Don Sphynx vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison

Don Sphynx vs American Longhair - Breed ComparisonDon Sphynx is originated from Russia but American Longhair is originated from United States. Both Don Sphynx and American Longhair are having almost same weight. Don Sphynx may live 3 years less than American Longhair. Both Don Sphynx and American Longhair has same litter size. Don Sphynx requires Low maintenance. But American Longhair requires Moderate maintenance

History

don sphynx - historyOf Rusian origin, the Don Sphynx is an interesting looking, hairless breed. The cat came about in 1987 when a hairless cat was seen in Rostov-on-Don, a Russian city.

Cat breeder Elena Kovaleva rescued the kitten and it was at about 4 months of age that the kitten began to lose its hair. Later it was mated with a local tomcat and produced kittens which became the founding stock of the Donskoy breed.

The cat breed was recognized by the World Cat Federation in 1997 as well as the International Cat Association later on in 2005.

american longhair - historyThe handsome American Longhair cat is thought to be the result of attempts by breeders to have a cat that portrayed some Persian varieties.

American shorthairs have characteristics and looks from both breeds. The American Longhair, although it comes from champion bloodlines, isn’t actually recognized by larger cat organizations.

Basic Information

Origin:
Russia
United States
Weight Male:
3 - 6 kg
6 - 14 pounds
4 - 8 kg
8 - 18 pounds
Weight Female:
3 - 6 kg
6 - 14 pounds
4 - 8 kg
8 - 18 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
12 - 18 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 6
2 - 6
Other Names:
Donskoy cat, Russian Hairless
Domestic Long Hair
Colors Available:
Velour and Brush, Different shades – Flock, Rubber Bald
tabby , Many colors and patterns - smoke
Coat:
Hairless
Thick, long double coated
Shedding:
Minimal
Constant
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
Yes
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

don sphynx kitten - descriptionThe Don Sphynx is a medium-sized cat known for its large ears and its long, webbed toes.

Their weight can be anything from 3 to 6 kg It’s a hairless cat but has different skin types that come in different shades – Flock, Rubber Bald, Velour and Brush.

The cat has this dominant hair loss gene that causes the coat they have at birth to thin and fall out. In fact, on close inspection, you’ll find that the cat isn’t entirely hairless but has a very fine layer of fuzz. The skin can be oily and the cat requires bathing fairly regularly.

These particular cats are also more susceptible to the cold and to sunburn. The legs of this cat are long and slender and they have a bit of a bow-legged appearance to them, but this is because of the barrel chest. The tail is long and hard.

Temperament:

These rare cats make excellent pets because they have all the characteristics needed that make them companionable. They are loving, companionable and playful. These are also intelligent, exploring cats which means you’ll need to provide them with games and toys that can keep them occupied.

They’re good with children and other pets and are even good for first-time cat owners. Breeders of these cats will tell you that they are even-tempered and amicable. They are gentle towards children and other pets.

Most of the time the cat has a calm demeanor but is highly sociable. As an entertainer too – he will do anything to get a laugh out of his human family.

american longhair kitten - descriptionYou’ll find that there are quite a few American Longhairs that have the snub nose of the Persian cat which is part of its ancestry.

This is a well-muscled, medium to large sized athletic cat with a thick double coat of many colors and patterns that sheds fairly heavily.

Temperament:

This isn’t a particularly vocal cat, but in true cat-fashion, it is independent and doesn’t require a lot of attention.

This cat will make a nice companion for older people and it is calm enough to enjoy a leisurely stroll outdoors with a harness on. They’re adaptable to different situations, but the American Longhair isn’t the ideal choice for children as it isn’t your playful, lover of noise and games type of cat, preferring the attention of other animals.

They love going into barns and being buffeted and licked by the cows and other barnyard animals.

Characteristics

don sphynx cat - characteristicsThe sphynx cat is an energetic feline that absolutely loves the attention of its human owners. In fact, he will even be willing to show off to get some kind of reaction from his humans.

This is certainly a cat that has a sense of humor. They’re friendly, loving cats who like to even follow you around the house to be where you are. They are loving and loyal, curious, intelligent and active.

It’s a hardy breed and you won’t have many health issues to contend with. We know that they are prone to skin conditions and periodontal disease so watch out for these with this amazing, but unusual looking cat.

american longhair cat - characteristicsYour American Longhair is an easy-going, friendly social cat that doesn’t demand a lot from his human owners.

These cats are intelligent too and you can even teach them a trick or two. They enjoy the company of their humans and will even follow you around.

Bringing one into your home promises to be a rewarding pet-ownership experience.

Health Problems

don sphynx kittens - health problemsHairless cats are prone to teeth and gum issues, and every Don Sphynx owner needs to regularly check their cat’s teeth as bad teeth can cause a lot of problems with health as well as discomfort with the teeth.

This cat breed is also fairly prone to skin problems. You will need to watch him for rashes and fungal infections. Remember, that this strange-looking cat also needs vaccinations and de-worming as well as regular veterinary health checks.

american longhair kittens - health problemsThe American Longhair doesn’t have many health concerns and you can expect him to live up to 18, 19 or 20 years of age with good care.

There are some American Longhairs that come with that shortened face of the Persian, and this may mean him battling with breathing problems.

Also, be aware of Polycystic kidney disease where you get cysts that form in the kidneys and which can become larger over time and eventually affect kidney function, leading to kidney failure.

Caring The Pet

don sphynx cats - caringIn spite of this being a hairless cat, it still requires frequent grooming, and yet you have to be careful that you don’t allow the cat to be bathed too often either.

Have your cat spayed or neutered to avoid kittens that you don’t want. This is beneficial for the cat’s health.

This is a unique cat and when it comes to food, if you can afford it, go for the very best food there is. Good food contributes to good health and this cat is a carnivore and requires food high in meat protein.

Of course, it requires other nutrients and the best commercially manufactured cat foods will have a list of ingredients in them that are important to your cat’s health.

Of course, with diet, there are other important considerations to think about and one of these is the right quantity of food to maintain the cat’s ideal weight. Too much weight gain can put pressure on the cat’s joints and contribute to health problems.

american longhair cats - caringThe long coat of the American Longhair will require some brushing to keep it shiny and smooth and free from dust but also to remove all those loose hairs.

Make sure your cat’s food and water dishes are in an appropriate spot and keep them separate from your cat’s litter box. House train your cat immediately on how to use a litter box. Keep the litter box clean and rake up your cat's droppings regularly and dispose of them.

Before you get a cat, know that they scratch. It is normal for a cat. Provide your cat with a scratching post as well as climbing equipment such as a cat climbing tree.

Diet:

Always feed your cat a meat-based diet, after all, cats in the wild are carnivores. There are some ingredients that a cat must have and they require certain amino acids found in meat-based proteins or else they could become ill.

The top quality cat foods provide cats with all the nutrients they need to keep them healthy. There are some cat owners who opt to feed their cats home-prepared meals because then they know exactly what’s going into their beloved pets food.

There are other cat owners who choose to provide their pet with a raw diet because they believe that this comes close to the cat's natural diet in the wild.

Always speak to your vet if you are in any way uncertain about the best foods for your cat. He should always have access to fresh cool water.

Parasites:

Check your cat for problems such as parasites such as ticks and fleas. You will also need to have your cat checked for worms. Your vet can diagnose worms with a physical exam. If it is discovered that your cat does have worms, the vet will recommend some safe, effective medications for your pet.

You will also need to check its body for skin problems such as unusual lumps.

If you are able to, get your cat regular veterinary examinations to ensure he is always in tip-top condition.

Have your cat spayed or neutered to prevent unwelcome kittens in a world where there are just too many unwanted kittens. These procedures can have health benefits for your cat as well.

American Longhairs are lively playful cats so give your cat toys to play with to ensure mental stimulation.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Don Sphynx vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  2. Don Sphynx vs Aegean - Breed Comparison
  3. Don Sphynx vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  4. Don Sphynx vs Chausie - Breed Comparison
  5. Don Sphynx vs American Bobtail - Breed Comparison
  6. Don Sphynx vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  7. Don Sphynx vs American Keuda - Breed Comparison
  8. Don Sphynx vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  9. Don Sphynx vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  10. Don Sphynx vs American Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  11. Don Sphynx vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  12. Don Sphynx vs Applehead Siamese - Breed Comparison
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  22. Don Sphynx vs Bombay - Breed Comparison
  23. Don Sphynx vs Brazilian Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  24. Don Sphynx vs Bristol - Breed Comparison
  25. Don Sphynx vs British Longhair - Breed Comparison
  26. American Longhair vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  27. American Longhair vs Aegean - Breed Comparison
  28. American Longhair vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  29. American Longhair vs Chausie - Breed Comparison
  30. American Longhair vs American Bobtail - Breed Comparison
  31. American Longhair vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  32. American Longhair vs American Keuda - Breed Comparison
  33. American Polydactyl vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  34. American Shorthair vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  35. American Wirehair vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  36. Applehead Siamese vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  37. Ashera vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  38. Asian vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  39. Asian Semi-Longhair vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  40. Australian Mist vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  41. Balinese vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
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  46. Bombay vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
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  48. Bristol vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
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