American Curl

American Curls are, like the name already indicates, from America. The breed has two varieties: the shorthaired and the half-longhaired.

The American Curl is a rather unknown breed in Europe, although more and more countries start to acknowledge the breed. On exhibitions American Curls aren’t always present. In the Netherlands there aren’t many breeders who breed American Curls which makes these cats very special. The very first cat with the very special, backwards curled, ears was called Shulamith, an ordinary black house cat which lived with the family Ruga in the USA. Shulasmit had a nest with two kittens with the same kinds of ears.

Since they were so unique it was decided that they would become a new breed, the American Curl.

Curls are very friendly people-oriented cats which love to be the centre of interest and love attention. They are very intelligent and curious. They love to be involved in the daily routine.

They love to unpack the shopping bag and love to investigate the kitchen cupboards if they get the chance. The love to cuddle and being stroked, but sometimes they are also very active and playful. They have a balanced character and adapt themselves perfectly. They also like to spend time with other cats, dogs and other animals.

The fur is fine and silky. There is hardly an undercoat so that (with the exception of the moulting season, brushing every 14 days should be enough to look fine. American Curls have ear plumes, which curl from the inside of the ear to the outside. Curls are bred in all kinds of colors and patterns. The eye color is yellow, green or blue (color points must always have blue eyes).

The American Curl is a medium size cat with an elegant, rangy long-drawn-out body. You should keep in mind that especially the tomcats can become large “bears”. Especially intheir winter fur and with a nice “collar”.

The Curls can be divided in 4 categories. First-degree, second-degree, third-degree and straight ears. The first-degree cats have ears which are bent the least, the third-degree cats have ears which are bent the most. Most show- and breeding cats are third-degree cats, but not always. A special, unique fur can make a show- and breed quality out of a first-degree cat. The so-called straight ears have straight ears but do have all further racial characteristics of the Curls. It isn’t true that you will only have third-degree kittens if you have a third-degree female cat covered by a third-degree tomcat. In principle, third-degree until straight ears can occur in the nest.

Contrary to cats with ears which are folded inside, think of Scottish Fold and Highland Fold, the Curls don’t suffer from bone defects such as cartilage deformation. Folds may only be coupled to cats with straight ears, and in some countries a total breeding ban exists. Unfortunately Curls and Folds are often put in the same category, like with some breeders’ associations.

The American Curls are free from hereditary diseases and the present breeders wish to keep it that way. Besides, they are pretty strong concerning their general health because of the fact this breed descends from an ordinary house cat and because they have been crossed with ordinary house cats when the breed was developed.

The breeding information and photos on this page have been supplied by Monique van Heck American Curl Cattery CUTE CUDDLY CATS