SPHYNX OUTCROSS PROGRAM

While the Sphynx are generally healthy cats,  a carefully designed outcross program introduces new gene pools and thereby increases the overall health of the Sphynx breed. The Sphynx gene pool is still limited due to the fact Sphynx are still considerably rare.

Another challenge is that the gene for the hairlessness is recessive. The first generation of the Sphynx outcrosses are all normal haired, but carrying for the bald gene.  If you are considering adopting a Sphynx - please consider getting a less expensive companion with hair! Two are better than one! Please see my page - Two are Better

The accepted outcrosses allowed by CFA are Domestic Shorthairs (DSH) and American Shorthairs (ASH). The accepted outcrossed in TICA are American Shorthair, Devon Rex (although few use this for a Sphynx outcross anymore).

 

This is a general table of the progression of what happens with a Sphynx outcross program

(Not all breeders follow this program exactly):

 

Breeding Pair Generation Details
DSH/ASH  x  Sphynx F1 All kittens will have fur (sphynx with clothes) because the hairless gene in the Sphynx is recessive. All will carry for the hairless Sphynx gene.
F1  x  Sphynx F2 Statistically, 50% of kittens should have hair, 50% should be hairless. Typically, a breeder will choose to keep a hairless one for her breeding program, but there may be reasons to use the one with hair too. All haired kittens will carry for the hairless gene.
Hairless F2  x  Sphynx F3 All kittens should be hairless. Most of these kittens should start to look like a typical Sphynx. Type can be lost when using an outcross.
Hairless F3  x  Sphynx F4 These kittens are considered pure-bred Sphynx by both associations and can be shown as such.

 

 

Page was Last Updated: 09/20/2007 02:51:01 AM

 Copyrighted 2007

Last updated: 02/19/07.