The Bombay is a breed of cat that comes in just the one color - completely black. They are a combination of the American Shorthair and the Burmese for a loving and affectionate cat that is very curious. Here is a breed profile.
The Bombay is a domestic cat breed that was developed from the crossing of a sable colored Burmese with a black American Shorthair to produce a cat that has a Burmese type cat with a sleek, tight black coat.
History
Breeder Nikki Horner was one of the most influential early breeders of this type of cat and wanted to create a breed that had the coat of the Burmese with the black coloring of the Shorthair and also bright copper eyes. She thought the cat resembled the black leopard of India so named it for the Indian city of Bombay. She was at first unsuccessful then in 1965, she finally bred the cat she wanted. By the 1970s, her breed has been accepted for championship status and she passed the work on to others.
Herb and Suzanne Zwecker was also important in the early development of the breed, combining new cats to strengthen the genetics of the breed. Their cats Shawnee and Road to Fame are the ancestors of many of today’s Bombays. The breed was accepted for championship competition by TICA in June 1979.
Description
Bombays only come in one color – black – and it is the deepest black possible with a high sheen to their hair. They have large eyes that can be a rich gold to a deep copper. Their body shape is highly muscular on a medium sized frame with a robust bone structure that makes them heavier than anticipated when picked up. Their heads are rounded and lacking in sharp angles with wide-set, large eyes. Ears are medium in size, set apart and slightly tilted forward.
Because their coat is very tight, Bombays need little grooming and a quick rubdown with a brush will remove any loose hairs.
Personality
The Bombay has the easy going nature of the American Shorthair combined with the inquisitive and loving personality of the Burmese. This means they love to be with people and will greet visitors with the same enthusiasm. They will accompany their owners around the house and love to cuddle or snuggle with them. They are also friendly to everyone in the family and are great with children, as they too love to play. Their attachment to people means they are not best suited to being left all day with companionship and can become lonely and bored.
