Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF)

The most distinctive feature of the cat is it's lack of fur. The Sphynx is of medium size, boning and body conformation with surprising weight for it's size. The head shape is a modified wedge, with prominent cheekbones and whisker pads. The body is warm and soft to the touch, with a chamois leather like texture to the skin. Males are generally larger than females. The Sphynx is sweet-tempered, lively, intelligent and amenable to handling.
Head- The head is a modified wedge with rounded contours, slightly longer than it is wide, with prominent cheekbones and distinctive whisker breaks with prominent whisker pads, strong rounded muzzle. The skull is slightly rounded with a flat plane in front of the ears. The nose is straight and there is a slight to moderate stop at the bridge of the nose. Strong chin, level bite with the nose leather and chin in a straight line.
Ears- Large, wide open at base tapering to a rounded tip. They are set at a slight angle to the head with the outer base of the ears level with the outer corner of the eye but are not flaring. The interior of the ear is naturally without furnishing.
Eyes- Large and lemon shaped, slanting slightly upwards towards the outer edges of the ears and set wide apart. Any colour acceptable.
Body- The body is medium length, hard and muscular with a broad round chest and abdomen. The rump is well rounded and muscular. The neck is medium to long and well muscled, Allowance to be made for heavy musculature in adult male.
Legs & Feet- Legs are of medium length but in proportion to the body and are sturdy and well muscled. The hind legs are slightly longer than the front. Paws are oval. The toes are long and slender and the paw pads are thick,, giving the appearance of walking on cushions.
Tail- Long and slender, in proportion to the body length, heavier at the base and tapering to the tip.
Down/Skin- There is a fine down on the skin, almost imperceptible to the eye, giving the overall feel of soft warm chamois leather. Slightly thicker down is permissible on the bridge of the nose, aback of the ears, on the feet, scrotum and , to a lesser extent, the tail. The coat texture creates a feeling of resistance when stroking the cat. Wrinkled skin may appear particularly around the muzzle, between the ears and around the shoulder. Any whiskers and eyebrows should be short and sparse.
Colour- Colour is irrelevant, a cat should not be penalised if apparently wrongly registered as there are no points for colour.
SCALE OF POINTS - 100 POINTS
Head- shape & size=5 muzzle & chin=5 profile=5 cheekbones=5 eyes=5 ears=10 (35)
Body=15 Legs& feet=10 tail=5 neck=5
Skin & Down =30
Withhold all awards for: The complete absence of down & Excessive fur e.g.... coat on body

Withhold Certificates or First prizes in kitten open classes for:
Disproportionately small ears - Round eyes - Lack of prominent cheekbones - Lack of whisker breaks with prominent whisker pads - Rounded feet or thin paw pads - Delicate appearance - Any other defect as listed in the preface to these standard of points

 

FEDERATION  INTERNATIONAL  FELINE ( FIFE)

Head- medium,  Shape-modified wedge with rounded contours, slightly longer than wide. Skull- slightly rounded with a flat plane on the forehead. Profile- slight to moderate stop at bridge of a straight nose. Cheeks- prominent cheekbones. Muzzles- strong rounded muzzle and firm chin. Whiskas- Whole or broken, course. Ears- large, broad at base and open, slightly rounded tips interior is totally hairless sight amount of hair allowed on lower outside edges and on the back of the ear. Placement- upright, set at a slight angle on the head, not flaring. Eyes shape-lemon shaped, large, slanting to outer edge of tear slightly more than an eye width between eyes. Colour -ideally to conform to skin colour. Neck- medium length, shape is rounded and well muscled arches form shoulders to base of skull powerful, especially in males. Body - medium long, hard and muscular, not delicate full rounded abdomen, but not fat broad rounded chest. Legs- length in proportion with body, medium long hind legs slightly longer than front  legs widely set, medium boning, form and muscular. Paws- oval with long slender, prominent toes pads thicker than in other breeds, giving a the cat the appearance of walking on "air cushions". Tail- slender, broader at the base and tapering to the tip length in proportion to body, lion tail ( puff of hair on tip) acceptable.

Coat & Skin-appears hairless may be covered with short, fine down, chamois like, a feeling of resistance may be felt when stroking the skin of some cats. Wrinkles- wrinkled skin desirable especially around the muzzle, between the ears and around the shoulders, although wrinkling should not be so pronounced that it affects the cat's normal functions.. Short, soft fine hair is allowed on the feet, across the bridge of the nose and cheekbones, at the back off the ears and the scrotum and tip of the tail.

Colour- all colour varieties and patterns are permitted, including those with white. Any amount of white is permitted. Remarks- the cat should not be small or dainty. Males may be significantly larger so long as proper proportions are maintained. The Sphynx is sweet-tempered, lively, intelligent and amenable to handling. Faults-Straight profile, narrow head, lack of wrinkles on the head. Overall small cat. Body that is too thin. Frail appearing or delicate or fine boned. Too cobby or oriental. Significant amounts of hair anywhere else as described above. Any indication of wavy hair or suggestion of the Devon Rex or Sphynx in moult. Any means of hair removal.

Head  Shape=5  Profile = 5  Muzzle & Chin=5 Cheekbones=5 Shape of eyes =5

Ears  Shape, size & placement = 10 Body  Chest =10  Abdomen = 10 Neck =5 Legs & paws =5 Tail =5

Coat   quality, texture & wrinkles =25

Condition  =5

Sphynx standard scale of points =100

The International Cat Association Inc. ( TICA)

Head -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. Eyes- Large, rounded lemon shape, Slanting to outer corner of ear. Slightly more than an eye width between  eyes. Ears- Very large, board  at base and open. Set upright, neither love set nor on top of the head, The interior is totally hairless. Light amount of hair allowed on lower outside edges and on the back of the  ear. Muzzle & Chin - Strong rounded muzzle with distinct whisker break and firm chin. Neck- 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- 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.....Legs- 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. Feet- 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. Tail- Whippy, tapering form body to tip ( rat-tailed). Length is in proportion to body, A lion tail  ( puff of hair on tip)  acceptable. Musculature- Hard and muscular, not delicate Boning - Medium.

Coat/Colour/Pattern- Length, Appears hairless, May be covered with short, fine down. May have puff of hair on tip of tail. Whiskers are sparse and short. Texture -Chamois like,  a feeling of resistance may be felt when stroking  the skin  of some cats. The skin is very wrinkled in kittens, Adults should retain as many wrinkles as possible,  especially on the head, although wrinkling should not be so pronounced that it affects the cat's normal functions.

General Description: The Sphynx appears to be 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 my be up to 25 percent larger so long as proper proportions are maintained. The Sphynx  is sweet  tempered, lively, intelligent and above all amendable to handling.

Penalize- Overall small cat. Body that is too thin, frail appearing or delicate or fine- bonded, too cobby or foreign. Lack of wrinkles on the head. Straight profile, narrow head. Non- amenable disposition, Significant amounts of hair above the ankle. Withhold all awards- Any indication of wavy hair or suggestion of the Devon Rex, or Cornish Rex in moult. Disqualify- Any evidence of debilitating, plucking, shaving or clipping or any other means of hair removal. Inability to handle. Allowance- Lockets

HEAD 40 points =  Shape-10 Eyes-5 Ears-10 Muzzle & Chin-5 Profile-5 Neck-5 BODY 30 points = Torse-20 Legs & feet - 5  Tail-5 COAT/COLOUR/PATTERN 30 points Colour-5 Coat-25

Category: ALL   Division: ALL  Colour: ALL

Permissible Outcrosses- American shorthair, Devon Rex