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Peterbald Breed Standards: Physical Characteristics and Unique Coat Types

Peterbald cat sitting on a plain neutral background

Short answer: the Peterbald is a slim, elegant, large-eared cat created in St Petersburg, Russia, in 1994 by crossing a Don Sphynx with an Oriental Shorthair. Its most famous feature is the coat, which comes in five types: bald, flocked, velour, brush and straight. Because the hairless gene is dominant and coats can change over time, two Peterbalds in one litter can look quite different.

Where the breed comes from

According to the breed's Wikipedia entry, the Peterbald was developed in St Petersburg in 1994 from a Don Sphynx male and an Oriental Shorthair female, with four kittens from the first two litters serving as foundation stock. The name nods to the city. The Russian Selectional Feline Federation set a standard in 1996, the International Cat Association (TICA) accepted the breed in 1997 and the World Cat Federation in 2003. The breed is still fairly rare, and Catster notes that kittens are expensive, so be careful of kitten mills. If you are comparing breeds first, our Oriental breed profile covers one of the parent lines.

The body: Oriental in outline

  • Build. A slim, muscular, long-legged body of the Oriental type.
  • Head. Narrow and long with a straight profile and a wedge-shaped muzzle.
  • Eyes. Almond-shaped.
  • Ears. Large and set wide apart, which gives the face its elfin look.
  • Tail. Long and whip-like.
  • Paws. Oval and webbed, and clever enough, according to the same entry, to grasp objects and even open lever door handles.
  • Size. Catster gives a typical weight of about 7 to 14 pounds (roughly 3 to 6 kg), with males slightly larger.

All colours and markings occur. Do not rely on any one standard to decide whether a particular kitten is "correct": breed standards differ between registries, and a good breeder can show you pedigree and registration papers.

The five coat types

Sources name the same five categories but use slightly different labels (for example, VetHelpDirect lists "chamois" where Wikipedia and Catster say "velour"). Here is how they are generally described:

  1. Bald (or hairless). Born without hair, with skin that can feel warm and slightly sticky because it produces oils that fur would normally spread.
  2. Flocked. A fine, sparse down. Catster describes flock-coated cats as about 90% hairless.
  3. Velour. A short, plush coat; Catster describes it as about 70% hairless.
  4. Brush. A coarse, bristly coat. TICA accepted the brush-coat Peterbald for championship competition in 2008, according to the Wikipedia entry.
  5. Straight. A normal short coat with whiskers. VetHelpDirect notes that straight-coated cats lack the hair-loss gene and cannot be shown.

Why coats change

Cats born with hair, apart from the straight-coated, can lose it over time, and VetHelpDirect says the coat type usually settles by about three years old. A kitten that looks "furry" at eight weeks may be nearly bald as an adult, and a bald kitten usually stays that way. If you are choosing a kitten, ask the breeder what the parents look like and how the coat has changed in earlier litters, and plan for the care of a hairless or near-hairless cat. Our Peterbald care guide covers the routine.

Temperament in a sentence

Wikipedia describes the Peterbald as sweet-tempered, affectionate, curious, smart and energetic, and Catster adds a dog-like loyalty. It tends to follow its owner around and gets along with other cats, pets and children. VetHelpDirect notes a strong need for companionship, which can make separation problems more likely. You can read more about training and company in our training guide and our guide to a Peterbald-friendly home.

Standards and welfare: what to ask a breeder

The hairless gene is dominant, and Wikipedia notes that since 2014 the Netherlands has banned breeding from cats that carry traits causing health or welfare problems, which includes the lack of protective fur in hairless cats. The UK's GCCF does not recognise the breed, with VetHelpDirect citing health concerns linked to hairlessness as part of the reason. None of this means a Peterbald cannot be a healthy, happy pet, but it does mean you should ask careful questions:

  • Can I see both parents and the kitten's litter, and how do their coats compare?
  • Has the breeder tested for inherited conditions such as progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)? VetHelpDirect says a genetic test exists.
  • Are kittens vet-checked, vaccinated and registered with a recognised body?
  • Is the kitten kept in a warm home and handled daily?

See also our guide to Peterbald lifespan and health.

Quick checklist

  • Five coat types: bald, flocked, velour, brush, straight.
  • Coat can change until about three years old.
  • Slim, large-eared Oriental body, 7 to 14 lb.
  • Plan for skin care, warmth and company.
  • Ask about health testing, parents and registration.
  • This is general information, not veterinary advice.

Keep reading

Sources

Further reading

Reminder: Kittyslovers (The Best Kitty Corner) is an independent blog. Our authors are not veterinarians and this article has not been reviewed by a veterinary professional. Always consult a licensed veterinarian about your cat's health, diet, supplements and medication. Found an error? Let us know.