Bombay

The Bombay is a miniature black panther for the living room, and it was created on purpose. In the 1950s, a Kentucky breeder named Nikki Horner set out to make a cat that looked like a small Indian black leopard, and she crossed a sable Burmese with a black American Shorthair. The name comes from Bombay, now Mumbai, in India.

The coat is the whole point. It is short, tight and glossy, like patent leather, and it lies close to the body with an almost metallic sheen. A Bombay is black to the roots, and its nose and paw pads are black as well.

The eyes are the second signature. They are round and a brilliant copper or gold, and against the black coat they glow like lamps. The body is medium, muscular and surprisingly heavy for its size, with a rounded head and a short, sweet face.

The personality is deeply affectionate. Bombays are devoted, social cats that follow their people from room to room and love to sit on a lap, a shoulder or a bed. They are clever, curious and playful, and many learn to fetch or walk on a leash. They do not like to be left alone.

Bombays are warm-lovers. They seek out sunny spots, heating pads and laps, and they are known for sleeping under the covers. They are moderate talkers, with a sweet, soft voice, and they get on with children and other pets.

The coat needs only a weekly rub with a soft cloth to keep the shine. Health notes include a heart condition, HCM, and a head-shape problem that can come from Burmese lines, so choose a breeder who health-tests. Keep the cat lean and warm and it will be your shadow for many years.