The Peterbald is one of the newest cat breeds in the world.
History
The Peterbald is a crossbreed between the Oriental shorthair and the Donskey.
In 1994, a cat breeder named Ogla Mironova crossed the two breeds; producing the Peterbald.
The first litter of Peterbalds was born in St. Petersburg, Russia.
In 1997, the Peterbald was accepted by The International Cat Association (TICA). Later in 2005, the breed gained championship status.
Appearance/Physical Traits
The Peterbald’s appearance is what makes them unique; their lack of fur and triangular features set them apart from most cat breeds.
There are five different coat lengths and variations of the Peterbald which are not meant to be confused with each other.
Bald or naked: The cat is completely hairless. Some naked Peterbalds have no whiskers or eyelashes.
Chamois: The coat consists of very fine fuzz. This fuzz may clothe the cat fully, or only in patches.
Flock: The flock coat is the more desirable among the five in Peterbalds. A flock Peterbald appears hairless but has soft, silky hairs and kinky whiskers.
Brush: The brush coat consists of wiry fur much like the American Wirehair. The fur may be soft or coarse.
Straight: Straight-coat Peterbalds don’t inherit the hairless gene from the Donskoy, but resemble the Oriental shorthair. Peterbalds with a straight coat aren’t accepted for judging and are sold and kept as pets.
The Peterbald is a medium-sized cat that weighs between seven and fourteen pounds (3-6 kilograms.)
They have a long, lean body with a triangular-shaped head and ears. Complete with a pair of almond-shaped eyes!
The breed is accepted in several different coat and eye colors.
Personality & Behavior
The Peterbald is known for its affectionate and loving temperament.
They are very playful, energetic, outgoing, and sociable.
Peterbalds share their vocalness and intelligence with their Asian cousins.
The breed is generally good with dogs, other cats, and children.
Health & Care
Seeing as the Peterbald is a new cat breed, we don’t yet know what health problems and diseases they are prone to.
You should keep your cat up-to-date with their vaccinations and annual vet checkups.
Peterbalds are very vulnerable to extreme temperatures. The breed can suffer from sunburns and some skin cancers if exposed to direct sunlight. Because of this, they should be kept indoors 24/7.
Weekly baths and/or wipe-downs (with pet wipes for cats) are beneficial for keeping your cat’s skin clean and healthy.
Just like other cats, Peterbalds should have their teeth brushed daily and their nails trimmed every two or three weeks.
Fun Facts:
Peterbalds are one of the newest cat breeds
They have a lifespan of 12-15 years
The breed’s coat changes color and texture after birth
They are very rare and expensive
They are one of the six hairless cat breeds
Peterbalds have a higher metabolism than other cats
It costs between $3000-$5000 to purchase a Peterbald from a reputable breeder
Works Cited
“About the Russian Peterbalds,” AnnaMae’s Flowers,
Guthrie, Claudia & Taylor, Chad, “Peterbald Cat Breed Information & Characteristics,” Daily Paws,
Lesser, Jennifer, “Peterbald Cats: Breed Profile, Characteristics & Care,” TheSprucePets,
Steinman, Henry, “20 Cool Facts about Peterbald Cats,” KittenToob, 7 May 2018,