Bombay cats look like miniature versions of black leopards, with deep black coats and copper-colored eyes. Bombay cats are extremely intelligent and friendly, as well as affectionate and highly trainable. They do very well with children, and generally get along well both with cats and with other pets.

A breeder in Louisville, Kentucky in the 1950’s sought to create a “parlor panther,” and thus the Bombay cat was developed. She began by crossing a female sable Burmese with a male black American Shorthair with deep copper eyes. After careful and extensive selection, inbreeding, and outcrossing, she developed the Bombay. The breed was named for the cats’ resemblance to the black leopards of India.

The Bombay cat has a short coat of glossy, deep black. With a medium build, Bombay cats usually weigh around 8 to 16 pounds. They have medium-sized ears with slightly rounded tips and broad muzzles. Their black-rimmed eyes are copper to gold in color. Their nose leathers are also black, and their paw pads are dark brown or black.

Bombay cats are playful and energetic, and are easily leash trained. Intelligent and amiable, they can often be trained to perform tasks such as fetching and will often run to the door to greet visitors, much like many dogs will. With a highly curious and friendly nature, it is important to keep the Bombay cat indoors. Left to their own devices, Bombays are likely to stray off looking for adventure. It is said that Bombays are very intuitive cats, and can sense the emotions of their human companions.

Short-haired cats, Bombays do not require much grooming. An average litter size for the Bombay is around six kittens, but larger litters are not uncommon. Bombays are generally healthy cats, and are not prone to any particular illnesses or ailments. While the life expectancy of a Bombay cat is around fifteen years, many Bombays live as long as 18 or 20 years.