
Thick,
cushionlike
paw pads
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121
SHORTHAIRS
AN ELEGANT, GRACEFUL BREED WITH A VARIETY OF COAT TYPES
PETERBALD
Originating in Russia, the Peterbald is a fairly new breed
created by crossing the Oriental Shorthair (pp.43–51) with
the Donskoy (left). This cat is highly variable and may be
completely hairless; covered with a fine soft down; or possess
a dense, stiff coat with a brushlike texture.
Kittens born with a coat may become hairless
as they mature, sometimes retaining downy-coated
points. The Peterbald has a pleasant temperament
and makes a good family cat. Hairless or very
thin-coated varieties need protection from the
elements and are probably best kept indoors.
The skin of hairless types may have a sticky
feel and needs regular bathing.
Blunt muzzle
Huge, flared ears
with broad bases
Straight nose
runs from
flat forehead
Whiskers kinked
and broken
Long,
whippy tail
Long, fine-
boned legs
Firm,
graceful body
Long, triangular
head with high
cheekbones
Oval paws with
long, flexible toes
Place of origin Russia
Date of origin 1990s
Breed registries FIFe, TICA
Weight range 8–15 lb
(3.5–7 kg)
Grooming
Colors and patterns
All colors, shades, and
patterns.
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