Types of cats
Types of cats artificially created by man, having fixed hereditary characteristics, are combined into breeds. The pedigree of a cat is confirmed by an official document - a “pedigree”, issued by a club that is part of one of the felinological unions. Each of these organizations has its own descriptions and criteria for breed recognition.
Siberian and Maine Coon mixed breed
According to these organizations, now in the world there are from 40 to 80 varieties of animal breeds related to domestic cats, mongrel cats and mestizos. Mestizos are the fruits of mating animals of different breeds. A mixed-breed cat and a male cat also belong to the mongrel category, but have the peculiar features of purebred animals. As an inheritance, a mestizo kitten receives the main qualities of its parents: health, endurance, intelligence.
Purebred toyger - mini tiger cat
Diversity of mestizos
The term “mestizo” was introduced into use by felinologists who study the belonging of animals to a particular breed. It is possible to predict what a mestizo cat will be like only if it is born from parents of known breeds. Among hybrids, no two cats are ever alike. The mestizo cat variety comes in a variety of body shapes, coat and eye colors.
And yet, experts in the structure of the body, the shape of the skull, the length of the coat and its color can predict what kind of character the kitten will have. Half-breeds born from parents of elite breeds often inherit patterns of behavior common to certain breeds of animals. Life experiences influence the individuality of animals. If a hybrid cat is raised as a purebred animal, then the characteristics inherent in the species will also appear in her.
Each animal has a unique appearance. The owners of such animals love them not only for the coloring of their fur coat or beautiful ears, but for their intelligence, flexibility, and ability to survive. The genes of different breeds collected in one common body allow the ability to resist diseases to become stronger.
Important! Mixed breeds do not call animals born from parents of the same breed and who were unlucky enough to be culled. Due to illness or incorrect coloration, kittens with marriage are not given a pedigree, but they are not mixed breeds either.
A mixed-breed cat has inherited the genes of her naked dad and furry mom.
Mixture of a sphinx and an ordinary cat
The Sphinx variety is one of the most ancient. Many people consider the appearance of animals to be unpleasant, and the lack of fur enhances this feeling. The elastic, folded skin of sphinxes can be covered with light down in cold weather. There are many known cases of involuntary or special mating of sphinxes with outbred animals.
A mixture of a Sphynx and a regular cat can produce charming cats covered with short hair. There is a known case of the birth of a cat, Dasha, a Sphynx mix, whose cheeks are covered with fluffy whiskers. The half-breed cat has the exterior and proud character characteristic of sphinxes. She is touchy and may not allow herself to be stroked, but if she agrees to be scratched behind the ear, she will be able to express her gratitude.
Sphinx mix Dasha, owner of sideburns
The cat is capricious, its mood is constantly changing, and when addressed in a raised voice, it can look coldly at the owner and turn away. The cat hates the street, the main thing for her is to be at home, next to her owner. That’s when a cat’s love manifests itself in all its colors.
Mixed breed between a British cat and an ordinary cat
Thoroughbred Britons live up to their name. They seem to be calm gentlemen and noble ladies, calm, friendly, independent, not aggressive. They rarely meow, unless they want something or the owner has forgotten something necessary. They cope with loneliness easily.
These animals are neat and patient. They are not intrusive, do not jump on their knees, and are always even with family members. Their favorites can only be human children, with whom they are especially affectionate. Adult cats do not like to fuss; they will spend most of the day sleeping in a warm place or watching what is happening. The habits of mixed-breed British cats are similar to the habits of their ancestors.
A half-breed mix between a British and a barn cat, the cat Martin inherited the character traits of the breed. Good manners and restraint are evident in his gaze, his calm character is expressed in his posture. The ash-white color of the coat emphasizes its noble origin. And calm, kind eyes indicate that his mongrel nature will not become an obstacle to friendship with a person.
Metis cat Martin, a mixture of a British cat and an ordinary mother cat
Metis Siberian cat
Taiga Siberians are strong animals with a stern look and fluffy long hair. Owners of the Siberian breed emphasize that these animals are very independent, but smart, they can be trained, and they are attached to specific people, and not to the house.
Amazing stories happen with purebred Siberian cats - they will remove the lid from a saucepan and feed the contents to their entire family, they will learn to flush the toilet cistern, or they will get the hang of independently opening the doors to those rooms where they are not allowed to enter.
Note! Siberian cats take a long time to develop. Only at the age of 5 years do all the qualities required by the breed standard appear.
Examples of interbreed matings
Cats that do not have documents (including mixed breeds) can receive a certificate of breed conformity if their appearance fully meets the standards. But this procedure is carried out only for indigenous breeds and in the region where they live. Their metric will state: father and mother are unknown, that is, zero pedigree. And although theoretically they can participate in breeding, such animals are not popular among breeders. But they have the right to exhibit.
Métis Britons
The British cat breeds (shorthair and longhair) were the result of mixing ordinary domestic cats and Persians. But now both one and the other are closed, so mating of British dogs with Persians and other breeds is prohibited.
The offspring of the British with a mongrel cat are sometimes difficult to distinguish from true aristocrats, both in appearance and in character. This is why there are so many offers for the sale of British (or semi-British) kittens for a very reasonable price. They cannot participate in exhibitions:
- In the “domestic cat” class, animals whose appearance is similar to a certain breed are not allowed;
- for other categories they are not suitable due to lack of documents.
But as pets, such mestizos are very popular.
British mixed breeds often have a very aristocratic appearance, corresponding to the phenotype of the breed standard
Sphinx mestizos
Hairless cats have a peculiar appeal, and experiments with this breed continue.
Canadian Sphynx
Just like the British one, the Canadian Sphynx breed is a closed breed, that is, mating with other species is officially prohibited.
The hairlessness of the Canadian Sphynx is determined by a recessive gene, and when mating with a representative of another breed, the likelihood of getting “naked” offspring is very small. If the second partner is a mongrel cat, then hairy kittens are usually born, the physique of which may resemble a sphinx.
When paired with other breeds, the results can be very different: the presence of hair on certain parts of the body plus a list of genetic diseases.
The physique of this cat resembles a sphinx, but the presence of hair indicates that it is a mestizo
Although there are examples of successful crossing with the Sphinx:
- Elves are the sphinx and curl. Elf cats appeared in 2006, but have not yet received official recognition.
- Bambino: Sphynx and Munchkin. Munchkins are short-legged cats that appeared as a result of gene mutation. The question of the humaneness of breeding these cats still remains open, so the breed does not have official status in the EU and the USA.
But the creation of a new breed and a single mating are incomparable things. The first generation of kittens may not have any interesting qualities, and further work with the offspring should only be carried out by a specialist.
Donskoy and Neva sphinxes (Peterbald)
The Don Sphynx is an aboriginal breed that appeared relatively recently. Although there is another point of view, that this is a natural mutation. The hairlessness of the Don Sphynx has a completely different nature and mating it with the Canadian is categorically not recommended. But mating the Don with other breeds can be effective.
An example of this is the Peterbald, a type of cat that appeared as a result of the mating of the Don Sphynx and the Oriental. The breed surprisingly quickly gained international recognition and registration (in just 4 years).
The St. Petersburg Sphynx has seven varieties of coat: from no coat at all to medium-length coat.
There is another example of the formation of a new species based on the Don Sphynx: the Ukrainian Levkoy was obtained as a result of mating with a Scottish Fold cat, but does not yet have the status of the breed due to the small number of representatives.
Breeders claim that the Ukrainian Levkoy looks like the flower after which the breed was named
Maine Coon mixes
The Maine Coon is a breed created on the basis of the large semi-longhaired cats of Maine (USA) that live in the wild. During its formation, matings were carried out with outbred cats, but now this is prohibited. Since the breed is native, the mestizos resulting from crossing with Maine Coons should be in good health. There is only a danger that a small cat may die during childbirth if the newborn kitten is too large.
Mixes of Maine Coons with yard cats are also not particularly attractive. The resulting kittens may be large in size (although this is not necessary), but they definitely do not grow to the size of the parent. Long fluffy hair is also not always inherited.
Care and maintenance
To properly care for a mestizo, you need to know from which parents he was born. If several varieties of purebred genes are mixed in the kitten’s blood, then the best adviser on keeping the animal will be the breeder, who will tell you what nuances you need to pay attention to.
If the animals do not require special care, then standard procedures are carried out:
Cats have their teeth and ears cleaned and their fur combed once every 10-14 days. Bath felines if necessary.
Additional information: Cats can suffer from a variety of infectious diseases. The most dangerous are: rabies, feline distemper, calcivirus, coronaviruses.
The appearance of vomiting, diarrhea, and ulcers on the body should be an immediate reason to contact a veterinary hospital.
Hybrid kittens of the Russian blue breed
Mestizo nutrition
Animals are not fed what humans eat. The dishes may contain products, the excess of which will be harmful to animals. It is rational to use special food for cats that contains the vitamins, minerals, and trace elements necessary for animals. Boiled meat, fish, vegetables, and low-fat milk are added to them. Cats should not be given sweets, smoked or salty foods.
Water is an integral part of food for animals. It must be clean, non-chlorinated. It is better to use drinking purified water. The dishes from which cats eat should always be thoroughly washed, and they should be boiled or disinfected at least once a week.
Recently, cat breeds have changed a lot, so the appearance of all kinds of crossbreeds has become commonplace. Some of them have body features and coat color that have become very exotic and unusual. Those who like to modify animals should always remember that animals are loved not so much for their appearance, but for their gentle purring and unobtrusive presence.
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How to prepare for the arrival of a second cat?
How to bring two cats into one apartment? To do this, even before the appearance of the second pet, special preparatory work will be required. So, the space for cats will need to be divided into several zones. Two mustachioed pets will get along in the same apartment much faster if they do not overlap during toileting, resting and feeding.
A bed for a cat that is yet to appear in the house should be arranged separately from its future friend. It is advisable that the place to relax is even in a separate room. A bed for a cat that already lives in the house should be a taboo for a new pet. The owner needs to prepare a comfortable house or mattress for his second pet. Moreover, place it so that there is a door between the “bedrooms” of the animals, which is recommended to be closed at night at least at first.
Will two cats get along in the same apartment if they are fed together? Hardly. If contact has not yet been established between animals, then they will be most aggressive near bowls of food. There should be separate dishes for a cat that was recently brought into the house. In addition, it is recommended to carry out feeding even in different rooms. And only after a certain period of time the bowls can be moved little by little. In this case, the cats will need to be fed at the same time. Otherwise, the idle animal will try to take food from its competitor.
Another set of preparatory work concerns the toilet of fluffy beauties. For a new cat you will need to purchase a separate tray. After all, if the animals have not yet become friends, then one of them may compromise its cleanliness and begin to upset the owner by dirtying the corners of the rooms. How to keep two cats in an apartment? Over time, if the issue of reconciliation is resolved positively, the tray can be left alone.
Owners who decide to get a second cat at first need to leave everything for the old-timer as it was before her new friend arrived. She should not feel disadvantaged, and then she will not fight for her rights.
What happens if you cross a Sphynx with an ordinary cat?
Outbred genes will affect the exterior of the animal: such cats will be covered with short hair, which can be continuous or localized. The appearance of mixed-breed cats does not detract from their attractiveness, and their character will be proud, characteristic of sphinxes.
Important! The difference in hairlessness genes depends on the breed: in Canadian Sphynxes the genes are recessive, that is, they do not appear in a heterozygous state, while in Don Sphynxes they are dominant.
Mixed-breed cats, obtained from a mixture of the Don and the Canadian Sphynx, look the same as a cross between a Don and a regular cat. Kittens covered with hair will carry the hairless gene, which may appear in subsequent generations.
Mixed breeds cannot be animals of the same breed that have been culled. Such cats do not have a pedigree, but they remain representatives of the species.
Nutrition
When choosing a diet, you must also focus on the characteristics of the breed. The good appetite of purebred Sphynx cats is associated with their high heat exchange due to the lack of fur. Mestizos retain the same habits if they have wool, so the principles when choosing food will be the following:
Caring for mixed-breed cats is not difficult, but should be based on knowledge about representatives of crossed breeds. Maintaining good hygiene and choosing a balanced diet will help your pet delight you for many years with its activity and affectionate purring.
Sphinxes
For experts, the word “Sphynx” means a certain breed of cat that has no hair at all. Some breeds are generally recognized, while others have semi-official status. At the same time, the Canadian and Don Sphynxes, as well as the Peterbald and Ukrainian Levkoy are considered the most famous. As a result of the breeding of this breed, a mutation was fixed, associated with both partial and complete absence of hair.
Siamese
These miniature cats with unusual colors have a very stubborn character. At the same time, they love people very much and quickly become attached to their owner. It is difficult for two Siamese cats to get along in one apartment. After all, animals are extremely jealous. They treat even guests who come to the house very warily.
Cases of attacks by these animals even on their owners have been recorded. To prevent this from happening, it is worth surrounding the mustachioed queen with care and attention. And then she will repay in the same coin.
Origin story
The ancestors of modern hairless cat breeds were known back in the times of the Aztecs and were called Mexican Hairless. This breed was distinguished by its elongated body and wedge-shaped head, as well as long whiskers and amber-colored eyes. The last representatives of this breed did not leave any offspring in the last century.
The results of such work had to be expected for several years, and already in 1970 this breed was registered with the CFA as a new breed of Sphynx. As for the United States, the ancestor of hairless cats is considered to be the cat Jezebel, who gave birth to two hairless kittens in 1976. This offspring subsequently produced the best breeder of Sphynxes in TICA.
How to choose the right kitten
In order not to make a mistake when choosing a pet, it is not enough to listen only to your inner instinct. Experts advise following the basic rules:
- Ask the breeder about all the offspring to determine whether the kittens are suitable: where they grew up, what their character is, whether they were examined by a veterinarian, whether the kittens were picked up after two weeks of age.
- Have any preventive treatments and vaccinations been carried out?
- First look at mom.
- If the kittens are from a nursery, then you should find out as much as possible about the parents.
- You should not take obstinate representatives who hiss and scratch.
A healthy animal can be identified by the following signs:
- clear eyes without discharge;
- clean area under the tail;
- shine of wool;
- absence of bloating - the first sign of helminthiasis;
- energy and curiosity;
- communication with brothers;
- fearlessness.
Any kitten - purebred, mestizo or mongrel - can become the best friend and companion. He will reciprocate the sincere love and care of the owner. You should not chase expensive, fashionable and purebred cats; it is better to bring into your home a faithful and devoted companion who will not leave you in difficult times and will brighten up the melancholy of gray everyday life.
Description of the breed
Many people spoke quite impartially about this breed, pointing out that sphinxes have no future, since they are unaesthetic animals and sensitive to cold. They argued that the breed was of purely technical interest.
At the same time, many generally considered animals to be harmful and abnormal, since they are not able to provide for themselves on their own and are completely dependent on humans.
If we talk about modern sphinxes, then their description will not be unambiguous, since even one breed may differ in some differences in the exterior, as well as in the type of hairlessness.
Appearance
Modern Sphynxes practically no longer have the main feature - folded skin, which created the appearance of cats similar to wrinkled old men. These days, these are animals that resemble smooth porcelain figurines. It should be noted that kittens do have some excess skin, but this disappears over time as they grow older, although these obvious signs can still be seen on the neck or head.
Nowadays, among the Canadian sphinxes one can still note a significant number of the most folded specimens.
Important point! As a rule, modern catteries highly value natural similar breeds of cats that appear from time to time in the United States. Many breeders try to work with such animals, breeding new breeds of animals that are most consistent with their ancestors.
According to many experts, a large proportion of modern Sphynxes are beginning to degenerate and are becoming more and more similar to the hairless Devon Rex of the usual type, with thin skin, relatively round eyes, low-set mustaches, a short head and a bone structure that is uncharacteristic of Sphynxes.
Breed standards
Each breed of hairless cats has its own beauty criteria. In addition, it should be noted that within each breed several variants of the requirements for the exterior of cats can coexist. Sphynx cats, for example, are valued according to both CFA and TICA standards.
The most interesting thing is that experts are of little interest in the fact that an animal has no hair, since they pay more attention to the shape of the head, the constitution of the body, the grace of movements and the general impression created by the breed.
As for the details, experts are interested in muscular limbs, with the hind legs being longer than the front ones, the paws being proportional, the tummy pear-shaped and, at the same time, an elegant tail, although it looks like a “rat’s”.
It is important to know! The ears of this breed are large, open and straight, and the eyes are somewhat slanted, shaped like lemons of any color. The skeleton is heavy, and the body itself is quite muscular.
Skin folds are more characteristic of the head, muzzle, neck, and shoulders. If you touch the skin covered with delicate down, you feel warm suede. Any body color is taken into account, including those with white spots.
A high-breed sphinx, as a rule, has a magical effect on those around it, which is due to the presence of rather smooth lines of the animal’s naked body, as well as the penetrating gaze of its unique eyes.
Character and behavior
As a rule, many are frightened by the unusual appearance of sphinxes, but those who dare to pick up this animal immediately turn into one of the lovers of these unique animals. Sphinxes are not known for their obsessive behavior, although they always prefer to be close to their owner. These animals have a peaceful and friendly character. They accept strangers as their long-time friends and easily get along with other animals in a person’s home.
In addition, sphinxes are considered intelligent, affectionate and affectionate creatures who can patiently wait for their owner if he is delayed for some reason.
These animals completely trust a person and love them if a person treats them the same way. These cats are easy to train due to their intelligence and memory. Moreover, these are strong animals that can reach a height of at least 1 meter without much effort.
Their behavior sometimes resembles that of a dog, since sphinxes are able to bring various objects to their owner. They easily open doors, as well as various cabinets, and can repeat basic tricks. Thanks to their unique appearance, as well as their natural acting talent, sphinxes are loved by filmmakers and photographers.
How long do sphinxes live?
At one time, a sphinx named Bambi set a longevity record, living for 19 years. Since then, no representatives of hairless cats have managed to break this record.
According to experts, the average life expectancy of sphinxes is just over 12 years, which is due to the consequences of breeding. In order for your pet to live as long as possible, special attention should be paid to a healthy diet, attentive care, and frequent visits to an experienced veterinarian.
Varieties of Maine Coon crosses with other cats
With a Siberian cat
Siberian cats are stockier, have a short neck, soft, long, uniform hair, smooth muzzle lines, and ears tilted forward.
Maine Coons have an elongated body with a longer neck and have an elongated muzzle with a well-defined chin, ears vertical to the head and have tufts. Metis will be larger than the Siberian, but smaller than the Maine Coon. Some may have tassels on their ears. The coat is often Siberian or intermediate. Possible presence of a long tail, rare. Usually quite effective. The character is simpler than that of Maine Coons, which makes them easier to keep.
With an ordinary cat
The most common crossbreed. Such mestizos are usually larger than barn cats. Color is also often transmitted. There are no tassels on the ears. Tail length is not usually passed down from Maine Coons. The coat is usually not Maine Coon - much shorter, which is more convenient to maintain. In general, it resembles an ordinary cat, only larger.
With Scottish Fold
Osteochondrodysplasia is a malformation of cartilage in Scottish Fold cats and their mixtures.
It manifests itself as deformation of bone and cartilage tissue on the paws and tail. This disease is incurable and is noticeable only closer to the age of one year.
As a result of mixed genes, kittens are often born that have serious health problems, namely pathologies in the structure of the musculoskeletal system.
In addition, the mestizo looks unsightly - the kittens born from such a union have poor hair and are smaller in size.
With a British cat
Also a common cross. The shape of the head is practically not inherited from the Maine Coon. There are no tassels on the ears either. The coat is short. He just turns out to be a very large Briton.
With the Sphinx.
A very uninteresting mix. Lack of fur is not transmitted. Strong splitting of signs towards a yard cat.
Buying a Sphynx: tips, recommendations
The best option is to purchase a kitten from a reputable breeder, and not from the first amateur on the market. Of course, it is not so easy to determine who is a serious breeder and who just wants to make money. Therefore, you will have to involve your acquaintances and friends who have a Sphynx cat at home. Alternatively, you can find a lot of information on the Internet.
The most suitable option is to contact a nursery that breeds this breed. Of course, this costs a lot of money, but this is a guarantee that you are purchasing a truly purebred kitten, which is accompanied by all the necessary documents.
What is important when choosing a kitten
If you purchase a kitten from a cattery located in another city, you can ask the breeders to shoot a video and take pictures. It is better to pay attention to small-breed nurseries. It will not be superfluous to know when the mother of the kittens had a previous birth, since the difference between the next births should not be less than six months.
The breeder is obliged to provide the following documents:
It is better to pick up the kitten yourself, since it is possible to carry out a visual inspection of the animal, in particular the skin, teeth, ears and eyes. You should also pay attention to the behavior of the kitten, which should be active and playful.
How much do Sphynx kittens cost?
The cost of kittens of this breed depends on a number of factors, such as the breed, breeding line, class of the animal and its color, status of the nursery and region of location.
Don Sphynx kittens are sold at prices ranging from 5 to 12 thousand rubles, while Canadian ones are much more expensive. It’s safe to say that the cheapest ones cost 5 thousand rubles, but the most expensive ones reach 150 thousand rubles.
Owner reviews
No one has any doubt that these are unique creatures, especially those who have become the proud owners of this breed. Evidence of their uniqueness is that they have no fur at all, and their ears stick out like a pair of locators. Despite their original appearance, these animals, like other cat breeds, love to play, so they rush around the house or apartment like crazy, pressing their long ears to their backs.
Sphynxes, like all other cats, have well-developed healing properties and, as a rule, they always lay on their owner’s sore spot in order to expel illness.
According to Sphynx owners, these creatures hardly consider themselves cats, since they are too elegant, aristocratic and smart.
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Problems and breeding
A decent breeder will never approve of the meaningful mating of a coon and an outbred female. This often leads to the following consequences:
A cat may die in childbirth if the kittens are very large; The purity of the breed is lost; You cannot conduct breeding activities with a half-breed; Unpredictable animals in terms of mental health and health.
As a rule, mestizos are sold at low prices. They are of no interest and lose value for breeding. The work of the breeder is highly appreciated. The price for a purebred kitten cannot be below a certain level.
Differences between a coon and a purebred kitten:
Large sizes; Recognizable muzzle profile; Large ears, possibly with a tassel; Semi-long topcoat; A long tail; Strong bones; Wide chest.
Before buying a coon, you should look at his parents, find out their origins and study pedigrees. The breeder always hands over the documents (metrics) of his graduates. Otherwise, there is a risk of acquiring an outbred animal. Kittens move to a new home no earlier than 3 months, after vaccinations and other necessary procedures. Mestizos are usually given away earlier due to the high costs of raising them.
In the recent past, there have already been attempts to register non-purebred coons. Several breeds were used to breed them:
A similar situation is observed in the dog world, but there designer breeds have become successful due to their cute appearance and clever advertising. Both types of kuna hybrids have remained unrecognized by the felinological community. The work did not live up to the hopes of the breeders. The resulting kittens turned out to be of different types, without the desired characteristics.
Problems also arise when cat owners realize they don't have a coon. Many raised animals end up in shelters or worse, on the street. Growing up at home, they cannot withstand the difficulties they encounter on their own. In addition, uncontrolled reproduction begins, and the number of street children is rapidly increasing. They are susceptible to infections, their immunity is weakened, and the infection spreads further.
