Peterbald

The Peterbald breed is pretty young. It was created in 1994 by a cat breeder called Olga S. Mironova. The Russian breeder was experimenting and wanted to see what type of kittens she could produce by selectively breeding different cat breeds. She used a Don Sphynx and an Oriental Shorthair to produce a couple of litters. The first two litters produced four Peterbald kittens. These four kittens were used as the foundation for the new Peterbald breed. The breeding plan was so successful that the breed received nearly immediately official recognition. The governing Russian feline associations accepted the breed in 1996. In 1997 TICA registered it, and pretty soon World Cat Federation followed.

From the first moment you lay your eyes on a Peterbald cat, you will surely be mesmerized by it. Some cat lovers love the breed’s unusual looks, and some don’t find these cats attractive. It seems you either love them or hate them. These cats have many unique characteristics that make them stand out in the crowd. Here are the ones we will focus on.

Coat

The first thing you will surely notice is the Peterbald’s coat or the lack of it. These cats can be born bald, velour, brush, flocked, or straight coats. Most will lose their coat over time, except kittens born with straight coats.

Coat colors

The Peterbald is a mix between different breeds, so you can imagine how many coat colors or combinations these cats come in. Their standard allows all available coat colors and patterns.

Size

Another thing future owners will surely want to know is the breed’s size. Peterbalds are considered medium-sized cats, and most adult cats weigh 7 - 14 pounds.

Temperament

Physical characteristics and appearance might be important, but the cat’s temperament is what really makes a breed a good companion and pet. Luckily, the Peterbald shares many temperament traits with their cousins, the Oriental Shorthairs. That means they are fantastic pets! The Peterbald is curious, intelligent, and very affectionate. They form strong bonds with their humans, and you can often find them following them around the home. These cats are peaceful, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t active. They get along well with kids and other pets in their homes if introduced properly.

Health

Most cat breeds have breed-specific health issues they are prone to. Surprisingly, Peterbald doesn’t have any. That doesn’t mean the cat won’t develop health issues; it just means there isn’t a pattern for health problems in this cat breed. However, these cats are most commonly hairless, making them prone to different conditions. Here are a few things you should be careful about;

• Sunburn - This breed can get sunburnt pretty fast. Make sure your cat is protected when you’re taking them out in the sun.
• Skin issues - Things like dermatitis, scratches, or other common skin issues are common in hairless breeds.
• Hot and cold sensitivity - Hairless breeds don’t have coats to insulate them. It is up to their owners to ensure their pets are safe in hot and cold conditions.

World Cat Finder Team