Peterbald Cat: Hairless Oriental, Temperament & Care

The Peterbald is like a hairless Oriental Shorthair: it features a slender, long-legged body, a long, narrow head with a straight profile, giant bat-like ears, and warm, soft, velvet-like skin. Sometimes referred to as the St. Petersburg Sphynx because it originated in St. Petersburg, Russia, it is one of the youngest recognized cat breeds. In this cat breed guide profile, we explain where Peterbalds come from, why some are born with fur, how they differ from other hairless cats, and how to care for them.

Origin	St. Petersburg, Russia
Founders	Donskoy Afinogen Myth × Oriental Shorthair Radma von Jagerhov
Recognition	TICA in 1997, WCF in 2003, FIFe in 2012
Body	slender, muscular, long legs, whip-like tail
Coat types	bald, flock, velour, brush, straight
Hairless gene	dominant (from the Donskoy)
Colors	all colors and patterns, visible on the skin
Eyes	almond-shaped, usually green-gold
Temperament	affectionate, calm, curious, energetic

The Peterbald Was Born from a Donskoy and an Oriental Shorthair

In late 1994 in St. Petersburg, Russian felinologist Olga Mironova mated a Donskoy named Afinogen Myth with an Oriental Shorthair world champion named Radma von Jagerhov. The first two litters produced four kittens—Mandarin, Muscat, Nezhenka, and Nocturne iz Murino—who became the foundation of the entire breed. The Russian SFF accepted the breed and its standard in 1996, followed by TICA in 1997, the WCF in 2003, and FIFe in 2012. In the US, the Peterbald is registered by TICA.

Today, Peterbalds are being developed toward the modern Oriental and Siamese type: a long muzzle, large, widely set ears, flat cheekbones, and an elegant body on long legs. Because of this, breed standards encourage outcrossing Peterbalds with Oriental Shorthairs and Siamese cats; semi-longhaired Balinese and Javanese cats were removed from the list of permitted outcrosses in 2005.

From Completely Bald to "Brush": Five Coat Types

The Peterbald's hairlessness is determined by a dominant gene inherited from the Donskoy. As a result, a single litter can produce very different kittens:

• Bald – Completely hairless, rubbery, warm, and sometimes wrinkled skin.
• Flock – A barely noticeable fuzz that feels like a peach.
• Velour – A short, denser fuzz that often falls out as the cat ages.
• Brush – A wiry, wavy, sparse coat with bald patches; TICA has allowed brush-coated Peterbalds in championship classes since 2008.
• Straight – A normal, standard coat; these kittens do not carry the hairless gene and keep their fur for life.

Peterbalds born with hair (except for the straight-coated ones) often gradually lose it over time. Their skin color matches their genetic coat color, meaning Peterbalds come in all colors and patterns. Smoke and shaded colors, which require a hair shaft to display properly, are not present in completely bald Peterbalds. Their eyes are usually green-gold, while white and pointed cats typically have blue eyes.

An Oriental Body and Webbed Toes

The Peterbald's body is slender yet muscular, featuring long, straight lines. The head is narrow and long with a straight profile, almond-shaped eyes, a wedge-shaped muzzle, and large, widely set ears. The tail is long and thin like a whip. Their paws are particularly unique: they are oval with long toes and webbing between them, allowing Peterbalds to grasp objects and even open doors with lever handles.

Temperament: Affectionate, Calm, and Always by Your Side

FIFe describes Peterbalds as sweet-tempered, affectionate, peaceful, curious, intelligent, and energetic. They are moderately vocal, love to follow their owners around, and thrive on companionship. Peterbalds generally get along well with other cats, pets, and children. Like other hairless cats, they absolutely love warmth—whether it is on your lap, under a blanket, or next to a radiator.

Health and Welfare: Hairless Cats Need Special Care

There are not many hereditary diseases specifically documented for Peterbalds, but because their body structure is closely related to Orientals and Siamese cats, it is worth checking if their lineage has a history of conditions common to those breeds, such as progressive retinal atrophy. The most significant risk comes from their hairlessness itself: without a coat, the cat has a harder time regulating its body temperature, its skin is highly sensitive to the sun and scratches, and it accumulates more skin oils and ear wax.

The lack of a protective coat raises ethical discussions within the veterinary community regarding the welfare of hairless breeds. While there are no widespread bans on breeding Peterbalds in the US as there are in some European countries, ethical breeders prioritize the health and quality of life of their cats. TICA, the main US registry for the breed, maintains a strict breed standard, and responsible breeders work to ensure that extreme physical traits do not compromise the cats' overall well-being.

Care: Warmth, Sun Protection, and Skin Cleaning

• Skin. Regularly wipe their bald skin with a damp cloth or give them an occasional bath with a mild cat shampoo to prevent oil buildup. For brush and velour Peterbalds, a gentle grooming glove is usually enough.
• Warmth. Keep your Peterbald in a warm home, and offer a cat sweater and a heated bed during the winter.
• Sun. Prolonged exposure to the sun can cause their bare skin to burn, so they need access to shade during the summer.
• Ears and nails. Wax builds up quickly in their large ears, and oils collect under their nail beds, requiring regular cleaning.
• Enrichment. Provide this energetic and intelligent cat with climbing shelves, puzzle toys, and daily interactive playtime.

The Peterbald, Sphynx, and Donskoy

Trait	Peterbald	Sphynx	Donskoy
Origin	St. Petersburg, 1994	Toronto, 1966	Rostov-on-Don, 1987
Body	slender, Oriental	sturdy, round belly	medium, sturdy
Hairless gene	dominant	recessive	dominant
FIFe kittens in 2025	81	1,767	125

How to Choose a Peterbald Kitten

Because a kitten's coat can change as they grow, ask the breeder to explain what type of coat is expected in adulthood, and always ask to meet both parents. Inquire about how the breeder ensures the kittens' warmth and health during their first few weeks, and verify that the parents have been health-tested for genetic conditions common in the Oriental breed group. Reputable breeders registered with TICA will provide a clear contract, health guarantees, and will never sell to pet stores or puppy mills. Kittens should typically stay with their mother until they are at least 14 weeks old to ensure proper socialization and immune development.

If you are looking for a stockier hairless cat, check out the Sphynx profile. If you prefer the slender Oriental look but with a beautiful coat, read our guides on the Oriental Shorthair and Siamese cats.