SPHYNX
Standard of Excellence
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
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The Sphynx appears to be a hairless cat, although it is not truly hairless. The skin should have the texture of chamois. It may be covered with very fine down which is almost imperceptible to both the eye and the touch. On the ears, muzzle, tail, feet and scrotum, short, soft, fine hair is allowed. Lack of coat makes the cat quite warm to the touch. Whiskers and eyebrows may be present, either whole or broken, or may be totally absent. The cat should not be small or dainty. Males may be up to twenty-five percent larger so long as proper proportions are maintained. The Sphynx is sweet-tempered, lively, intelligent and above all amenable to handling.
| Head
| Shape
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Medium-sized, modified wedge with rounded contours, slightly longer than wide. Skull is slightly rounded with a rather flat forehead and prominent cheekbones and a distinct whisker break.
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| Eyes
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Large, rounded lemon shape. Slanting to outer corner of ear. Slightly more than an eye width between eyes.
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| Ears
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Very large, broad at base and open. Set upright, neither low set nor on top of the head. The interior is totally hairless. Slight amount of hair allowed on lower outside edges and on the back of the ear.
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| Muzzle
& Chin
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Strong rounded muzzle with distinct whisker break and firm chin.
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| Profile
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Slight to moderate stop at bridge of nose.
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| Neck
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Medium in length, rounded and well-muscled. The neck arches from the shoulders to the base of the skull and is powerful, especially in males.
| | Body
| Torso
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Medium in size, medium to medium long in length. The chest is broad, may tend toward barrel-chested. The abdomen is well rounded, having the appearance of having eaten a large meal, but not fat.
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| Legs
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Length in proportion with body, with medium boning and firm musculature. Hind legs slightly longer than front. Front legs widely set. Females may have slightly finer boning.
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| Feet
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Medium in size, oval shape with long, slender toes. The paw pads are thicker than in other breeds, giving the cat the appearance of walking on “air cushions” . The toes are very long, slender and prominent.
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| Tail
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Whippy, tapering from body to tip (rat-tailed). Length is in proportion to body. A lion tail (puff of hair on tip) acceptable.
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| Musculature
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Hard and muscular, not delicate.
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| Boning
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Medium.
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