Donskoy - Don Sphynx Cat

a pretty donskoy kitten with a long skinny tail

a muscular donskoy cat with a wrinkled face

a cute little donskoy kitten with big ears

a beautiful donskoy cat with a lithe body

a sleek donskoy cat with curled whiskers

History

The history of the Donskoy cat breed begins in the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don in 1987. Cat breeder Elena Kovaleva discovered a hairless cat that was no relation to the better known hairless Sphynx. The hairless Sphynx gene is recessive whereas the Don hairlessness is caused by a dominant gene.

The Don Sphynx Cat breed was officially recognized by World Cat Federation (WCF) in 1997, and by The International Cat Association (TICA) in 2005. The breed standard describes the cat as being medium-sized and muscular, with large ears, almond shaped eyes and distinctive long, webbed toes.

Despite their lack of hair they still need frequent grooming and bathing in order to keep their skin oil free.

Behaviour

The Donksoy makes a great pet because they are active, playful and affectionate. Their hairless coat means they particularly love a warm cuddle in winter and a good game around the house to get them warmed up.

These are muscular cats who are also highly intelligent. They will be inquisitive around the home and love exploring their surroundings.