DONSKOY ORIGIN


    The Don Sphynx is a Russian breed whose history starts with the story of the first hairless cat found in the city Rostov-on-Don in Russia in 1987.  Elena Kovaleva, Professor of the State Pedagogical Institute, encountered a wild scene as she headed home.  Boys playing soccer with a bag and inside the bag was a kitten squalling in fear and pain.

     Elena took the bag and brought the kitten home.  The kitten she named Varvara.  She grew up........ loosing her hair.

     Varvara was treated against lichen and demodecosis, but all in vain and within a couple of years she had given birth to completely hairless kittens.  People decided the kittens had to be unhealthy and got rid of them all except for one which Irina Nemikina rescued.  Irina Nemikina –being an enthusiast professional cat breeder had in several years generated a completely new hairless breed.  Irina Nemikina called her new hairless breed  Don Sphynx.    TICA un accepting the name Don Sphynx now calls Irina Nemikina’s Russian hairless breed The Donskoy!

    None of the experts took the news about the Russian Sphynx seriously.  People thought it was just one more trick; it was a unified decision all around Russia not to take it seriously.  But Russians like gifts; they accepted the kittens as gifts.  They examined the cats and  found no one shaved or epilated them.  The experts had to change their resolve.

    During the next few years the new breed of hairless Russian cat the Don Sphynx witnessed drastic development in Russia.  In spite of high prices it turned out to be very prestigious to have a Don Sphynx in your home.

    But there were problems with the breeding of the new cats.  The limited numbers of purebred animals were the main difficulty.  It was allowed till 2000 to breed the Don Sphynx with aboriginal Russian breeds which were close to the Don Sphynx.  It was only the Siberian and European short-hair cats that were used for outcross breeding.

    At present purebred Don Sphynx are becoming more numerous and there is no need to use other cat breeds to maintain their breed.  Don Sphynx catteries in Moscow and Chelyabinsk in Russia, Kiev in the Ukraine, and of course here in Sherwood Park Alberta are now producing admirable Don Sphynx kittens in the fourth generation.  There are also Donskoy catteries in the USA producing beautiful Dons.

    Some breeders choose to mix the Don Sphynx with other breeds, e.g. the Siamese and Oriental.  The resulting breed received the name Petersburg Sphynx.  They are now referred to as the Peterbald.  Though the Peterbald is a hairless cat, it is not a bald cat and it carries its own completely different distinguishing traits.

    One of the main characteristics of the Don Sphynx is that one of its coat types is a complete lack of hair.  Yes! It can be completely bald.  No down or light covering of any kind that can be found in other breeds considered hairless.  In 1996 the breed was registered in World Cat Federation (WFC) as Don Sphynx.

    The Don Sphynx is different in appearance and build from the Canadian Sphynx.  There is no connection between these two hairless types of cats.  In fact they are so genetically different the two cannot be bred.  The Canadian Sphynx carries a Recessive gene while the Don Sphynx carries a Dominant gene.  Don Sphynx have a strong healthy heart and high resistance against stress and illness.


                                 
    Anna's Beautiful CLEOCHKA  RAISIN TAIS BABY STARS
        From                                    and her Momma  in  
    Discover DonS Cattery                     Kirovograd Ukraine 
        in Kiev Ukraine                      before immigrating to Canada



    The Don Sphynx have well-developed lungs, a compact muscular elongated body and a rounded tummy.  The tail is long and rat like but soft and swishy.  Paws have long fingers and toes (called monkey fingers) that appear like little hands and their pads are very plump and thick.  Their limbs are long and agile and wrinkles appear around the main joints during movement.  Their brow is wide and their ears are gigantic as you can see in the photographs.  The face is short, with large cheek-bones, medium to large almond-shaped eyes and a powerful chin.

    Don Sphynx are usually Bald; although some have Flock, soft Velour or Brush Coats.  Don Sphynx has the least fur covering of any breed of cat.  They are described as feeling velvety and hot to the touch.  The Brush coat, although rare, is ideal for a child that suffers from allergies to cat hair, yet still wants a fluffy kitten.  If the child is not allergic to cat saliva, they can usually have a fluffy kittens with this coat type.  The gene that causes the allergic reaction appears to be missing from the genetic makeup in the Don Sphynx.

    Don Sphynx is a totally indoor cat.  Thorns, sharp stones and the claws of other cats that "coated" felines might not notice can cause wounds on them.  Even brushing against a wall may cause scratches.  Don Sphynx are sensitive to cold.  Don Sphynx love to lay in the sun and tan but need to do it in a safe controlled environment.  They develop pigment and absorb vitamin D, which is necessary to metabolize calcium.  So it is necessary for Don Sphynx to have access to a sunny place.  But beware; they will burn in excessively sunny places just like we will.

    Don Sphynx are said to be one of the most affectionate of all cats.  Some say this may be due to the fact they are so dependent on us.  I don't believe that for a moment.  They are highly intelligent and very resourceful.  I believe they are one of the most affection of all cats because of their intelligence and ability to empathize.  They are among the most special, loving, kindhearted and spiritual little beings I have ever come to know.

    If you want a Don Sphynx, make sure your rooms are draft free and well heated in the winter.  It should be warm enough so that a human could walk around naked without risking a cold.  If you are away at work all day this is not the cat for you unless they have another pet as company for them while you are away.  They need company!  They thrive on giving and receiving attention and have been known to die without it.

    This is one of the only breeds suitable for humans allergic to cat hair.  The gene causing the allergic reaction to cat hair appears to be missing in the Don Sphynx.  If you are allergic to cat saliva you may still be allergic to the Don Sphynx. (WARNING: consult your doctor first). If the allergy is to cat saliva there is a cat shampoo available that can be used to cut down the effect the saliva has on your allergy if the allergy is not too severe.
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