Bambino Cats - Wichita Times Record News 8-5-06

Clawing its way to top

New hairless cat breed stands out from crowd
By Michael Hines/Times Record News
August 5, 2006

Kitty the barbarian, it’s not.

"Hadrian’s Wall" is a bambino, a new breed of cat that many hope to one day have recognized internationally. Fort Worth resident Nina Atkins bred the animal, which is hairless and the color of raw supermarket chicken. She’s showing the nearly 5-month-old kitten at today’s Maine Coon Connection of Texas Cat Show at the Multi-Purpose Events Center. She named it after the famous Hadrian’s Wall, an ancient barrier to separate barbarian Scots from Rome-ruled Britain.

"We’re building a foundation," she said. "He’s a fortification. He’s one of the first."

He’s just not going to strike fear into the hearts of civilizations. He went to any inviting finger for a scratch behind the ear Friday morning and accepted any and all offers to stroke his back.

"They are sweet, fun and silly. He purrs if you look at him," she said. "They’re just awfully cute little babies."

Just 25 such cats are known to exist, Atkins said. Bambinos are hybrids of the Munchkin, which are shorter than housecats, and the hairless Sphynx variety. The result is a hairless, short cat that keeps its kitten disposition throughout its life, according to Bambinocats.com.

It’s just one of dozens of furry and furless felines featured at the show today and Sunday. The sixth annual event helps educate folks about cats, said Cindy Millar, club president.

"No one knows about cat clubs," she said. "They know about dog shows; they don’t know a thing about cat shows."

Seventy-five exhibitors are expected, and 500 to 600 patrons typically come to the show. The event includes vendors of cat food, furniture and playthings. Cat breeds are also spotlighted, such as Maine coons and household pets. The bambino, though, hopes to join the distinction many of the others already enjoy.

Stephanie Osborne is an Arkansas breeder who bred the first bambino batch last year and registered them with international organizations this year.

"I want a cat that can be shown in shows and recognized," she said. "It gives the breed integrity to be recognized."

Such cats are recognized by the Rare and Exotic Feline Registry as well as the Dwarf Cat Association. The International Cat Association, however, gives the cat group the designation of an experimental new breed. Getting the full recognition of a breed will take time, Osborne said.

"This is something you have to work several years to establish," she said, with other breeders explaining that it took nearly 20 years before the Munchkin breed was accepted by the international group.

Gary Lawson/Times Record News Above, Hadrian’s Wall, left, a Bambino cat, takes a prowl under the watchful eyes of ABC Cats My Way or The Highway, while their owners prepare for today’s Maine Coon Connection of Texas All-Breed Cat Show at the MPEC. The felines represent both extremes of fancy cats, which can be seen from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and Sunday.

Atkins has no plans to sell the kitten as a pet. For another breeder of dwarf cats to own him would take about $2,500, she said.

"I don’t even know what someone would have to offer me to get me to sell him," she said. "To alter him and sell him as a pet, there is not a price."

Medical/military reporter Michael Hines can be reached at 940-720-3456 or by email at HinesM(at)TimesRecordNews.com

Don't Miss it Infobox: The all-breed cat show will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at the MPEC Exhibit Hall. Admission is $5 for adults and $8 for families. Senior adults and children under 12 may enter for $3.