DEVON REX AND SPHYNX
NOBILERO DEVON REX AND SPHYNX CATS AND KITTENS
GCCF STANDARD OF POINTS FOR SPHYNX CATS
CAOIMHE
General Type Standard
The most distinctive feature of the cat is its lack of fur. The Sphynx is of medium size, boning and body conformation with surprising weight for its size. The head shape is a modified wedge, with prominent cheekbones and whisker pads. The body is warm and soft to the touch, with a chamois leather like texture to the skin. Males are generally larger than females. The Sphynx is sweet-tempered, lively, intelligent and amenable to handling.
Head - The head is a modified wedge with rounded contours, slightly longer than it is wide, with prominent cheekbones and distinctive whisker breaks with prominent whisker pads, strong rounded 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 stop at the bridge of the nose. Strong chin, level bite with the nose leather and chin in a straight line.
Ears - Large, wide open at the base tapering to a rounded tip. They are set at a slight angle to the head with the outer base of the ears level with the outer corner of the eye but are not flaring. The interior of the ear is naturally without furnishing.
Eyes - Large and lemon shaped, slanting slightly upwards towards the outer edges of the ears and set wide apart. Any colour acceptable.
Body - The body is medium length, hard and muscular with a broad rounded chest and abdomen. The rump is well rounded and muscular. The neck is medium to long and well muscled. Allowance to be made for heavy musculature in adult males.
Legs and Feet - Legs are of medium length but in proportion to the body and are sturdy and well muscled. The hind legs are slightly longer than the front. Paws are oval. The toes are long and slender and the paw pads are thick, giving the appearance of walking on cushions.
Tail - Long and slender, in proportion to the body length, heavier at the base and tapering to the tip.
Down/Skin - There is a fine down on the skin, almost imperceptible to the eye, giving the overall feel of soft warm chamois leather. Slightly thicker down is permissible on the bridge of the nose, back of the ears, on the feet, scrotum and, to a lesser extent, the tail. The coat texture creates a feeling of resistance when stroking the cat. Wrinkled skin may appear particularly around the muzzle, between the ears and around the shoulders. Anywhiskers and eyebrows should be short and sparse.
Colour - Colour is irrelevant; a cat should not be penalised if apparently wrongly registered as there are no points for colour.
SCALE OF POINTS
Head (35) Body (35) Skin & Down 30 Total 100 Withhold all awards for: 1. The complete absence of down 2. Excessive fur - eg coat on body Withhold Certificates or First Prizes in Kitten Open Classes for: 1. Disproportionately small ears 2. Round eyes 3. Lack of prominent cheekbones 4. Lack of whisker breaks with prominent whisker pads 5. Rounded feet or thin paw pads 6. Delicate appearance 7. Any other defect as listed in the preface to this SOP booklet
Care of the Sphynx
Although Sphynx cats appear naked, they are covered with a very fine down almost impossible to see. Slightly thicker down evident on the muzzle, ears, feet and tail. The overall feel of a sphynx is that of warm chamois leather or a peach. Sphynx come in all colours and patterns, but are classified as one variety.
General Care
As the Sphynx lacks a coat, and body oils cannot be absorbed by the fur, but these can be removed by bathing, which some Sphynx enjoy. Attention should be taken to their ears and feet as they can get very dirty with wax but maybe cleaned easily with cotton buds. Sphynx are not delicate and do not require extra heat, as many people think. In fact, this will make they sweat more. An ordinary cat bed with a blanket that they can wrap up in is perfectly acceptable. Sphynx are lively, intelligent and good natured cats and should be easy to handle. They crave human company, following their owners around the house. They live quite happily with other breeds and dogs. As they are so gregarious they should never be kept as the only cat in a household, but have some form of feline company - ideally another sphynx.
