About the Bambino Cat
Bambinos are the deliberate hybrid of long-boned shortened dwarf cats, including the Munchkin and the extremely short-coated or hairless cats including the Sphynx, the desired results being a hairless, short cat with an athletic appearance and a gentle but lively, outgoing and affectionate personality. Bambinos are intelligent, friendly cats that are agile as their size does not hamper their movements. They respond well to being handled as they are very interactive, social cats.
Bambino litters produce both short-legged and long-legged kittens. The only difference between the short and tall siblings are their leg lengths. Bambino long-legs are vital to the Bambino breeding program as they match the standard in every other way.
Bambinos are currently accepted for registration in the Rare and Exotic Feline Registry (REFR) and are recognized as an experimental new breed by The International Cat Association (TICA).
A "short" Bambino History
Short, hairless cats, being the product of Munchkin to Sphynx outcrossings, have been around for a number of years. Stephanie and Pat Osborne of HolyMoly Cattery acquired one of these Munchkin/Sphynx hybrids and instantly fell in love with his personality and appearance. After much research into the health and viability of these short, hairless cats, the Bambino breed was established and founded by Stephanie and Pat in 2005. Pat is from an Italian heritage so we chose the name Bambino. Bambino Cats, or "Baby Cats" in Italian, is a true description since Bambinos keep their kitten like appearance and behaviour all of their life.
The first litter of registered Bambinos were born to HolyMoly Cattery. An application was sent in to The International Cat Association (TICA) for acceptance as a new breed and in 2006, TICA recognized Bambinos as a new experimental breed and began registering them as such. Bambinos are also accepted for registration by the Rare and Exotic Feline Registry (REFR).
About the Foundation Breeds
MUNCHKINS
The Munchkin's distinctive short legs developed from a spontaneous autosomal dominant
mutation which has occurred several times in the domestic cat. Munchkins exhibit
shortening and may have slight bowing of the long bones. The spine is unaffected
and similar in form and flexibility to that seen in other domestic cats. The short
legs do not hamper mobility or survival ability. The breed has been established
from spontaneously occurring domestic cat lines with augmentation by outcrosses
to other domestic cats. Munchkins are outgoing, intelligent, and respond well
to being handled.
Excerpt from the Munchkin Breed Standard.
SPHYNX
The Sphynx appears to be a hairless cat, although it is not truly hairless. The
skin should have the texture of chamois. It may be covered with very fine down
which is almost imperceptible to both the eye and the touch. On the ears, muzzle,
tail, feet and scrotum, short, soft, fine hair is allowed. Lack of coat makes
the cat quite warm to the touch. Whiskers and eyebrows may be present, either
whole or broken, or may be totally absent. The cat should not be small or dainty.
The Sphynx is sweet-tempered, lively, intelligent and above all amenable to handling.
Excerpt from the Sphynx Breed Standard.
Future Development of the Bambino Cat
Bambinos
are in the developmental stages. There is a Bambino breed standard that our group
of dedicated breeders are working towards. The perfect Bambino would have a two
planed head that is wedge shaped, longer than it is wide. The first plane would
begin behind the head and the second would begin just slightly forward of the
ears. The ear line would be even with the corner of the eye and be set well onto
the top of the head. The ears would not flare out to the side of the head, but
rather would continue the facial line and increase the upward sweep of the head
topped off with lynx tipping. The Bambino would have large almond shaped eyes.
They would be slightly slanted and they would be wide set. A short muzzle giving
a square appearance when looked down on from the top. The nose should not be Roman
but should be smooth with a gentle stop. Firm chin lining up straight with nose.
The Bambino's body would have the overall appearance of strength and muscularity, should not be thin or whippy. It would be well muscled with medium boning giving a stocky, very muscular overall appearance. The back should be as level as possible with a slight rise in the back legs allowed but not desired. It would have short, well-developed legs, having medium sizdd feet with well defined toes and prominent knuckles. Finishing it off would be a long, slender tail that would be flexible like a whip, tapering to a point with lion tuft on the end. It would be graceful and slender accenting the athletic appearance of the Bambino.
The skin texture would be very important to the Bambino. It should have a wonderful feel of a warm supple suede - extremely soft to the touch. The coat could range from complete hairlessness to slight down but the texture would be the most important factor. The perfect Bambino could be any color or pattern.
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