Sphynx vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

Sphynx vs American Longhair - Breed ComparisonAmerican Longhair is originated from United States but Sphynx is originated from Canada. Both American Longhair and Sphynx are having almost same weight. American Longhair may live 4 years more than Sphynx. Both American Longhair and Sphynx has same litter size. Both American Longhair and Sphynx requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

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United States
Canada
Weight Male:
4 - 8 kg
8 - 18 pounds
3 - 7 kg
6 - 16 pounds
Weight Female:
4 - 8 kg
8 - 18 pounds
3 - 7 kg
6 - 16 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 18 Years
8 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 6
2 - 6
Other Names:
Domestic Long Hair
None
Colors Available:
tabby , Many colors and patterns - smoke
All colors
Coat:
Thick, long double coated
Hairless
Shedding:
Constant
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

american longhairThe handsome American Longhair cat is thought to be the result of attempts by breeders to have a cat that portrayed some Persian varieties.

American shorthairs have characteristics and looks from both breeds. The American Longhair, although it comes from champion bloodlines, isn’t actually recognized by larger cat organizations.

sphynxThe Sphynx cat is well known for its hairlessness. This breed started its development in Toronto, Canada.

A hairless kitten was born and it was mated to produce more hairless kittens. These kittens were called Canadian Hairless Cats. They were used as the foundation for a new breed.

In the 1970s, more hairless kittens were born and placed into the Sphynx breeding program. They were mated with Devon Rex cats. The International Cat Association recognizes this cat breed.

Description

american longhair kitten - descriptionYou’ll find that there are quite a few American Longhairs that have the snub nose of the Persian cat which is part of its ancestry.

This is a well-muscled, medium to large sized athletic cat with a thick double coat of many colors and patterns that sheds fairly heavily.

Temperament:

This isn’t a particularly vocal cat, but in true cat-fashion, it is independent and doesn’t require a lot of attention.

This cat will make a nice companion for older people and it is calm enough to enjoy a leisurely stroll outdoors with a harness on. They’re adaptable to different situations, but the American Longhair isn’t the ideal choice for children as it isn’t your playful, lover of noise and games type of cat, preferring the attention of other animals.

They love going into barns and being buffeted and licked by the cows and other barnyard animals.

sphynx kitten - descriptionThe Sphynx is a medium-sized, fine-boned, muscular cat that weighs roughly between 3.5 – 7 kg. The skin of the cat has a soft chamois type feel to it.

Sometimes there can be a few hairs. The head of this cat is longer and narrower than many of the other cat breeds. The ears are large.

This cat is going to need a bath once a week with special medicated cat shampoo. The cat also has no whiskers or eyelashes. The legs are long and slender and he has a barrel chest. All skin patterns and colors are available with the cat.

Temperament:

The Sphynx is a loving, friendly, energetic, extrovert cat that loves nothing more than to be petted and pampered.

It one of the few dependent cats there are. Even though he is social, he isn’t very vocal. They are playful too and because they are also intelligent, they will need stimulating games and toys to keep them from becoming bored.

They get on well with children in the home. Like many other cats, the Sphynx cat can be doglike and they like to welcome their owners home.

Characteristics

american longhair cat - characteristicsYour American Longhair is an easy-going, friendly social cat that doesn’t demand a lot from his human owners.

These cats are intelligent too and you can even teach them a trick or two. They enjoy the company of their humans and will even follow you around.

Bringing one into your home promises to be a rewarding pet-ownership experience.

sphynx cat - characteristicsThe Sphynx can be in a house where there are children who have been taught to be kind and gentle with animals.

The cat is energetic and loves to entertain and amuse his human family with his antics.

He is loving and loyal to his human family and absolutely hates staying on his own. He can actually get depressed when he is left on his own often.

He would be far better off with another cat companion. If you're looking for a fun, playul, loving and affectionate feline companion, you need look no further than the weird-looking sphynx cat.

Health Problems

american longhair kittens - health problemsThe American Longhair doesn’t have many health concerns and you can expect him to live up to 18, 19 or 20 years of age with good care.

There are some American Longhairs that come with that shortened face of the Persian, and this may mean him battling with breathing problems.

Also, be aware of Polycystic kidney disease where you get cysts that form in the kidneys and which can become larger over time and eventually affect kidney function, leading to kidney failure.

sphynx kittens - health problemsThe Canadian Sphynx, just because of its lack of hair, already faces challenges. Other cats have fur to keep them warm and to protect the skin from sunlight.

In fact, when the kittens are born, without hair, they are vulnerable and become prone to respiratory infections. Reputable breeders, therefore, only allow their kittens to go to new homes when they are at least 14 weeks of age.

This cat is also prone to skin problems and this could include rashes and fungal infections. As with any other cat, the Sphynx cat requires protection from harmful cat diseases by being vaccinated.

Caring The Pet

american longhair cats - caringThe long coat of the American Longhair will require some brushing to keep it shiny and smooth and free from dust but also to remove all those loose hairs.

Make sure your cat’s food and water dishes are in an appropriate spot and keep them separate from your cat’s litter box. House train your cat immediately on how to use a litter box. Keep the litter box clean and rake up your cat's droppings regularly and dispose of them.

Before you get a cat, know that they scratch. It is normal for a cat. Provide your cat with a scratching post as well as climbing equipment such as a cat climbing tree.

Diet:

Always feed your cat a meat-based diet, after all, cats in the wild are carnivores. There are some ingredients that a cat must have and they require certain amino acids found in meat-based proteins or else they could become ill.

The top quality cat foods provide cats with all the nutrients they need to keep them healthy. There are some cat owners who opt to feed their cats home-prepared meals because then they know exactly what’s going into their beloved pets food.

There are other cat owners who choose to provide their pet with a raw diet because they believe that this comes close to the cat's natural diet in the wild.

Always speak to your vet if you are in any way uncertain about the best foods for your cat. He should always have access to fresh cool water.

Parasites:

Check your cat for problems such as parasites such as ticks and fleas. You will also need to have your cat checked for worms. Your vet can diagnose worms with a physical exam. If it is discovered that your cat does have worms, the vet will recommend some safe, effective medications for your pet.

You will also need to check its body for skin problems such as unusual lumps.

If you are able to, get your cat regular veterinary examinations to ensure he is always in tip-top condition.

Have your cat spayed or neutered to prevent unwelcome kittens in a world where there are just too many unwanted kittens. These procedures can have health benefits for your cat as well.

American Longhairs are lively playful cats so give your cat toys to play with to ensure mental stimulation.

sphynx cats - caringEven though the Sphynx cat is hairless, he isn’t to be regarded as a low maintenance cat. First of all, the sheer lack of hair means he is more vulnerable to the sun and to the cold. If he goes outdoors, you have to be careful that his skin doesn’t get burned.

These cats also have more ear wax than other cats as they don’t have hair in their ears. Dirt, wax, and oils can accumulate in the ears. They will need to be cleaned regularly, and a vet or the pet groomer can help you with this.

The Sphynx cat also collects oil and dirt under their nails, so just like the ears, the nails as well as the surrounding skin folds will need to be properly cleaned. Cat owners need to know that these hairless cats aren't as low maintenance as thought, but require quite a bit of grooming. Special grooming products are available for this cat.

What one cat likes to eat won’t be the same as another cat. The Sphynx, like every other cat, is a carnivore and he will need all the different nutrients from his food.

The best commercial cat food manufacturers know that the proportion of these nutrients will vary as the cat ages and goes through different stages of its life. Your cat needs the right meat foods and he needs the right quantity as well.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. American Longhair vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  2. American Longhair vs Aegean - Breed Comparison
  3. American Longhair vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  4. American Longhair vs Chausie - Breed Comparison
  5. American Longhair vs American Bobtail - Breed Comparison
  6. American Longhair vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  7. American Longhair vs American Keuda - Breed Comparison
  8. American Polydactyl vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  9. American Shorthair vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  10. American Wirehair vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  11. Applehead Siamese vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  12. Ashera vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
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  14. Asian Semi-Longhair vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
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  24. British Longhair vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  25. British Shorthair vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  26. Sphynx vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  27. Sphynx vs Aegean - Breed Comparison
  28. Sphynx vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  29. Sphynx vs Chausie - Breed Comparison
  30. Sphynx vs American Bobtail - Breed Comparison
  31. Sphynx vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  32. Sphynx vs American Keuda - Breed Comparison
  33. Sphynx vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  34. Sphynx vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  35. Sphynx vs American Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  36. Sphynx vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  37. Sphynx vs Applehead Siamese - Breed Comparison
  38. Sphynx vs Ashera - Breed Comparison
  39. Sphynx vs Asian - Breed Comparison
  40. Sphynx vs Asian Semi-Longhair - Breed Comparison
  41. Sphynx vs Australian Mist - Breed Comparison
  42. Sphynx vs Balinese - Breed Comparison
  43. Sphynx vs Bengal - Breed Comparison
  44. Sphynx vs Bicolor - Breed Comparison
  45. Sphynx vs Birman - Breed Comparison
  46. Sphynx vs Blue Russian - Breed Comparison
  47. Sphynx vs Bombay - Breed Comparison
  48. Sphynx vs Brazilian Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  49. Sphynx vs Bristol - Breed Comparison
  50. Sphynx vs British Longhair - Breed Comparison