Donskoy Cat Breed Information

Group

Hairless

Weight

3.6-7 kg

Length

30-35 cm

Lifespan

12-15 years

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About the Donskoy Cat

Reviewed by:

Dr. Charlotte Francesca Stiles

Veterinarian

A breed that certainly has a hate it or love it appearance, the Donskoy is one breed that’s become iconic for its lack of coat. Despite its nakedness, the Donskoy is a playful and attentive breed that is loved unconditionally by many cat owners around the world.

This hairless cat breed has featured in many mainstream television shows, most notably in Friends, where Rachel buys herself a cat for the first time. Whilst Rachel might not have had the best experience, that shouldn’t stop you from taking a look at the Russian hairless breed as an option for your home.

If you’re curious about this feline, then here’s a deep dive into the world of the Don Sphynx and how this hairless cat came to be just that – hairless!

What Is the History & Origin of the Donskoy Cat?

The Donskoy cats originate from Russia, where in 1987, Elena Kovaleva, a professor at the State Pedagogical Institute, happened upon a group of boys who were mistreating a kitten.

Deciding to take it in and care for it herself, she quickly realised that the kitten was losing its hair after a few months. Whilst Kovaleva had attempted to save the hair with a number of treatments, nothing worked.

The loss of hair was later determined to potentially be from an illness as breeding this cat with a local tomcat produced the same effect with the litter – the kittens all lost their hair over the first few months.

Even despite there being little interest in this cat breed, Kovaleva would create the founding stock that would be outcrossed with European Shorthairs to create the Donskoy cats we know now.

The breed was initially referred to as the Don Sphynx due to a nearby river called the Don and the Sphynx due to its similarity to the breed’s appearance with the lack of hair.

The Donskoy was recognised as a breed by the World Cat Federation in 1987 and by the International Cat Association in 2005.

What Is a Donskoy Cat Breed?

Donskoy cats are otherwise known as the Russian Hairless, the Russian Donskoy or the Don Sphynx. They’re not related to the Sphynx cat, but they are often mistaken for them. Medium-sized, this muscular cat is hairless with large ears, webbed toes and almond-shaped eyes that sit in a wedge-shaped head.

Who Is a Donskoy Cat Best For?

Donskoy cats are similar in appearance to Sphynx cats. Originating from Russia in the 1980s, it’s a hairless cat that is playful in nature and has a sweet personality. Despite its appearance, it is extremely loveable, and as such, they do well in family households and particularly so with those who have children.

What Does a Donskoy Cat Look Like?

The Donskoy cat is one that stuck its claw up at the beauty standards of cats. Whilst their appearance might not be for everyone, they’re certainly unique. A muscular body and distinctive long, webbed toes – they’re not something you see every day.

Coat

The Donskoy coat, or lack thereof, is one that comes in four different types. These are rubber bald, flocked, velour and brush.

Colours

The Don Sphynx is one that comes in a variety of possible colours and patterns. Colour-wise, they can be solid colours like red, brown, black, white and lavender.

Patterns

Their pattern can further add to the uniqueness of this odd-looking cat breed. Patterns include bicolour, tabby, tortoiseshell, calico, pointed and mink.

Donskoy Cat Grooming & Shedding

As they’re hairless, they won’t need brushing. However, as an owner, you’ll need to wipe down the cat daily where possible in order to help their body produce oils and to distribute them evenly.

The wipe downs will also help to keep them clean and to prevent skin issues. Be careful with baths, though, as over bathing them can be problematic. Once a month should be more than enough to keep them clean and well-groomed.

As with all cats, keep their ears clean and their nails trimmed!

How Do Donskoy Cats Behave? A Look at Their Temperament and Personality

As a friendly and intelligent cat, the Donskoy breed is one that can surprise a lot of those that tend to have a preconceived attitude towards this breed in particular.

They love being around others and pets; however, care must be taken when introducing them to other household felines.

Living Needs

Your Donskoy cat should be kept indoors as it is a hairless cat. They’ll enjoy the indoor world they live in as long as you’re there to provide them with plenty of love and attention.

What Are Common Habits and Activity Levels of Donskoy Cats?

A Donskoy cat is a breed that needs a lot of attention, and it’s something to consider if you’re a first-time owner. Not everyone can commit to the level of attention that is needed for some cat breeds.

Habits

This breed loves to play and is an intelligent breed that will enjoy roaming around the home and taking commands from its owner. Interactive toys are worth having around the home to keep them engaged, but they also love to nap too.

Activity level

They’re fairly active when it comes to activity levels, and as such, it’s good to have them in a household where there’s plenty of activity going on. Keeping them engaged is important!

Vocalness

Vocalness is an important quality to consider, especially if you’re not, particularly someone that likes a vocal pet in their home. With that in mind, it’s worth knowing that they like to express the presence of their voice. They’re actually considered one of the few breeds that are noisy in comparison to others.

What Is the Weight, Height, and Size of a Donskoy Cat?

Compared to other pets, what size is the Donskoy? Its height and weight are important when looking for this cat breed to ensure you’re getting one that is similar to the averages mentioned below.

Height

Their height can range anywhere between 30 and 35cms, making them a fairly tall cat in appearance.

Weight

The Donskoy can weigh anywhere between 3.6 and 7kgs. Despite a lack of coat, their muscular frame can add to their heaviness.

Size

Donskoy cats are considered to be a medium-sized breed and therefore perfect for most wannabe cat owners.

Are Donskoy Cats Easy to Train?

Donskoys are kind-hearted cats that love to spend time with their owners, and they’re fairly easy to train too. They’ll appreciate the time you take with them, not just to train them to follow voice commands but because they’re spending more time with you!

They are active, so it’s important to be able to give them plenty of attention where you can.

Does the Donskoy Cat Have Any Common Health Issues?

With their hairless coats, they’re more prone to sensitivity during the different seasons throughout the year. As a Donskoy cat owner, it’s important to be conscious of this fact, especially when it comes to the health of their skin.

They’re prone to the usual cat health problems as they age, particularly so with dental issues. Make sure you’re brushing their teeth where you can.

Some Donskoys are known to have health issues where they lack the ability to lactate or sweat; this is a mutation in the genes that causes this health issue. Others can be born albinos, so they’re very sensitive to any form of solar radiation.

What Is the Lifespan of a Donskoy Cat?

Donskoys have a pretty healthy lifespan in comparison to some other cats that may only see around a decade on this planet. Typically, the lifespan of a Donskoy is going to be around 12-15 years. As long as you’re maintaining their health and keeping them well-fed, you should have many years of companionship ahead.

How Much Does a Donskoy Cat Need to Be Fed?

It is important to be careful with the amount of food you give your Donskoy cat. Surprisingly, they do have a higher body temperature than most cats and, as such, will eat more during the winter to maintain their body temperature.

This is worth factoring in when it comes to ensuring they have enough food in their bowl to sustain them during the cooler months of the year.

How Much Can You Expect to Pay for a Donskoy Cat in Australia?

Donskoy cats can vary in price depending on the breeders available in your area, and the type of colours that they come in can also influence their price. Donskoys are an expensive breed in comparison to other cat breeds. Whilst you might get one for $500, you’re looking at prices anywhere from $500 up to $2,500 in some cases.

Donskoy Cat FAQs

Are Donskoy cats hypoallergenic?

As cats that have a low or no-shed coat, they’re no more hypoallergenic than other cats due to the dander being the issue. With that being said, these Donskoy cats aren’t considered to be hypoallergenic, so it’s best to consider breeds that are specifically hypoallergenic.

Are Donskoy cats good for first-time cat owners?

Donskoy cats for fire-time owners are a perfectly reasonable option. However, it must be noted that care for their skin is important. Their skin can easily become prone to infections and problems, especially if left to bask out in the sun for too long.

If you’re able to give them the attention they need, then first-time owners can certainly consider this as one of the cat breeds they may want to adopt or purchase.

Do Donskoy cats like to cuddle?

The Donskoy cat is a loyal breed that loves to follow its owners around the place, so if you’re ok with having an attentive cat at your side, then you’ll love this breed. They love to be cuddled and show affection at any given moment.