The Bombay was developed in the United States starting in the 1950s, when Nikki Horner of Kentucky crossed sable Burmese with black American Shorthairs, hoping for a miniature black panther. The result is a medium-sized cat, usually 6 to 12 pounds, that feels heavier than it looks, with a short satiny coat that is black to the roots, a black nose and paw pads, and round gold to copper eyes.
Many Bombays are affectionate, playful and curious, and they often settle into a lap once the evening winds down. Some learn to fetch or walk on a harness. Pedigreed Bombays are uncommon in shelters, and most sleek black cats listed under this name are domestic shorthairs with a similar look, so each cat's personality matters more than the label. The coat needs little more than an occasional brushing.