Bombays were developed in the United States beginning in the 1950s, when Nikki Horner of Kentucky crossed sable Burmese with black American Shorthairs, aiming for a miniature black panther. The result is a medium-sized cat, usually 6 to 12 pounds, that feels heavier than it looks. It has a short satiny coat that is black to the roots, black nose and paw pads, and round eyes from gold to deep copper.
Many Bombays are people-focused, playful and curious, and they tend to be moderately chatty. Pedigreed Bombays are uncommon, and most sleek black cats with copper eyes listed under this name are domestic shorthairs who share the look, so each cat's personality matters more than the label. In Virginia Beach, the low-maintenance coat suits busy households, though the Bombay's need for company does not change.