Donskoy Cat
Cat Facts

This natural cat breed was discovered in 1987 in Russia. The Donskoy, which is known by many other names i.e. the Donsky, Don Sphynx and Russian Hairless, is classified as a shorthaired cat, not a hairless cat breed. Their so-called 'hairless' trait is as a result of a spontaneous (natural) mutation caused by a dominant gene.

The Donskoy skin is elastic and the wrinkling is pronounced. The more wrinkles they have the better. Their wrinkled skin feels soft and hot - like a warm fuzzy peach. The Don Sphynx comes in all coat colors and there are 4 coat types, but a totally hairless cat is preferred:

Brush: This is not considered a show quality coat but is permissible for breeding. This fur over the entire body is wavy, wiry, soft and bristly. Bald areas are visible on the back, upper part of the neck and head.

Velour: Kittens are born with a bald patch on the top of the head whilst the rest of the body is covered with a wavy coat. Over the next two years of the cat's life this hair gradually disappears. Some hair may remain on the legs, tail and face.

Flocked: Kittens are born with a coat that resembles the look and feel of chamois. It appears hairless, but the hair is very short and fine. The flocked coat does sometimes disappear leaving the cat bald.

Rubber Bald: Donskoy kittens that are born totally bald and remain bald throughout their lives.

The Don Sphynx has a medium size body and abdomen is rounded, but not fat and it has the appearance of having just recently eaten a large meal. This is a strong-boned, sturdy and muscular cat, but at the same time a very elegant cat. The Russian Hairless cat has a powerful, muscular, rounded neck of medium length.

The Don Sphynx has firm, muscular legs with medium boning. The forelegs are set wide apart and the back legs are longer than the front legs. Their feet are oval, medium sized with slender, long toes. The thumb on the front paws bends inwards making the paws look more like slender hands - like those belonging to a monkey. Another distinguishing feature is the web toes and the thick, cushion-like paw pads which gives the impression that the Don Sphynx is walking on clouds.

The Russian Hairless cat has a straight, medium-long tail that tapers to a tip and is described as whippy. Kittens and young cats sometimes have hair on their tail which generally disappears at around two years. Whilst a bald or hairless tail is preferred, some cats do have fine, hair/fluff on the tip.

The Donskoy head is described as wedge-shaped (or V-shaped), of medium size with cheek bones and eyebrows that are finely outlined and a flat forehead. An indentation is palpable in the area between and above the eyes. It has a well developed strong jaws and chin. Whiskers may be sparse, curly, broken, long or short or may even be absent. Their medium length muzzle is slightly rounded. Interestingly, the Don Sphynx often has long canine teeth that protrude from behind the top lip.

Their eyes are almond-shaped, medium to large in size, but not wide open. They are set at a slant towards the outer corner of the eyes. Eye-color and coat color has no relationship. Eyebrows may be absent, whole or broken. Their large, upright ears tilt slightly forward. The ears are wide at the base and set wide apart and the tips are rounded.

Personality

Oh to have a Donsky in your life! This is the most wonderful companion, they are loving, tender-hearted and affectionate, friendly and amiable. A highly intelligent cat, smart in every way. They do follow voice commands and can be trained with very little effort. They love to be handled and do not object to their grooming routine.

They are active and lively and behave more like children (or monkeys) than cats. They are very interested in their surroundings and love creative games. Sociable, curious and wonderful companions for the young and old. The love their humans and are almost dog-like in their loyalty towards their owners. The Donskoy loves company and does not tolerate solitude well.

They are notaggressive cats and they will never bite or scratch their humans. In terms of other cats, they are rather selective in who they invite into their domain. They may snarl at other cats. This behavior is possibly driven by jealousy and being possessive of their human!

Donskoy Cat Information

Would they suit a home with Children?

Yes they do adore children, but small children do need to be taught how to handle kittens and cats.

Are they Pet Friendly?

Yes. They do prefer dogs to other cats. Any new addition to the family needs to be gradually introduced to the resident cat or dog. Owners need to respect the 'rights' of the existing pets.

Do they prefer Indoor or Outdoor living?

The Donskoy is an indoor cat. As they are sensitive to extreme heat and cold, it is preferable to keep them indoors. To prevent boredom, create an indoor adventure zone for your companion. It should include cat gyms, cat toys, scratching towers and if possible an indoor garden full of non-toxic plants. They love the company of their humans and do not tolerate solitude. If you have a safe and escape-proof garden, your cat can be let out for an hour or two at sunrise and sunset.

Cat Care and Grooming tips for this Hairless Cat

Whilst the Donskoy is a hairless cat, it is not a low maintenance cat breed! Their skins, like human skin, sweats and as result, daily sponging is recommended. A monthly bath is suggested. Nail clipping every 4- 6 weeks and weekly dental hygiene is needed.

For complete cat care you may want to visit our cat grooming pages.

Is the Donskoy Cat Hypoallergenic?

The simple answer is NO. The reason for this can be found in our chapter on hypoallergenic cats.

Cat Diseases and Health Problems associated with this cat breed

They are described as healthy cats. Being hairless, they do need special skin care. Protect their skin from sunburn and extreme cold and drafts. They are prone to gum disease and tooth decay, so regular dental check-ups are advised.

Do consider cat insurance for your cat.

Special Dietary Requirements for the Don Hairless cat

They have a higher body temperature than other cats and as a result do require more food than most other cat breeds. They love their food so this will not be a problem - they eat almost anything!

Note: As this is a hairless cat, you do need to increase their calorie intake in winter to ensure that they maintain a higher body temperature.

Visit our cat nutrition and cat food pages for advice on feeding your cat a well balanced diet.

What is the Average Weight of these Hairless Cats?

Female cats are lighter than the male cats, but on average the Donskoy weighs between 3.5 - 7.0 kg (7.7 - 15.4 lbs)

The Average Life Expectancy of the Don Hairless

Provided your cat receives all their inoculations, a premium well balanced diet and exercise, they are likely to live 12 + years. Find out more about this in our chapter on how long do cats live.

Don Sphynx Cat Related Pages:

Don Sphynx Cat Breeders - A list of breeders from across the world

Hairless Cat - Hypoallergenic cats and Specific Care of Hairless Cats

Hypoallergenic Cats - do hairless cats cause allergic reactions