Petersburg Sphynx: photo, character, breed description and reviews

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Petersburg Sphynx (or Peterbald) is a cat breed bred in the Northern Capital. Peterbalds are slender, with large ears and long legs. The character is easy, friendly. Cats are sociable and love the company of humans and other animals.

History of the breed

The St. Petersburg Sphynx breed was bred by domestic felinologists and is quite different from other types of hairless cats in its standards and approach to breeding. To date, the breed is recognized by many felinological organizations. Feedback from owners has been overwhelmingly positive.

The Petersburg Sphynx, whose photo won the hearts of many cat lovers, was bred relatively recently. The first representatives of the breed appeared in St. Petersburg in 1994 as a result of mixing the blood of the Don Sphynx and the Oriental cat.

From two matings, four kittens were born, which became the founders of a new breed. Four years later, the new breed standard was recognized by one of the phenological organizations and received the abbreviation PBD.

At the moment, work on the breed is allis still being actively pursued. Breeders are trying to form an Oriental and Siamese type with an elongated muzzle, large ears, a slender body and long legs. In connection with breeding work, matings of representatives of the Peterbald breed with Siamese cats or Orientals are allowed.

Breed standards

Petersburg Sphynx has a strong and long body, thin elongated neck, long legs and tail. The head and muzzle are elongated, the cheekbones and forehead are flat. The profile is straight, the eyes are almond-shaped. Paws are slender, with long fingers. The skin is thin, with folds.

On the muzzle, near the ears, on the tips of the paws and tail, the remains of hair are possible. The mustache is always crimped.

Faults include: round or short head, small ears, kinks in the tail, undershot bite, inversion of the eyelids, full hairiness of the body, short body, tail, paws.

Color

The skin of hairless cats is very sensitive, including to sunlight. Under bright direct rays, it can tan or get burned. The skin is capable of pigmentation and can even sweat in the heat. Since the cat does not have fur, the color can be determined by the color of the skin. But this shade will be more like a shadow of the color of the missing coat. That is why it is difficult to clearly determine the color of a bald cat.

One of the most desirable colors for breeders is black. A Peterbald of this color looks simply amazing, but this color is not found in completely bald cats and cats. They can only boast of owners of flock or brush hair,that is, Peterbalds, which retained, though short, but still wool.

In addition, there are colors that can combine several colors and shades. For this reason, the exact color is determined by the breeder after the kittens are born, when they still have hair. St. Petersburg Sphynx kittens are often born covered in fur.

Skin Types

Peterbalds are not necessarily completely hairless. According to the type of skin, representatives of the breed are divided into several types:

• Naked. These kittens are born without hair. Their skin is hot to the touch, non-slip, a bit like soft plasticine. It is very pleasant to touch her.
• Naked. These are cats that were born with fur, but lost it completely as they grew up.
• Sprayed. Animals that have ultra-short, almost imperceptible fur throughout the body. Because of this, the skin seems soft, smooth, like satin. She is pleasant to the touch, caresses her fingers.
• Flock. With this type, the cat has sparse and short (up to 2 mm), but very soft hairs all over its body.
• Velor. The term is not used by all felinologists and denotes a type similar to a flock, but with more frequent and longer hairs.
• Brush. In this case, the hairs are long, curly. Hair can be hard and soft, frequent and sparse. They bulge and may look like wire. These kitties are jokingly called "boots".
• Flock point, velor point, brush point. In general, the cat is stripped to the body, buton the so-called points, that is, on the muzzle, paws and tail, it has a coat of the corresponding type.
• Varietta, or flat-haired. This is a cat with normal straight hair. She herself did not inherit the bald gene, but she may carry a group of genes that are responsible for the type of skin. Mustache straight.

You should know that the St. Petersburg Sphynx is not a hypoallergenic breed. As a rule, it is not the fur that causes the allergic reaction, but the saliva and particles of the cat's skin. Accordingly, hairless breeds evoke the same reaction as others.

However, in some cases, the negative reaction is caused by wool. Then the Peterbald will become an excellent pet. Before purchasing, consult with your doctor. Be sure to spend a few hours at the breeder's house to make sure you're in good he alth. Arrange in advance to return the kitten within a few days if family members develop allergies.

Character

How does the St. Petersburg Sphynx behave? The nature of cats is typical for sphinxes. They are obedient, friendly, strongly attached to the owner. They are easy to train and generally behave like dogs. But still, Peterbalds are capricious and touchy. The owners speak of cats as extremely smart, affectionate, temperamental and very talkative companions.

Nutrition, care

So, you have decided to buy a representative of the St. Petersburg Sphynx breed? Cator a cat will bring you a lot of joy. But still, you need to know about the features of caring for Peterbalds. Since representatives of this breed do not have wool, which should regulate body temperature, they easily freeze. In addition, the animal can easily get burned on a hot heater or radiator.

Sphinxes sweat, which means they need to be wiped with a soft cloth and bathed regularly in warm water with pet shampoo.

Since Peterbalds have accelerated heat exchange, there are some nuances in care and nutrition. They need to be worn if the apartment is cold. Nutrition is also of great importance. Sphynxes in cold weather must eat more than other cats. In general, the diet does not require correction, ready-made premium dry food or balanced natural food will do. If the house is warm, then enhanced nutrition is not needed.

Kittens

Sphinxes give birth easily. Cats are caring mothers, and, remarkably, cats are also involved in raising offspring. They watch the cubs, lick them, play. Kittens usually move to a new home at the age of three months.

The St. Petersburg Sphynx is a relatively new breed, but it is rapidly gaining popularity and gaining recognition from felinological organizations. The purpose of breeding is not only to create attractive external qualities, but also to preserve the wonderful intelligence and character of Peterbalds.