LaPerm cats may be a breed you are not too familiar with but it is one to get to know as they are a great family pet. Lets tell you more.
LaPerm Cats
LaPerm cats are a fairly new breed with it first being recognised in the US in 1982. This adorable breed can be distinguished by their unique curly coat. Known for their friendly personalities, loud purring and love of cuddles it makes them a wonderful addition to any home.
These devoted and playful cats thrive when kept in pairs. It means they always have a friend to play with giving you double the fun and double the love.
Cat Characteristics
- Coat Colours & Patterns: LaPerms come in any colour or combination of colours, including chocolate tortoiseshell, classic tabby, white, black, grey, and fawn
- Coat Types: Can be short or long haired
- Height: 15cm – 25cm
- Length: 30cm – 41cm
- Weight: 2.7 kg – 4.5 kg
- Lifespan: Between 10 – 15 years
- Temperament: Playful and easygoing. Also gets along well with dogs and children.
- Origin: United States of America
History of LaPerm Cats
The LaPerm cat breed was founded by a lady called Linda Koehl from Oregon in the USA. In 1982 her brown tabby cat called Curly got pregnant and gave birth to an almost bald kitten. 8 weeks later this playful kitten started growing soft curly hair.
Due to its amazing personality and its unique coat she decided to allow her cat to breed again producing more and more litters of curly kittens. These finally got the LaPerm name ten years later in 1992 after being brought to a CFA cat show. Here the judges confirmed they had never seen a cat like this before and the official LaPerm cat breed was recognised and an official breeding program was put in place.
LaPerm Kittens
LaPerm cats tend to produce big strong litters which develop rapidly. Due to their genetic mutations kittens can be born with a variety of coat types with different ones being born in the same litter.
Breeders sometimes use the initials BC, BB or BS in their kittens’ names.
- BC stands for Born Curly
- BB stands for Born Bald
- BS stands for Born Straight.
This will give you an idea of the type of coat a cat will have once fully grown.Those kittens like the original kitten who are born bald then develop a curly coat have become rarer as the breed has progressed.
LaPerm cat personality
The LaPerm cat has a bold, inquisitive, and friendly personality. They are devoted to ther owners and often crave attention and cuddles. If you ignore their demands to be picked up, you might find them leaping into your arms giving you no choice but to give them what they want.
These playful and energetic cats often bring their toys to their owners, requesting a play session and retaining their kittenish charm well into adulthood. LaPerms are highly tactile and love being stroked, expressing their pleasure with loud, contented purrs.
LaPerm Cats Unique Coat
LaPerm unique coats are the breed’s most distinctive feature with it unlike any other breed.
LaPerms can be longhaired and shorthaired and both have curls all over their bodies.
The shorthaired coat has a wavy texture and stands away from the body. The longhaired cat has a light and bouncy coat which flows easy in a breeze.
Their coat feels very different to the other cat breeds, with their textured coat feeling more like lambswool. All colours and pattern types are possible and some beautiful combinations have been produced.
The light, single layer coat is low maintenance and can be kept in good condition by brushing with a toothed comb which can move through the fur without pulling the curls straight.
Where Can LaPerms be found?
LaPerm cats are still classed as a rare breed but have spread worldwide. Cats have spread to many countries including New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Canada, Russia, Japan and several European countries, particularly the UK, Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden.
Missy & Zeus 