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The Scratching Post
Bombay 
The Bombay is a shorthair breed very similar to the Burmese. They are known for their shiny black coat and copper eyes. The head should be rounded with no sharp angles and the face should be full. The ears are set well apart and rounded at the tips. They should be slightly forward and broad at the base. The chin should be firm and reflecting a proper bite. The round eyes are set far apart. The paws are round and the tail is straight and medium in length. The coat is fine, short and should have a satin-like texture. The coat must be black to the roots. Kittens? coats should darken as they age.
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Temperament
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The Bombay is affectionate and playful. They will accept dogs in the household easier than they will accept another cat. This breed likes to be the dominant cat in the household. They are intelligent, love to play games and seek interaction with humans. They love to do tricks and have a very distinctive voice. They are heat-seekers and often like to sleep under the bedcovers. This breed reaches sexual maturity at an early age, so owners should plan on spaying females and neutering males between 6 and 9 months of age.
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Weight
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Male 8-11 lbs. ; Female 6-9 lbs.
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Health Problems
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The Bombay shares an unfortunate trait with the Burmese. The ?Burmese Craniofacial Defect? which is a genetic disorder that affects the development of the skull in the fetus. If kittens are born with this defect, they must be euthanized at birth. Most Bombays can free-feed but some owners find that they must ration food or switch to low-calorie feed.
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Living Conditions
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Bombays are adaptable to apartment living and are generally calm.
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Exercise
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Bombays can often be leash-trained. They enjoy playing fetch and will invent ways to entertain themselves.
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Life Expectancy
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Up to 15 years
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Grooming
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The tight, short coat sheds very little and requires little or no maintenance. The Bombay is self-cleaning, but a rubdown with your hand or a rubber brush is always welcomed. Owners who show this cat will bathe them a few days before the show so that the coat will have time to return to its original luster.
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Origin
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If you have ever wanted to own a panther, then the Bombay might be for you. Nikki Horner, a prominent cat breeder from Louisville, KY, set her sights on producing a copper-eyed, black shorthair with the appearance of a ?mini? panther. Ms Horner began her efforts in 1953 by breeding an American Shorthair male with a copper-eyed Grand Champion sable Burmese female. With her system of breeding, she was able to consistently produce a stunning black cat. The Bombay achieved CFA Championship status in 1976.
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