Sphynx Cats as Pets

The unique look of the Sphynx cat, which is typified by its lack of fur, has enthralled and fascinated people all over the globe. The history and origins of these unusual cats are shrouded in mystery and truth, which adds to their fascination despite their very recent public appearance. Historical Origins The modern Sphynx originated in the late 20th century, however there is historical documentation of hairless cats from a variety of periods and societies. The possibility that the genetic mutation causing hairlessness might develop spontaneously in the feline population is supported by the occasional accounts of naturally occurring hairless cats in regions as diverse as South America and Europe. That being said, the contemporary Sphynx breed is distinctively Canadian in origin. The Sphynx of Canada The Sphynx breed’s adventure started in 1966 in Toronto, Canada, with Elizabeth, a domestic shorthair queen who was black and white. Prune, a hairless cat Elizabeth gave birth to, was the product of a spontaneous genetic mutation. Breeders in the region saw that Prune was different from other cats, and they started working to replicate and improve the hairless characteristic in an attempt to create a new breed of cat.