La Perm Cats
Cat Facts and Origin
So where do La Perm cats come from? In the 1980's on a cherry farm in the The Dalles, Oregon USA, a brown shorthaired tabby produced a litter of 6 kittens. One of the kittens was bald, with a 'blue print' tabby pattern on her skin. Richard and Linda Koehl, the family who owned the barn cats, were surprised that the kitten survived. They were even more astonished when, after 8 weeks, the little 'baldy' began growing a coat - a silky-soft wavy coat. They named the kitten Curly.
As the Koehls knew nothing about feline genetics or breeding, their free-roaming barn cats continued to produce curly-coated kittens for the next ten years. Finally the Koehls consulted with people-in-the-know and it was established that the curly-coat was the result of a spontaneous mutation by a dominant gene. Curly, the individual that she was, had unknowingly developed a small colony of curly-coated cats that would later form the base for a controlled breeding program and the establishment of the breed! When the Koehls finally showed this unique cat breed, they were totally unprepared for the positive reaction this domestic cat would receive. They named their cats, La Perm, a French word, meaning wavy or rippled. The La Perm (aka Alpaca cat), or Dalles La Perm as it should rightly be called, was recognized by TICA & CFA in 1996. The first cat was exported to the UK in 2002 and received recognition at the GCCF in 2004. They are rare cat breeds that are still under development, but are quickly gaining popularity across the globe. The cat seen at shows today can be either a shorthair cat with an 'Afro' look or a longhair cat with tight ringlets - the choice is yours.
Characteristics
La Perm cats have a medium or moderate sized body that is fairly muscular and medium boned. They are surprisingly heavy for their size and as with most breeds the males are heavier than the females. Their tail is slender and long, tapering from the base to the tip and is in proportion to the body. The legs are medium long and in proportion to the body and the forelegs are shorter than the hind legs. Whilst the legs are fairly muscular they are fine-boned with round paws.
The head is triangular in shape (i.e. modified wedge-shape) with gentle contours and rounded skull. They have high cheeks, moderately long nose, broad muzzle and a strong, firm chin. Jowls are seen in adult males. They have large expressive eyes are that are almond-shaped when relaxed and round when alert. Eyes are slightly slanted towards the base of the ear. There is no relationship between the color of the eyes and the coat color. Ears are medium to large, broad at the base, flared with rounded tips. Ears are furnished with curly hair inside and out and lynx tips are preferred. There are two varieties of the La Perm, semi-longhaired and Shorthaired cats. Semi-Longhair: The coat is light, springy and airy. The texture of the hair can either be a soft curl, wavy, or tight ringlets, but all remain soft and bouncy and the hair stands away from the body. Both male and females can present with a ruff on the neck at maturity. There are seasonal variations in the length and fullness of the coat. It's important that the coat is free of matting, so it should not be too heavy or thick. The whiskers and the hair inside the ears may also be curly. The tail is furnished with curly hair. Shorthair: This variety of La Perm has a coat that is wavy on the belly and back and the hair is short to medium-long. It has a moderate undercoat and here too the hair is light, airy and springy. The texture may be a little harder than those varieties with longhair. The tail is like a bottlebrush. Note: Kittens can be born hairless, or with wavy or straight hair. At about 2 weeks, some kittens go totally bald, but the hair does grow back and is always curly. Coats can range from a soft curl to tight ringlets.
Personality and Temperament
La Perm Cats are described as gentle and gregarious cats, who adore human attention. They enjoy being stroked whilst they lounge on a warm lap. If ignored, they will rub themselves against you and stroke your face with their paws. They are extremely demanding and beg for attention. But don't be fooled into thinking that this is a lazy lounge lizard! These cats are inquisitive, intelligent and can be active too. They are extroverts and have perfected the art of hunting. (Not surprising since their ancestors were free-roaming barn cats known for their hunting skills). These curly-coated cats do have an affinity for water and playing in the rain! They have soft voices which they use sparingly.
La Perm Cat Breed Information
Would they suit a home with Children? La Perm cats are child-friendly cats, but younger children need to be taught that cats and kittens need to be gently handled. Pet Friendly? These cats get on well with other cats and cat-friendly dogs. What is the Ideal Home for this curly-coated cat? La Perm cats are not totally suited to indoor living. They are moderately active cats that require some exercise and a safe, enclosed and escape-proof garden to allow them to explore. Indoor cats need to be provided with an 'adventure zone' that includes cat gyms, cat scratching posts, toys and places to hide. You will need to avoid boredom. Cat Grooming and Cat Care Their coats need to be brushed at least once to twice a week. For complete cat care you may want to visit our cat care tips.
Cat Health Concerns La Perm cats are a robust breed with few, if any known health problems. They had an excellent genetic start as a result of their origin from hearty, free-breeding barn cats. Annual vaccinations, deworming and dental check-ups, coupled with a healthy diet and exercise will ensure that your cat remains healthy. We always suggest that cat owners invest in cat insurance. Medical pet health insurance is a life-saver! Cat Diet and Nutrition The La Perm needs a well balanced diet which should be the best cat food you can afford. Cats drink water, not milk, so do make sure kitty has access to clean drinking water every day. Cat Weight? Male cats are larger than the females. The average weight for these cats is 3.5 - 5.5 kg (8.0 - 12.0 lbs) Life Expectancy? The average life span for the LaPerm is 12 years - generally a long life expectancy. You can extend your cat's life - find out more about this in our chapter on how long do cats live.
Related Cat Pages: La Perm Cat Breeders - International cat breeder directory
Cat Photos Courtesy of : © Theresa Fouche Photography Top: Karnaki Goggase Gogga, Brown Tabby LaPerm Male Neuter Owner: Karen Pepler Center: Karnaki B C Gogga Se Gogga Owner/Breeder: KarenPepler Bottom: Silkenclaw BC Pawsum Nesquick Choc-Silver Tabby Bi-Color Owner: Marge Masson of Silverleaf Cattery
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