American Wirehair Cat Breed Description

Active: The activity level of American Wirehair varies between cats but most are moderately active. They will not be overly demanding of your attention. They will enjoy playing but will equally enjoy lounging around.

Size: The American Wirehair is a medium size cat that ranges from 8 to 12 pounds.

Characteristics: The medium-sized American Wirehair is also medium-boned. It very much resembles the American Shorthair in shape and size. They have round heads with prominent cheekbones and large, endearing eyes that will make you fall in love. They are a very proportionate cat with a sometimes scruffy appearance from their wild, wiry coat.

Temperament: American Wirehair cats are incredibly adaptable, amiable and friendly cats. They are affectionate and friendly cats, and live harmoniously with any age companion. Every cat varies and some love cuddling more than other but the American Wirehair is not an overactive or hyper cat. They love to play but they also love to curl up and relax. Just like any perfect companion, they can be humorous at times, playful and interactive at times, restful at times and snuggly at times which makes them all the more lovable. Not only are they great with humans, but they are also wonderful with other animals.

Care: You make think the wild coat of the American Wirehair needs to be tamed but it quite the opposite. The wiry coat is best cared for by doing very little grooming. Brushing and combing the coat may ruin the appearance so if you feel like you would like to groom your Wirehair, it is best to just bathe them. Regular bathing will keep them looking nice and their interesting coat looking great. Brush their teeth regularly to ward off periodontal disease and regularly clean their ears and trim their nails to give them the polished appearance they deserve.

Coat: The coat of the American Wirehair is certainly a defining feature. It is crimped, bouncy, thick and coarse. When you go to pet an American Wirehair, it is quite a different feeling than petting your average cat. How wiry the cat's coat will be varies between cats. They can range from tight curls, to spiked curls, to loose ringlets, to crimped and more. Not only can their coat's texture vary but so can the their colors and patterns.

Origin: Every now and then, you hear a story of a spontaneous genetic mutation among cats. It is rare but certainly not unheard of. The story of the American Wirehair cat begins with a spontaneous genetic mutation. In 1966, in Verona, New York a litter of kittens were born in a barn. Two cats named Fluffy and Bootsie were ordinary cats that mated and produced a very unique litter of kittens with wiry hair and even wiry whiskers! Tragically, all but one of the kittens were killed by a weasel but one male kitten survived.

No other mating of Fluffy and Bootsie produced similar wiry kittens. The one male kitten left was the only cat of his kind with a red and white coat that was sparse and distinctly wiry. A local cat breeder, Joan O'Shea, heard about the interesting kitten and decided to pay it a visit. O'Shea was so intrigued and enamored by the kitten that she purchased the kitten for $50. The kitten, named Adam, was given a new name by O'Shea, Council Rock Farm Adam of Hi-Fi. Soon, O'Shea began trying to reproduce the unique appearance and mated him with a neighbor cat that had straight hair. The litter produced wiry-haired kittens.

It was soon confirmed by scientists that the gene that produced wiry-haired kittens was indeed dominant and that the breed was not relaxed to the Rex breeds, and the unique American Wirehair cat breed was born. The breed has a similar appearance to American Shorthair cats which is where the American Wirehair named was derived. One of Adam's kittens, Amy, was sold to some fellow Rex breeders, Bill and Madeline Beck. The Beck's would prove to be instrumental in helping the American Wirehair get on the map. They began a breeding program and used American Shorthairs for an outcross. Still today, American Shorthairs are the only acceptable outcross. In 1967, the CFA accepted the American Wirehair for registration and by 1978 were granted championship status. Today, the breed is accepted by major associations and is widely respected but continues to remain rare and unique (much like its appearance).