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"All
creatures great and small, the Lord God made them all."
- James Harriett-
Visit
our photo galleries
Judi
Price of
Hoover, Alabama, has been involved in purebred breeding programs
for over twelve years.After
getting her start with Himalyan Persians, Judi met and fell in
love with the Sphynx breed.
Judi's
daughter, Amber, is a co-owner of Godz Sphynx, and since she was
a child has had a great love for cats, of all breeds. Amber shows
Godz cats in CFA along with Judi. She also aids in the day to
day care of the cats as well.
Judi
is a CRNA, and Amber is an RN. As both breeders work in the health
field, they recognize the need for healthy and well-cared for
animals, and they have the experience to deal with healh related
issues.
Since
2002 both Judi and Amber have been actively involved in breeding
and showing Sphynx. Currently Godz Sphynx cattery is represented
at approximately 1-2 CFA shows per month.
Showing depends upon the availability of CFA shows within a reasonable
driving distance that is suitable for the transportation of the
cats, and owners.
This
site hosts a calendar of upcoming shows. To visit click here.
The
painting below is of Sophie Gail and DZ, and was done by Kay
Marshall, of Hamilton, AL who is the proud mommy of two of
our cats. Click on the image to view it larger.
Interactive
Cattery Calendar
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Godz Environment
Our cats are
raised, not in cages, but underfoot. In fact, they're everywhere
we are!
We treat all of our cats and kittens like family, and our cats
willfit into YOUR family better because of it.
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Breed:
- click
for CFA Breed Profile information on Sphynx
The Sphynx breed is a relatively new breed of cat
with a history spanning only about four decades. The Sphynx breed
was accepted for registration, and competition, in the Miscellaneous
Class by The Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) in February 1998.
Sphynx lovers feel this is one of the most rare and unusual breeds
in the cat fancy today…Sphynx are pure enchantment.
Sphynx
are rare and most breeders have a waiting list for their kittens.
Pricing on Sphynx usually depends on type, applicable markings
and bloodlines distinguished by Grand Champion (GC), National,
National Breed and/or Regional winning parentage (NW, BW, RW)
or of Distinguished Merit parentage (DM).
BREED
STANDARD - CFA website. For generic information relative to
breed standard please see below.
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Breed
History:
The Sphynx is the oldest of the world's three hairless
breeds of cats. Naturally hairless cats are not a new occurrance,
however they are considered to be rare, and they are not man-made.
The first breeding program for hairless cats was initiated in
Canada in 1966, when a domestic shorthaired cat produced a hairless
kitten. These early cats were at first called "The Canadian
Hairless". In time "Sphynx" became the official
name. The lineage of these Canadian hairless cats only continued
for a brief time and other hairless kittens that appeared spontaneously
in various litters in the United States during the 1970s became
the true corner stone of the breed.
The modern-day Sphynx breed is a by-product of this natural mutative
process, and Sphynx breeders in both Europe and North America
are maintaining the integrity of the breed by crossing the hairless
cats with normal coated cats, thus creating a genetically sound
cat that is healthy, intelligent, vigorous, and which has few
health or genetic problems.
Now, what about "hairlessness". Is the Sphynx truly
and completely bald? This breed is not always hairless, but may
have fine hair on the body. Some hair is often present on the
nose, tail and toes. Practically any color and pattern is acceptable
in this breed. Both the skin and the hair are pigmented.
The Sphynx isn’t actually a hairless cat. On closer look,
one will see that it is actually covered with a very fine down.
The skin feels quite a bit like a chamois. Hair is most likely
to appear around the ears, muzzle, tail, feet and scrotum. The
lack of coat makes the cat feel quite warm to the touch.
A
lion tail - a puff of hair on the tip of the tail, is apparent
in some cats. The tail is whippy, and tapers from the body to
the tip, akin to a rat’s tail. The kitten’s skin is
very wrinkled and as the cat ages, the wrinkles will diminish,
although not completely.
The
Sphynx is very muscular. It isn’t a delicate cat. All colours
and patterns may occur including any amount of white.
The
Sphynx is generally referred to as the "hairless cat".
On first glance, a common myth is that the breed is Egyptian or
Mexican ; but the Sphynx is a genetic mutation. The stories date
back over a century, where hairless cats have woven their way
through history all over the world! However, the true nature of
what we call Sphynx today emerged around the late 1960s in Canada.
The personality of a Sphynx is incomparable to that of many other
breeds. Most of the time considered "loving to the point
of annoying", you might expect to find a Sphynx on the shoulders
of their owner, cuddled in bed stealing the covers, or on top
of the TV... and always purring, ready for attention! It's hard
to say "No" to a Sphynx. They live well with other cats,
dogs, and love children!
The Sphynx have been compared to a chamois, a hot water bottle,
and a baby's bottom. It truly is a wonderful WARM feeling! Sphynx
do well in most climates; from Florida to Canada, contrary to
thought. Sweaters are cute, but the Sphynx will find their own
warm place to cuddle within. While the Sphynx is "hairless"
it is not a hypoallergenic breed. The lack of coat is appealing
to many who suffer from allergies or have asthma; however, the
breed may still trigger an attack depending on how severe the
allergies are.
While the breed standard allows a "slight" down(due
to the outcrosses), breeders strive to be as close to it's "hairless"
namesake. Slight down may be found on the nose, ears, and/or tail.
Some of the key characteristics of the Sphynx include wrinkles,
large ears with wide "bells"(base of the ear), "chunky"
bodies that look like the cat just ate a large meal, and a "rat-like"
whipping tail. The Sphynx is not a petite or delicate breed. Females
weigh about 5-8 pounds, a male might weigh up to 10 pounds.
The
Sphynx is very unusual in appearance & sometimes people are
taken off guard by their lack of hair. They are certainly not
a typical cat by any means, and they make many friends through
their unusual looks as well as their outgoing personalities. It
is rumored that if you ever hold just one you'll forever want
to hold another. It is possible that this rumor is the truest
of all.
One
important thing to remember is the Sphynx is NOT an outside cat.
They can accompany you on trips, but they must be protected from
the elements. Just consider, if it is too cold for you, then it
is too cold for a Traditional Sphynx. Within their home they seek
out a warm dog, cat or human to cuddle up with. Also, they don’t
hesitate to get under the bed quilts with you.
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Godz is a CFA
(Cat Fancier's Association) registered cattery name. The CFA is
the leading pedigree registry in the world.
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