The
Peterbald is a medium sized oriental type cat with an amazing physique and
graceful body. Totally hairless or only with a small, fine down and with big
ears, this pet is recognizable among all even if it appeared recently and is
still rare in Europe.
Size: 30 cm
to 35 cm
Weight: 2
kg to 4 kg
Hair:
naked, velvet or brush
Color : all
Life
expectancy: 10 to 13 years
Gestation
period: 63 days
Description
and characteristics of the Peterbald
The
Peterbald has many unique features. First of all, it is completely hairless. To
the touch, its skin looks like rubber or silicone. This type of Peterbald is
called "the naked one". There are two other varieties with different
genes: the "velvet" which has a light, very short down and the
"brush" which has a short, curly and hard hair.
It then has
a triangular head decorated with large and wide ears and blue or green
almond-shaped eyes. The body of the Peterbald, all in length, is fine and
muscular and gives him a particularly slender look. Its legs are long with a fine
bone structure. It has a long tail that looks like a whip.
Origin
of the Peterbald
The
Peterbald is native to Russia and, as its name indicates, more precisely to
Saint Petersburg. It comes from the crossing of a Donskoy male, a bare skinned
cat, and an Oriental female, a very elegant cat breed, then from the crossing
between Orientals and Siamese. Created in 1994, the Peterbald was officially
recognized in Russia in 1996. It is still quite rare in Europe.
Character
and behaviour of the Peterbald - Who is it for?
This
atypical cat is particularly energetic and curious. The Peterbald is not a calm
and quiet cat. It is more suitable for an active owner. It is also possessive
and demonstrative. It requires a lot of attention. They do not tolerate loneliness
and are always looking for human contact or contact from another pet, cat or
dog. The Peterbald is a very affectionate cat who loves to be petted and
particularly appreciates the presence of children. Like the Siamese from which
it is descended, the Peterbald is a talkative cat.
How to take
care of your Peterbald: its needs
The
Peterbald does not require any special maintenance. But some cats of this breed
have the characteristic of sweating a lot. It is therefore advisable to give
them a bath once a week or to rub them regularly with a wet washcloth.
Their ears
tend to get dirty quickly, so they should be cleaned regularly, just like their
eyes. Because of its absence of hair, it fears particularly heat and especially
the sun, as well as the cold.
The food
of Peterbald
The
Peterbald eats more than an ordinary cat. It needs more food to maintain its
body temperature. As it is an active cat, it is also important to give it a
rich and balanced food.
The
health of the Peterbald
The
Peterbald is in fairly good overall health and rarely gets sick. There is only
one known hereditary disease: progressive atrophy of the retina. Like all cats
and to keep him in good health, it is advisable to vaccinate him against
diseases such as rabies, typhus, leukosis and coryza.
Price of
a Peterbald kitten
The price
of a Peterbald kitten will depend on the sex, the pedigree of the parents, the
conformity to the breed standards, etc.
Price of a
male Peterbald: 1 200 to 1 300€.
Price of a
female Peterbald : 700 to 1 300€.