Peterbald

The hairless Oriental

Also known as: Peterbald cat · Russian Peterbald · Petersburg Sphynx · Russian hairless cat · St Petersburg Sphynx

Peterbald, a medium cat from Russia (photo 2)

Peterbald, a medium cat from Russia (photo 3)

Peterbald, a medium cat from Russia (photo 4)

Peterbald, a medium cat from Russia (photo 5)

Peterbald, a medium cat from Russia (photo 6)

Photos: Acracrabe (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Ivan Menshenin Cattery DeMauntiful (CC BY-SA 4.0) · User:KetrinMerch (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Acracrabe (CC0), via Wikimedia Commons.

Breed profile

20–28 cm(8–11 in)Height at the shoulder

3–5 kg(7–11 lb)Adult weight

12–15 yearsLife expectancy

30 min of play a dayDaily play

GroupRex & hairless

OriginRussia

SizeMedium

CoatFrom hairless to a short brush-like coat, depending on the variant

ColoursAll

HypoallergenicOften said to be, with caveats

Breed dates from1994

Estimated cost in Spain*€880–1,220 a year

* An estimate for Spain in 2026 (food, litter, vet and insurance), based on the size, grooming and health needs of the breed, not on measured costs of individual cats.

Varieties

Peterbald coat variants

Hairless (rubber)Completely bare, slightly sticky skinFlock and velourVery fine down or very short velvety hairBrushSparse, wavy, wiry hairStraightNormal coat: does not inherit the gene, but belongs to the breed

What it is like

It was born in St Petersburg in 1994, when the breeder Olga Mironova crossed a Donskoy male with an Oriental Shorthair female. The result was a cat with the sleek body of the Oriental, a wedge-shaped head, enormous ears and skin with no hair or very little. The gene is dominant, different from the Sphynx's, and the coat can change with age and season. It is an intelligent, very sociable cat, as talkative as a Siamese, that wants to be with its people all the time. It is cited as hypoallergenic, but having no hair does not mean having no allergens: Fel d 1 is in the saliva and skin.

Temperament

TalkativeAffectionateIntelligentSociable

Activity

4/5

With children

4/5

With dogs

4/5

With other cats

4/5

Ease of learning

4/5

How vocalless is better

4/5

Sheddingless is better

1/5

Brushing needsless is better

3/5

Health robustness

3/5

Indoor and flat life

5/5

Copes with being alone

1/5

For first-time owners

3/5

the more, the better the less, the better

Care

The hairless variants need a bath or a wipe with a cloth every week or two because of skin oil, plus cleaning of ears and claws and protection from cold and sun. The brush-coated ones, less so. No unsupervised trips outdoors. It needs company and daily play; it copes badly with being alone. It eats a lot to keep warm.

Health

A young breed. Because of its Oriental base, progressive retinal atrophy (rdAc, testable), dental problems and gingivitis can occur. In the hairless variants, dermatitis, acne, sunburn and sensitivity to cold. Ask for the rdAc test and check its mouth often.

General information about tendencies in the breed, not a diagnosis. Any symptom should be checked by your vet.

Fun facts

The founders were called Afinogen Myth, a Donskoy, and Radma von Jagerhof, an Oriental.

The same Peterbald can have more or less hair depending on the time of year.

Its long, slender feet let it grip objects almost as if it had fingers.

Kittens of two Peterbalds can be born with a normal coat: they are called straights and still belong to the breed.

Frequently asked questions

How big does a Peterbald get?

An adult Peterbald usually weighs 3–5 kg (7–11 lb) and stands about 20–28 cm (8–11 in) at the shoulder, which makes it a medium cat.

How long does a Peterbald live?

Its usual life expectancy is 12–15 years. Living indoors, being neutered and having regular vet check-ups make the biggest difference.

Is the Peterbald hypoallergenic?

It is often described as hypoallergenic, but no cat is free of the main cat allergen (Fel d 1). Some people with mild allergies react less to it; spend time with the breed before deciding.

Is the Peterbald good with children?

Usually yes: it tends to be patient and sociable with children. As with any cat, teach children to let it walk away when it has had enough.

How much play does a Peterbald need?

As a guide, 30 min of play a day. Its activity score is 4 out of 5: short daily play sessions with a wand toy work better than one long one.