The Bombay was developed in the United States starting in the 1950s, when Nikki Horner of Kentucky crossed sable Burmese with black American Shorthairs. She wanted a cat that looked like a small black panther. The result is a medium-sized, muscular cat that feels heavier than it looks, with a short satin coat that is black to the roots, a black nose and paw pads, and round eyes that run from gold to deep copper.
Most Bombays are affectionate, curious and a little dog-like, and some learn fetch or harness walking. Pedigreed Bombays are uncommon in shelters, and many sleek black cats listed under this name are domestic shorthairs with the same look. For an Indianapolis adopter, the cat's own personality matters more than the label, so spend time with a cat before deciding.