加拿大无毛猫

　　俗名别名：斯芬克斯猫

　　英 文 名：Sphynx

　　原 产 地：加拿大

　　繁殖方式：胎生

　　毛类：无毛类

　　体型：中等瘦长型

　　起源与历史

　　加拿大无毛猫的产地至今仍未完全清楚，有人认为它产于南美，因为墨西哥的土著居民就曾饲养过这种无毛猫实际土斯芬克斯无毛猫是美洲或欧洲的家猫在遗传育种过程中极其稀有的无毛基因突变种。据说在 1966 年，一位加拿大人在普通猫的后代中发现了无毛猫，便马上开始了繁育工作，但用无毛的斯芬克斯猫和斯芬克斯猫交配不能得到无毛后代，后有一位有经验的育种学家用斯芬克斯猫和短毛猫杂交，得到了极少数的无毛后代由于育种工作的困难，至今斯芬克斯无毛猫的数量很少 。它们有些像古埃及神话中有名的怪物“狮身人面斯芬克斯”，因此人们给它取名为斯芬克斯猫。1830年科学家在巴拉瓦见到它，1900年又在墨西哥见过这一品种。

　　

　　体形外貌

　　这种猫除了在耳、口、鼻、尾前锻、脚等部位有些又薄又软的胎毛外，其它全身部分均无毛，皮肤多皱，有弹性，和别的猫相比，多汗。头部呈楔形，耳朵大，眼睛大成圆形，稍倾斜，多为蓝色和金黄色。尾长且细。肌肉发达，触摸体温比其它猫高。

　　斯芬克斯猫非常老实，忍耐力极强，容易和人亲近，对主人忠诚。因为它爱出汗，所以饲养时要注意经常给它洗澡。

　　斯芬克斯猫又名斯芬克斯无毛猫。早在1700年前就有南美墨西哥土著居民饲养过这种无毛猫的记载。

　　性质：斯芬克斯猫不仅以一身弯弯皱皱无毛的外表著称于世，而且以性情温顺、聪慧谦逊、感情细腻、笑容可掬的面孔和一双表情丰富的大眼睛而深受欢迎。

　　身体：形状奇特，身体壮实，肌肉发达，胸深，背较驼，腹紧凑而不上收。四肢细长，骨骼纤细，后肢比前肢长。

　　头部：头宽大而呈楔形，颧骨突出，两颊瘦削，脸呈正三角形，耳廓硕大、直立，高耸于头顶，耳端尖圆，微前倾。

　　眼：柠檬形眼睛，大而微突，眼色橘黄。

　　尾：如老鼠般又细又长，像长鞭一样弯曲上翘。

　　被毛：全身无毛无须。皮肤摸起来很柔软。没有任何绒毛。

　　四肢：细长，骨骼纤细，后肢长于前肢被毛：斯芬克斯无毛猫刚生下的小猫身上就有许多皱纹，并布满了柔细的胎毛，随着年龄的增长，绒毛仅残留于头部、四肢、尾巴和身体的末端部位，其他部位皮肤无毛，但极少。

　　

 

　　加拿大无毛猫

　　特性

　　斯芬克斯无毛猫性情温顺，聪明可爱，表情丰富，感清细腻，忠于主人。斯芬克斯无毛猫具有甜蜜的面部表情，一双表情丰富的大眼睛时而充满惊喜好奇，时而又陷人冥思苦想，一副迷惘疑惑的神态，十分可爱，所以从古至今皆受爱猫者的青睐。

　　斯芬克斯无毛猫因为无毛，到了寒冷的冬天必须给它穿上绒衣以预防感冒。斯芬克斯无毛猫的体温比一般猫要高出 4 ℃ ，因而要频繁饲喂、不断进食才能维持其新陈代谢斯芬克斯无毛猫繁殖较困难，所以至今数量较少，显得十分珍贵。

　　CFA官方关于加拿大无毛猫的品种简介：

　　Breed Profile: Sphynx

　　In 1966 a domestic cat gave birth to a hairless kitten in Toronto, Canada. It was discovered to be a natural mutation and the Sphynx cat, as we know it today, came into existence. This cat and a few other naturally hairless cats have been found worldwide. These have magically been produced by Mother Nature and are the foundation for this unusual breed. Cat breeders in Europe and North America have bred the Sphynx to normal coated cats and then back to hairless for more than thirty years. The purpose of these selective breedings was to create a genetically sound cat with a large gene pool and hybrid vigor. This is a very robust breed with few health or genetic problems.

　　The Sphynx is not always totally hairless; there can be a fine down on the body, which makes thecat feel like a warm peach. Some light hair is often present on the nose, tail and toes. The texture of the Sphynx skin has been compared to a suede covered hot water bottle or a heated chamois. All colors and patterns are possible and may be presented at any stage of maturity. The color is seen in the pigment of the skin and the few hairs that they do have. One of the questions most asked is "Don't they get cold?" Well, of course, if it is too cold for you it will be too cold for a hairless cat too. However, these cats are smart enough to find a warm human, dog or cat to curl up with or they will get under your bed covers.

　　This is a substantial cat, medium sized and strong, with adult males being larger than adult females. Sphynx have sturdy boning and good muscle development and should have a bit of a belly as if they just finished dinner. They have an open-eyed, intelligent face and a friendly expression.

　　The Sphynx are extremely inquisitive and love to be the center of attention. They perform silly antics for your entertainment and are sometimes downright clumsy.. .on purpose it seems. They make great show cats because of this ''look at me" attitude and they are easy for judges to handle. They prefer human attention but enjoy the company of dogs and other cats. They have an abundance of energy and mischief and are always with you, on you or showing off for you. "Love Mooch" is the perfect term for these amazing cats.

　　Because of the lack of hair that would normally absorb body oils, the Sphynx needs periodic bathing and ear cleaning. This is not a difficult task with a cat that has been acclimated from kittenhood with bathing and grooming proper for the Sphynx.

　　Some people who suffer from cat allergies can tolerate living with Sphynx cats. However, depending on the type and severity of the individual's allergic reactions, there are still people who cannot live with this breed.

　　The Sphynx was accepted for competition in the Championship Class by The Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) in February of 2002. Sphynx lovers feel this is one of the most rare and unusual breeds in the cat fancy today...Sphynx are pure enchantment.

　　Sphynx are rare and most breeders have a waiting list for their kittens.

　　Pricing on Sphynx usually depends on type, applicable markings and bloodlines distinguished by Grand Champion (GC), National, National Breed and/or Regional winning parentage (NW, BW, RW) or of Distinguished Merit parentage (DM). The DM title is achieved by the dam (mother) having produced five CFA grand champion/premier (alter) or DM offspring, or sire (father) having produced fifteen CFA grand champion/premier or DM offspring. Usually breeders make kittens available between twelve and sixteen weeks of age. After twelve weeks, kittens have had their basic inoculations and developed the physical and social stability needed for a new environment, showing, or being transported by air. Keeping such a rare treasure indoors, neutering or spaying and providing acceptable surfaces (e.g. scratching posts) for the natural behavior of scratching (CFA disapproves of declawing or tendonectomy surgery) are essential elements for maintaining a healthy, long and joyful life.

　　There are CFA clubs devoted to the promotion, protection and preservation of the Sphynx breed. For more information, please send inquiries to CFA, PO Box 1005, Manasquan NJ 08736-0805.