American Curl

The American Curl is a domestic cat that is characterized by one unique feature: deformed ears.

Origin and Breed History

Due to a genetic defect, the auricles are bent outwards, relatively small, and rounded. This gives her a distinctive trait called a curl. This genetic defect spreads via an autosomal dominant inheritance. This means that if one parent carries this curl gene, it is sufficient that more than half of the kittens from this combination also show the symptoms of this genetic defect, i.e. deformed ears. It is reported that curl cats are not affected by their hearing. However, it is questionable whether all of them can show the typical mobility of cat ears. A cat can turn its ears backward and accordingly hear highly sensitively in all directions.

There have also been reports that the ears turned upside down have no protection from the sun and are therefore prone to cancer. The reports on the mode of action and consequences of the curl defect are not yet scientifically founded. In the 1980s, the USA began specifically to consolidate and market this mutation. In 2003 the American Curl was recognized by the Fédération Internationale Féline. The established breed standard has the advantage that, with the exception of the curl ears, almost no other requirements are made that could be detrimental to the health of the cats. If you have a curl carrier as a father or mother, you can breed curl cats from it. This brings enormous genetic diversity to the population. The question of whether one should breed animals with such genetic defects at all arises from animal welfare considerations. The American Curl is a very rare cat in Germany.

Description

The American Curl is long-haired and short-haired. According to the standard, it should be medium-sized and slim rather than solid. The length and color of the fur are kept very open. There can be American Curls based on many other pedigree cats, such as a delicate Siamese or an imposing Maine Coon or based on a completely normal house cat. Depending on the original breed, appearance and nature are of course very different. There is the official American Curl with a pedigree, but more often there are those from countless matings of any cat with a curl carrier.

Temperament and Essence

The nature of an American Curl depends heavily on which cats are ancestral. A Siamese cat has a slightly different character than a Maine Coon or a house cat. However, one can assume that the American Curl has a character that is friendly and highly recommends it as a house and family cat. If you want to know more, you should find out more about the cat breeds that are in the pedigree of your kittens.

Attitude

As with the character, the same applies to the attitude that the details depend on which cat is one of the ancestors of your American Curl. By and large, one can assume that an American Curl is completely problem-free in its posture. The same applies here: If you want to know more, you should find out more about the cat breeds that are in the pedigree of your kittens.

Upbringing

The breed is usually easy to train. If it comes from a reputable breeder who has looked after and socialized parent animals and kittens well, then it will fit into the rules and habits of its family by itself. With a little guidance, she can be house-trained quickly and easily.

Care and Health

An American Curl Shorthair is very easy to care for. The coat of the American Curl Longhair needs regular brushing. This is especially true for the time when the coat changes twice a year.

Diseases Typical of the Breed

There are no known diseases of the American Curl, apart from the genetic defect that causes its typical ears.

Nutrition / feed

The American Curl should generally be a problem-free border for a cat.

Life Expectancy

No reliable information can be given about the life expectancy of the American Curl. The breed is simply too rare for that and no reliable data are available.

Buy American Curl

If you want to get an American Curl, you should make sure that parents and kittens come from a good breed and grow up in good circumstances, especially with a close social connection to the human family. You should take a look at the family tree and pay attention to which breeds of cats it contains so that you can find out more about the nature of your kitten to be expected. Cats of this breed should cost around 400 euros.