Kucing Ras Sphynx (dahulu bernama Canadian hairless) adalah kucing
tanpa bulu, seandainya ada bulunya, maka bulu tersebut sangat pendek dan
sedikit sekali, serta sangat halus seperti lapisan tipis pada kulit.
Selama beberapa ratus tahun terakhir, kucing tanpa bulu secara spontan
terlahir dari kucing-kucing domestik berbulu pendek. Mutasi alamiah ini
terjadi secara spontan. Kucing-kucing yang mengalami mutasi ini
ditemukan di beberapa tempat seperti Kanada, Perancis, Maroko, Meksiko,
Rusia, Australia dan Amerika. Tetapi kucing-kucing tersebut tidak pernah
dikembangkan menjadi satu ras khusus dan sebagian besar mati akibat
kurangnya perawatan atau karena berbagai masalah pengembangbiakan.
Pada tahun 1960 sepasang kucing lokal Kanada yang berbulu pendek
melahirkan anak-anak tanpa bulu. Sejak saat itulah program
pengembangbiakan kucing-kucing tanpa bulu tersebut dimulai. Pada tahun
1970 Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) memberikan status kucing tersebut
sebagai Ras "Canadian hairless". Tetapi setahun kemudian CFA menarik
kembali keputusannya karena ada masalah kesehatan dan perkembangbiakan
ras tersebut. Pada saat itu gen yang berhubungan dengan ketiadaan bulu
dianggap mematikan (letal). Akhirnya kucing-kucing dan keturunannya
tersebut menjadi punah.
Pada tahun 1975, pemilik sebuah pertanian di Minnesota bernama Milt dan
Ethelyn, mempunyai seekor anak kucing tanpa bulu yang lahir dari kucing
normal di pertanian mereka yang bernama Jezabelle. Tahun berikutnya
kembali lahir kucing tanpa bulu dari kucing Jezabelle. Kedua anak kucing
ini diberi nama Epidermis dan Dermis. Kucing Dermis dan Epidermis
dibeli olah seorang breeder kucing dari Oregon bernama Kim Mueske.
Keturunan Dermis dan Epidermis disebut sebagai garis keturunan kucing
Pearson.
Sementara itu seorang breeder lain dari Minnesota yang bernama Georgiana
Gattenby juga mencoba mengembangkan ras kucing tanpa bulu dari induk
lain bernama Pearson yang juga menghasilkan anak tanpa bulu. Ia
mengawinkan kucing-kucing tersebut dengan kucing ras Devon Rex untuk
memperkuat sifat-sifat genetiknya. Keturunan kucing-kucing ini terbukti
sehat dan diberi nama Sphynx. Nama tersebut diambil dari Sphinx besar
yang ada di Giza, Mesir.
Tahun 1978, seorang breeder kucing di Kanada bernama Shirley Smith
menyelamatkan seekor kucing jantan, tanpa bulu yang diberi nama Bambi.
Bambi kemudian dikebiri (steril) dan dipelihara sebagai kucing
kesayangan. Setahun kemudian induk Bambi melahirkan dua ekor kucing
tanpa bulu yang diberi nama Punkie dan Paloma. Pada tahun 1983, Smith
mengirimkan Punkie dan Paloma kepada Dr. Hernandez di Belanda untuk
dikembangbiakkan. Dr. Hernandez juga mengawinkan kedua kucing tersebut
dengan kucing Ras Devon Rex. Ia juga menemukan fakta bahwa gen tanpa
bulu lebih dominan dari pada gen bulu keriting seperti pada ras Devon
Rex, tetapi resesif terhadap gen berbulu pada kucing normal.
Kucing-kucing keturunan Punkie, Paloma dan Pearson (Dermis dan
Epidermis) inilah yang kemudian menjadi dasar pengembangan Ras Sphynx.
Keempat kucing itulah yang menjadi nenek moyang sebagian besar Kucing
Sphynx yang ada saat ini.
CFA mulai menerima registrasi Ras sphynx pada tahun 1998 dan pada tahun 2000 telah terdaftar 120 ekor kucing ras Sphynx di CFA.
Kucing ras Sphynx memiliki panjang badan sedang, tegap dan membulat
daerah perut seperti tabung serta dada lebar. Kepalanya lebih panjang
dibanding lebarnya dan berbentuk segitiga. Dahinya rata dan tulang pipi
menonjol, hidung pendek dengan lekukan yang jelas atau hanya sedikit
lekukan. Dagu tegas dan sedikit kumis, pendek atau sama sekali tanpa
kumis.
Telinga kucing ras Sphynx besar, lebar pada bagian bawah dan berdiri
tegak, bagian dalam telinga tidak berbulu. Mata berbentuk bulat lemon
dengan ujung bagian luar mengarah ke telinga dan terbuka lebar, semua
warna mata diakui dan tidak perlu sesuai dengan warna bulu. Leher
panjang, bulat dan berotot.
Kaki panjang dan proposional dengan ukuran tubuh, kaki depan lebih
ramping dan lebih pendek dari kaki belakang, jari kaki panjang dengan
telapak kaki tebal.
Ekornya panjang dan berbentuk cambuk, diujung ekor ditemui sedikit bulu
menyerupai ekor singa. Kulit seluruh tubuh dengan sedikit bulu
bertekstur sangat halus, berkerut dibagian kepala, badan dan kaki. Pada
anak kucing jumlah kerutan pada kepala dan kulit lebih banyak.
Hampir seluruh asosiasi/federasi/organisasi internasional memiliki standard (breed standard) kucing ini, otomatis terdaftar pada asosiasi tersebut sebagai kucing ras yang dilindungi/dikontrol standardnya.
Asosiasi/federasi internasional yang memiliki standard ras Sphynx tersebut antara lain :
Di bawah ini adalah breed standard dari kucing Sphynx yang dikeluarkan CFA
(disalin sesuai aslinya). Untuk melihat breed standard yang dikeluarkan
asosiasi/organisasi lainnya, silakan langsung ke situs asosiasi
tersebut (silakan klik nama organisasinya pada link di atas).
CFA Breed Standard ras Sphynx
POINT SCORE
HEAD (35)
- Size/Shape = 5
- Ears = 10
- Muzzle/Chin = 5
- Profile = 5
- Cheekbones = 5
- Eyes = 5
BODY (35)
- Neck = 5
- Chest = 10
- Abdomen and Rump = 10
- Legs and Feet = 5
- Tail = 5
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 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 a modified wedge, slightly longer than it is
wide, with prominent cheekbones, a distinctive whisker break and
whisker pads giving a squared appearance to the muzzle. 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.
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 whose length
does not interfere with the appearance of hairlessness. 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. 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, lavender, fawn, cinnamon or
chocolate tabby with patches of red or cream 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 CALICO, LAVENDER CALICO, CINNAMON CALICO,
CHOCOLATE CALICO: as for calico above, with appropriate
marking color.
- FAWN VAN CALICO, LAVENDER VAN CALICO, CINNAMON
VAN CALICO, CHOCOLATE 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
- Solid = 5000 5001
(Black, Blue, Red, Cream, Chocolate, Lavender, Cinnamon, Fawn, White)
- Bi-Color = 5060 5061
(Any color or pattern with White)
- Other Sphynx Colors = 5090 5091
(Any other color or pattern)
- AOV = None None
Sphynx Allowable Outcross Breeds: American Shorthair, Domestic
Shorthair/ Domestic Sphynx Outcross. Sphynx born on or after December
31, 2015 may have only Sphynx parents.
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