The Donskoy
is a medium sized cat, very rare in France, of semi-foreign type, i.e. with a
long, elegant body and strong bones. Its particularity: it belongs, with the
Peterbald and the Sphynx, to the cats completely devoid of hair. For this
reason, his appearance is strange.
Size: 20 cm
to 25 cm
Weight: 3
kg to 7 kg
Hair :
without
Color : all
Life
expectancy: between 12 and 15 years of age
Gestation
period: 63 days
Description
and characteristics of the Donskoy
The first
characteristic of the Donskoy is its coat with an elastic appearance completely
devoid of hair, like other rare breeds of cats such as the Peterbald and the
Sphynx. This is a genetic peculiarity. At birth, some cats of this breed may
have hair at birth but they lose it as they grow up.
However,
there are three types of Donskoy: those that are completely naked, those that
have a tiny bit of down and those with very short, hard hair called Brush.
The Donskoy
has a very muscular body that exudes great power. It is covered with very
present and visible folds on its belly, neck and armpits. His legs are long and
give him a very atypical look, just like his long thin tail. The head of the
Donskoy is triangular in shape. It is especially recognizable with its many
folds in the forehead, its almond-shaped eyes and its high and protruding
cheekbones. The ears of this cat are also "out of the ordinary": they
are large, rounded at the tip, open and carried very straight.
Origin
of the Donskoy
The origin
of the Donskoy is not very well known. This cat would have appeared in the
middle of a litter at the end of the 1980s in Russia. A breeder, interested in
this hairless cat, made sure to develop this race the following years by
crossing it in particular with Siberians and Persians. The Donskoy is not
officially recognized as a breed.
Character
and behavior of the Donskoy - Who is it for?
The Donskoy
is a particularly affectionate cat. He is very demanding of hugs and attention.
He is attached to his owners. It is an intelligent, dynamic and playful cat,
sometimes even considered to be hyperactive, who especially loves to play with
children. The Donskoy can't stand loneliness, he needs a very present master.
This cat
does not show any aggressiveness, so much so that it is better to be careful
when he goes out, he could not defend himself against animals that would want
to attack him.
How to take
care of your Donskoy: his needs
The Donskoy
is one of the cats, like the Sphynx, which sweats a lot. It is therefore
advisable to give him a warm water bath once a week. He is a perfect indoor
pet.
The
Donskoy's diet
The lack of
hair on his body means that the Donskoy has to eat a lot to provide the
calories his body needs to maintain a good temperature. He fears the cold, but
also the heat. Moreover, it is a very greedy cat. It is necessary to take care
to propose him a rich and especially complete food.
The
health of the Donskoy
The Donskoy
is a robust cat. However, it can be prone to lung infections.
Price of
a Donskoy kitten
The price
of a Donskoy kitten will depend on sex, pedigree of the parents, conformity to
breed standards, etc.
Price of a
Donskoy male: 1,200 to 1,500€.
Price of a
female Donskoy: 1 200 to 1 500€.