The American Curl descends from a stray found in California in 1981 and is recognised by its ears, which curl backwards from the first days of life.
It is a healthy, affectionate breed that remains rare in Britain.
The American Curl is a medium-sized cat whose ears curve backwards in a smooth arc. The breed began with a single stray in California and remains uncommon in Britain.
Origin
In 1981 a long-haired black stray with curled ears was taken in by a couple in Lakewood, California. She passed the trait to her kittens, and breeders established that it was caused by a single dominant gene. The breed was developed by crossing with ordinary domestic cats, which gave it a wide gene pool.
Appearance
Kittens are born with straight ears, which begin to curl back within the first few days and reach their final shape at about four months. The degree of curl varies from a slight turn to a full crescent; show cats have ears that curve between 90 and 180 degrees. The ears are firm at the base and should not be bent or straightened by hand. The body is slender and moderately muscled, and the silky coat lies flat, with little undercoat, in both long-haired and short-haired forms and in any colour.
Temperament
Curls are affectionate, people-oriented and playful well into adult life. They are quiet-voiced, and generally get on with children and other pets.
Care and health
The coat needs brushing once or twice a week. The gene for curled ears has not been linked to the painful bone and cartilage disease found in the Scottish Fold. Some cats have narrow ear canals, so the ears are checked regularly for wax and infection.
Recognition
The American Curl is recognised by the American and European international registries. The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy in Britain lists it as a breed name accepted for registration and exhibition. British-bred kittens are few.
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