A Brief History of the American Curl Breed

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The American Curl is one of the youngest cat breeds. It was born of a natural genetic mutation that first appeared in Shulamith, a stray black kitten with long, silky hair and, strangely, ears that curled backward. She found her way to the welcoming door of Joe and Grace Ruga in Lakewood, California.

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Shulamith had a litter of four kittens by an unknown father, and two of them shared her curly ears. A consultation with a geneticist showed that the trait was caused by a dominant gene. Cat fanciers began selectively breeding the cats in 1983, and the new breed, named the American Curl, began to be registered by the Cat Fanciers Association in 1986. They were recognized by The International Cat Association in 1987 and achieved full recognition from CFA in 1993. With almost unheard-of rapidity, the trip from stray to pedigreed breed took only six years. The breed also stands out for being the first single breed with two coat lengths recognized by CFA.

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All American Curls are descended from Shulamith. The cats can be bred to other Curls or out crossed to non-pedigreed domestic cats with straight ears that otherwise meet the Curl breed standard. This helps to ensure a large gene pool and genetic diversity. Straight-eared kittens from American Curl litters can be used in breeding programs or placed as pets.

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Personality Description of an American Curl

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The friendly and gentle American Curl is known for its people-loving personality. They even like children, which is not always the case with cats, and has been known to seek out their company. True to their domestic shorthair heritage, they are moderately active, curious and smart. They are likely to follow you around to see what you’re doing, but they’re not talkative or bossy like some breeds. If need be, they will quietly petition you for attention, food or whatever else they want. When you come home from work, they will gladly greet you with a head bump and may even extend the affectionate gesture to guests in the home.

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American Curls are often called the “Peter Pan” of the cat world. It is not unusual to see older Curls flying through the house with just as much joy as younger ones. Males and females are equally active.

American Curls like to play and can learn to fetch. They are also capable of opening doorknobs, so be careful what you put away in any cabinets that are within their reach. When they’re ready for a break, they will happily settle into your lap. They are alert and adaptable, well suited to any home or family who will love them.

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Caring for your American Curl

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The Curl’s coat can be short or long, and both lengths are easy to care for. The longhaired variety has little undercoat, so it’s unlikely to mat or tangle. A weekly combing is plenty to keep the longhaired or shorthaired Curl looking beautiful. Try running the comb backwards through the shorthair’s coat; it can help to remove any dead hair that has accumulated. Shorthairs shed year-round and tend to shed more than the longhairs. During warm months, when the longhairs may shed more heavily, it’s a good idea to brush or comb more often. A bath is rarely necessary.

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Check the ears weekly. If they look dirty, wipe them out with a cotton ball or soft damp cloth moistened with a 50-50 mixture of cider vinegar and warm water. Avoid using cotton swabs, which can damage the interior of the ear. Handle the ears carefully; you don’t want to break the cartilage. Keep the American Curl’s litter box spotlessly clean. Cats are very particular about bathroom hygiene.

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Physical Description of an American Curl

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The Curl stands out for his distinctively shaped ears, but even without them he is a striking cat with a sweet expression, and a silky coat that can be long or short and any color, including such exotic shades as chocolate tortoiseshell smoke, silver patched tabby and lilac lynx point. The longhaired variety has a pretty plumed tail.

The ears, however, are the most intriguing characteristic. Straight when a kitten is born, they begin to curl back at two to 10 days after birth. They curl, uncurl and curl some more until reaching their permanent shape when a kitten is about 4 months old. A kitten destined for the show ring will have a crescent-shaped ear with a minimum 90 degree arc of curl but no more than 180 degrees. The tips of the moderately large ear are rounded and flexible, often adorned with tufts of fur. When Curls are alert, their ears swivel forward, but the tips point to the center of the base of the skull.

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Information for Potential Owners

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The Curl is sweet toward children, making him a good choice for families who will supervise children to make sure they pet the cat nicely and don’t pull his ears or tail. He is happy to live with cat-friendly dogs too, thanks to his amiable disposition. Introduce pets slowly and in controlled circumstances to ensure that they learn to get along together.