The Bombay Cat

Bombay Breed Profile

Bombay Kitten pic courtesy of Xquizit Cats

There are two types of bombay cat. The british bombay cat is the The Black Cat (Also known as the Magician Cat.) Bombay Cat In 1958, a Kentucky (USA) breeder deliberately bred a black American shorthair and a sable-brown Burmese in an effort to creat a domestic cat that resembled the wild Panther. This novel combination successfully produced offspring that resembled the Black Leopard of India, The Bombay name, taken from the Indian city of Bombay (now Mumbai), honours the native country of the wild cousin. Despite its distinct and beautiful appearance the Bombay's international acceptance has grown slowly. It always displays a thick, shiny, solid black coat; no other colours or patterns are permitted, The eyes shine in a coppery or golden shade. The Black Cat in France is known as the Matagot, or Magician Cat. The fortunate family that takes the cat into its house receives the gift of good luck as a result. On the peninsulla of Brittany, in the northwest of France, there is a similar legend called the Chat D'Argent, or Money Cat. This feline is believed to serve nine owners at a time. Throughout the rest of the world, with the exception of South America, the black cat is almost universally reviled as a harbinger of bad luck, an omen of the dark side. Ireland, always a treasure trove of mythology, appointed the black cat as a helpmate of healers, and, at the same time, a witch's familiar. This shows the pagan influence of sun and moon cycles on the human psyche. The black cat, a carrier of magic, was a representative of darkness. But, owing to fur that could also turn into moonglow, or silver, the black cat was given a dual identity. Furthermore, black was the byproduct of fire; fire, to the ancients was a thing of beauty, utility, and great power. All these aspects were, and are, present in the black cat. The Bombay is considered a quiet, watchful cat who loves affection. This can be said of any feline. But the Bombay is one who, when things are going her way, purrs loudly enough to be heard in the next room. Bombays enjoy the indoors perhaps more than the outdoors, and they are noted for not liking any intrusive noises. This a well balanced, muscular cat with a deep black coat. Rounded and wide head with a short tapered muzzle. Round, wide-set, golden to copper coloured eyes, and medium sized, broad and slightly rounded wide set ears. The coat texture is fine, short, satiny and tight to the body. Bombays require little grooming. Petting will keep the coat shiny and free of dead hair. A rubber brush can be used for excessive shedding. A nutritionally complete food will add gloss to the coat and fuel for the cat's natural energy. Instant lap cat, best describes the heat-seeking Bombay lifestyle. Both sexes make excellent pets. While they will get along with other breeds, the Bombay usually wants to dominate other cats. A dog might make a good companion for a Bombay. These are smart and agile cats, they often retrieve and will seek out interaction with humans. Visitors' purses or packages are thoroughly inspected. Head bumpers and nose rubbers, they love nothing more than to be held. Some can be very talkative and they have a distinctive voice. Quiet, sensitive, reserved and intelligent, the Bombay does best in a quiet home, where it is affectionate to the whole family. The Bombay's sleek, glossy short coat and beautiful vivid cooper to golden eyes makes it resemble a miniature black panther with a look all its own. The Bombay was developed from the Burmese breed and exhibits the muscular body type and affectionate, mellow temperament of the Burmese. A Mustang Bombay cat having a good time. Bombays were fist bred by cat breeder Nikki Horner of Shawnee Cattery in Louisville, Kentucky. She started in 1953 by breeding a black American Short hair to a sable Burmese. Many years of selective breeding followed that first litter where the late Ms. Horner consistently got totally black cats, with huge copper eyes, short shiny black coats, with their own distinctive head and body types. The Bombay did breed true. Eighteen years after the first Bombay breeding experiment in the year 1976, the Bombay was recognised for championship status in The Cat Fanciers' Association. In the UK, Bombays are classified as part of the Asian group of cat breeds. Bombay cats are extremely agile, affectionate and intelligent. They are easily leashed-trained and fetch naturally. Bombays are also very friendly and alert with dog like personalities. With their beautiful panther looks and short tight coat, it is not surprising that Bombay owners are so enthusiastic about these beautiful mini-panthers. The Bombay cat is a medium sized cat with a solid muscular body. Their coat is jet black to the roots, short to medium in length with a fine and satiny texture with a high sheen that looks like patent leather. The nose and paw pads are also black. Eye colour ranges from golden to deep copper with copper eyes considered the more superior. Names Breed Classification Shorthaired (part of the Asian Group) Lifespan > 15 years Average Litter Size 6 General Physical Description There are two cats named 'Bombay', but the one recognised by the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy is a Black Self Asian. (The other version, which appears almost identical) was created in America in the 1950's, by crossing a Sable Burmese with Black American Shorthairs. The Bombay is a medium built cat, with a glossy, jet black coat. The head has good width between the ears and a gently rounded dome. The jaw is wide at the hinge tapering to a broad blunt muzzle. In profile the head forms a short wedge with a firm chin and short nose. The chin and the tip of the nose are in the same vertical plane. The ears are of medium size with a rounded tip. They are set so as to continue the angle of the face and are slightly tilted forward. The beautiful copper/gold eyes are set well apart and are full and expressive. The body is firm and muscular with a strong straight back. The legs are of medium length and the hind legs are a little longer than the front. The paws are oval and the tail is medium to long, tapering slightly to a rounded tip. Weight Height Range Bombays weigh between 4 - 7kgs. Feeding Visit our cat food department The Bombay is an active cat and requires 80 Kcals per kg of bodyweight per day of food. These cats are not generally prone to obesity and regulate their own diets very well. Ailments Pet insurance for cats resource The Bombay has no specific health care problems and, like the Burmese, lives well into its teens. As with all cats it is a good idea to have an annual health check from about the age of eight. Other Show Characteristics The Bombay is currently on the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy's provisional listing, and will be granted Championship Status on 1 June 2000. Prizes may be withheld for incorrect coat colour, pattern or length, white markings, incorrect type as well as any of the faults that apply to all breeds such as skull deformities, entropion, unlevel bite, squints, tail kinks etc. Country Of Origin Britain & USA Characteristics Energy High Compatibility With Other Cats High Compatibility With Other Animals Medium Suitability For Children Medium Character & Temperament The Bombay is a friendly, intelligent and affectionate cat. Like the other members of the Asian group, the curiosity and friendliness of the Bombay can often lead it to stray into visitor's cars or delivery vans and they may be best confined to the house or a secure garden. They usually settle quite happily to this arrangement, as above all they do love their home comforts. They love to play and toys and scratching post should be provided for amusement as well as quality time set aside for play with their humans. They can be very sensitive to their owner's feelings and this makes them excellent companions. They are generally good with children and when fed up with the rough and tumble of play with human children will stalk off until peace resumes. Noisiness Medium Placidity Playfulness As An Adult Grooming Visit our cat grooming department Grooming & Upkeep Coat Length Short Colour Asian Self: The Bombay's coat is jet black and shimmers like patent leather. The nose leather and eye rims are black and the paw pads are black or dark brown. The eyes are brilliant copper. History And Uses The Asian group of cats was brought about by breeders attempting to create cats of Burmese type, in colours not recognised in the Burmese - the Bombay is the Self Black version of the Asian. Shedding Little Suffers From Allergies Tendency to Cause Allergies

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Pictures

Adult Male Bombay Cat [ Mykei ]	Adult Female Bombay Cat [ Electra ]
Pictures kindly supplied by Nunya from Xquizit cats [ Contact us to submit your pictures. ]

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