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Sphynx
The most well-known hairless cat breed is the sphynx, which originated in Canada in the 1960s. Resulting from a naturally occurring recessive genetic mutation, the sphynx was developed through crossbreeding with shorthair cats to create a healthy, broad gene pool. Some sphynx cats have a downy coat or patches of hair, primarily on the face, legs, and tail.
Breed Overview
Height: 8 to 10 inches
Weight: 10 to 12 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Loving, energetic
Physical Characteristics: Hairless; wrinkled head; lean build
Energy Level: High
Life Span: 8 to 14 years
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Bambino
The bambino is a pint-sized hairless cat, as its name—"baby" or "child" in Italian—suggests. This dwarf feline is a cross between the sphynx and the munchkin. Some might have a little fur, primarily on the face, ears, legs, and tail, while others are totally hairless.
Breed Overview
Height: 7 to 8 inches
Weight: 5 to 9 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Outgoing, affectionate, playful
Energy Level: Medium
Physical Characteristics: Hairless or light fuzz; stocky body; large ears
Life Span: Up to 12 years
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Donskoy
Also known as the Russian hairless, Don hairless, or Don sphynx, the Donskoy is different from the sphynx. The sphynx gets their hairlessness from a recessive genetic mutation. Meanwhile, the Donskoy gets their hairlessness from a dominant gene. Interestingly, some Donskoy cats develop a partial winter coat when the weather cools, and they shed it once the temperatures warm up.
Breed Overview
Height: 10 to 12 inches
Weight: 7 to 15 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Playful, curious, smart
Energy Level: Medium
Physical Characteristics: Hairless; wrinkles around cheeks; muscular body
Life Span: 12 to 15 years
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Dwelf
The dwelf comes from crosses among the munchkin, American curl, and sphynx cat breeds. Several mutations created this breed’s hairless, compact, and elf-like appearance, contributing to health issues, including skeletal problems. Still, these cats tend to be highly engaged with their families.
Breed Overview
Height: 6 to 7 inches
Weight: 4 to 9 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Playful, outgoing
Energy Level: High
Physical Characteristics: Hairless or light fuzz; short or absent whiskers and eyebrows; short legs; curled ears
Life Span: About 12 years
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Elf
When you cross a sphynx and an American curl, the product is the friendly and playful elf cat, a larger version of the dwelf. These cats typically have a downy feel to their soft skin, similar to peach fuzz. Some have light patches of hair over the ears, nose, paws, or tail.
Breed Overview
Height: 8 to 10 inches
Weight: 10 to 15 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Smart, affectionate
Energy Level: Medium
Physical Characteristics: Hairless; muscular body; prominent cheek bones; wrinkled skin; curled ears
Life Span: 8 to 14 years
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Lykoi
Also known as the werewolf cat, the lykoi isn’t always hairless. Some lykoi cats are entirely covered in the breed’s distinctive black-gray coat, while others are predominantly hairless. Most of these cats lack hair around their faces, on the backs of their ears, and their legs and feet.
Breed Overview
Height: 8 to 10 inches
Weight: 4 to 7 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Playful, affectionate
Energy Level: High
Physical Characteristics: Partially hairless (sparse on face and legs); short tail; black-gray coat
Life Span: 15 to 20 years
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Minskin
The minskin is a short-legged, hairless cat developed from a breeding a munchin and a sphynx. These cats often have sparse, fine fur on their bodies, especially at the “points” (the nose, ears, legs, and tail). Their bellies are almost always hairless.
Breed Overview
Height: 7 to 8 inches
Weight: 4 to 6 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Affectionate, smart, athletic
Energy Level: High
Physical Characteristics: Short legs; sparse hair only on the points (ears, nose, legs, tail)
Life Span: About 12 years
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Peterbald
The Peterbald is an elegant feline with prominent features and long limbs. They originated from a cross between the Donskoy and Oriental shorthair. Not all Peterbalds are born hairless. Some kittens have a fine, downy coat that they either shed or retain for life. Occasionally, a Peterbald is born with a full coat like a typical cat.
Breed Overview
Height: 8 to 10 inches
Weight: 6 to 10 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Affectionate, smart, outgoing
Energy Level: Medium
Physical Characteristics: Hairless or short fuzz; almond-shaped eyes; large, pointed ears
Life Span: Up to 15 years
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Sphynx Hybrids
Breeders continue to use the hairless mutation in sphynx cats to produce new hybrids. For instance, the sphynxiebob is a cross between a sphynx and an American bobtail and emerged in 2015. It looks nearly identical to the sphynx, but it is either tailless or has a short, bobbed tail. Although most hybrids aren't officially recognized breeds, they broaden the range of hairless cats.
Breed Overview
Height: 8 to 10 inches
Weight: 10 to 12 pounds
Physical Characteristics: Hairless; wrinkled head; bobtail (sphynxiebob)
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Ukrainian Levkoy
With its hairless body and inward-folding ears, the Ukrainian levkoy has a unique appearance. These cats were the result of a cross between the Donskoy and Scottish fold cat breeds. Many can even get along well with other pets.
Breed Overview
Height: 7 to 10 inches
Weight: 8 to 12 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Friendly, intelligent, playful
Energy Level: Medium
Physical Characteristics: Hairless or light fuzz; inward-folding ears; slender, long body
Life Span: About 12 years
Breeds to Avoid
If cat hair is your archnemesis, then you likely want to steer clear of breeds that are fluffy or shed a lot. Some of the highest shedding felines include the Persian, Maine coon, Norwegian forest cat, Himalayan, Manx, and Cymric.
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How much are hairless cats?
Depending on the breed and your location, hairless cats cost from $1,500 to $3,000.
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Why are hairless cats hairless?
Hairless cats resulted from a genetic mutation. Modern hairless cat breeds are generally a mix of hairless and short-haired breeds.
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Why are hairless cats so expensive?
Because they are purebred and hard to find, hairless cats will cost more. Demand generally exceeds supply.
