Sphynx Origin

Origin of Sphynx Cats

The sphynx, originally known as the Canadian hairless, first appeared in Toronto, Canada in 1966, when a litter of domestic shorthair kittens included a hairless kitten as a result of a naturally occurring genetic abnormality. Although other hairless kittens had been born prior to this, the sphynx as we know it today is the result of selectively breeding these hairless cats to normal-coated cats and then breeding their offspring back to other hairless cats, a process that not only produced the desired breed characteristics but also served to widen the gene pool to produce a genetically hardy breed of cat, according to Cattime. But it wasn’t until 2002 that the Cat Fanciers’ Association accepted the sphynx for championship competition. If the sphynx appears familiar, you might be thinking of Mr. Bigglesworth, Dr. Evil’s cat in the Austin Powers films, played by Ted NudeGent, a sphynx. On the television sitcom Friends, Jennifer Aniston’s character Rachel previously had a sphynx.

While the sphynx’s unusual looks are attention-grabbing and might even be off-putting to some people, what these cats lack in fur is more than made up for in personality. Although sphynx owners are often initially attracted to the shock value of having a hairless cat, not to mention the lack of shedding to deal with, most will tell you that they fell in love with their sphynx, who proved to be a delightful pet. If you’re looking for a fun and affectionate companion, you need look no further than the sphynx.