Bombay

The Bombay is a domestic cat breed created in the United States during the mid-twentieth century to resemble a miniature black panther.

Breeder Nikki Horner of Louisville, Kentucky, began the breeding program in 1958 by crossing black American Shorthairs with sable Burmese cats. An initial breeding round did not produce the intended look, but Horner achieved success with renewed attempts in 1965. She named the breed after the Indian port city of Bombay to reference the native home of the black leopard. The Cat Fanciers' Association registered the cat in 1970 and granted championship status in 1976. The International Cat Association accepted the Bombay for championship competition in 1979.

Bombays are medium-sized, muscular cats that feel heavier than their visual frame suggests. Adult females weigh 2.5-3.5 kg (6-8 lb), while adult males weigh 3.5-5 kg (8-11 lb). The cat has a rounded head, a short muzzle with a distinct stop, and wide-set ears with rounded tips. Large, round eyes sit far apart, displaying shades from warm gold to deep copper. A short, fine, satin-textured coat lies flat against the body with a patent-leather sheen. Breed standards require solid black hair shafts down to the roots, paired with black nose leather and black paw pads.

Official breed standards describe the Bombay as an alert, outgoing, and affectionate companion. The cat adjusts well to lively households, living amicably alongside children, dogs, and other companion animals. Coat maintenance requires minimal effort, as the short hair sheds infrequently and stays clean with weekly brushing using a soft brush or a gentle wipe with a chamois cloth. Documented health issues in the breed include hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, gingivitis, excessive tearing from narrow tear ducts, chronic sinus congestion, and craniofacial defects linked to ancestral Burmese genetic lines.