Official ICCF Breed Description
Historical Background
The Peterbald is a relatively young cat breed developed in Saint Petersburg, Russia, in 1994. It was created by Russian breeder Olga Mironova, who produced the first kittens by crossing an Oriental Shorthair with a Don Sphynx. The goal was to combine the refined, elegant type of the Oriental with the hairlessness and unique skin texture of the sphynx. The first offspring displayed a wide variety of coat types—from completely bald to velour and brush variants. The breed quickly gained recognition in Russia and abroad for its elegance, grace, and distinctive appearance. Today, the Peterbald is established in international standards and valued for its unique blend of Oriental refinement and exotic looks.
General Appearance
The Peterbald is an elegant and graceful Oriental-type cat, exuding refinement and harmony. The body is long, slender, and flexible, with well-developed, lean musculature. The legs are long and fine, with neat oval paws. The head is wedge-shaped with straight lines and a long profile, enhanced by large ears. The eyes are almond-shaped, expressive, and slightly slanted. The tail is long, thin, and whip-like. The coat may be completely absent or come in various textures: velour, flock, or brush. The skin is elastic and close-fitting, often forming folds in hairless types. The overall impression is a perfect balance between Oriental elegance and the exotic charm of hairlessness.
Important Proportions
All proportions of the Peterbald emphasize a long, refined silhouette. The body length is noticeably greater than the height at the withers, yet the frame remains balanced and light. The head is proportionate to the body, forming a long, tapering wedge. The ears are large, wide-set, and underline the Oriental type. The limbs are long and slender, the paws small and oval, matching the body’s delicacy. The tail is very long and thin, continuing the body line harmoniously. The neck is long and graceful, smoothly connecting the head and torso. Altogether, these proportions define the elegant and fluid Oriental outline—slender yet strong and flexible.
Behavior and Temperament
The Peterbald is an active, intelligent, and extremely social breed. These cats are friendly, people-oriented, and love being the center of attention. Loyal to their owners, they enjoy close companionship and often follow humans everywhere. They are playful, curious, and highly intelligent, adapting easily to home routines. Peterbalds get along well with children and other pets and rarely show aggression. They are affectionate and thrive on physical contact, often enjoying being held and cuddled. This is a true companion cat—warm, loving, and always seeking human interaction.
Head
The Peterbald’s head is a long, elegant wedge, proportionate to the body. Lines are straight and smooth, with no abrupt transitions. The skull is flat, the forehead low and even. The cheekbones are high and defined, emphasizing the Oriental type. The muzzle is long, narrowing gently toward the nose. The chin is firm but not heavy, aligned with the nose tip. The profile is straight and long, without a pronounced stop. The head should convey refinement and elegance, free from any coarseness or heaviness.
Facial Part
The facial part is elongated with smooth, tapering lines. The cheeks are flat and firm, without roundness. The muzzle is narrow and pointed, maintaining the wedge shape. The chin is proportional and balanced, neither protruding nor receding. The nose is long and straight, broad at the bridge, and narrowing toward the tip. Whiskers are often sparse or absent, giving a unique expression. The face should retain an Oriental harmony—graceful and slender. Excessively short or rounded muzzles are faults. The Peterbald’s face must remain refined, defined, and elegant.
Eyes
The eyes of the Peterbald are almond-shaped, medium in size, expressive, and slightly slanted. They are well spaced, complementing the wedge-shaped head. Eye colors include green, amber, blue, or aqua, depending on coat color or lack thereof. The gaze is intelligent, curious, and kind. Small, round, or deeply set eyes disrupt the Oriental type and are considered faults. Eyes must harmonize with the head, enhancing the cat’s refined and exotic expression. The combination of a keen gaze and sharp facial lines makes the Peterbald strikingly distinctive.
Ears
The Peterbald’s ears are large, wide-set, and pointed, with a broad base. They are set high, continuing the lines of the head and reinforcing the wedge shape. Ears should appear open and proportional, neither too small nor exaggeratedly large. The inner ear lacks dense fur and feels smooth, sometimes with a fine fuzz. Narrow or low-set ears that break facial harmony are undesirable. The ears define the Peterbald’s expressive look and emphasize its Oriental elegance.
Neck
The neck of the Peterbald is long, slim, and flexible, perfectly in tune with its Oriental elegance. It connects the elongated head to the slender body in a smooth, continuous line. Despite its delicate look, the neck is strong and muscular enough to support a graceful carriage. In males, it may appear more powerful; in females, thinner and more refined. A short or thick neck breaks the breed’s proportions. The lines must remain long and flowing, highlighting refinement and grace.
Body
The body is long, slender, and supple, with fine but strong musculature. It is light and elegant yet resilient and firm. The chest is narrow and deep, the abdomen tucked up, the back straight and smooth. The overall body lines are elongated and balanced. The Peterbald should display Oriental grace while retaining strength and endurance. Excessive thinness or heaviness is undesirable. The silhouette must remain light, elastic, and graceful, combining delicacy with agility and energy.
Tail
The tail is long, thin, and flexible, resembling a whip. It continues the body line harmoniously, tapering to a fine point. It should be very mobile and elegant, enhancing the sense of balance and lightness. In hairless types, the tail is bare; in brush types, it may have fine or short covering. Short, thick, stiff, or kinked tails are faults. The tail plays an essential role in maintaining the breed’s harmony and completing the Oriental outline.
Forelimbs
The Peterbald’s forelegs are long, slim, and graceful, with elegant oval paws. The bone structure is fine but strong enough to support active movement. The shoulders are well developed, ensuring flexibility. The elbows point backward, neither turning inward nor outward. The paws are small, with long, fine toes, sometimes covered with sparse hair. Short or heavy limbs break the breed’s elegance and are considered faults. The front legs must highlight the Peterbald’s agility, refinement, and Oriental grace.
Hindlimbs
The hind legs are long and slender, slightly longer than the forelegs, enhancing the cat’s graceful silhouette. The thighs are muscular yet lean, blending smoothly into the body. The lower legs are straight and proportionate. The hocks are low and correctly aligned, providing stability. Paws are oval and refined, with long toes. Short, thick, or coarse hind legs spoil the Oriental type. The hindquarters should emphasize elegance, flexibility, and stability in motion.
Gait and Movement
The Peterbald’s gait is light, elastic, and graceful, with flowing, flexible movements. The cat moves confidently and smoothly, with parallel limb motion and precise paw placement. In motion, the Peterbald appears poised and elegant. When running, it demonstrates agility and speed while maintaining balance and softness. Abrupt, angular, or unsteady movements are faults. The gait should emphasize the breed’s Oriental harmony—light, refined, and full of vitality.
Coat
The Peterbald may be completely hairless or display various coat types: flock, velour, or brush. Hairless cats have smooth, elastic skin with characteristic folds. Flock and velour types feature a fine, short down creating a velvety texture. Brush coats are rougher and wavy, with varying degrees of coverage. Any coat type must preserve the cat’s refined appearance and not obscure body lines. Dense fur or full undercoat is unacceptable. The coat texture is one of the breed’s key features, contributing to the Peterbald’s uniqueness.
Acceptable Colors
All colors and patterns are permitted in the Peterbald, including solid, smoke, tabby, bicolor, colorpoint, and ticked varieties. The color palette is unlimited: white, black, blue, chocolate, cream, red, and silver are common. Colorpoints must have bright blue eyes, while other varieties may have green, amber, or golden eyes. The coat (or skin tone) must appear even and vivid, with clear contrast where applicable. Uneven patches or dull colors are faults. The color should emphasize the cat’s refined lines and Oriental elegance.
Size
The Peterbald is a medium-sized breed of Oriental type. Females usually weigh between 2.5 and 4 kg, retaining lightness and refinement. Males are larger—3.5 to 5.5 kg—with more muscular but still slender bodies. Height at the withers should match body proportions, maintaining the elongated outline. The tail must correspond to the body length, preserving balance. Extreme smallness or heaviness is undesirable. The breed’s size should highlight its elegance, proportion, and agility.
Faults
Faults include any deviations disrupting the breed’s harmony or Oriental type. These include a short or coarse body, heavy bone structure, or excessive thinness. Head faults include roundness, narrowness, or incorrect muzzle length. Small, round, dull, or expressionless eyes are faults, as are small or low-set ears. A short, thick, or stiff tail is undesirable. The presence of dense fur, undercoat, or long hair contradicts the standard. Faded or uneven coloration is also a fault. In temperament, excessive aggression, shyness, or apathy are undesirable and reduce show ratings under ICCF.
Disqualification
Disqualifying traits include severe deviations from the ICCF standard. These include congenital deformities of the skull or jaw, malocclusion, or missing teeth; absence of Oriental type (round or massive head, short or cobby body); kinked, knotted, or shortened tail; dense fur or full undercoat; crossed eyes or vision and hearing defects. Nonstandard coat patterns or dull, irregular coloration are disqualifying. Aggressive or extremely fearful behavior preventing evaluation also leads to disqualification. Such cats are excluded from ICCF breeding programs.
Important Notes
The Peterbald requires attentive care and responsible breeding. Due to the absence of fur in many individuals, the skin needs regular cleaning and temperature protection. Only cats with official ICCF documentation verifying lineage and health may be used in breeding. Breeding programs must be controlled to prevent hereditary defects. Hairless and brush-coated kittens may appear in the same litter, which is acceptable. Owners should understand that the Peterbald is highly social and requires constant human interaction. Adherence to ICCF rules ensures the preservation of the breed’s health and unique Oriental type.
Conclusion
The Peterbald is a rare and distinctive breed combining Oriental refinement with the uniqueness of hairlessness and diverse coat textures. These cats are admired for their expressive appearance, intelligence, and affectionate nature. The ICCF system sets strict standards for body type, coat, eyes, ears, and temperament to preserve the breed’s individuality. Participation in ICCF exhibitions and breeding programs is reserved for cats with official documentation confirming origin and compliance with the standard. The breed demands responsible breeding practices focused on maintaining health and elegance. The Peterbald is not only a refined beauty but also a loyal and affectionate companion—ideal for those who appreciate uniqueness, communication, and elegance.
