How was the Bombay cat bred? - briefly
The Bombay cat was created by breeding the sable Burmese with black American Shorthairs and domestic black cats. This selective breeding aimed to develop a cat that resembled a miniature panther, resulting in the distinctive black coat and copper eyes of the Bombay cat.
How was the Bombay cat bred? - in detail
The Bombay cat is a striking feline known for its sleek black coat and gold or copper-colored eyes, reminiscent of the Indian Black Leopard from the Bombay region in India. This distinctive breed was developed by American breeder Nikki Horner in the 1950s and 1960s through a meticulous process of selective breeding.
Horner's goal was to create a cat that resembled the elegant black leopard, but with the friendly temperament and manageable size of a domestic cat. To achieve this, she crossed Burmese cats, known for their warm brown coats and affectionate nature, with American Shorthairs and other breeds to introduce desirable traits such as a robust body type and a dense black coat.
The development of the Bombay cat involved careful selection of cats with the desired physical characteristics and temperament. Horner bred Burmese cats with sable coats, which are genetically predisposed to producing black kittens when paired with other breeds that carry the recessive gene for a black coat. Over multiple generations, she refined the breed by selectively choosing offspring that most closely resembled her vision of a miniature black leopard.
One of the key challenges Horner faced was maintaining the distinctive gold or copper eye color while ensuring the cats had a solid black coat. This required careful management of the genetic makeup of the cats involved in the breeding program. Through persistent effort and attention to detail, Horner successfully developed the Bombay cat, which was officially recognized by major cat registries in the 1970s.
Today, the Bombay cat is admired for its unique appearance and charming personality. The breed's development serves as a testament to the power of selective breeding and the dedication of cat enthusiasts like Nikki Horner who strive to create new and captivating feline varieties.