| BareMews |
| Bald and Beautiful Sphynx Cats |
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| The outcross program was developed as a way to provide genetic diversity to the sphynx breed since they originated from a single genetic mutation. This allows a way to increase the gene pool and provide different lines to work with for the overall betterment of the breed. While an outcross program does take time and many generations to develop "typey" hairless kittens suitable for the show ring, I think the advantages to this program are many. I personality feel it is worth the time, costs, and space required to help insure the future of this breed. The potential advantages are many, including genes that could help to improve the immune system, increase overall vigor and eventually help breed out HCM from the breed. The breeds allowed to be used in the Sphynx outcross program differ per cat association, but the most common are the Domestic Short Hair, the American Short Hair and the Devon Rex (although few use Devons for a Sphynx outcross anymore because the Devons have their own set of health issues - such as luxating patella, spasticity and Vitamin K bleeding disorder). The gene for the hairlessness is recessive. The first generation of the Sphynx outcrosses are all normal haired, but carrying for the bald gene. Even though the first few generations have hair, they have many of the classic Sphynx traits that endear so many to this breed. If you are considering adopting a Sphynx - please consider getting a less expensive companion Sphynx with hair! Two are better than one and they will keep each other company when we have to be away. This is the general progression of what happens with a Sphynx outcross program Breeding Pair in Yellow - Generation Details in White Note: You might wonder what the "F" in "F1", etc stands for.... it means filial. Filial means the successive generations of progeny in a controlled series of crosses, Starting with two specific parents (the P generation) and selfing or intercrossing the progeny of each new (F1; F2; . . . ) generation. |
| Outcross Program |
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F1 All kittens will be fully coated because the hairless gene in the
Sphynx is recessive. All will carry for the hairless Sphynx
gene.
F2 Statistically, 50% of the kittens in this litter will be fully coated
and 50% will be hairless. Typically, a breeder will choose to keep a
hairless one for their breeding program, but there may be reasons
to keep a fully coated one too.
F3 All kittens should be hairless. Most of these kittens should
start to look like a typical Sphynx.
F4 These (bald) kittens are considered pure-bred Sphynx by all
Cat Associations and can be shown as such.
Sphynx is recessive. All will carry for the hairless Sphynx
gene.
F2 Statistically, 50% of the kittens in this litter will be fully coated
and 50% will be hairless. Typically, a breeder will choose to keep a
hairless one for their breeding program, but there may be reasons
to keep a fully coated one too.
F3 All kittens should be hairless. Most of these kittens should
start to look like a typical Sphynx.
F4 These (bald) kittens are considered pure-bred Sphynx by all
Cat Associations and can be shown as such.
DSH x Sphynx =
F1 x Sphynx =
F1 x Sphynx =
Hairless
F3 x Sphynx =
F3 x Sphynx =
Hairless
F2 x Sphynx =
F2 x Sphynx =
| Any fully coated outcross Sphynx, regardless of the generation, will carry for the hairless gene and will continue the 50/50 ratio when bred to a hairless Sphynx. |