LaPerm

Weight: 5 - 12 pounds
Life span: 12 - 15 years
CFA rank: 41

Breed History | Background:

This unique-looking curly breed first surfaced in a litter at an Oregon cherry farm owned by Linda and Richard Koehl in 1982. The owners had adopted some farm cats to control mice and rodents.
A brown tabby shorthair named Speedy gave birth to a litter of kittens that included one bald female and five fur-coated kittens. Within eight weeks, her baldness gave way to a soft, curly coat with a tabby pattern. She earned the nickname, Curly and later gave birth to five male kittens, all born bald.
The Koehls and other breeders worked with a feline geneticist named Solvieg Pfleuger to create the LaPerm Society of America in 1997.
The Cat Fanciers Association granted championship status to the LaPerm breed in 2008.

Cat Look:

First bald, then beautiful – that’s how LaPerms transform. They display curls, soft waves and ringlets all over, with tight curls on the base of the ears, throat and stomach.
LaPerms feature triangular-shaped heads, long necks, almond-shaped eyes, big-cupped ears, and muscular body. The tails resemble bottlebrushes.
The light, bouncy coat comes in short and longhaired lengths as well as a variety of colors and coat patterns.

Behavioral concerns:

This bold breed is loving and loyal and active.
If you want a lap cat, the LaPerm is not the right cat for you. If you want an active cat who likes to hunt for toy mice, than the LaPerm is a perfect choice.
LaPerms are smart and enjoy learning basic obedience commands and tricks. One of their favorite games is fetch.
This breed welcomes the companionship of other cats and dogs in the household. Also very patient and playful around children.
Some LaPerms proudly pose on shoulders and enjoy being toted from room to room.
When you comb or stroke this breed’s coat, be prepared to be treated to loud purrs of contentment.

Grooming:

The LaPerm’s coat does not mat easily.
Use a revolving toothed comb twice a week to keep this breed’s coat fluffy without straightening out the curls.
Occasionally dampening the coat with wet fingers will keep the curls tight and shapely.
Clip its claws once a month.
If the need for a bath arises, never blow dry the coat or you will straighten out the curls.

Suggested Nutritional Needs:

This breed has no special nutritional needs, but benefits by being fed high-quality commercial diets.

Fun Facts:

This breed’s name translates to mean “wavy” or “rippled.”
LaPerm breed’s Oregon origins are near a sacred territory belonging to the Wishram Indians, a Chinook tribe. In respect, LaPerm breeders give Native American names to their kittens.
Interest in this rare, unique-looking breed has gone beyond the United States to Canada, Sweden, Germany, Japan, New Zealand and Australia.

Glossary