Pedigree Cat Breeds - Don Sphynx

The story of the Don Sphinx begins in Rostov-0n-Don (Don is a Russian lake) in 1987. On the way home one evening a professor at the State's educational studies institute came across a blue cream cat with very little hair. Elena Kavaleva took this little girl in and named her 'Vavara.' For a long time she thought that the cat was sick and that this was the cause of her hairlessness. The cat went on to have kittens and some of these had fine hair that disappeared as they grew older. A cat breeder named Irina Nemykina from Mythe Cattery heard about the cats and took a female called 'Chita' who founded the breed Don Sphinx.
The Don sphinx are a very friendly cat, some people say that they are more like a dog than a cat. They will meet you at the door from work, come when called and like nothing better than to cuddle. They are very intelligent and make great hot water bottles. 

I have a Devon Rex and their personalities are very similar. Once you meet one you have to have one in your family!


There are three coat types to the Don Sphinx and you may get any combination in a litter…Nude - these are totally hairless and are the most desired. Velour - these are just like the name suggests covered in a soft velvety fur they may lose as they grow but feel wonderful. Brush - these have a fine wiry coat that is slightly wavy they cannot be shown but are still brilliant pets and prove useful for breeding. Again the hair may be lost as they grow.

It has been said that hairless cats are Hypoallergenic and are ok for people with allergies. This isn't entirely true as it is not the cat hair that causes the allergy but the saliva that is the allergen.  

When a cat cleans itself it leaves saliva on the fur, then when one comes into contact with the fur the allergy sufferer has a reaction - hence the common misconception that it is the hair that causes the allergy. Because these cats have little or no hair to shed they don't cause as much reaction as other cats but are not totally hypoallergenic.

Standard: (Breed index: DSX ). General: Hairless cats of medium size, with strong bones, wrinkled skin, soft and hot to the touch. Clearly expresses 'sexual dimorphism.' They are very active and friendly. Kittens may be born fully or partly hairless or covered by wavy rex coat with bald spot on the head. Curly whiskers are distinguished sign for newly born Don sphinx. Eyes are opened early - on the 1-3 day.

Head: Modified short to medium-long wedge with finely outlined cheek-bones and eyebrows. Noticeable eye-balls. Flat forehead. Nose of medium length, straight, with slight dip to the forehead. The muzzle is not long, clearly defined, slightly rounded. Canine teeth are long, may be protruding from behind the upper lip. Chin and jaws are well-developed.

Whiskers: Curly, thick, may be broken or be absent.

Ears: Large, set wide apart, slightly tilted forward, wide opened, with rounded tips. The outer edge of the ear is in the cheeks-line.

Eyes: Medium size, almond shaped, set slanted, not wide opened (Any colours).

Body: Medium length, dense, muscular, strong boned, with wide croup. Straight, medium long legs, rounded paws, long toes.

Tail: Medium long, straight, tapering to the tip.

Skin: Elastic, excessive, wrinkled on the head, neck, under legs and in the groin. With young cats the muzzle may be covered with short, thin fur, slightly lengthened on cheeks and at the ears base. Slim fur trimming of the whole body can make the appearance in winter. Allowance to be made for residual fur on the points, muzzle, ears, legs and tail. The residual fur must fully disappeared by adult cats by 2 years. Full hairlessness is preferable. The variety brush - bristly - has safe wavy, often wire fur on the whole body, with bold area on the head, upper part of neck or on the back. They can be used in breeding, take part in the cat show, but can't take part in the Championships.

Colours: All colours are acceptable. All tabby and tortietabby variety combined into the tabby and tortietabby group without distinguishing as per their markings.

Faults: Too short, round head or long narrow wedge, small or low set ears, round eyes, too short or long slim body, short tail, covering with thin short wavy fur on the whole body, malocclusion less than 2 mm, too weak chin.

Disqualify: one or both eyelids turn inwards. Malocclusion more then 2mm. Complete covering of normal fur.

Outcross with other breeds: European SH, Thai. Outcrossing with phenotypic aborigines is recommended checking as per quality of the offspring.

Point score: Head (shape and proportion, shape and set ears and eyes) 25, Type (proportion of the body, legs and tail) 30, Skin, wrinkles 40, Condition 5. Total 100

Note: this standard was specified and established on 25.05.2000 (valid up to 01.06.2003) at the Co-ordination Meeting of IFSJ, Felinological Unions and GUS clubs.

Profile written by (Click to view profile): Casadeva Don Sphynx

Photos & texts on this page © 2008 - 2009: Casadeva Don Sphynx

*Breed standards may vary according to cat governing body