Bombays 101

Bombays come in two types: British and American. British Bombays are black Burmese cats and nothing more. However, the American Bombay is a typical example of modern, forced hybridization. Rather than spontaneous mutation, American Bombays (which will from here on out be referred to just as Bombays) were bred when Nikki Horner of Louisville, Ky. decided she wanted to make a breed of consistently black cats to give a black-panther-like appearance. She started by breeding a black American shorthair with a black Burmese.

Bombays are muscular cats with round, wide heads and short muzzles, but not a flattened look. Their eyes are usually brown or green and should be similar to those of a Burmese. They have very short coats and require little to no grooming. Bombays are responsive to training and many will play fetch with you.
Bombay and Burmese breeder Deborah Curtis talks about living with both breeds.

"Bombays are a hybrid from the American shorthair and the sable Burmese so, as such, personality differences are really not evident [between them and Burmese cats]. Healthwise they are generally pretty healthy and live an average of 16 years of age. They take little to no maintenance on their coats since they have no undercoat, and shed very little, and with the right nutrition stay sleek and shiny all through their lives.The Bombay and the Burmese are outgoing, fun loving, sweet, gentle, affectionate cats who love people! They are in the middle of a party, not hiding under the bed. They sleep with you and follow you everywhere like a dog. They love kids, dogs, and have very little trouble fitting into a new home even as an adult. They just love to be loved. My Obi 1 Kenobi is the wisest and greatest Bombay ever!"

If you are interested in adopting a Bombay, it is best to do plenty of research (as always). Talk to owners, and go to a reputable adoption organization, such as Deborah's site, or Purebred Cat Rescue.

Tags: black cat, BlackCat, bombay, bombay cat, BombayCat, breed, burma, burma cat, BurmaCat, burmese, burmese cat, BurmeseCat, Cat Breed 101, CatBreed101, Cats 101, Cats101, Choosing a Cat Breed, ChoosingACatBreed, hybrid cat, HybridCat, Pet Adoption, PetAdoption