Oriental Shorthair vs Sphynx
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Category IV — Siamese and Oriental
Oriental Shorthair
The Oriental Shorthair has the Siamese-type body, lean, graceful and long-legged, with a wedge-shaped head and large ears, but its coat is short, smooth and close-lying, and it lacks the Siamese points. The breed was developed in the United Kingdom, and it comes in a great many colours and patterns. It needs the least grooming of the pair, as an occasional stroke with a hand or a rubber brush is enough. Adults typically weigh around 2.5 to 5 kilograms. Orientals are usually very talkative, active and seeking human attention, so they dislike being left alone for long. Life expectancy is typically around 12 to 16 years.
Category IV — Siamese and Oriental
Sphynx
The Sphynx is a hairless cat from Canada, where a hairless kitten was born in Toronto in the 1960s. It is not entirely bare, since a fine down covers the skin, and the skin is wrinkled. The body is medium-sized and muscular, and the ears are large. Adults typically weigh around 3 to 6.5 kilograms. Because the skin produces oils, it needs regular wiping or bathing, and the cat tolerates cold poorly. Sphynxes are usually very friendly, playful and seek human warmth. The lack of hair is caused by a recessive gene. Life expectancy is typically around 9 to 14 years.
At a glance
| Oriental Shorthair | Sphynx | |
|---|---|---|
| Weight (male) | 3.0–5.0 kg | 4.0–6.5 kg |
| Weight (female) | 2.5–4.0 kg | 3.0–5.0 kg |
| Life expectancy | 12–16 yrs | 9–14 yrs |
| Coat | smooth, short | hairless |
Temperament & Family Life
| Oriental Shorthair | Sphynx | |
|---|---|---|
| Family friendly | ||
| Good with children | ||
| Good with dogs | ||
| Friendly with strangers | ||
| Intelligence | ||
| Trainability |
Activity & Living Space
| Oriental Shorthair | Sphynx | |
|---|---|---|
| Energy level | ||
| Playfulness | ||
| Hunting instinct | ||
| Apartment friendly |
Personality & Communication
| Oriental Shorthair | Sphynx | |
|---|---|---|
| Affection | ||
| Independence | ||
| Vocality |
Grooming & Shedding
| Oriental Shorthair | Sphynx | |
|---|---|---|
| Shedding | ||
| Grooming need |
Trait scores (1–5) are editorial estimates, not measurements — every cat is an individual.