The Bombay cat is a type of short-haired cat developed by breeding sable Burmese and black

American Shorthair The American Shorthair (ASH) is a breed of domestic cat believed to be descended from European cats brought to North America by early settlers to protect valuable cargo from mice and rats. According to the Cat Fanciers' Association, in 2020, i ...

cats, to produce a cat of mostly Burmese type, but with a sleek,

panther Panther may refer to: Large cats *Pantherinae, the cat subfamily that contains the genera ''Panthera'' and ''Neofelis'' **'' Panthera'', the cat genus that contains tigers, lions, jaguars and leopards. *** Jaguar (''Panthera onca''), found in So ...

-like black coat. Bombay is the name given to black cats of the Asian group.Fogle, B.: ''The Encyclopedia of the Cat''.

Dorling Kindersley Limited Dorling Kindersley Limited (branded as DK) is a British multinational publishing company specialising in illustrated reference books for adults and children in 63 languages. It is part of Penguin Random House, a subsidiary of German media cong ...

: 2008

History

The breed was developed by Nikki Horner, a breeder from

Louisville, Kentucky Louisville ( , , ) is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the 28th most-populous city in the United States. Louisville is the historical seat and, since 2003, the nominal seat of Jefferson County, on the Indiana border ...

, who, starting in 1958, attempted to create a breed of cat that resembled a miniature black panther. The first attempt was a failure, but the second, in 1965, was successful. The breed was officially recognized and registered by the Cat Fanciers' Association in 1970 and

The International Cat Association The International Cat Association (TICA) is considered the world's largest genetic cat registry. Originally a North American organization, it now has a worldwide presence. The organization has a genetic registry for pedigreed and household pet ca ...

in 1979.

Appearance

The Bombay is a short-haired breed of domestic cat, closely related to the Burmese. Bombay cats are typically characterized as having an all-black coat, black soles, black nose and mouth, with copper or green eyes. The close-lying, sleek and glossy black coat is generally colored to the roots, with little or no paling. The Bombay has a medium body build that is muscular. Their weight is usually or more with males typically being heavier than females.

Health

A healthy Bombay can live around 15 to 20 years. They can have some sinus problems, snuffly noses, and

gingivitis Gingivitis is a non-destructive disease that causes inflammation of the gums. The most common form of gingivitis, and the most common form of periodontal disease overall, is in response to bacterial biofilms (also called plaque) that is attached ...

. Their food intake should be controlled to avoid overfeeding.

Temperament

The personality of the Bombay tends to be highly social, is marked by strong attachment to families, and is typified by a craving for attention. As a breed, they are therefore highly suitable for children. Bombay cats are happy and comfortable being strictly indoor cats. They are also great apartment cats and can comfortably be in one room, as long as all their needs are met (food, water, litter, safe and warm place to sleep, access to toys and their human).

References

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bombay (Cat) Cat breeds Cat breeds originating in the United States