Felines are regularly cast as the villains in movies and television. From Shere Khan of “The Jungle Book” to Catwoman of the Batman comics franchise, kitties always seem to be up to no good.
Of course, while these characters should be celebrated as the classic and essential villains they are, it’s still disheartening to witness the good name of cats everywhere besmirched by Hollywood.
One feline breed that’s often regarded with unwarranted wariness is the Sphynx cat. With its gaunt, angular face, alien-like eyes and uncanny, chamois-like skin, this nearly hairless kitty is often characterized as ugly, creepy or even evil. However, anyone who has ever spent some time with a Sphynx knows that this elegant creature can’t be viewed through that lens.
Canadian Mutant
At first glance, you might wonder if these striking kitties originated in a hot desert region where a fur coat was unnecessary, but believe it or not, they hail from Canada, where the breed was first developed in the 1960s from a random genetic mutation.
That’s right — they’re cat mutants. Of course, if the legacy of the X-Men series is any indication, that’s not necessarily a bad thing! (Not to mention that we’re all technically mutants if you really think about it.)
Dog-Like Cats
While they are definitely unconventional looking when compared to more hirsute cat breeds, that doesn’t make them any less lovable. On the contrary! Due to their exceptionally extroverted, curious and affectionate nature, Sphynx cats are generally considered to be one of the most dog-like cat breeds.
Their friendly disposition isn’t the only reason they’re compared to canines. Because they don’t have fur to absorb oils, Sphynxes require regular baths like dogs:
Best of all? Thanks to their near hairlessness, they are heat-seeking creatures, which means they’re always happy to cuddle up with you.
Continue below to see more photos of these lovely felines that unequivocally prove that “bald is beautiful!”
Why Pets Matter to Treehugger
At Treehugger, we are advocates of animal welfare, including our pets and other domestic animals. The better we understand our cats, the better we can support and protect their wellbeing. We hope our readers will adopt rescue pets instead of shopping from breeders or pet stores, and will also consider supporting local animal shelters.
