The cat with the perm: The still young LaPerm cat breed was created by a coincidental gene mutation and is primarily characterized by its unique curly hair. But not only her soft curls, but also her people-related and affectionate character make her the perfect cuddly cat.
Appearance
The name-giver and typical distinguishing feature of the LaPerm is of course the curly, soft fur that loosely protrudes from the body and gives it a slightly disheveled look. The curls, which appear both as a short version and as a long-haired version, can be very different: everything from slightly wavy to curled curls is allowed (although pronounced curls are clearly preferred). Some breeders differentiate between the three hair types named by Linda Koehl:
- BC (born curled): The kittens are born with curly fur (preferred and now the most widespread variant).
- BS (born straight): The kittens have straight hair.
- BB (born bald): The kittens are born bald and develop their permanent fur later.
There are no color restrictions with the LaPerm, i.e. all colors and drawings are allowed and the possibilities are endless. However, red LaPerms or LaPerms with points (Siamese markings), which emphasize the curls, are particularly popular. Depending on the age and time of year, the coat of LaPerm cats can also change. For example, it can get denser in the cold season and some adult LaPerms develop a collar on their necks.
The round paws and the very bushy tail are also characteristic of the medium-sized, sporty, slim, and muscular LaPerm. The ears are also relatively large and, like the lynx, may be hairy. Their wedge-shaped head has pronounced, round whisker pads, from which – to match the fur – wavy whiskers arise. The LaPerm’s eyes, which are slightly slanted and almond-shaped and come in all colors, are also expressive. The weight of the pedigree cats is between 2.5 to 5 kg, whereby female LaPerms are usually lighter than males.
History of the Breed
It all began in 1982 on Linda Koehl’s farm near The Dalles in Oregon, USA. One of their house cats, who lived freely on their farm and freely mated, gave birth to a litter of six kittens. Even at birth, it was noticed that a kitten was different from its siblings because it was completely bald. But the young queen also differed from the others in her character. In contrast to the other five kittens, who developed into independent free spirits and went their own way on the farm, she consciously sought to be close to her human owner and soon followed her every step of the way.
Curly, the Tribal Mother of All LaPerm Cats
The real peculiarity of the little eccentric showed up at the age of about eight weeks. The initially bald young cat developed – in contrast to its mother and siblings – very soft, curly hair. Koehl then gave their special offspring the name “Curly”. Like her siblings, Curly lived outside on her owner’s farm and mated naturally with a tomcat. It turned out that she passed the mutated gene, which was responsible for her curls, onto her kittens. The five males from Curly’s first litter were all naked at birth and later got the same curly coat as their mother. Koehl, who until then had little knowledge of heredity, began to read more and more about the breeding and genetics of cats. She took Curly and her extraordinary offspring into her house and began there to observe them closely and to breed them with normal domestic cats.
The Way to the Pedigree Cat
Impressed by the curls and the gentle nature of Curly and her offspring, Koehl was advised by a friend to show the cats at an exhibition. Koehl was curious about the opinion of the cat experts and showed the CFA breeding judge Kim Everett as one of the first her curly cats. Everett was enthusiastic about the new cat breed called “LaPerm” and encouraged Linda Koehl to continue breeding and seek official recognition for the breed. The breed name “LaPerm” was based on the American expression “perm”, short for “permanent wave”. Koehl was successful: in 2004 her breed was officially recognized by TICA (The International Cat Association), the world’s second-largest umbrella organization for pedigree cats. Since 2015, the breed has been officially listed by the FIFe (Fédération Internationale Féline).
Breeding Today
Since the LaPerm is a comparatively young breed of cats, the number of breeders who have dedicated themselves to this special curly cat is still quite manageable. Most of the breeders are in the country of origin, the USA, but there are also breeders in Great Britain, the Netherlands, Germany, Russia, and France who are working on increasing the spread of the cat breed. Depending on the breed association in which the breeders are a member, mating with certain cat breeds of the eastern type may be permitted to expand the gene pool. Since the “curl gene” is inherited dominantly in LaPerm cats – unlike in all Rex cat breeds), the typical curly coat was retained despite foreign mating. Under the FIFe and the CFA (Cat Fanciers’ Association), however, crossbreeding with other breeds has not been allowed since 2015. As before, there are also some smooth-haired LaPerms in the breeding pool, which, when mated with curly LaPerms, have offspring with “normal” fur as well as with curls.
Temperament
It is not only their appearance that is unusual in this young breed of cats, but their character is also different from other cats in many ways. Curly, the tribal mother of the LaPerm breed, was extremely trusting of a farmer cat. She was by no means wild or unpredictable like her siblings, but always seemed to try to please her owner, Linda Koehl, and enjoyed their petting and cuddling to the full. The friendly, cuddly nature and the people-related nature were able to preserve the new race, despite various foreign crossings, to this day.
Favorite Place: the Lap of Your Person
In England, LaPerms are sometimes affectionately called “Lappies”, which can be derived from the English word “lap” (lap) and reveals a lot about the favorite place of these special cats. That doesn’t mean, however, that a LaPerm just lies on the lap of its humans. She loves playing, climbing, and romping about as much as she loves being caressed. Young cats in particular show a lot of energy and are sometimes downright cocky, which often leads to very strange and funny situations. If they also get the full attention of their caregiver, then life is perfect for them.
Preferably in Company
What LaPerms don’t like at all is being alone. The social and sociable animals really seek contact with people, whereby they usually choose a caregiver in a family of several. The playful and friendly cats usually get along very well with children, but also with other pets, such as dogs. LaPerms also appreciate the company of their own species – at least if they are just as agile and spirited as they are themselves. However, interaction with humans cannot replace a second cat.
Attitude and Care
Anyone who wants to take a LaPerm into their home should be aware of its clingy and people-centered nature. For working people who have to work all day, this breed is extremely unsuitable. Owners of a LaPerm should be able to devote several hours a day to their cat, play with it, carry it around and of course cuddle it extensively. The pleasant purring when the little “curly monster” lies on your lap is guaranteed to make you feel happy and pure relaxed.
Proximity to People is Important to Her
Because a LaPerm is so affectionate, even if allowed to go outside, she will mostly stay close to her home. It is also possible to keep her in an apartment, but a secure balcony with a cat net is desirable. Overall, in relation to its surroundings, it is very undemanding and is content with a smaller city apartment. Much more important to her than the living conditions is the contact with her caregiver, whom she would like to have close at all times.
Care Tips
A wonderful way to devote yourself to your cat and pay attention to it is also grooming – although this actually takes very little time at LaPerm. Like most velvet paws, she takes care of most of the care herself. You should only comb the excess hair out of the coat with a soft brush when the coat is changed in summer. The loving LaPerm really enjoys brushing! As with all domestic cats, you should also check your ears, eyes, and teeth regularly. In this way, contamination or inflammation can be detected and treated at an early stage.
Health and Vaccinations
Regular maintenance makes a decisive contribution to the health of your LaPerm. This of course also includes annual check-ups at the vet and keeping important vaccination appointments. Although the young cat breed is very robust and no breed-specific diseases are known, a LaPerm – just like any house cat – can get sick from regular diseases, such as a bacterial gastrointestinal infection or a disease of the upper respiratory tract. It should therefore be vaccinated against cat flu and cat disease. If the LaPerm is running freely, it should also be vaccinated against rabies and leukosis.
Nutrition
Which Feed Does the LaPerm Need?
Thanks to its robust health, the LaPerm does not make any special demands on its diet. To ensure that they get all the important nutrients they need for a long and healthy cat life, they should receive high-quality cat food. You should pay less attention to the price than to the ingredients. A high-quality feed consists of a high proportion of meat (attention, no meat waste), supplemented by various types of vegetables and fruit. The proportion of grain should be as low as possible. Sugar, chemical preservatives, or artificial flavor enhancers should be completely avoided.
Canned Pet Food or Do You Prefer Fresh?
The so-called BARFing is becoming more and more popular with pet owners of dogs and cats. However, this method of “organically fresh raw feeding” requires some knowledge of the cat’s nutritional requirements and the nutritional content of the various foods. Those who do not have such knowledge and who hate food tables should rather use canned animal feed. For example, many cat owners feed their pets with a mix of dry and wet food so that the benefits of both types of food can be extracted. Decide for yourself which feeding method you feel most comfortable with and which food your LaPerm tastes best – that is the healthiest!
Is the LaPerm the Right Cat Breed for Me?
Another question: do you like dogs? The LaPerm is often compared to a dog. Just like “man’s best friend”, it follows its owner at every turn. She tries everything to get the attention and affection of her people. She is not a free spirit like many of her conspecifics, who keep their independence and spend several hours on forays into nature. LaPerm is always looking to be close to its family. Even a second cat – which will undoubtedly enrich the life of the social and sociable cat breed and which it is very happy to be around – cannot replace contact and closeness to humans.
The Most Important Question Before Buying
So the most important question to ask yourself before buying a LaPerm is, “Can I spend enough time every day for my cat to play, groom, and cuddle with?” If you travel a lot are, be it for business or pleasure, and you have to leave your cat alone a lot at home, every serious breeder will advise you not to buy this affectionate pedigree cat. However, if you or your family have enough time and inclination to devote themselves fully to a cat, with the LaPerm you will have an incredibly loving and charming companion, which with its “perm” not only looks good but also with its charming and humorous being, something very special.
