American Curl

One feature sets the American Curl apart: ears that curve backwards, away from the face and towards the centre of the back of the skull. It is a medium-sized domestic cat, and its kittens are born with ordinary straight ears. The curl only develops across the first few days to weeks of life. The breed came out of the United States, and it keeps close to its household throughout its years.

Weights for adults sit between roughly 5 and 10 pounds. There are two forms, longhair and shorthair, and in both the coat lies flat with very little undercoat, which keeps the grooming load small. Behaviour is the second thing owners notice. These are affectionate, playful, good-natured cats that would rather follow their people around than sit apart.

A single dominant gene produces the curl, which means one curled-ear parent is all a cat needs to inherit it. The degree of curl is graded by breeders, so a pet-quality cat can carry a softer arc than a show cat. The ear cartilage is firm, but gentle handling matters to avoid injury.

Who it suits

Households after an interactive cat, and able to give it attention each day, tend to get on well with the American Curl. Children and other animals suit it, and it settles into a flat or a house without fuss. If a household travels often or is out for long hours, some company or enrichment should be arranged, because long spells alone do not suit this breed.

It all started with a stray. A black longhaired kitten with strangely curled-back ears arrived at the Lakewood, California home of Joe and Grace Ruga in June 1981. The couple called her Shulamith, and she stands as the foundation cat for every American Curl that has followed.

A later litter from Shulamith settled the question of heredity: two of her kittens had the very same curled ears. Studying the line, geneticists traced the curl to a single autosomal dominant gene, meaning one copy alone shapes the ear.

Through the 1980s, breeders and cat fanciers put together a breed standard. Registration came first, then the American Curl worked its way up through the show classes of the major North American registries, reaching championship status before the decade was out. Both varieties, longhair and shorthair, were developed along the way.

While the breed was being built, outcrossing to non-pedigree domestic cats was permitted, and that kept the gene pool wide and supported the breed's general hardiness. Set beside older established cats, the American Curl is still fairly uncommon, though it is now bred across several countries.

Apart from the ears, the American Curl carries a moderate, balanced build with nothing extreme about it. The body runs medium in length and size, the head is a modified wedge, and the eyes are walnut-shaped. Everything comes back to the ear: set wide and high, it curves backwards in a smooth arc, firm at the base, with the tip aimed towards the centre of the back of the head.

Coat and colours

With so little undercoat, both coat lengths feel silky and sit close to the body. A plumed tail and a soft ruff mark the longhair variety, while the shorthair reads sleeker overall. The full range of colours and patterns is accepted, solid, tabby, tortoiseshell, bicolour and pointed among them. Ear curl is graded from a slight arc through to a tighter crescent, and a show cat is expected to carry a pronounced yet smooth curl, with no crease in the cartilage.

People come first for the American Curl. It goes looking for human company, often meets its owners at the door, and would rather stay near the family than wander off on its own. A playful, kitten-like curiosity often lingers into the senior years, and the breed has picked up the informal name of the cat that never quite grows up.

Around children it is patient and tolerant, so long as handling is gentle and the ears are left be. Other cats and cat-friendly dogs are usually accepted, especially when introductions happen slowly. With strangers the American Curl leans sociable rather than shy, though every cat is its own.

Noise is not this breed's way. Quiet trills and chirps do most of the talking, well ahead of any insistent meowing. These are bright cats that enjoy interactive play, puzzle feeders and picking up small tricks. Because the bond with people runs strong, they do best with company and can turn unhappy if left alone too long.

Looking after an American Curl is not hard. Because the flat-lying coat carries little undercoat, matting is rare and grooming stays light for both coat lengths. What does call for care is the ears, built around firm cartilage that can be hurt if it is bent or twisted.

Grooming

• Brush the shorthair once a week and the longhair two to three times a week to lift loose hair.
• Clean the ears gently with a vet-approved solution and check for wax or debris; never force or bend the cartilage.
• Trim the nails every two to three weeks.
• Brush the teeth several times a week to hold back dental disease.
• Bathe only occasionally, when the coat is dirty.

Exercise

• Set aside 20 to 30 minutes of interactive play each day with wand toys or chase toys.
• Put out climbing trees and perches so the breed can burn off its energy.
• Rotate puzzle feeders and small toys to hold the cat's interest.
• Line up attention and play around the hours the cat would otherwise be alone.

Environment

Flats and houses both suit the American Curl. It is an indoor companion that wants a part in whatever the household is doing. Provide vertical space, a quiet place to rest, and human or animal company during the day. Where owners are out for long stretches, a second pet can help.

Being obligate carnivores, cats need a complete and balanced diet built around animal protein, and the American Curl is no exception. Pick a food that meets a recognised nutritional standard for the cat's life stage. Fresh water should always be within reach, and wet food gives hydration a hand. Portions matter, since a medium cat that eats too much can slide towards obesity.

Treats and supplements

Keep treats to no more than about 10 percent of daily calories. A cat on a complete commercial diet seldom needs supplements, so add them only on veterinary advice. Look over body condition every few weeks and adjust portions if the cat gains or loses weight.

The American Curl counts as a generally healthy and hardy breed. The outcrossing to domestic cats during its development helped, keeping the gene pool broad. With good care the typical lifespan runs 12 to 16 years. No genetic disease unique to the breed is widely documented, though the ear shape and the usual feline health needs still warrant attention.

Preventive care

• Book an annual veterinary exam, and twice yearly for senior cats.
• Keep core vaccinations and parasite prevention current.
• Clean and inspect the ears on a regular schedule.
• Keep dental care going at home and have the teeth checked at exams.
• Track weight and body condition to catch gradual changes.

Being clever and keen to interact, the American Curl takes readily to training built on rewards. Its attachment to people plays to the owner's advantage, since attention motivates it just as much as food does. Plenty learn to come when called, fetch, walk on a harness or run through simple tricks. Keep the sessions short and wrap up on a win.

Basics

1. Settle litter habits early with a clean, easy-to-reach tray kept in a consistent spot.
2. Steer scratching towards posts and pads, and reward the cat for using them.
3. Build name recognition and recall by pairing the name with a treat.
4. Bring in a harness and lead gradually if outdoor walks are the aim.
5. Add tricks such as sit or high-five once the cat responds reliably to rewards.

Sexual maturity comes at roughly 5 to 10 months, though responsible breeders hold off until a cat is physically mature before breeding. A single autosomal dominant gene governs the curled-ear trait, so a kitten needs only one curled-ear parent to inherit curled ears. A curled cat is often paired with a straight-eared cat or another Curl, and a litter can hold both curled and straight-eared kittens.

Gestation runs about 63 to 65 days. Kittens arrive with straight ears, every one of them. Within the first several days the ears start to curl, tightening over the following weeks and settling into their adult set by around four months. The final curl is graded to sort show prospects from pet-quality kittens.

Queens raise their litters with ordinary maternal care. Kittens nurse for several weeks, begin weaning around four weeks, and are usually ready for new homes at 12 weeks or older, after early socialisation and first vaccinations. Outcrossing to domestic cats has historically been allowed to keep genetic diversity up.

Registering an American Curl and its chip in New Zealand

Keeping an indoor American Curl safe is partly latches and partly paperwork. The paperwork half is a free profile carrying your contact details and her photo, ready for the day a door swings wider than it should. Cat registration with United Pet Club never costs anything.

Pop the fifteen digit number from the vet paperwork into your free United Pet Club account, check your phone number is current, and your American Curl's chip finally points somewhere. Every brand is accepted, every update free, and the record answers scans at any hour. Microchip registration is the link in the middle.