The LaPerm is a medium-sized cat, elegant and well-muscled, with a broad nose, flared ears, and medium-large almond-shaped eyes. The most significant feature of this breed is their coat, which consists of soft waves, curls, and ringlets, giving them a shaggy perm appearance. The coat can vary depending on the season and the cat's maturity, but it is typically wavy or curly, with the longest and most defined curls found in the ruff and on the neck. Additionally, LaPerms have longer curly fur inside the ears, tufts at the ear tips, and "ear muffs" of longer, silky hair on the backs of the ears. Longhaired LaPerms have a curly plumed tail, while shorthaired LaPerms have tails that resemble bottle brushes. Both varieties have long curled whiskers.
LaPerm cats can come in a variety of colors, with tabbies, reds, and tortoiseshells being common due to their origins. Unusual colors such as lilac, chocolate, and colorpoints, which were present in the early days of the breed, remain popular. Breeders are also creating newer varieties such as ticked tabbies, shades, and darker points to expand the color palette of LaPerms.
