Sphynx Body & Eye Colors

[CoolSphynx]

I have trouble figuring out sphynx body coloring and was wondering if knowing the eye color of the sphynx can help me narrow it down. For example, I've never seen a black sphynx with blue eyes-- can they occur? Also, can only white sphynx have two different colored eyes? I wonder if there is a site where I can look up the different body colors and possible eye colors with pictures? Thanksss!

 

[Maggies mommy]

I have trouble figuring out sphynx body coloring and was wondering if knowing the eye color of the sphynx can help me narrow it down. For example, I've never seen a black sphynx with blue eyes-- can they occur? Also, can only white sphynx have two different colored eyes? I wonder if there is a site where I can look up the different body colors and possible eye colors with pictures? Thanksss!

Hey coolsphynx I have googled sphynx colors & there are alot of helpful sites, some have pics some don't but of course the sites with pics are better. Sorry I don't have an actual link but just google it.

 

[Sam lewis]

I think only whites tend to have one eye different colour to the other, its usually the same in some white furred cats and some dogs. But I could be wrong, think its usually the case though.

 

[gizmo6370]

For example, I've never seen a black sphynx with blue eyes-- can they occur? Also, can only white sphynx have two different colored eyes?

A black sphynx with blue eyes....sure.....but it is always a seal point...i have one in my photo album....she's the mama of our new boy Zodiac.....

http://www.sphynxlair.com/album.php?albumid=133&pictureid=1616

And odd eyes also can come in colour cats.....take a look at this site.....

http://www.josercat.com/kittens

You have to scroll down to the E - litter....there you see a black and white male with a blue and a green eye and also an tortie girl with a blue and green eye....so you see....they dont have to be all white
If you look at the same website at the males and females....you will see more odd eyed pictures and black cats with blue eyes....

 

[pinupcats]

I have trouble figuring out sphynx body coloring and was wondering if knowing the eye color of the sphynx can help me narrow it down. For example, I've never seen a black sphynx with blue eyes-- can they occur? Also, can only white sphynx have two different colored eyes? I wonder if there is a site where I can look up the different body colors and possible eye colors with pictures? Thanksss!

Sphynx colors - that is a question that often baffles even the most seasoned Sphynx breeder. Because we don't breed for color - there are ZERO points for color, eye or body, in our standard, we don't concentrate on it. Also, because certain coat patters are seen on the hair shafts as opposed to the skin, it's harder if quite impossible, to see on a Sphynx. For example, Tabby Sphynx can often loose quite a bit of the markings as they age. This is because the ticking that causes the patter is on the hair folicles and not always the skin. There are always exceptions, I've seen some beautiful Tabby sphynx, but generally, a kitten that starts off tabby, may not appear tabby as they get older. You don't see "smoke" Sphynx either but genetically, they are out there. Because we are dealing with "skin" instead of fur, our colors are not so easy to see or figure out.

As someone mentioned, a blue eyed black cat is really a seal point as genetically, a blue eyed black cat (unless a seal point) is not possible. Odd eyes can come in different colored cats but it's seen more often in white cats due to the spotting factor.

As breeders we try and aim for health, type and temperment first and formost. I don't breed for color so it's always christmas when a litter is born as I never know what colors I'm going to get. In a recent litter, I was given a very different colored boy, verdic is still out (he's only a couple of weeks old) but he's either going to be a chocolate or lavender male. Very odd looking compared to his red siblings. And since I'm no color expert, I'll have him DNA tested to be sure I lable his registration papers right.

Sphynx colors - they truly are fun to talk about and deliberate over!

Cyndee

 

[harley]

Sphynx colors - that is a question that often baffles even the most seasoned Sphynx breeder. Because we don't breed for color - there are ZERO points for color, eye or body, in our standard, we don't concentrate on it. Also, because certain coat patters are seen on the hair shafts as opposed to the skin, it's harder if quite impossible, to see on a Sphynx. For example, Tabby Sphynx can often loose quite a bit of the markings as they age. This is because the ticking that causes the patter is on the hair folicles and not always the skin. There are always exceptions, I've seen some beautiful Tabby sphynx, but generally, a kitten that starts off tabby, may not appear tabby as they get older. You don't see "smoke" Sphynx either but genetically, they are out there. Because we are dealing with "skin" instead of fur, our colors are not so easy to see or figure out.

As someone mentioned, a blue eyed black cat is really a seal point as genetically, a blue eyed black cat (unless a seal point) is not possible. Odd eyes can come in different colored cats but it's seen more often in white cats due to the spotting factor.

As breeders we try and aim for health, type and temperment first and formost. I don't breed for color so it's always christmas when a litter is born as I never know what colors I'm going to get. In a recent litter, I was given a very different colored boy, verdic is still out (he's only a couple of weeks old) but he's either going to be a chocolate or lavender male. Very odd looking compared to his red siblings. And since I'm no color expert, I'll have him DNA tested to be sure I lable his registration papers right.

Sphynx colors - they truly are fun to talk about and deliberate over!

Cyndee

I am glad some one brought this subject up, I was looking into it my self and was gona start a thread. I have 4 sphynx cats and don't under stand what the diffrences are my self. I have what I would call a Gray or black male with blue eyes so he would be a Seal? or Mink? Since he was adopted I am not sure what to call it. My little girls are red/green eyed and black/greened. My little boy is moo cow spoted pink/gray with green eyes. so with all these diffrent colors whatis the simplest way to tell? I though maybe there were subbreeds of sphynx that gave them the diffrent names for some of the colors. I am lost. all i know is I love them. But i would like to understand it better.

 

[heather]

I agree that this is so interesting. I'm trying so hard to understand it but it's still confusing. I love all the colors.

 

[harley]

that is so true. I love them all, and I am finding out that it is not just Sphynx owners that have it rough deciding what color their cat is, my brother has two bengal kittens and they are still figuring out them too. What happened to simple???black, what, gray, pink, and spotted???lol

 

[pinupcats]

I am glad some one brought this subject up, I was looking into it my self and was gona start a thread. I have 4 sphynx cats and don't under stand what the diffrences are my self. I have what I would call a Gray or black male with blue eyes so he would be a Seal? or Mink? Since he was adopted I am not sure what to call it. My little girls are red/green eyed and black/greened. My little boy is moo cow spoted pink/gray with green eyes. so with all these diffrent colors whatis the simplest way to tell? I though maybe there were subbreeds of sphynx that gave them the diffrent names for some of the colors. I am lost. all i know is I love them. But i would like to understand it better.

Hey Harley,

Just by looking at some of the pictures of your babies you've posted, here is what I would guess at for colors based on the images alone - Oba is probably a blue mink or a blue mink Tabby. Nuba is a red girl, Harley is a blue and white bi-color and your black is a green eyed black. Most of your blacks are going to have green or gold eye coloring.

As for Mink and Point - they are both thermal genes (meaning the color is based on body tempeture like the Siamese, Tonkenease and Burmese.) These kittens are born all white and their coloring comes in as they grow. There is Sepia as well but since that requires a ticking of the hair shaft, and our cats are bald, DNA testing is often needed to identify it.

You will also find that some associations refer to colors differently. For example, a Calico in CFA is not the same as a Torti in CFA. While in TICA a Calico and Torti are the same. Add in tabby and you get a Torby in TICA while in CFA it's called a Brown Patched Tabby.

Colors are fun to talk about but they sure can leave a breeder scratching their heads! Thankfully now with DNA testing available we can make sure we are registering our cats with the correct coloring.

Cyndee

 

[harley]

THANKS I don't completly follow it all, but I am very interseted in learning all I can about my babies. It is fun figuring them out. They are so diffrent both in color and action than most cats. My four are a hand full, but worth every min. How long have you been breeding? All of mine are Spaded or Neutered. I adopted 3 of mine a little over a month ago and Harley I got froma breeder back in June. So this is al still new and I am learning everything I can. It seems there is just so much to learn. From skin care to the right litterbox. to how much love and attention to proper house temp to dressing and so on,... I keep reading and finding new things daily. That is why this site has been so helpful. Is there any thing that you recommend to read as far as learning about the diffrent colorings? Any help is appreated.

 

[pinupcats]

THANKS I don't completly follow it all, but I am very interseted in learning all I can about my babies. It is fun figuring them out. They are so diffrent both in color and action than most cats. My four are a hand full, but worth every min. How long have you been breeding? All of mine are Spaded or Neutered. I adopted 3 of mine a little over a month ago and Harley I got froma breeder back in June. So this is al still new and I am learning everything I can. It seems there is just so much to learn. From skin care to the right litterbox. to how much love and attention to proper house temp to dressing and so on,... I keep reading and finding new things daily. That is why this site has been so helpful. Is there any thing that you recommend to read as far as learning about the diffrent colorings? Any help is appreated.

The best way to learn colors is to learn the genetics behind them. There is a book called "The Book of the Cat" that has a nice little section and pictures about genetics and colors. There is also a free online newsletter called Sphynx Breeders and Enthusiasts that has some good articles about colors and other things that would interest any Sphynx owner.

I've been showing since 2004 and breeding since 2006. So I'm still a "newbie" to many but I've done a lot of research and I'm always open to listing to what works for others and learning from each litter I have. I don't have a lot of litters and really try to make sure my lines are diverse and healthy. I have goals, which I find is really important in a breeding program. I don't breed to sell kittens, I breed to improve the health and type of these wonderful cats. I really want future generations to be able to enjoy out Sphynx as they are truly special creatures

Hugs
Cyndee
http://www.pinupcats.com

 

[harley]

The best way to learn colors is to learn the genetics behind them. There is a book called "The Book of the Cat" that has a nice little section and pictures about genetics and colors. There is also a free online newsletter called Sphynx Breeders and Enthusiasts that has some good articles about colors and other things that would interest any Sphynx owner.

I've been showing since 2004 and breeding since 2006. So I'm still a "newbie" to many but I've done a lot of research and I'm always open to listing to what works for others and learning from each litter I have. I don't have a lot of litters and really try to make sure my lines are diverse and healthy. I have goals, which I find is really important in a breeding program. I don't breed to sell kittens, I breed to improve the health and type of these wonderful cats. I really want future generations to be able to enjoy out Sphynx as they are truly special creatures

Hugs
Cyndee
http://www.pinupcats.com

To that I agree. They are the most special thing I have found, and God forbid if something happened to my four, but I don't think I can ever be without one again. I Wish i had been even more prepared than I was when i got Harley, Cause I learn new things every day just about Caring for him, i can't even imagine what you would have to know to breed them. Guess that is why I don't breed I just play with them..:Laugh: But I do want to learn all I can, both for their sake and incase I change my mind years from now. With five cats I have NO PLANS to try and get more and start a breeding program. I just want to understand them better. Thanks I will check out that book.

Donna

 

[bila]

Sphynx colors - that is a question that often baffles even the most seasoned Sphynx breeder. Because we don't breed for color - there are ZERO points for color, eye or body, in our standard, we don't concentrate on it. Also, because certain coat patters are seen on the hair shafts as opposed to the skin, it's harder if quite impossible, to see on a Sphynx. For example, Tabby Sphynx can often loose quite a bit of the markings as they age. This is because the ticking that causes the patter is on the hair folicles and not always the skin. There are always exceptions, I've seen some beautiful Tabby sphynx, but generally, a kitten that starts off tabby, may not appear tabby as they get older. You don't see "smoke" Sphynx either but genetically, they are out there. Because we are dealing with "skin" instead of fur, our colors are not so easy to see or figure out.

As someone mentioned, a blue eyed black cat is really a seal point as genetically, a blue eyed black cat (unless a seal point) is not possible. Odd eyes can come in different colored cats but it's seen more often in white cats due to the spotting factor.

As breeders we try and aim for health, type and temperment first and formost. I don't breed for color so it's always christmas when a litter is born as I never know what colors I'm going to get. In a recent litter, I was given a very different colored boy, verdic is still out (he's only a couple of weeks old) but he's either going to be a chocolate or lavender male. Very odd looking compared to his red siblings. And since I'm no color expert, I'll have him DNA tested to be sure I lable his registration papers right.

Sphynx colors - they truly are fun to talk about and deliberate over!

Cyndee

hello,
would you please educate me a bit on eye color in Sphinx?
in your experience if an odd eye male will be mated with a regular eye female what would be the chance of some of the kittens having odd eyes ?
thx