Sphynx Breed Advisory Committee
Sphynx Registration Policy
Breeds which have been approved for use in outcrossing are: Russian Blue and Domestic Shorthair. In addition, European Shorthair and American shorthair are permitted in the pedigrees of imported cats. All other breeds are listed as non-approved.
Note 1:
If a domestic shorthair is used as an outcross it should be microchipped and GCCF registered. If any DNA testing has been undertaken the results may be recorded with its registration details.
Note2:
Previously acceptable crosses to Devon Rex which helped to produce foundation stock are no longer acceptable. Cats already being used for foundation stock with Devon Rex in their pedigrees will remain on the appropriate register and their offspring shall be eligible to progress.
Full Register
Sphynx which have in the preceding three generations only Sphynx.
Supplementary Register
Sphynx which have in the preceding three generations only Sphynx, Sphynx Variants, Russian Blue, American Shorthair, European Shorthair and/or GCCF registered Domestic Shorthair.
Note:
GCCF registered Domestic Shorthairs can only appear in the third generation (great grandparent) of cats on the supplementary register.
Reference Register
1. Sphynx Variants which have in the preceding three generations only Sphynx, Sphynx Variants, Russian Blue, American Shorthair, European Shorthair and/or GCCF registered Domestic Shorthair and the unregistered or unknown ancestors of GCCF registered Domestic Shorthairs.
2. Sphynx which have unregistered or unknown ancestors of GCCF registered Domestic Shorthairs appearing in the second or third preceding generations shall be registered on the Reference Register.
3. Normal coated cats produced from Variant x Variant matings will have no breed number, only colour description and will be overstamped “may carry the Sphynx gene”, unless otherwise proven by DNA test as an HR carrier when the cat shall be registered as a Sphynx Variant if complying in all other respects with reference register clause 1.
4. Any cat of Sphynx or Sphynx Variant appearance which has in its pedigree within three preceding generations any breed other than those listed above shall be registered on the reference register as no recognised breed with no progression.
Note 1:
Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome (CMS) (Previously referred to as Muscular Dystrophy, Myopathy or Spasticity)
Sphynx and Sphynx Variants may be registered on the Active Register with effect from (date of approval) only if they have themselves been genetically tested as normal for the CMS gene, or their parents have been tested normal.
Pedigree line means both parents and four grandparents, eight great-grandparents, sixteen great-great-grandparents and so on, or any combination of the same which is inclusive of both the sire’s and dam’s ancestors.
Sphynx and Sphynx Variants which have not been genetically tested or which have been genetically tested as carriers of this gene shall be registered on the Non-Active Register or the Genetic Register. Any such cats which are already registered on the Active Register shall be moved to the Genetic Register.
Offspring of cats registered on the Genetic Register may only be registered on the Active Register if they have themselves been genetically tested as normal for this gene.
All other offspring of cats registered on the Genetic Register shall be registered on the Non-Active Register or the Genetic Register.
Note 2:
In accordance with GCCF Rules, Section 1, rule 1g, before the registration of any white Sphynx or white Sphynx Variant, on the active register a BAER or OAE certificate of freedom from deafness for the cat to be registered must be supplied to the GCCF. For identification purposes cats must be micro chipped prior to testing.
Note 3:
All DNA samples for testing for genetic diseases with the results to be submitted in support of registrations must be taken and certified by a vet.
For identification purposes cats must be microchipped prior to testing and the number clearly shown on all documents and the cats own veterinary record,
*Variant is a cat that is normal coated resulting from a sphynx mating..
Listed below are the standard of points for each Feline Governing Body that the Sphynx can be shown under:
Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF)
General Type Standard
The most distinctive feature of the cat is its lack of fur. The Sphynx is of medium size, boning, and body conformation with surprising weight for its 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 break, with prominent whisker pads and 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 break at the bridge of the nose. Rounded chin of reasonable depth and a level bite.
Ears – Large, wide open at the 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 ears is naturally without furnishings.
Eyes – Large and lemon shaped, slanted slightly upwards towards the outer edges of the ears and set wide apart. Any colour acceptable.
Body – The body is medium in size long, firm and well muscled throughout, with a broad, rounded 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 males.
Legs and feet – Legs are of medium length, muscular and in proportion to the body. 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 fine down on the skin almost imperceptible to the eye, giving the overall feel of soft warm chamois leather. Thicker down is permissible on the nose, back of the ears, on the feet, scrotum and to a lesser extent, the tail. This coat texture creates the feeling of resistance when stroking the cat. Wrinkled skin may appear particularly around the muzzle, between the ears and around the shoulders. 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:
1. The complete absence of down.
2. Excessive fur giving the impression of a coat – Excessive fur anywhere, the nose excepted. Ears must not possess ear muffs, however down on the ears is acceptable.
Withhold Certificates or First Prizes in Kitten Open Classes:
1. Disproportional small ears
2. Round eyes
3. Lack of prominent cheekbones
4. Lack of whisker break with prominent whisker pads
5. Rounded feet or thin paw pads
6. Delicate appearance
7. Too svelte or cobby in appearance
8. Any other defect as listed in the preface to this S.O.P. booklet.
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