So what makes the sphynx so likeable, appealing and captivating? Sphynx are often described as a mix between a at, dog and monkey. Sphynx are fun, playful, inquisitive, and quirky. They are very athletic, they love to jump and climb and are extremely light on their feet and nimble. The Sphynx loves to socialize and be the center of attention. They are social not only with people but are great companions for other household pets such as cats, dogs, birds, etc. Sphynx are highly intelligent, can adapt to mostly any situation. Because they are social cats, they often thrive in environments with numerous family members or other pets. The Sphynx can become mischievous if left for to long without anything to entertain them. They seek attention and love from their owners and in exchange will also provide lots of love and affection! Their skin is often soft and they radiate heat, which makes them a great cuddle buddy. Sphynx usually run head first into any situations, the only time they run away from anything is usually during bathing. Cats in general are not big into bathing, however they can grow to become bath lovers with patience and time. So how does an Elf differ from the sphynx? The Personality of an elf is identical of that of the sphynx. They are smart, social, engaging, athletic, etc. One of the only differences in the breed is that unlike the sphynx, they don't particularly enjoy having their ears touched or played with. The fold on the Elf cat is inherited from the crossing of the sphynx cat with the American Curl Cat. The fold on the ears is obtained from a gene mutation which affects the cartilage, thus given it its curled ears.