A shorthair feline, Singapura is said to have originated from Singapore. It is thought to have lived there for many years with locals reporting their sightings to go back as far as three centuries. However, it is not the commonest cat in the alleys of Singapore, and is often referred to as the drain or river cat owing to its habit of staying around water bodies in summer months.
A shorthair feline, Singapura is said to have originated from
Singapore. It is thought to have lived there for many years with locals
reporting their sightings to go back as far as three centuries.
However, it is not the commonest cat in the alleys of Singapore, and is
often referred to as the drain or river cat owing to its habit of
staying around water bodies in summer months. The cat was imported to
United States in nineteen seventies and given championship status in
early eighties. There is some controversy regarding the origin of
Singapura with some arguing that it is not a natural cat and was
artificially bred from Burmese and other cats, particularly with the
recent emergence of reports that the genetic makeup of Singapura and
Burmese is in fact quite similar. Nevertheless the felid is still
recognized as a unique registered breed in most cat fancies across the
world.
A relatively tiny animal, Singapura is a small but
muscular cat. Both genders weigh in the range of five to seven pounds.
General appearance is that of a dainty and somewhat unique feline. Coat
is short and in a ticked tabby pattern. Only a sepia brown coloration
is seen that is quite similar to the coat of mountain lions. Head is
rounded with big expressive eyes that occur in green, yellow or hazed
color. Paws are small and tail is normal in length.
Singapuras
have all emerged from only a handful of ancestors and therefore they
don't have a lot of genetic diversity amongst them. There have been few
hereditary illnesses in some of their lines. Since outcrossing is not
commonly practiced for these cats, breeders are trying to locate
specimens in other parts of the world for induction into the gene pool
to add variety.
Singapuras are affectionate cats that spend most
of their time playing or staying perched on high places, surveying
everything. They follow their humans around everywhere and prefer to be
involved in all of their activities. Singapuras are social cats that go
along well with everybody, including children, pets and even strangers.
They are very gentle and communicate in a soft meow. Sensible animals
they don't damage furniture or household items despite their curious
and playful nature. Singapuras take time to mature and often it is
around two years before they bloom fully into bundles of love and
beauty.
