Singapora

Appearance and features:

The Singapura is moderately stocky and muscular and is one of the world’s smallest cats, with a very short and fine coat. They have large, slightly pointed and deep cupped ears together with the large almond-shaped eyes. Their tail is slender, slightly shorter than the length of the body and has a blunt black tip.

Size:

This is a small-size cat weighing 3 to 7 pounds.

Family:

In 1975, after working in Singapore, Tommy and Hal Meadow
returned to the US with what they say were three local “drain-cats” that were brown-ticked cats. These were local cats that lived in the sewers of Singapore. They named with cats, Pusse, Ticle, Tes, and then had kittens from Pusse and Ticle named George and Gladys. In 1980, Barbara Gilbertson imported another brown ticked cat, named Chiko, from the SPCA in Singapore. Thus began a breeding program to establish
the Singapura breed.

Coloring:

The breed’s coat pattern is that of a ticked tabby. That is, individual hair strands have alternating sections of dark and light color, typically two dark bands separated by two light bands, with a dark color at the tip. The underside, including the chest, muzzle and chin, takes the color of the light bands. The Singapura is recognized in only one color, the sepia agouti, described as “dark brown ticking on a warm old ivory ground color”.

Origin:

Three cats, a pair of male and female kittens from the same litter and another young female adopted from a Singapore shelter, were the foundation used to establish the Singapura. The breed takes its name from the Malay name for Singapore. In 1981 a breeder visited Singapore and chanced upon a cat fitting the profile of the Singapura (with the exception of the tail) in the local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The cat was imported to the US and adopted into the breeding program.

Temperament:

The Singapura has a little voice, but is mischievous enough to makes his presence known in other ways: active and playful, they love people and aren’t shy about meeting people. They are a lap cat and a gentle friend who will put aside his activities to keep you company when you’re feeling under the weather.

Health concerns:

Singapura can have a condition known as uterine inertia, an inability to expel the foetus due to weak muscles. This condition was present in one of the foundation cats and appears in some Singapura females today. Individuals with uterine inertia may require deliveries to be made by Caesarean section. Another issue that affects the breed is Pyruvate kinase deficiency, which leads to hemolytic anemia. Typical symptoms includes lethargy, diarrhea, lack of appetite, poor coat quality, weight loss and jaundice.

Breed Characteristics

Here is a helpful guide for the different characteristics of the breed.  On a Scale of 1-5.  1 being very low level to 5 being high level.

Adaptability
5/5
Energy Level
5/5
Extra Grooming
1/5
Affection Level
5/5
Social Needs
5/5
Shedding
2/5
Kid Friendly
3/5
Friendly to Strangers
5/5
Health Concerns
2/5
Dog Friendly
4/5
Intellegence
5/5
Vocalization
1/5

Hypoallergenic: No

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