American Curl Longhair Cat Breed

History

Their story began on a hot sunny day in Lakewood, California, in June 1981. When Mr. Joe and Mrs. Grace Ruga found a stray black kitten with a long-haired smooth coat and a unique pair of ears on their doorstep. They were so endeared by its traits they decided to take the kitten and name it Shulamith. Little did they know that Shulamith would be the foundation of all American Curls.

In December 1981, Shulamith had her first set of kittens in which two of her four kittens had the same curly ears as hers. This started a worldwide discussion on the genetics of rare ears. In 1983, Cat fanciers began developing selective breeding programs to retain this particular gene and develop a cat breed based on it. The unique American Curls were then presented to the cat fancy to showcase them as a new addition to the feline world.

A renowned English feline geneticist named Roy Robinson worked with breeders and helped him analyse data from 383 kittens from 81 litters. Mr. Robinson established that this ear-curling gene was unique and it was an autosomal dominant gene. It means that any cat with even one copy of this gene will display this unique trait. In 1989, he stated in the Journal of Heredity that he had discovered no defects in any of the cats he crossed and analysed. This made the foundation of a new and healthy cat breed.

While American Curls are fully accepted in the United States, these cats are rarely seen in the United Kingdom. Currently, they are not recognized by the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) and cannot be showcased in any GCCF shows. They fear that the ear curling gene may cause health problems for the breed.

American Curls can be seen in many other countries such as Russia, Spain, France and Japan. They can also be seen showcased at The International Cat Association, and the Federation Internationale Feline cat shows. Currently, there are only a number of American Curl breeders in the UK which makes this cat breed relatively rare. 

Personality

American Curls are energetic, affectionate and curious cat companions. They are known to be exceptionally people-oriented, which they will prove by gently patting you to get attention. They can frequently be seen always around their human companion, whether they are relaxing or sleeping.

These affectionate cats are very people-oriented. They are loyal and loving companions. They adjust remarkably quickly to new situations, and to children and other pets. American Curls are often described to have a very dog-like demeanour as their attentiveness to their human companion is outstanding.

They are not very vocal compared to other cat breeds. But they can be heard making soft trill-like cooing sounds to express themselves. And because these playful cats retain their kitten-like personality throughout adulthood, they are coined as the “Peter Pan” in the feline world.

They are calm, curious, intelligent and attentive feline companions. Moreover, they are very devoted to their families and follow family members around the house to “assist” whatever they are doing. When they are tired, American Curls will find the nearest lap to snuggle into and spend more time with their human companion. 

Coat & Care

While American Curls have a long, silky coat, they have little undercoat. That’s why their coat rarely mats or tangles. Twice weekly brushing or combing may be sufficient to keep their long coats healthy and beautiful, but some may require three brushing sessions a week. Try running the comb or brush backwards through their coat, as it will help remove any dead hair that has accumulated. These beautiful cats shed all year round. Bathing is not necessary unless they are dirty or muddy.

Train your American Curl kittens by using a very soft brush initially to get them used to regular grooming. By using a soft brush, it will not pull their long, fine hair or hurt their very young skin. Remember about the reward system? Always encourage their good behaviour by giving them small treats and kibbles when they behave during every grooming session. Once they get used to being groomed, you can upgrade your tools and routine to a more appropriate brush for their coat needs.

To keep your American Curl’s teeth healthy and free from any tooth and gum diseases, brush their teeth once a week. You can keep their nails clean by trimming them twice a month or when needed. To keep their eyes clean and free from any infection, you can wipe the corners of their eyes using a clean, soft, moist cloth to remove any discharge. Just make sure to use a different part of the moist cloth for each eye to prevent the risk of spreading any eye infection.

Check your cat’s ears weekly for dirt or any kind of buildup. You can clean them using a fresh cotton ball or soft moistened cloth and a vet-approved ear cleaner. Get your vet’s advice on how to properly clean your cat’s ears to avoid hurting them as this may lead to bleeding and infection. If you notice a foul odour, immediately contact your vet for care and treatment.

Finally, make sure to regularly clean their litter boxes as this cat breed is very specific about their bathroom hygiene. If it is left dirty, debris and dirt might cause their long coat to tangle. Furthermore, they may opt to use other areas in the house to do their business. 

Children & Other Pets

These intelligent cats are extremely friendly and playful. Because of this, many families with children and other pets choose to bring an American Curl into their home. As a reminder, keep an eye on your children when interacting with an American Curl or any other cat breeds. This is to prevent any accidents that may happen because of mishandling.

Living with other pets such as other cats and cat-friendly dogs is bliss for this cat breed. Because of their easy-to-adapt and easy-going nature, American Curls can live harmoniously with other pets in the same household. But remember that not all cat breeds are the same; always introduce pets gradually and in controlled environments to make sure that they learn to get along well together.