| The Bombay was developed by breeder Nikki Horner | | | | reason. Bombays will do all right with other family |
| in Louisville, Kentucky in 1958. She set out to create | | | | pets, but need to be socialized properly. They have a |
| a 'miniature black panther' by crossing a sable | | | | tendency to dominate other pets in the household, |
| Burmese with a solid black American Shorthair. | | | | which can lead to trouble if not attended to. |
| Though her initial attempts were unsuccessful, she | | | | Bombays are also loud cats with a purr that can be |
| persisted and by 1976, the Bombay was recognized | | | | heard up to fifteen feet away. |
| as a distinct breed of cat. Bombays are muscular cats | | | | Though an active breed, Bombays prefer calmer |
| with an all black coat. Some are born with the | | | | environments without many loud, startling noises. Too |
| recessive trait of a sable coat. Though this does not | | | | much exposure to this and they will develop a |
| indicate any deficiency in the cat, it is considered | | | | nervous disorder in which they loose hair from their |
| undesirable for a Bombay and will only be sold as a | | | | stomachs and tails. Some Bombays are prone to |
| family pet and not a show cat. This black coat is | | | | Burmese Craniofacial Defect, a genetic disorder that |
| short and satiny and does not require any special | | | | affects the development of the skull in the fetus. |
| grooming (though regular petting or brushing will help | | | | Occasionally, kittens from lines that carry this defect |
| to get the dead hair off - but a Bombay will usually | | | | will be born with severely deformed heads. This |
| groom itself). | | | | genetic disorder is a result of some crossbreeding |
| Bombays mature quickly and are considered 'adult' | | | | with Burmese cats. The diet of a Bombay should be |
| between six and nine months. The average male will | | | | monitored easily as they are prone to obesity. |
| weigh eight to ten pounds and the average female | | | | There is a website that has great information on |
| will weigh between six and eight pounds. Both will live | | | | Bombays and most other breeds of cats. It has |
| an average of twelve to twenty years. Bombays are | | | | details that pertain to a cat breeds health, grooming, |
| described as 'lap cats.' They truly enjoy the company | | | | living conditions, best food choices and more, the |
| of its family and will always seek out a lap on which | | | | website is called: Dog And Cat Facts, and can be |
| to sit or someone to play with them. | | | | found at this url: |
| Bombays crave companionship from family members | | | | By Robert W. Benjamin |
| and will follow them from room to room of the | | | | Copyright © 2007 |
| house in order to be part of the action. This is not a | | | | You may publish this article in your ezine, newsletter, |
| shy cat. Unlike many other breeds, a Bombay will | | | | or on your web site as long as it is reprinted in its |
| enthusiastically greet visitors and want to see what is | | | | entirety and without modification except for |
| happening. They make excellent family pets for this | | | | formatting needs or grammar corrections. |