Instantly recognisable by their distinctive backward-curling ears, the American Curl is one of the newest cat breeds — born from a single stray kitten in 1981. They maintain kitten-like playfulness for their entire lives.
- Origin
- Lakewood, California, USA
- Category
- shorthair
- Lifespan
- 12–16 yrs
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 2.3–4.5 kg
- Coat
- Silky, minimal undercoat; both shorthair and longhair varieties
- Colours
- All colours and patterns
😺 Temperament
🏡 Best suited to
📊 Personality ratings
📜 History & origin
The entire breed traces to a single black stray kitten named Shulamith, who appeared on the doorstep of Joe and Grace Ruga in Lakewood, California in June 1981. Shulamith had unusual ears that curled backward — the result of a spontaneous dominant genetic mutation. Her first litter produced more curled-eared kittens, confirming the trait was heritable. The CFA accepted the breed in 1986 — one of the fastest recognitions in CFA history. Both shorthair and longhair varieties exist.
🧼 Care & grooming
Both coat lengths are low-maintenance: shorthairs need only weekly brushing; longhairs need twice-weekly grooming. Their most distinctive care need is ear cleaning — the curled cartilage can trap debris and requires gentle weekly cleaning with a cotton pad. Ears must never be bent or forced; the cartilage can crack. They are exceptionally adaptable — new homes, children, and pets rarely faze them.
🩺 Health notes
A remarkably healthy breed with no documented breed-specific genetic diseases — a result of their wide gene pool (all domestic cats can be bred into American Curls). Their main vulnerability is ear infections from the curled structure. The curling gene is dominant and non-lethal in heterozygous form. Curl-to-curl breeding is avoided to prevent ear malformation.
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