Mystique of the Bombay-The Ultimate Black Cat

by Robert Hudson

Bombay-The Ultimate Black Cat. The American Bombay was bred to be the black panther of cat fancy. Its sleek and muscular body, short, jet black coat, copper red eyes give it a spooky appearance, but in reality the cat develops a fierce bond to people and is not independent in nature.

Where it all began: Bombay-The Ultimate Black Cat

Nikki Horner, a breeder from Louisville, Kentucky, who, starting in 1958, attempted to create a breed of cat that resembled a miniature black panther. The first attempt was a failure, but the second in 1965, was successful. The breed was officially recognized and registered by the Cat Fanciers’ Association in 1970 and The International Cat Association in 1979. Nikki Horner died in 1995. The Bombay cat is a type of short-haired cat developed by breeding sable Burmese and black American Shorthair cats, to produce a cat of mostly Burmese type, but with a sleek, panther-like black coat.

Bombay cats are known to be chatty and vocalize distinctive sounds and a loud purr. They shed very little compared to other breeds and need no grooming.

How do I know if my cat is a Bombay?

Although at first glance Bombays may look like every other black cat a quick way to tell Bombays apart is that they have an entirely black coat (all the way to the roots), and their nose and paw pads are also black. Another signature trademark of these sleek felines is the infamous and stunning Bombay cat green eyes wikipedia

The Bombay is considered a rare breed with a small number of breeders.

Similar breeds

Burmese

Although dark in color, it ranges from Sable, champagne, blue, to platinum.

The Havana Brown, a cat the color of chocolate, is another breed that comes from the mysterious land of Siam. A gorgeous breed.