American Curl

This cat breed is 'hand-made' and started with a mutation in the domestic cat population. Allegedly a female (named Shulamith)was found in California back in 1981, her adopted family fell in love with her and when she later presented them with a litter, they decided to distribute them carefully in order to create the breed and retain the 'curl'. The Longhair Curl was first shown in 1983 in America and was given championship recognition in 1987 by the International Cat Association.

When they are born, American curls have straight ears. They start to curl back in 3 to 5 days staying in a tight rosebud position, unfurling gradually until permanently ‘set' at around 16 weeks. The degree of ear curl can vary greatly, ranging from almost straight (pet quality) to a show quality ear with an arc of 90-180 degrees.

American Curls are very 'healthy' cats. They are intelligent and playful yet very gentle. They are a people cat and are very affectionate. American Curls are good with children and like to play rough every now and then. Like most breeds of cat they are extremely curious about their surroundings. They do not require much grooming, can be trained quite easily to walk on a lead and are a breed that never grows up!

 

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