Description: Bombay
The Bombay cat, renowned for its sleek, jet-black coat and striking copper or green eyes, is often referred to as the 'Mini Panther' due to its resemblance to a small black leopard. Developed in the mid-20th century, this breed was created by crossing sable Burmese and black American Shorthairs. Bombays are known for their friendly and affectionate nature, making them excellent companions. They are sociable and thrive on interaction with humans and other pets. This breed is intelligent and playful, often enjoying simple games like fetch, and can be taught various tricks. They tend to be very vocal, communicating with their owners to express their needs and desires.
Properties
The Bombay cat is an enchanting breed, notable for its sleek, jet-black coat and striking copper or golden eyes. These cats are often described as mini-panthers due to their solid black appearance, which closely resembles a wild panther. This breed was first developed in the mid-20th century by crossing sable Burmese with black American Shorthair cats, aiming to create a cat with the distinctive look of a wild panther but suitable as a domestic pet.
Beyond their stunning appearance, Bombay cats are known for their exceptional personalities. They are highly sociable, affectionate, and intelligent, making them excellent companions. These cats tend to form strong bonds with their owners and thrive on interaction. A notable characteristic of Bombays is their 'dog-like' behavior. They are known to follow their owners from room to room, participate in family activities, and some may even learn to play fetch or walk on a leash.
When it comes to their physical characteristics, Bombay cats possess a medium-sized, muscular body which is surprisingly heavy for their size. Their head is rounded with a short, straight nose, and their ears are set wide apart, contributing to their distinctive, friendly facial expression. One of the key features of the Bombay cat is its coat, which is short, satiny, and requires minimal grooming. Despite this, they often enjoy the attention they get during grooming sessions.
In terms of health, this breed is generally robust but can inherit some genetic health issues typically associated with the Burmese, including craniofacial defects and cardiomyopathy. Therefore, it’s crucial for potential Bombay cat owners to source their pets from reputable breeders who test for these genetic conditions. They are relatively adaptable and can live well in both houses and apartments, provided they have sufficient space for play and exploration.
An ideal family pet, the Bombay cat gets along well with children and other pets if introduced properly and early. Their interactive nature and intelligence make them very trainable and easier to manage than many other breeds. In summary, if you’re looking for a charming, engaging, and beautiful cat to become a part of your family, the Bombay might just be the perfect breed for you.
Appearance
The Bombay cat, often called the patent-leather kid with the copper penny eyes, is a breed of domestic cats closely resembling a miniature black panther. Its sleek, shiny black coat and striking copper or gold eyes contribute to its exotic appearance, and it is actually bred to resemble the black panther, albeit in a smaller, domesticated form.
The body of the Bombay is muscular and compact, depicting great agility and strength. Despite their solid build, they are surprisingly heavy when picked up, owing to their dense bone structure. The head is rounded and well-proportioned to the body, with no sharp corners, giving them a soft, pleasing and approachable look. The ears are medium in size, wide-set, and tilt slightly forward, aligning with the rounded contour of the head.
The eyes of the Bombay are one of its most captivating features. Large, round, and set wide apart, they gleam with a bright copper or golden hue, intense in color, and seem to glow from within. This vivid eye color is set off dramatically by their deep, glossy black coat. The coat is short, lying flat against the body, and feels satin-like to the touch. This single-layered coat lacks an undercoat, which makes it easy to maintain, typically requiring only minimal grooming.
Bombays move with a panther-like grace and stealth. They have a distinctive, direct manner of walking, often using a pacing walk akin to lions. This parade-like gait further enhances their wild, exotic look, making them appear as though they own whatever space they occupy.
Tailored to be an 'indoor' cat, the Bombay's striking appearance is complemented by its highly adaptable nature. They tend to be well-suited to indoor environments, thriving on interaction with humans and showing a level of sophistication in their behavior. Their strong, athletic build gives them robust health but they are best kept indoors to protect their sleek coat and allow close interaction with family.
Overall, the Bombay cat's appearance is memorable and distinctive – enveloped in an aura of mystery and wild beauty, yet perfectly sized and tempered for domestic life. Their elegant but powerful physique coupled with their endearing features captures the essence of a wild predator tamed into an affectionate companion.
History
The Bombay cat is a breed of domestic cats developed by breeding sable Burmese and black American Shorthairs to produce a cat of mostly Burmese type, but with a sleek, panther-like black coat. This breed was developed by Nikki Horner of Louisville, Kentucky, in the late 1950s. Horner aimed to produce a breed that would resemble a miniature black panther with the sleek appearance and charming temperament of a domestic cat. The breed was named after Bombay, India, now known as Mumbai, which is the land of the black leopard.
Nikki Horner started her breeding program in 1953 and faced numerous challenges in achieving the desired appearance and temperament. She sought a cat with an all-black, short, and satin-like coat, with copper or golden eyes, and a medium to large size. The development of the Bombay took many years of selective breeding. The first successful pairing that began to meet these criteria didn’t occur until 1965, and the breed was not officially recognized by the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) until 1976.
By carefully selecting and breeding Burmese cats with black American Shorthairs, Horner retained the muscular and affectionate nature of the Burmese while imparting the distinctive jet-black coat and copper eyes of the shorthairs. These unique traits quickly helped the Bombay cat stand out in the competitive cat breeding world. The sleek, glossy black coat and striking eye color draw a strong visual similarity to the exotic black panther.
The effort to maintain and promote the Bombay breed continues among dedicated breeders who adhere to the standards that Horner set. The Bombay is sometimes described as a 'patent leather kid with new pennies for eyes', due to its distinctive appearance. Apart from their visual appeal, Bombays are known for their playful, personable, and affectionate nature. They are often described as social, adaptable, and very bonded to their families, characteristics that make them excellent pets.
Nowadays, Bombays are popular both as family pets and in show rings. Known for their shiny black coats and large, expressive eyes, they continue to charm cat enthusiasts around the world with their panther-like elegance and friendly temperament. This breed serves as a fantastic example of how deliberate, knowledgeable breeding can combine the best traits of different cats into a wholly new and unique breed.