Published on 05/13/2008

Written by: Connie Limon. Visit “Adopting Kittens” at http://smalldogs2.com/AdoptingKittens to find a complete online reference for choosing and caring for the perfect kitten, which matches you and your lifestyle. Learn about litter box training at http://smalldogs2.com/LitterBoxTraining

Adopting Kittens: Laperm Appearance and Personality

The Laperm is a rex breed originating in the USA and now found in many other countries worldwide. They have an elegant and athletic build, are affectionate and active cats. The most prominent feature of the Laperm cat is their coat which is full of soft waves, curls and ringlets that resembles a shaggy perm.

The first Laperm was born in 1982 as a spontaneous mutation in an otherwise normal litter of kittens. The litter was born to Linda and Richard Koehl on a cherry farm in The Dalles, Oregon. The couple obtained some farm cats for pest control. One cat was a brown tabby shorthair called Speedy, who gave birth to a litter of kittens in which was a rather bald female kitten with tabby markings on the skin. As the odd looking kitten grew, she developed a soft curly coat. They called the kitten “Curly.”

Curly became pregnant and gave birth under a tree in the middle of a rainstorm one night. Linda Koehl heard strange noises and took a flashlight outside to find Curly fiercely defending her newborn kittens from barking dogs. Linda placed the kittens in her pockets and took them into a warm barn to make them a safe nest in the hay. The next day, Linda realized that all five kittens had the same curly coat as mom. None of these five were neutered and their breeding activity led to many more curly coated kittens.

The following appearance description is offered as tips to help you decide if the Laperm cat is right for you, your family and lifestyle.

Appearance Description

• The curls on this cat can be anything from waves to ringlets, the latter of which can appear in any form from small, tight ringlets to long corkscrew curls. The tightest curls occur on the underside of the cat, on the throat and at the base of the ears
• The long-haired variety is generally blessed with a curly plumed tail and often with a full curly ruff (similar to the mane on a lion)
• Coat is moderately soft. Each cat’s coat is unique.
• The short-haired variety has more texture to the coat, has a “bottle brush” type tail and the coat generally stands away from the body, parting down the middle and does not have a ruff
• CFA accepts the Laperm in any color or pattern
• Some kittens are born hairless, however, most have short, wavy hair at birth
• The coat on both long and short haired versions vary in length and fullness
• The face and head is somewhat triangular in shape
• Fairly wide-set ears that continue the shape of the wedge
• Full whisker pads
• Large expressive eyes
• Splendid set of curly whiskers and eyebrows
• Adult males usually weigh between 9 and 12 pounds and females weigh between 6 and 9 pounds

The following personality description is offered as tips to help you decide if the Laperm cat is right for you, your family and lifestyle.

Personality Description

• Very gentle and affectionate cats
• Very active
• They seek out human contact and purr as soon as they become aware of your presence
• They are face-lovers, they will reach for your face with their paws and rub their face against yours
• They will kiss
• They like to be held, draped over a shoulder or cradled in your arms
• Though they are extremely active, they are content as lap cats
• Often content to follow your lead
• Inquisitive by nature
• Have quiet voices, but can become vocal when wanting attention
• Being working farm cats by nature, they are excellent hunters and mousers
• Can adapt to apartment life

Follow the link in the resource box of this article to find pictures and more information about many different breeds of cats.

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