American Curl
Appearance
Gallery
Origin
Temperament
English
Appearance
Gallery
Origin
Temperament
Appearance
Gallery
Origin
Temperament
English
Appearance
Gallery
Origin
Temperament

American Curl

The American Curl is a cat characterized by its unusual ears, which curl back from the face toward the center of the back of the skull. The breed originated in Lakewood, California, due to a spontaneous mutation.
length
41-53
16.1-20.9
cminch
cm inch 
hight
23-30
9.1-11.8
cminch
cm inch 
weight
2.3-4.5
5.1-9.9
kglbs
kg lbs 
life span
11-16 years
Size
Moderate
US
Country of Origin:
USA
Ha
Sh
Fur Length:
Half-long , Short
Mu
Breed origin:
Mutation
Recognized by: 6 registers
ACFA
CCCOFA
CCA-AFC
ACA
GCCF
LOOF
TSACC
CFSA
ACF
FIFE
WCF
NZCF
TICA
CFA

Appearance

The American Curl is a medium-sized cat that has a body that fits into a rectangle. The breed standard describes its head as triangular with rounded contours, and its eyes are walnut-shaped. One of the most distinctive features of the American Curl is its ears, which form an arc of 90° to 180° towards the back of the head. Ideally, the ears are "crescent moon-shaped." There is no specific color or pattern requirement for the coat, as all variations are accepted, including mid-length and short hair.
Coat type
Eye colour
Fur colour
Body type
Eyes shape
Fur length
Fur type
Head shape
Tail
Coat type
Eye colour
Fur colour
Body type
Eyes shape
Fur length
Fur type
Head shape
Tail

Origin

The first American Curls appeared as strays on the doorstep of the Rugas in Lakewood, California, in June 1981. The black female, named Shulamith, gave birth to a litter of cats with the same curled ears, thus becoming the ancestor of all American Curls today. In 1986, an American Curl was exhibited at a cat show for the first time. In 1992, the longhaired American Curl was given championship status by The International Cat Association (TICA). In 1999, the American Curl became the first breed admitted to the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) Championship Class with both longhair and shorthair divisions.
Parent animals
Breed origin
Origin countries

Temperament

Character traits are not standardized and vary individually for each cat. Breed enthusiasts believe that the American Curl maintains a youthful demeanor throughout its life. Dr. Bruce Fogle describes the American Curl as playful, inquisitive, and sociable, attributing these traits to the breed's oriental lineage. Christiane Sacase characterizes the American Curl as quiet, social with other animals, playful, and well-balanced. Desmond Morris provides a comprehensive list of adjectives to describe the breed's nature: intelligent, curious, calm, playful, energetic, whimsical, amiable, affectionate, clever, and prone to mischief.
Activity Level:
Active

Keeping conditions

Diet preferences
Grooming
Common health issues
Diet preferences
Grooming
Common health issues
American Curls don't have specific dietary requirements. It's crucial for pet owners to remember that cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they need meat in their diet and minimal carbohydrates. The amount of food your cat needs daily depends on its age and activity levels, so consult your vet if you're unsure about the proper feeding amount. Typically, adult cats can have two meals a day, while kittens may need three or four smaller meals. As with all cats, it is important to provide your cat with fresh, clean water daily.
Maintaining the fur of this breed is considered easy due to the low abundance of the undercoat, so weekly brushing should be sufficient. However, for the medium to long-haired variety, it is advisable to detangle the fur daily using an iron comb and a brush, especially during the shedding period. According to Christiane Sacase, caring for this breed can be quite demanding and may require a frequently changed litter box. Additionally, it's important to monitor and clean the ears regularly using a wipe soaked in lotion. Avoid using cotton swabs on the ears as they can be harmful.
Shedding
Normal
Grooming intencity
Easy to groom
The American Curl is considered a robust and healthy breed with easy reproduction. The great genetic diversity of the breed allows it to be free of genetic diseases.

References

  1. American Curl Wikipedia article https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Curl