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American Curl Cat - Breed Profile
Breed Description and Pictures Submitted by:
Caroline Scott - Procurl Harem American Curls
History
- Boasting head adornments that could have easily been fashioned by a
legendary hat designer, along with their opulently plumed tails reminiscent
of a luxurious ostrich-feather boa, the American Curl has audiences in awe
world-wide. Distinguished by truly unique ears that curl back in a graceful
arc offering an alert, happily-surprised expression, makes people break out
into a big smile when viewing their first Curl. Designed exclusively by
Mother Nature, the ears can be likened to those of a Lynx with long tufts
fanning outward accentuating the swept-back look, while complementing the
Curl's overall sophistication, stylish elegance, and dynamic presence.
HISTORY
On a typical hot June day in 1981, a stray longhaired black female cat
with funny ears mooched a meal from a family in Lakewood, California, and
moved in. The Rugas never suspected that from that simple encounter, and the
birth of some kittens 6 month later, would grow a worldwide debate about the
genetics behind those unusual curled ears. When selective breeding began in
1983, fanciers bred the American Curl with an eye towards developing a show
breed. In analyzing data on 81 litters (383 kittens), renowned feline
geneticist Roy Robinson of London, England, confirmed that the ear-curling
gene is autosomal dominant, which means that any cat with even one copy of
the gene will show the trait. Breeders wondered whether other genes would
modify the expression of the curl gene and thus the appearance of the curl
itself, or even bring with it unwanted abnormalities. In the December 1989
Journal of Heredity, Robinson reported finding no defects in any of the
crosses he analyzed. Apparently the curl gene codes for a slight
overpopulation of cartilage along the inner lining of the ear. This was
truly an anticipated sigh of relief to the growing number of Curl
enthusiasts as this information provided the pathway for a new and healthy
breed--and one with an outstanding temperament. To pass the probationary
muster that CFA required of moving toward that first step to Championship
status, the curly candidates "walked across the conference table, sat in
each of the directors' laps, kissed them, and that was it."
The American Curl was first accepted for CFA registration in 1986,
achieving Provisional status in 1991, and quickly advanced to Championship
in 1993. "Shulamith", as she was named, was that stray black cat and is the
original American Curl to which all bonafied pedigrees trace their origin.
Since the Curl originated as a domestic cat, and to preserve it's unique
identity, the standard was formulated around Shulamith's physical
characteristics while paying special attention to preserve that
especially-affectionate, happy-go-lucky disposition as well.
Colors and Coats Types Available - Curls come in every color from gorgeous blue-eyed colorpoints, calicos,
tabbies, bi colors, solids in either shorthair, found mostly on the west
coast, and longhair (as the original American Curl) on the east coast.
Longhairs are very silky to the touch and a medium body length coat, with
plumed tails and fanned out ear tufts.
Grooming and Care - Since the lustrous silky Curl coat has very little if any undercoat,
shedding is minimal and grooming simple. Just a few strokes once a week with
a natural-bristle brush or metal grooming comb is ample. Naturally more
frequent brushing adds to the quality bonding play time with prompting head
butts assuring you that more is never enough hands-on attention. Curls don't
require baths but as mentioned previously, most of them do enjoy water
sports. So if this is the case, using a tearless baby shampoo or the family
favorite is adequate. After a quick lather and thorough rinse, squeeze out
excess water with a towel, then put Curlie into a carrier holding a blow
dryer about a foot from the carrier door on medium heat until mostly dry.
Then using a medium metal grooming comb, gently work through the tail and
body coat. Now air drying is all that is needed since the coat is designed
to lie flat. Show baths, on the other hand, require a thorough 5-step
procedure the night before a show.
Some Curls may have a darker ear wax that requires a simple home
maintenance cleaning. This can be done by first dipping a Q-Tip into a
non-oily ear cleaning solution (available from your vet), then starting at
the canal opening, gently work in an upward direction away from the opening
up the ear furrows. Each ear generally gets about 2 swabs. Avoid pulling on
the cartilage as this may cause the ear to uncurl over time or even break.
Also, no liquids should be put directly into the ears, please, as some
canals can be narrow and Curlie would be uncomfortable trying to shake it
out. Calling the breeder first is recommended if liquids are suggested by
your vet. Since Curls are so trusting and will let you position them anyway
you want, nail-clipping is a breeze.
Best
Suitable Environment - Great for families with existing pets and singles like. They are buddies
in the truest sense and love people. They are very human and dog-like many
people say. They are affectionate and KNOW their persons' feelings and love
to sleep under the covers and greet you every day.
Personality Traits - CHARACTERISTICS UNIQUE TO THE BREED Although fearless and courageous lap
cats, when introduced into a new home, Curl's seem to have an inherent
respect for the current pet occupants giving them plenty of room to adjust
to the new kid on the block. They are never aggressive and always polite.
Being astute they're easily engrossed in assisting their owners in whatever
project is at hand like helping to fix dinner rather than watching. They can
be taught to beg, fetch, sit, and are easy to leash train for those
occasional excursions. Favorite toys are Q-Tips, Kitty Caviar (shredded
dried Bonita fish) and anything that makes a crinkling sound. Not overly
talkative, the Curl's curiosity and intelligence is expressed through little
trill-like cooing sounds when they want to comment or would like an opinion
on something that's momentarily confounding to them. Because they retain
their kitten-like personality well throughout adulthood, they are referred
to as the Peter Pan of felines. So it isn't surprising to see a twelve-year
old Curl frolicking and jumping effortlessly for a favorite toy along with
the twelve-week olds.
Curls certainly know the words "No", "Down", and "Come". They know their
names, learn quickly, and they even come to a whistle responding immediately
and with exuberance. In the mornings, they love to be held stroked and
snuggled. Some owners even take Curlie to work where they make their rounds
greeting each employee. Frequently they will jump in someone's lap and just
lay there while everyone tries to work. Curls follow you around the house,
not getting in the way, just wanting to be in the same room. They have "hug
me" written all over their face. When they play, they play with all their
heart and sole vigorously incorporating leaps, bounds and stunning
acrobatics. Many say their antics are much better than any TV show. he Curl
personality as well as their ears is truly unique. If not sleeping up high
somewhere in a large salad bowl, or figuring out with great determination
just how to get into the shower with you, or assuming their spot right in
front of a favorite TV show, they are patting at your glasses while you try
to read the paper. Needless to say, Curls are very people-oriented,
faithful, affectionate soul-mates adjusting remarkably fast to other pets,
children, and new situations.
People say they are very dog-like in their attentiveness to their owners,
following them around so not to miss anything. One story relating the Curl's
inherent spirituality is that a new Curl owner who enjoyed taking her male
Curl for leash-walks on Sundays over to the nearby dog run because "all the
dogs love him he just soaks up all the attention", was approached by a
mature gentleman who introduced himself as a painter. He told her of his
avid fascination and admiration of her Curl's inner light, and asked if he
could have the pleasure of trying to capture this essence on canvas. At the
first sitting when the carrier door opened, the fearless subject leapt out
and bounded about all over the studio showing off as if he knew how enamored
the artist was of him. Weeks later the owner was presented with a beautiful
masterpiece perfectly portraying the innate Curl spirit. It is this trait
that people most associate when describing the Curl personality.
When Curls are born, their ears are straight. In 3 to 5 days they start
to curl back staying in a tight "rosebud" position, unfurling gradually
until permanently "set" at around 16 weeks. This is the time breeders
determine the kitten's ear quality as either pet or show in addition to the
kitten's overall confirmation. The degree of curl can vary greatly, ranging
from almost straight (pet quality) to a show quality ear with an arc of
90-180 degrees resembling a graceful shell-like curvature. In keeping with
the all-over balanced look of the cat, ear size should be in proportion to
the head. As a note of interest, a kitten's ears at 4 months can be larger
in proportion to the head since the head grows into the ears by adulthood.
Thedesired arc of the curl when viewed from the rear depicts the imaginary
lines that follow the curve of the ear through the tips so that they
intersect at the base of the skull. Ear furnishings fanning outward
accentuate and further enhance the Curl's alluring beauty. Unlike other
feline ears which are soft and supple, a Curl's cartilage is firm, similar
to the the human. They should be firm from the ear's base to at least 2/3 of
the height, with the tips being flexible and rounded. The desired ear size
calls for moderately large with a wide and open base. From the start, the
ideal American Curl has been described as a well-balanced cat indicating
that the ideal ear height is one that is in balance and proportion to the
overall size of the head and body, as well as maintaining a graceful, smooth
arc. With all these possible variables factored in, it's not hard to see why
very few ears can achieve all these criteria. With the score used to
evaluate all breeds based on 100 possible points distributed over the
various features of the cat, the Curl has a full 30 points allotted to the
ears alone. Interestingly, it is virtually impossible to predict what ear
degree curl kittens will have based on the parent's degree of curl, as a
sire or dam does not have to have a show ears to produce!
American Curl Cat Breeders
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01/03/2010 |
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American Curl Description
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