American Curl Shorthair Cat Breed

History

The American Curl story began in June 1981 on a hot sunny day in Lakewood, California. It is when Grace and Joe Ruga found a stray black kitten with a long-haired smooth coat and rare ears on their doorstep. The loving kitten swiftly endeared herself to the Ruga's and was named Shulamith. She was the foundation of all American Curls. Shulamith had her first litter of kittens in December 1981, and two of her four kittens had the same curly ears as her.

This started a worldwide discussion on the genetics of the rare ears. In 1983, cat fanciers began developing selective breeding programs to preserve this gene and develop a cat breed based on it. Simultaneously, these unique cats were presented to the cat fancy to showcase this unique new addition to the cat world.

Roy Robinson, a renowned English feline geneticist, worked with the cat breeders and analysed the data on 383 kittens from 81 litters. He established that the ear-curling gene was unique and that it was an autosomal dominant gene.

This means that any cat with even one copy of the gene will have the unique trait. He reported, in an article published in the December 1989 issue of the Journal of Heredity, that he had discovered no defects in any of the crosses that he had analysed, and this made the foundation for a new and healthy cat breed.

American Curls are fully recognized in the United States, but they are rarely seen in the United Kingdom as they are not recognized by the GCCF or the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy. That’s why they cannot be shown at GCCF shows. This is because the effect of the American Curl gene on their ears is feared to have health problems for the breed.

Although not recognized in the UK, American Curls can be seen in other countries including France, Japan, Spain and Russia. You can see this beautiful breed in both TICA and FIFE cat shows. Currently, there are only a few American Curl breeders in the United Kingdom, so the chance of seeing one is quite rare. 

Personality

American Curls are inquisitive, energetic and affectionate feline companions. They are exceptionally people-oriented, and they will pat you to get your attention. They want to be with their human companion all the time, whether they are sleeping or curled on a lap to watch their favourite TV show. They love children and adapt quickly to other pets and new environments.

As mentioned, American Curls are very people-oriented. They are devoted, loving soulmates. They can adjust remarkably fast to children, other pets, and new situations. Their attentiveness to their human companion makes them very dog-like.

They follow their owners around to not to miss anything, so expect their “assistance” with all your chores. And when they are tired or want to relax, they will find the nearest lap to snuggle into and spend some quality time with their human companion.

American Curls are calm, intelligent feline companions. When introduced to their new surroundings or home, they are attentive and curious but with respect to the earlier pet dwellers. They are not very talkative as they express their curiosity and intelligence through soft trill-like cooing sounds. And because American Curls retain their kitten-like personality well through adulthood, they are known in the cat world as the “Peter Pan”. 

Coat & Care

Brushing and combing once or twice a week is enough to keep the short haired American Curl looking great and beautiful. You can try running the brush or comb backwards through the American Curl Shorthair’s coat. This can help to eliminate any dead hair which has accumulated. American Curl Shorthairs shed year-round and tend to shed more than the longhair counterpart. Bathing is hardly necessary unless they are muddy or dirty.

Start training your American Curl kitten by using a very soft brush to get them used to regular brushing. Using a soft brush won’t pull their fine hair or hurt their very young skin. Don’t forget to give them a small reward after every grooming session to motivate them to behave while they are being brushed. If your regular coat care is not causing any problem for you and your cat, upgrade your brush to a more appropriate one for their coat needs.

For their dental health, weekly brushing is sufficient to keep your American Curl’s teeth healthy and free from any tooth and gum illnesses. Keep their nails clean by cleaning them twice a month or when needed. To keep their eyes clean and free from eye infections, wipe the corners with a clean, soft, moist cloth to eliminate any discharge. Just keep in mind to use a separate part of the moist cloth for each eye to avoid the risk of any eye infection.

Every week check your cat’s ears for dirt, wax or any kind of buildup. Wipe them out using a clean cotton ball or soft damp cloth and a vet-approved ear cleaner. If you notice a foul odour coming out of their ears, immediately contact your vet for care and treatment.

Lastly, make sure to frequently check that their litter boxes are clean as this cat breed is very particular about their bathroom hygiene. If it is left dirty, debris and dirt might get caught in their coat. Moreover, they may opt to use other areas in the house to do their business if the litter box is dirty. 

Children & Other Pets

American Curls are intelligent cats. They are extremely friendly, gentle and playful and they develop deep bonds with their families. Because of this, they are perfect for families with children and the elderly. Just remember to supervise interaction between your cat and children to avoid any accidents like tail pulling, or skin scratching due to mishandling.

American Curls enjoy the companionship of other animals and endure dogs well. Due to their social and easy-going nature, they can live peacefully and harmoniously with other cats and cat-friendly dogs living under the same roof. But as always, it is recommended to introduce pets slowly for the first time and in controlled environments to ensure that they learn to get along well together.