Lovely Cats on Short Legs

“With its genetically inherited charm of the hairless Sphynx and the touching spontaneity of the short-legged Munchkin, Bambino is the most unusual breed among cats.”

(Cats and Dogs magazine No. 9 for 2007)

         Have you ever seen anything more extraordinary looking? A hairless cat and on very short legs to boot – this little charming darling is called Bambino.

         You experience a shock when you first see this small animal, in which you don’t even recognize a cat straight away. On first encounter this little creature has been called a doggy, a baby kangaroo, a mini-pig. Those who saw Bambino in action suggested that it might be some uncommon breed of rabbit or marten. And the faster it disappeared from view the longer was the audience’s perplexity. Whatever was people’s reaction to Bambino – from delight to occasionally even fear – one thing was constant: no one remained indifferent at the sight of this extraordinary cat.

         The hairless pear-shaped body on very short legs, the skin with lots of mobile folds, huge locator-like ears on wrinkled head adorned with large lemon-shaped eyes with a surprised look.

         Our citizens have long become used to hairless cats as pet animals at home. Moreover, Sphynx cats have also become popular characters in animated cartoons and other multimedia venues such as advertising films and all sorts of captions and stills. One could say that Bambino is a continuation of the “hairless series” but that would not be quite fair – Bambino is indeed a hairless cat but in all other respects it is inimitable and unique, having incorporated all the extreme characteristics of the species within its little body.

         When Bambino is lying still you can take it for a Sphynx. But when it gets on its feet it gives you a shock. Its legs are quite short and covered in leathery wrinkles, and it is touchingly bow-legged. Then the little creature starts moving and your heart melts with tenderness – here is an extra-terrestrial baby for you. When Bambino walks with its head high and its characteristic air of importance it resembles a human infant on its fours, who believes itself to be quite grown-up and independent. When Bambino romps and plays it is impetuous as a hunting Dachshund. Bambino’s manner of running is so unlike feline, its movements are so unusual and unpredictable (some people say it brings to mind a marten) that you get another shock: how can it be so agile on such tiny legs? It’s not an easy task to catch a Bambino at play: it can sprawl flat on the floor and maneuver as a ray on sea bottom. Moreover, it is fully aware that it’s a game: Bambinos are very smart. They intentionally try to amuse and inspire you with their tricks and they rejoice in the game as little children.

         Finally, when you take a Bambino into your arms, you experience the strongest shock: you realize that it can be taken away from you only by force.

IN RUSSIA THE COPYRIGHT ON THE BAMBINO BREED BELONGS TO THE SPHYNX CENTER “GRAND ORAY” (CURATOR ELENA CHERNOVA). BAMBINO BREED WAS ORIGINALLY DEVELOPED AT THE “BABY MOON” CATTERY (breeder: MARIA CHERNOVA).

This article was first published in the magazine Cats and Dogs No .2 for 2009, Moscow, Russia.