LaPerm Cat Breed Description

Active: Moderately active the LaPerm cat loves to play and be mischievous but is not overly demanding of your attention.

Size: The LaPerm cat is medium in size and typically weighs between 5 - 10 pounds.

Characteristics: The LaPerm has a very unique appearance for the cat world. Aside from their curly coat setting them apart, they typically have very wide set ears. They have a modified wedge-shaped head with intriguing eyes that will draw you in. They are a fairly active cat and are usually well muscled. They often have a shaggy or messy appearance because of their curls.

Temperament: If you think the LaPerm's coat is interesting and endearing, just wait until you spend some time with one. Their personality will win you over and make you fall in love. They are intelligent, playful, whimsical, affectionate and gentle. They can be quite humorous, love to learn new tricks and show off for their many admirers. They love to be up high and will climb to great heights and perch themselves where they see fit. Their love of heights, coupled with their love of being with their companions, may mean they perch themselves right on your shoulder! While the LaPerm is playful, they do enjoy relaxing and cuddling as well. They will be more than happy to curl up in your lap and spend a little quality time together.

Care: You may think this curly coated cat is hard to care for but it is not that different than caring for the average cat. If you have a longhaired LaPerm, you will want to brush more frequently but brushing anywhere from 1 to 3 times per week will keep the curly coat from getting matted or tangled. To keep the coat looking fluffy and fresh, dampen (with a bath) or mist the coat with water to bring it back to life. Regular nail trimming and ear cleaning will keep your LaPerm in tip top shape.

Coat: The crowning glory of the LaPerm cat is its unique and beautiful curly coat.Their cat is considered semi-longhaired as it can be both long or short. They have soft, bouncy curly that feel silky to the touch. The curly can appear like soft waves or can be tight ringlets and the colors and patterns can vary significantly. While they may be often born hairless, the LaPerm coat comes into its full glory between 3 and 4 months of age.

Origin: The charming and lovable LaPerm cat breed history begins in 1982 on a farm in Oregon. The LaPerm cat breed is the result of a spontaneous genetic mutation. A litter of kittens was born to a cat named Speedy and one of the kittens was bald. Speedy's owners, Richard and Linda Koehl, noted that one of the kittens had a very unique appearance. In addition to being bald, the kitten had a tabby pattern on her skin and wide-set ears. Between 6 and 8 weeks of age, the kitten began to sprout curly hairs all over her body. She was then aptly given the affectionate name of Curly.

Curly's unique appearance coupled with her gentle and loving personality, intrigued all who came in contact with her, especially the Koehls. Curly went on to give birth to litters of bald kittens that eventually grew curly coats, just like Curly herself. Over the following ten years, litters of kittens were born resembling Curly, and Koehl made no attempt to control breeding. Koehl became increasingly curious as more and more bald kittens were born that eventually turned curly-coated. In 1992, Koehl decided to enter some of her curly cats into a CFA show. She had to give the breed a name so she appropriately named the breed "LaPerm" for their curly coat. Koehl had no idea what a truly unique cat breed she actually had.

The judges had never seen cats like Koehl's cats and determined that the cats needed to be selectively bred so that the breed could be preserved. Koehl went on to write the LaPerm breed standard and began a breeding program. Many new breeds often face a long road to being accepted and the LaPerm breed is no exception. The breed is still working to be accepted by all associations but is currently accepted for championship status by ACFA, CFA and TICA.