SPHYNX BREEDERS ASSOCIATION
Proposed Sphynx Standard by GCCF
General 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, 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 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
furnishing.
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 length, hard and muscular 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 & 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, back of the ears, on the feet, scrotum and
to a lesser extent, the tail. This 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 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.
Withhold all awards for:
1. The complete absence of down.
2. Excessive
fur anywhere
e.g. Face, body,legs & tail with the exception of the bridge of the
nose.
Ears must not possess ear muffs, however a slight amount of down at the
base of the ears is acceptable
Withhold Certificates of First Prizes in Kitten Open Classes:
- 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 GCCF SOP booklet.
POINT SCORE
HEAD – Total 35
SHAPE & SIZE 5
MUZZLE & CHIN 5
PROFILE 5
CHEEKBONES 5
EYES 5
EARS 10
BODY – Total 35
BODY 15
LEGS & FEET 10
TAIL 5
NECK 5
SKIN & DOWN - Total 30
TOTAL 100 POINTS
Proposed Registration Policy
Breeds which have been approved for use in outcrossing are: Tonkinese and Domestic Shorhair. In addition
European Shorthair and American Shorthair are permitted in the pedigrees of imported cats.
FULL REGISTER
Sphynx with Full or Provisional recognition which have in their preceding three generations only Sphynx.
SUPPLEMENTARY REGISTER
Sphynx with Full or Provisional recognition which have in the preceding three generations only Sphynx or Sphynx Variants.
Any Sphynx Variants appearing in the pedigree must have been bred from cats on the approved list of breeds.
EXPERIMENTAL REGISTER
Sphynx with Preliminary recognition which have in the preceding three generations only Sphynx or Sphynx Variants. Any Sphynx Variants appearing in the pedigree must have been bred from cats on the approved list of breeds.
REFERENCE REGISTER
1. Sphynx Variants produced
from cats on the approved list. Previously acceptable crosses
to Devon Rex which helped to produce foundation stock will no longer be
acceptable.
Cats already being used for foundation stock with Devon Rex in their
pedigrees will
be placed on the appropriate register and their offspring shall be eligible
to progress.
All other breeds are listed as non-approved.
2. 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"
3. Any cat of Sphynx appearance which has in its pedigree, within three
preceeding
generations, any breed other than those listed above shall be registered on
the
reference register as no recognized breed with no progression.
4. All cats resulting from Sphynx x Devon Rex matings, registered after
(date of
recognition) shall be registered on the reference register as no recognized
breed
with no progression.
Note1: Muscular Dystrophy ("Spasticity")
Muscular Dystrophy ("spasticity") is known to exist in the Sphynx Breed and work is progressing to identify the gene
involved. When a DNA test is available, the following shall come into effect:
Sphynx and Sphynx Variants may be registered on the Active Register only if they have themselves been
genetically tested as normal for this gene, or their parents have been tested normal, or cats on every pedigree line
in previous generations have tested normal. Pedigree line means both parents, or 4 grandparents 8 great-grandparents
16 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:
This registration policy shall not be retrospective. The offspring of cats registered prior to
the date of recognition as Sphynx or Sphynx Variants shall be registered as directed by the Registration Policy.
* Variant is a cat that is normal coated resulting from a Sphynx mating.
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LIST OF FULL JUDGES AS APPOINTED BY THE GCCF
Mrs V Anderson Mrs E Biggie
Mrs S Bullock Mrs M Chapman
Ms J Clare Mrs G Cornish
Mrs G Denny Mrs H Dessauer
Mr G Godfrey Mr G Gow
Mrs J Green Mrs A Gregory
Mr J Hansson Mrs M Kalal
Mrs C Kaye Mrs M Kidd
Mrs V Kilby Mrs S Luxford-Watts
Mrs M Smith Mrs J Steels
Mrs L Stevenson Mrs P Wilding
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