About the breed
The Bombay is a shorthaired breed recognized by its solid black coat with a shining, almost patent-leather sheen and striking copper-orange to gold eyes. It was bred to resemble a miniature black panther, quickly earning the nickname 'parlor panther.' It is a medium-sized, muscular cat that is sociable, playful and deeply attached to people.
Origin of the Breed
The breed was developed in the 1950s by American breeder Nikki Horner of the Shawnee cattery in Kentucky. In 1953 she crossed a non-pedigreed black domestic shorthair with a sable (brown) Burmese, but the kittens turned out looking like poor-quality American Shorthairs. According to a historical account published by the research site Messybeast, the original goal of the cross was not actually to create a 'parlor panther' but to widen the fairly narrow gene pool of the American Burmese of the time - it was only later that the black hybrids also proved commercially appealing. Horner continued the program with carefully selected parent cats into the early 1970s. CFA accepted the breed for registration in 1970 and granted it championship status in 1976; TICA recognized it in 1979.
Bombay vs. Burmese
The Bombay is genetically closely related to the Burmese, since it descends directly from crosses with that breed, but it is recognized as its own, separate breed. The main difference is color: the CFA standard allows the Burmese in four colors (sable, champagne, blue, platinum) with eyes ranging from yellow to gold, while the Bombay must always be solid black, with black nose leather and paw pads and eyes ranging from copper to gold. The relationship between the two breeds is still officially recognized today - the CFA Burmese standard permits outcrossing with the 'sable' Bombay through the end of 2031. Even so, the Bombay remains its own breed, with its own look, temperament and history, not merely a 'black version' of the Burmese.
Appearance
The Bombay's coat is short, dense and close-lying, with a straight, almost patent-leather shine. The body is medium-sized and muscular, neither compact nor rangy, the head is rounded with a moderate nose stop, and the ears are medium-sized and well spaced. The most distinctive feature is the eyes - round, wide-set, ranging from gold to copper, with the greatest possible depth and brilliance of color preferred.
Temperament
CFA describes the Bombay as 'part cat, part dog, and part clown,' combining the easygoing nature of the American Shorthair with the curiosity and affection of the Burmese. According to VCA Animal Hospitals, Bombays can be taught to walk on a leash and play fetch, which is fairly unusual for cats. They are very sociable, like being close to people, and cope poorly with long stretches of solitude. Vocally they are moderately expressive, though less insistent than, say, Siamese cats.
Health
The Bombay is considered a relatively healthy breed, partly thanks to its hybrid origin. Among known issues, CFA lists hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (a common feline heart condition), for which responsible breeders screen parent cats before breeding, as well as occasional excessive eye tearing. Because the Bombay descends from the Burmese and can still occasionally be outcrossed with it, it's worth mentioning the so-called Burmese Head Defect - a hereditary fault in the ALX1 gene that researchers have confirmed mainly in the contemporary American Burmese line, inherited as an autosomal recessive trait: cats with a single copy of the gene have only a slightly more rounded head, while homozygous kittens suffer a severe, fatal skull malformation. Scientific studies do not directly address this defect in the Bombay itself, but given the shared ancestry and still-permitted outcrossing with the Burmese, it is reasonable for breeders to check the genetic status of parent cats.
Grooming and Care
The Bombay's short coat does not mat and needs only occasional brushing to remove dead hair and keep its shine. The cat needs no special eye or skin care; more important is providing enough company and play, since it copes poorly with loneliness. Because it enjoys eating and tends to gain weight, it's advisable to monitor food intake and physical activity.
Suitability
The Bombay adapts well to apartment life and, thanks to its affectionate nature, makes an excellent companion for families with children, being patient and playful. It generally gets along well with other pets, especially dogs, though it can be more domineering toward other cats since it likes to be the 'boss' of the household. Because it demands a lot of attention and dislikes long periods alone, it isn't the best choice for owners who are frequently away from home, but it suits beginners willing to devote plenty of time to companionship.
Temperament
The Bombay is sociable, playful and deeply attached to its people - often compared to a dog for its curiosity, fetch-playing and leash-walking ability. It doesn't cope well with being left alone for long and likes being the center of attention.
Suitable for
Best suited to families with children, cat lovers who are home most of the day, and owners looking for a highly sociable, almost dog-like companion cat.
Living environment
Adapts extremely well to apartment life since it doesn't need outdoor space, but it does need toys, climbing opportunities and, above all, company.
Grooming
Care is simple - weekly brushing of the short coat is enough, though owners should watch its weight since the breed tends to overeat.
Pros & cons
Advantages
highly affectionate and great with families, short coat needs very little grooming, adapts well to apartment living
Things to consider
does not tolerate being left alone for long, can be domineering toward other cats, needs a lot of attention and interaction
