American Curl

History

American Curl is one of the youngest cat breeds. It was born from a natural genetic mutation that first appeared in Shulamith, a lost black kitten with long, silky hair and strangely curved ears. She found Joe and Grace Ruga's welcoming door in Lakewood, California. Rugas named her Sulamith after the "black and graceful" princess from the Old Testament book, Song of Song.

Shulamith had a litter of four kittens from an unknown father, and two of them shared their curly ears. A consultation with a geneticist found that the trait was caused by a dominant gene. Cat breeders began selective breeding of cats in 1983, and the new breed American Curl was registered by the Cat Fanciers Association in 1986. They were recognized by the International Cat Association in 1987 and fully recognized by the CFA in 1993. The road from stray to pedigree took only six years at an almost unknown speed . The breed is also characterized by the fact that it is the first individual breed to have two fur lengths recognized by the CFA.

All American curls are descended from Shulamith. The cats can be mated with other curls or crossed with non-purebred domestic cats with straight ears that otherwise conform to the curl breed standard. This helps ensure a large gene pool and genetic diversity. Straight-eared kittens from American Curl litters can be used in breeding programs or placed as pets.

Size

The American Curl is a medium-sized cat that weighs 5 to 10 pounds.

Personality

The friendly and gentle American Curl is known for its philanthropic personality. He even likes children, which is not always the case with cats, and is known for seeking their company. True to his native short hair, he is moderately active, curious and smart. He's likely to follow you to see what you're doing, but he's not talkative or bossy like some races. If he has to, he will quietly ask you for attention, food or whatever he wants. When you come home from work, he is happy to greet you with a head and can even extend the loving gesture to the guests in the apartment.

American curls are often called the cat world's "Peter Pan". It is not uncommon to see older curls flying around the house with as much joy as younger ones. Males and females are equally active.

The curler likes to play and can learn to pick up. He can also open the door handles, so be careful what you put in closets that are within reach. When he is ready for a break, he will be happy to enter a round. He is attentive and adaptable, well suited for any home or family that will love him.

Health

Both pedigree and mixed breed cats have different frequencies of health problems that can be genetic. American curls are generally healthy, but some lines have narrow ear canal problems that can lead to ear infections from wax buildup.

Maintenance

The curl coat can be short or long, and both lengths are easy to care for. The long-haired variety has a little undercoat, so it is unlikely to become dull or tangled. Combing it once a week is enough to make the long-haired or short-haired cap look beautiful. Try to run the comb back through the short hair coat; it can help remove dead hair that has built up. Short hairs lose all year round and tend to lose more than long hairs. During the hot months, when the long hairs fall out, it is advisable to brush or comb more often. A bath is rarely necessary.

Brush their teeth to prevent periodontal disease. Daily dental hygiene is best, but weekly brushing is better than nothing. Cut their nails every two weeks. Wipe the eyes with a soft, damp cloth to remove any discharge. Use a separate area of the cloth for each eye so that you do not risk spreading an infection.

Check their ears every week. If they look dirty, wipe them with a cotton ball or a soft, damp cloth dampened with a 50-50 mixture of apple cider vinegar and warm water. Avoid using cotton swabs, which can damage the inside of the ear. Be careful with their ears; You do not want to break the cartilage.

Keep the American Curl litter box immaculately clean. Cats attach great importance to hygiene in the bathroom.

It is a good idea to keep an American Curl as an indoor single cat to protect it from diseases transmitted by other cats, attacks from dogs or coyotes and other dangers that cats face when walking outdoors, such as being hit by a car. . American lures that go outdoors also risk being stolen by someone who wants such a beautiful cat without paying for it.

Fur color and grooming

Curl is known for his distinctive shaped ears, but even without them he is a flashy cat with a sweet expression and a silky coat that can be long or short and in all colors, including exotic shades such as chocolate turtle, smoky tabby and purple lynx tip. The long-haired variety has a rather feathered tail.

However, the ears are the most fascinating feature. If a kitten is just born, it will start rolling back two to ten days after it is born. They puck, roll out and puck even more until they reach their permanent shape when a kitten is about 4 months old. A kitten intended for the show ring has a crescent-shaped ear with a bow with curls of at least 90 degrees but not more than 180 degrees. The tips of the moderately large ear are rounded and flexible, often adorned with fur. When curls are alert, the ears swing forward, but the tips point towards the center of the skull.

Children and other pets

The Curl is fond of children, making it a great choice for families who are supervising children to make sure they pat the cat nicely and do not pull on ears or tails. Thanks to his lovable nature, he also likes to live with cat-friendly dogs. Introduce pets slowly and under controlled conditions to ensure that they learn to get along with each other.

Characteristics

Interested in hearing more about other cat breeds?