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"Sphynx" but not a SPHYNX?

k82b

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Dec 25, 2016
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I had been researching this breed for eons. I reviewed so many breeders and finally found one that did all the right things. We chatted back and forth via email and she sent some pictures. A red flag popped up when I was rereading the email: "these are the nakeds".

I know she outcrosses, but do breeders call a F2 or F3 a Sphynx? Just because it has the hairless gene doesn't mean it is a Sphynx. Wouldn't these babies need to be an F4 or higher to actually be considered Sphynxes? I want the Sphynx temperament, not just a naked cat. If I'm going to pay $1600 I want a purebred so I have a much better chance of having the temperament that the breed is known for.

I'm going to ask her about it, but is this a common practice? Selling hairless cats that would not qualify for TIFA or CFA but yet referring to them as a Sphynx?

What are your thoughts?
 

Toa and Ross

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@k82b welcome to sphynxlair! Good to read you're doing a lot of research.

I don't know about the situation in your country but here in the Netherlands outcrossed sphynxes with hair are allowed to be called Sphynx as long as it goes with the F2 or F3. As I was told this is because they have the hairless gene and the personality of a sphynx. Specially breeder who have much experience with outcrossing sphynxes do breed sphynx F2 or F3 with the personality of a sphynx. This F2 or F3 sphynxes are most of the time cheaper then naked sphynxes (half of the price). But as said that's the situation here in the Netherlands.

Is it possible for you to visit the breeder and the kittens? And of course all depends if you want a naked sphynx or if you don't mind an outcross with some hair.

Natasja
 

Lickleone

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The hairy ones are still Sphynx they just hairy Sphynx and they have the same temperament and the nakeds. No one can guarantee that your naked Sphynx no matter how pure bred is going to remain naked. Some will in time get furry tail or legs some one there's no one that can give you 100% that they will remain totally bald that does not mean they are not pure bred either it's just the way the cookie crumbles

As for the hairy born Sphynx breeders who are working on their line will have hairy ones there is nothing wrong with them trying to find them homes etc. When speaking to the breeder just be specific that you want naked Sphynx
 

Sheldon13

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I would always look into it more too, of course. Can I say though that most of us call them "nakeds" at some time? Maybe she is just referring to them affectionately?


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celsei

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The Sphynx temperament is caused by hairlessness, Donskoys (Russian hairless cats) have the same personality with completely different genetics. Highly doubt the generation has anything to do with their personality, I don't know what the show cat pedigree standards are but I don't find it relevant for anything other than looks. "Purebred" sphynxes with no outcrosses are unethical and prone to health problems as the hairless gene affects their internal function.
 
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Casiamri

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Oct 3, 2016
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The boy that I'm getting is an F2 and she calls them sphynx. He is almost completely naked, as is 2 other siblings and the other 2 are a tiny bit fuzzy.


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Cleopatra Beers

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You are getting a Sphynx. We had a member here a few years ago who has several Sphynx. She had F2s that were fully furred, partially furred and naked, but they are all still Sphynxes. As the others have said, there is no guarantee of hairlessness or that the cat will never grow hair.
My Cleopatra came to us with hair only on her legs, face, ears and tail, and bald everywhere else. Today, at age 5 1/2, she has fur on most of her back and sides, and is still bald on her belly and hips. We just shrug and call it her "moth-eaten cape." Marcus came to us with hair only on his nose, and so far, at age 3 1/2, only has 2 or 3 teensy tiny patches of fuzz that look like some lint is sticking to him. His parents were both Grand Champions, but his mother had quite a bit of fur on her sides and back when we last saw her. Her owner thinks it was due to pregnancy and nursing hormones.
 

Doug

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Mar 13, 2020
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This is Buckeye ,,He was born 10/14/2019 ,,He has a full body of hair ,his parents are completely hairless (naked) and his brother as well...My question is will this hair stay after losing some which he is ?? Or will he shed hair like all cats do.....Thank you,
 

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Yoda mom

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@Doug, welcoming you and adorable Buckeye to the lair family! hope you are an active member with this fun friendly bunch with lots of pics and tales ,he is adorable! surely members will chime in with their experiences . hugs and head smooches here is a link that may help:

 
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