When one thinks of the Bombay cat, a sleek all black cat comes to mind. This cat breed got its name because of the resemblance to the Indian black leopard, and is named after the city of Bombay, India.
The Bombay originated in the U.S. in the 1950s. A Kentucky breeder bred black American Shorthairs with sable Burmese, hoping to produce a cat with the sleek, shiny coat of the Burmese and the black coloring of the American Shorthair.
Characteristics of the Bombay
When it comes to appearance, the Bombay cat is entirely black including their nose and paw pads. Their eyes range from gold to copper colored, they have round heads, a snub nose and widely set ears. They are medium sized and are considered a strong and healthy breed overall.
Bombay Cat Personality
The Bombay looks like a smaller version of a wild cat, but is really affectionate, calm and gentle. They tend to purr a lot, prefer being indoors vs. outdoors and are good with children and other pets, but if in a multi cat household they like to be dominant. Some Bombay owners describe them as doglike because they can be fairly easily leash trained and enjoy playing fetch. Bombay cat are known to have healthy appetites, though, so it’s important not to allow them to overeat.
Bombays like to be warm and will often seek sunlight or the nearest heat vent in cold weather.
They love the company of their people and tend to pick one particular person as their favorite. Bombays are quite also quite talkative and are quite intelligent.
If you are looking for a smart, loving, talkative cat that loves the company of his people, a Bombay could very definitely be a good match for you!
Photo Source: Flickr user The Cats Love
Written by Karen
