Bombay Cats
There are two different Bombay Cats, The British Bombay and the American Bombay. The British Bombay cat is the name given to black cats of the Asian group. The American Bombay was bred in 1958 in Louisville, Kentucky, and is a cross between a American Shorhair and a Burmese for the purpose of creating a domestic cat that looked like a panther. The Bombay was accepted by the Cat Fanciers' Association in 1976.
History of Bombay Cats
Physical Characteristics
The Bombay is a muscular yet agile cat with a black coat. The heads of British Bombay cats are rounded and wide with a medium short, blunt tapered muzzle. The eyes, which are usually brown or green in color , 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 Bombay has a coat that is short, satiny and tight to the body. Bombay cats require little grooming. They have personalities like Burmese cats as they are virtually genetically the same - they are fun loving and very affectionate.
Both the American Bombay and British Bombay have very unique voices. They're not your traditional "meows". While some cats are very vocal, others tend to keep quiet. This is perfectly normal and just reflects the type of personality your Bombay has. Bombay cats are heat-seekers. What this means is that they love to be warm and will tend to sleep with you either under the covers or on top of your legs because of the heat you emit. They're very affectionate cats that love human attention.
Temperament
The Bombay is a friendly, inteligent and affectionate cat with a dog like personality. They can be leash trained and many love to play fetch. The bombay is content as an indoor cat but it does crave company, often following its owner around the house. They can be very sensitive to their owner's feelings making them excellent companions. The bombay is a heat seeker and makes an excellent lap cat, often sneaking under the bedcovers at night. They can be talkative and have a distinctive soft voice. They are generally good with children and mix well with other cats and dogs.