This time the alarm comes from the United Kingdom, but it is not the first time that such an appeal has been launched: let’s stop buying Bully cats. Most of us probably didn’t even know this new one existed feline breedfruit ofcross between a Sphinx cat and a Munchkin. And this alone should suggest to you why feline associations and veterinarians, on various sides, are shouting and repeating not to buy these cats, so as to avoid continuing to feed a trade based on breeds or hybrids full of problems and diseases. (Read also: I’m a vet and I’ll tell you which cat breeds I would never choose)
Why shouldn’t you buy Bully cats?
To explain why we shouldn’t never buy Bully cats (just as we should stop purchasing and encouraging the breeding and trade of excessively exaggerated canine and feline breeds, such as French Bulldogs or even American Bullies), this time it’s up to Dr. Grace Carrollanimal behavior specialist at Queen’s University, Belfast.
The doctor reminded everyone that consumers have the purchasing power. If they stopped buying breeds with such extreme characteristicscertainly breeders would not be interested in focusing onaesthetics at the expense of health and animal welfare.
The doctor talks about following the path of a more ethical breedingwhich not only pursues the aesthetics and fashion of the moment, but which also protects the health and natural behavior of cats.
But the doctor is certainly not the first to make her voice heard. Ever since this breed was placed on the market, the various feline associations and industry experts have tried to warn against purchasing it. But no way: Bully cats continue to capture the attention of the social media crowd.
But to which ones health problems could they meet? Well, to several, which could cause a sharp decrease in theirs average lifespan:
Cats Bully cat: the origins
Apparently i Bully cats originate from the United States. Here the breeders thought it was a good idea to cross Sphinx cats, with their genes that cause the absence of hair, with Munchkin cats, those that carry the gene for short legs. What could possibly go wrong when two cats characterized by such crossbreeds genetic anomalies?
Well, the forecasts are clear: in themselves these two cat breeds are not very long-lived. Then, by crossing them with each other, the related genetic anomalies could significantly shorten their life, reaching one average lifespan of up to six years. Very little for a cat, even without considering the Highlanders of the felines, such as the Siamese breed cats, capable of reaching over 20 years of age, and the Maine Coons, another very long-lived breed.
Bully cat: half Sphinx…
As we were saying, the Bully cat is the result of a cross between a Sphinx and a Munchkin. Let’s start from Sphinx: also known as Canadian Sphinx, it is a feline breed born from a natural mutation of the domestic cat. This mutation was selected through breeding until it was fixed and this recognized breed was created. Its main characteristic is . This is because of the mutation of the recessive “hairless” gene. (READ also: Hairless (or almost hairless) cat breeds: which one to choose?)
Based on the type of skin, it is divided into:
In addition to being hairless, he has big ears and rounded at the end. The eyes are also large, while the nose is protruding. It is a medium-sized cat, quite muscular and with raised toes.
Having no hair, his skin often appears greasier than normal. Very sensitive to sunburn and heat stroke, the skin also hurts more easily. He suffers greatly from the cold and often suffers from dermatitis and ear infections.
… and half Munchkin
But the Bully cat is also half a Munchkins. This is a relatively new breed, also known as dachshund cat or kangaroo cat. It is characterized by having the very short legswith long and muscular chest. It has almond-shaped eyes, a triangular head and both long and short hair.
The problem is that these short legs, these cats are born this way due to a form of pseudoachondroplasia. Which means that we breed them to have exaggerated shapes resulting from a genetic problem. Munchkins, in fact, are at greater risk of developing spinal problems, lordosis, arthrosis and pectus excavatum. Basically the concept is that we select and breed subjects technically “sick” for our pleasure and to satisfy our aesthetic sense.
Consider, then, that two Munchkin cats cannot be crossed with each other because their dwarfism geneif inherited from both parents, is fatal. In fact, they are only bred with normal cats.
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Hairless (or almost hairless) cat breeds: which one to choose?
