MESMEREYES
Bombays
Bombays
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Breed: Bombay Cat
Temperament: companionable, easy going
Lifespan: 13-15 years
Maintenance: low
Recommended for: apartments, elderly
History
In 1908, when Henry Ford, the American automotive pioneer said
that his fellow Americans could have any colour as long as it was
black, he was of course talking about the black model T Ford, the
first affordable mass produced automobile. Some sixty or so years
later, another American, Nikki Horner may very well have said the
same thing about her creation, the all-black Bombay cat.
Horner, a cat breeder from Louisville, Kentucky, is said to have
wanted to produce a domestic cat that was similar to the native
melanistic leopard of India. This 'miniature black panther', as it
became known, is the product of matings between American
Shorthair and Burmese breeds. Over time, the desired type became
more consistent and by the mid 1970s, the breed was recognised by
feline controlling bodies.
In 1997 an Australian interested in developing the breed, Heather
Brown, sought an experimental licence from the Cat Control Council
and commenced a breeding program using local lines of British
Shorthair and Burmese. Heather says she used locally bred
foundation stock in order to prevent the introduction of a debilitating
disease that afflicts certain lines in the United States.
Appearance
Similarities between the Bombay and panther can only be drawn so
far. Although both are strong and well muscled cats, the Bombay
may be proportionally thicker-set than the sleek and agile panther.
Bombays tend to be a little larger than their Burmese cousins, with
longer bodies and legs, but the Burmese influence is still readily
apparent. Breeders say that although it has a muscular build, the
Bombay cat is not stocky. The head is round but retains some
foreign influence, especially evident in its expressive eyes, short
muzzle and medium-sized ears.
The most striking feature are those beautiful, dreamy,
copper-coloured eyes. Large, round and wide-set, the eyes can
deliver a penetrating gaze to melt the coolest heart. Naturally, the
only coat colour accepted is black, from the tip of its nose to the last
flick of the tail. The satin coat is short and glossy and although very
soft to touch, it is not as fine as the United States types. Males are
considerably larger than females.
Temperament
As a kitten, the Bombay may initially be very timid. Although, as it
matures, you can expect its outgoing and companionable personality
to shine through. Now widely bred in the US as an apartment cat, the
Australian type continues this philosophy and is very quiet,
reasonably undemanding and not destructive. Nicknamed the
'Velcro cat', the Bombay is happy to stick with its owner throughout
the day, lazing around the house, having a play or sharing the bed.
Health
The offspring of two different pure breeds, such as the Bombay, will
often exhibit what's called 'hybrid vigour' - enjoying the positive
features of both parent breeds whilst avoiding health concerns which
may trouble the purebred parents. This process of 'hybrid vigour' is
often used in feline breeding (unfortunately less so among dog
breeders) and generally it encourages healthy, strong animals.
However the benefits of hybrid vigour are diminished once breeding
progresses through several generations, and this seems to be the
case with Bombays in the United States. The newer 'conventional'
type of Bombay cat in the US, with its shorter nose, larger eyes and
flatter face, has not only produced a more 'extreme' physique, but
may have also allowed a genetic fault to emerge: distressing reports
of kittens born with severe facial defects have been made.
Modelled on the 'traditional' American Bombay, the Australian cat
has apparently avoided these genetic issues. It is thought by some
breeders that this genetic fault originated from certain American
lines of Burmese cats which were used to establish the conventional
type, and although still a contentious issue amongst breeders in the
US, Australian breeders have wisely decided to not import or breed
from any American lines.
Another common characteristic of hybrid breeds is that they also
tend to not breed wholly true to type in early matings. Second cross
Bombay litters (the progeny of first generation Bombay) will
generally produce 50% Bombay types with a possible 25% each of
Shorthair and Burmese-looking kittens. Bombays are not just mated
amongst themselves and are also crossed back to Burmese in order
to maintain and 'fix' the type. Litter sizes are small, averaging around
four.
Pet potential
This companionable and easygoing breed is ideally suited to those
who want an attentive and loving mate. Recommended for
apartments and indoors, the Bombay loves both human and other
animal friends, and breeders recommend having a mate to keep
your pet company. Growing kittens tend to eat a lot compared to
other breeds, but don't despair, as the cat matures its appetite will
settle. The short coat is low maintenance and sheds little, though 10
minutes a day of hand grooming will keep the coat shiny and soft.
The hybrid influence of the breed, and its apparent freedom from
significant health problems suggests that this little black cat will
remain a member of the family for many years. Kitten numbers can
be limited and demand often exceeds supply. It is not unusual to pay
around $600 for a kitten.
Temperament: companionable, easy going
Lifespan: 13-15 years
Maintenance: low
Recommended for: apartments, elderly
History
In 1908, when Henry Ford, the American automotive pioneer said
that his fellow Americans could have any colour as long as it was
black, he was of course talking about the black model T Ford, the
first affordable mass produced automobile. Some sixty or so years
later, another American, Nikki Horner may very well have said the
same thing about her creation, the all-black Bombay cat.
Horner, a cat breeder from Louisville, Kentucky, is said to have
wanted to produce a domestic cat that was similar to the native
melanistic leopard of India. This 'miniature black panther', as it
became known, is the product of matings between American
Shorthair and Burmese breeds. Over time, the desired type became
more consistent and by the mid 1970s, the breed was recognised by
feline controlling bodies.
In 1997 an Australian interested in developing the breed, Heather
Brown, sought an experimental licence from the Cat Control Council
and commenced a breeding program using local lines of British
Shorthair and Burmese. Heather says she used locally bred
foundation stock in order to prevent the introduction of a debilitating
disease that afflicts certain lines in the United States.
Appearance
Similarities between the Bombay and panther can only be drawn so
far. Although both are strong and well muscled cats, the Bombay
may be proportionally thicker-set than the sleek and agile panther.
Bombays tend to be a little larger than their Burmese cousins, with
longer bodies and legs, but the Burmese influence is still readily
apparent. Breeders say that although it has a muscular build, the
Bombay cat is not stocky. The head is round but retains some
foreign influence, especially evident in its expressive eyes, short
muzzle and medium-sized ears.
The most striking feature are those beautiful, dreamy,
copper-coloured eyes. Large, round and wide-set, the eyes can
deliver a penetrating gaze to melt the coolest heart. Naturally, the
only coat colour accepted is black, from the tip of its nose to the last
flick of the tail. The satin coat is short and glossy and although very
soft to touch, it is not as fine as the United States types. Males are
considerably larger than females.
Temperament
As a kitten, the Bombay may initially be very timid. Although, as it
matures, you can expect its outgoing and companionable personality
to shine through. Now widely bred in the US as an apartment cat, the
Australian type continues this philosophy and is very quiet,
reasonably undemanding and not destructive. Nicknamed the
'Velcro cat', the Bombay is happy to stick with its owner throughout
the day, lazing around the house, having a play or sharing the bed.
Health
The offspring of two different pure breeds, such as the Bombay, will
often exhibit what's called 'hybrid vigour' - enjoying the positive
features of both parent breeds whilst avoiding health concerns which
may trouble the purebred parents. This process of 'hybrid vigour' is
often used in feline breeding (unfortunately less so among dog
breeders) and generally it encourages healthy, strong animals.
However the benefits of hybrid vigour are diminished once breeding
progresses through several generations, and this seems to be the
case with Bombays in the United States. The newer 'conventional'
type of Bombay cat in the US, with its shorter nose, larger eyes and
flatter face, has not only produced a more 'extreme' physique, but
may have also allowed a genetic fault to emerge: distressing reports
of kittens born with severe facial defects have been made.
Modelled on the 'traditional' American Bombay, the Australian cat
has apparently avoided these genetic issues. It is thought by some
breeders that this genetic fault originated from certain American
lines of Burmese cats which were used to establish the conventional
type, and although still a contentious issue amongst breeders in the
US, Australian breeders have wisely decided to not import or breed
from any American lines.
Another common characteristic of hybrid breeds is that they also
tend to not breed wholly true to type in early matings. Second cross
Bombay litters (the progeny of first generation Bombay) will
generally produce 50% Bombay types with a possible 25% each of
Shorthair and Burmese-looking kittens. Bombays are not just mated
amongst themselves and are also crossed back to Burmese in order
to maintain and 'fix' the type. Litter sizes are small, averaging around
four.
Pet potential
This companionable and easygoing breed is ideally suited to those
who want an attentive and loving mate. Recommended for
apartments and indoors, the Bombay loves both human and other
animal friends, and breeders recommend having a mate to keep
your pet company. Growing kittens tend to eat a lot compared to
other breeds, but don't despair, as the cat matures its appetite will
settle. The short coat is low maintenance and sheds little, though 10
minutes a day of hand grooming will keep the coat shiny and soft.
The hybrid influence of the breed, and its apparent freedom from
significant health problems suggests that this little black cat will
remain a member of the family for many years. Kitten numbers can
be limited and demand often exceeds supply. It is not unusual to pay
around $600 for a kitten.
