Our Story

IconicSX was established with a clear objective: to approach Sphynx breeding through genetics, health screening, and long-term responsibility for the breed.

While many breeding programmes focus primarily on appearance or show success, the foundation of IconicSX is different. The focus is on documented health testing, genetic transparency, and careful selection of breeding cats.

The goal is not simply to produce kittens, but to contribute to a breeding programme where decisions are informed by evidence, veterinary knowledge, and an understanding of population genetics.

Close-up of a Sphynx cat with blue eyes wearing a blue knit sweater, with a green outdoor background.

For many years, I hesitated to begin breeding.
Certain practices commonly seen within the breeding world did not align with my personal values, particularly when it came to transparency, health testing, and responsible long-term planning.

As a cat owner, I found it surprisingly difficult to locate Sphynx cats with clearly documented genetic testing and health screening. This was particularly important for conditions such as ALMS1, a gene associated with serious health implications including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).

Although there were breeders open to genetic testing, finding lines with consistent documentation proved far more difficult than expected.

This experience highlighted a broader challenge within the breed: the limited availability of fully documented, genetically screened breeding cats.

IconicSX was developed as an attempt to address this gap through a programme built on transparency, structured health protocols, and evidence-based breeding decisions.

Our Passion for Genetics and Rare Traits

Genetics plays a central role in responsible breeding.

At IconicSX, particular attention is given to coat colour genetics and rare traits, including the Dominant Blue Eye (DBE) gene.

Collaboration with researchers, including Prof. Marie Abitbol, has contributed to a better understanding of the DBE Celestial variant and its genetic background.

Continued cooperation with laboratories and research groups helps ensure that breeding decisions remain aligned with current scientific knowledge.

These collaborations support both the health of the breeding programme and the broader understanding of feline genetics.

Sphynx cat with heterochromatic eyes (one green, one blue) wearing a red sweater standing in a pet bed.

Breeding Rarely, Breeding Responsibly.

The IconicSX programme follows a quality-over-quantity philosophy.

Litters are planned carefully and produced infrequently, allowing time for proper health evaluation, genetic screening, and thoughtful pairing decisions.

Each kitten is raised with close attention to health, temperament, and social development. The goal is not only to produce healthy cats, but also to ensure they are placed in homes that understand the needs and responsibilities associated with the breed.

Adoptions are therefore selective and based on mutual trust and long-term communication with future owners.

Education — A Lifelong Commitment.

Responsible breeding requires continuous learning.
For this reason, I regularly participate in courses and training programmes related to feline genetics, breeding, and health. Educational resources such as PawPeds and Campus Felinarium form part of this ongoing development.

Alongside formal learning, I also write about feline genetics and responsible breeding as a personal interest. On the IconicSX blog I share explanations of genetic concepts, health testing, and the reasoning behind breeding decisions.

Some of these topics, including coat colour genetics and genetic testing, have also appeared in the Maystar Devon Rex Newsletter, where they were shared within the breeder community.

Education, curiosity, and open documentation remain an important part of maintaining responsible breeding practices.

Staying informed ensures that breeding decisions remain guided by current knowledge rather than assumptions or tradition.

Close-up of a Sphynx cat with large ears and blue eyes, resting on a patterned cushion.

The Breeder.

Maria Niewiadomska is a Polish-born breeder based in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and founder of IconicSX Sphynx cattery, a TICA Outstanding Cattery and GCCF Approved Breeder. Her work focuses on the documentation and analysis of breeding data within the DBE-Celestial Sphynx line, alongside feline genetics education and breeding ethics.

She has contributed data and reference samples to peer-reviewed research on dominant blue eye (DBE) genetics in cats led by Professor Marie Abitbol, and to Sarah Hartwell’s MessyBeast archive documenting the development of the DBE-Celestial line. In February 2026 she provided verified DBE-Celestial reference samples to Certagen GmbH to support the development of a DBE-CEL genetic test.

She is also the author of DBECats.com, an editorially independent educational resource on the genetics of the Dominant Blue Eye trait in cats. She writes educational articles on feline genetics and breeding ethics for breeder publications, including the Maystar Devon Rex Newsletter.

Maria holds an academic background in Political Science, Psychology, and Management and Law.