Mexican Hairless Cat

The earliest report of a pair of hairless cats was in The Boston Post on January 22, 1878. Two hairless cats, "Scud," a male, and "Mystery," a female, owned by William P. Marshall, were exhibited. These cats were siblings, born to a normal shorthair cat, and did not attract much attention at the time. In 1902, a couple from New Mexico received two hairless cats from local Pueblo Indians, claiming that they were the last survivors of an ancient Aztec breed of cat. These cats became more famous than the earlier pair. The owner, Mr. Shinick, described them as smaller than local shorthair cats, with seasonal fur growth on their backs and tails during colder seasons. He also praised their intelligence, affectionate nature, and playfulness. The cats, named Dick and Nellie, were very close to the family, especially Mr. Shinick's daughter, and seemed to understand human communication well. Mr. Shinick's daughter later mentioned that Dick went missing one day, and as Nellie aged, her father decided to donate her to the Smithsonian Institution due to the rarity of hairless cats. When she arrived in Washington, Nellie was in good condition, but unfortunately, she passed away a month later. Nellie was eventually exhibited as a taxidermy specimen. The story of Dick and Nellie portrays them as the last of their kind, the Mexican Hairless or Aztec breed, but this narrative was likely fictionalized for added intrigue.