The term Bombay cat is used to refer to two different breeds of cat: British Bombey and American Bombay.

The British Bombay cat is the name given to black cats of the Asian group. It is a cat of Burmese type with a black coat, toes, nose, and copper to greenish eyes. The close lying, sleek and glossy black coat should be coloured to the roots, with little or no paling. The Bombay is a shorthair breed of domestic cat, closely related to the Burmese.

Bombay Cat Origin

The American breed called Bombay was created in 1958 in Louisville, Kentucky, when Nikki Horner of Shawnee Cattery deliberately bred an American Shorthair with a Burmese for the purpose of creating a domesticated cat that resembled a wild panther (also known as baby panther). The breeding program continued with the result of a totally black cat with a short shiny coat and huge copper eyes. Bombays are often confused with the British Bombay. Note that they are different cats though they both share the name of "Bombay." The offspring of this breeding did indeed resemble the black leopard of India. The name came from the Indian city of Bombay (now Mumbai ).

The Bombay was accepted by CFA in 1976. Outcrossing to both sable Burmese and black American Shorthairs is still allowed by CFA, although the Bombay is a true breed with its own particular look and characteristics.

Bombay Cat Appearence

The Bombay is the parlor panther of the cat fancy, the "patent-leather kid with the copper penny eyes." In appearance, the Bombay looks very much like a Burmese, however, the Bombay will often be a bit larger and not quite as compact as the Burmese.

The ideal Bombay is a medium-sized cat with substantial bone structure, good muscular development, and having a surprising weight for its size. The body is medium-sized, neither cobby nor rangy.

The heads of British Bombay cats are rounded and wide with a medium short, blunt tapered muzzle, with no flat planes or sharp angles. The eyes, which are usually gold in colour , should be shaped like a burmese cat (not round) and set wide, and their ears are broad, slightly rounded and medium sized and, like the eyes, set wide. The nose should be slightly rounded down at the tip. The chin should reflect a normal bite; neither receding nor protruding. The Bombay has a coat that is short, satiny and tight to the body.

The legs are well- proportioned to the body, with rounded feet. The chest should be ample and rounded. The back is level from shoulder to tail. The tail should be neither short nor long and whippy.

Bombay Cat Colors and Coats

The coat is short and close-lying, with a fine, satin-like texture, and patent-leather sheen. It is is gleaming black, like the texture of satin, and gold to copper eyes. The color should be black to the roots. Allowance should be made in coat color and texture for kittens and younger cats up to two years of age.

Bombay Cat Temperament

The Bombay also shares many of the behavioral characteristics of the Burmese. They are adaptable to apartment living and are generally calm. Like Burmese, Bombays are heat-seekers, and often like to sleep under the bedcovers. Both Bombays and Burmese have a voice that is distinctive, but not as loud or harsh as the Siamese voice. Some individuals are quite talkative, but others rarely vocalize.

They are intelligent, actively seek interaction with humans and love to play games. Many retrieve and do tricks. Some have been sucessfully leash-trained. The Bombay will often accept dogs in the household more quickly than it will adapt to the other cats. The Bombay often wants to be the dominant cat in the household.

As a kitten, the Bombay may initially be very timid. Although, as it matures, you can expect its outgoing and companionable personality to shine through. Nicknamed the 'Velcro cat', the Bombay is happy to stick with its owner throughout the day, lazing around the house, having a play or sharing the bed.

They are an outgoing cat, friendly and playful. They are easily leash trained and like to retrieve. They are a very sociable cat and make a great addition to the family as they get on well with children and dogs.  They are very agile and athletic and their antics will keep you constantly amused.