The Peterbald appears hairless. Developed in Russia, the first Peterbald was born in 1994. These outgoing, active cats have oriental-type bodies and skin that feels like chamois. They may have a fine down coat along their bodies, with a more furry, soft, fine coat allowed on the ears, muzzle, tail and feet. The Peterbald is a graceful cat with its long, wedge-shaped head, almost straight profile and high, long neck. A long, strong, whippy tail complements the long, muscular body.

Native Country

Russia

Breed Description

Head: The long, wedge-shaped head has flat, high cheekbones, a flat skull and an almost straight profile.
Eyes: Eye color is typically green-gold, but pointed and white cats may have blue eyes. Eye color generally conforms to coat (skin) color.
Ears: large ears, broad at the base and high on the head
Neck: high, long neck
Body: The Peterbald’s body resembles the Oriental’s — graceful, cylindrical with firm, fine boning. It's lean and muscular.
Legs: Legs are long and slim
Tail: long, strong, whippy, tapering tail
Coat: Although they appear hairless, Peterbalds have very fine, soft fur along the body, giving a chamois feel to the skin. More of the fine, soft coat can appear on the ears, muzzle, tail and feet. These cats possess thin, wrinkled skin that feels very warm to the touch. Appearing in every color except shaded or smoke, which require a regular coat, a Peterbald’s color comes from the skin pigment.

History

The Peterbald is the newest hairless breed. They are descended from the Russian Don Hairless breed with outcrosses to Oriental and Siamese cats. They are unrelated to the Sphynx, as the gene that causes the hairlessness is different. Infact at first the breed was called the Don Sphynx, but after it was discovered, that this cat was totally different from the Sphynx, the name was changed to the Don Hairless.

Behavior

The Peterbald is a very friendly, outgoing, and very intelligent cat. Although they are outcrossed with siamese they are not as noisy, and also more peaceful cats. A Peterbald loves his owner, and does not mind to make friends with strangers. They are graceful cats, that get very well along with other animals in the house. They can easily stay in a small place like a flat, not like their bloodbrothers, the siamese, who are just too inquisitive to stay in one place.