Description: Singapura
The Singapura is one of the smallest breeds of domestic cats, known for its big expressive eyes, ticked sepia-toned coat, and affectionate personality. Originating from Singapore, this breed is often described as playful, intelligent, and people-oriented. Singapura cats love spending time with their human companions, often following them around the house and engaging in interactive play. Despite their petite size, Singapura cats are lively and curious, exploring every nook and cranny with enthusiasm. Their coat is short, fine, and requires minimal grooming, making them low-maintenance pets. With their friendly disposition and gentle nature, Singapura cats are a wonderful choice for families, singles, or anyone seeking an active, loving feline companion.
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Properties
The Singapura is one of the smallest domestic cat breeds, renowned for its petite stature and vibrant personality. Originating from Singapore, where its name means "Lion City," the breed's lineage traces back to street cats that lived along the island’s wharves and drains. These cats were recognized for their diminutive size and ticked coats, which are essential characteristics of the Singapura today. The breed standard requires them to be small, with adult females weighing around 4-5 pounds and males typically reaching 6-8 pounds. Despite their size, Singapuras are muscular and agile, with a sturdy, well-proportioned body that contributes to their playful and active nature.
One of the most distinctive features of the Singapura is its coat. The fur is short, fine, and close-lying to the body, giving it a sleek and polished appearance. The coat coloration is referred to as sepia agouti, presenting as a warm, ivory background overlaid with bands of dark brown ticking. This pattern gives them a subtle, elegant look that is unique among cat breeds. Large, expressive eyes, usually hazel, green, or yellow, are set wide apart, contributing to their captivating expression. The breed's ears are also notably large and deep, following the general theme of pronounced features on a tiny frame.
Singapuras are known for their affectionate temperament and high social intelligence. While they are active and curious, exploring every corner of their home, they are also gentle and thrive on human interaction. They often follow their owners from room to room and enjoy participating in household activities. The Singapura's playful spirit remains well into adulthood, making them excellent companions for families and individuals seeking an engaging pet with a lot of personality.
Healthwise, the Singapura is generally robust and healthy, but some breed lines have a genetic predisposition to pyruvate kinase deficiency (PK-deficiency), an inherited form of anemia. Reputable breeders screen for this trait to minimize its occurrence. Owing to their short coats, grooming needs are minimal, only requiring light brushing to keep the coat shiny and remove loose hairs. Overall, the Singapura is a healthy, sociable, and charming breed, well-suited for those looking for an affectionate and lively feline companion.
Appearance
The Singapura cat is widely recognized for its petite size and entrancing presence, making it one of the smallest domestic cat breeds in the world. Weighing typically between 4 and 8 pounds, adult Singapuras appear dainty but are surprisingly muscular and athletic. The breed's most striking feature is its short, sleek, and fine coat adorned with a unique pattern called 'sepia agouti.' This ticking pattern results in each hair having at least two alternating bands of color, producing a warm beige or ivory base with darker brown ticking, giving the fur a glowing, iridescent quality under light.
The face of the Singapura is particularly expressive. Its large, almond-shaped eyes are a hallmark of the breed and are typically hazel, green, or yellow in color. The eyes are widely spaced, set off by black eye liner and complemented by distinctive, dark outlined cheetah-like 'mascara' lines that add to their captivating appearance. The ears are remarkably large and deep cupped, sitting alert and wide at the base, which further enhances the breed's alert and curious demeanor.
The small but rounded head, with a definite whisker break and a short, broad muzzle, gives the Singapura a sweet, innocent look that endears it to many enthusiasts. Another distinguishing feature is the breed's tail, which is slender but not whippy, and is of medium length with a blunt tip, finished by a dark brown, almost black tail tip. The legs are slender yet strong, supporting small, oval feet.
The overall impression of the Singapura is one of grace, balance, and compact liveliness. Its coat feels silky to the touch, never woolly or coarse, and its coloring, sometimes called 'sable ticked tabby,' lends a unique sparkle referred to as 'sepia.' The ticked coat and subtle but distinct markings, such as the facial stripes and banded tail, make the Singapura unmistakable despite its understated palette. With a look that mixes elegance, playfulness, and intelligence, the Singapura cat is a true masterpiece of feline beauty.
History
The Singapura is a unique and fascinating cat breed whose history is as intriguing as its charming appearance. The breed is often referred to as the “Little Lion of Love” due to its diminutive size and affectionate nature. Recognized as one of the world’s smallest breeds of domestic cats, the Singapura has a rich and, at times, controversial history.
The breed is believed to have originated on the streets and drains of Singapore, hence its name. In the 1970s, American cat enthusiasts Hal and Tommy Meadow discovered small, sepia-toned ticked cats on the island and decided to import a few of them to the United States. These original cats—Tes, Ticle, and Pusse—formed the foundation of the breed in America. The Meadows presented these cats as naturally occurring street cats native to Singapore, and the breed quickly gained popularity for its exotic looks and affectionate nature.
However, controversy erupted in the 1980s when it was revealed through travel documents and import records that at least some of these foundation cats might actually have originated from the United States, possibly as Burma–Abyssinian mixes exported from the US to Singapore and then brought back. Despite this, many cat fancier organizations, including The International Cat Association (TICA) and the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA), chose to recognize the Singapura as a legitimate breed, emphasizing its unique phenotype rather than the intricacies of its genealogy.
In Singapore, the Singapura is often celebrated as a national treasure and is even featured in tourism campaigns, regarded as a symbol of the city’s vibrant street life. The breed was officially introduced to cat registries in the late 1970s and early 1980s and achieved championship status in the CFA by 1988. Today, careful breeding programs have maintained the Singapura’s distinctive appearance: a petite, muscular physique, large eyes and ears, and a short, fine, sepia-agouti coat.
Despite its small stature, the Singapura is known for its lively and affectionate temperament, making it a beloved companion for families worldwide. Its mysterious origins and unwavering popularity continue to enchant cat lovers, securing the Singapura’s place as both a cherished pet and an enduring feline icon.