Re: Kitty & Tania's Animal Thread
Cats breed
Part XXVI Breed profile :American curl - the Peter Pan of felines world 
Origin :
On a typical hot June day in 1981, a
stray longhaired black female cat with funny ears mooched a meal from Joe and Grace Ruga in Lakewood, California, and moved in. "Shulamith" is the original American Curl to which all bona fide pedigrees trace their origin. No one ever suspected that from that simple encounter, and the birth of some kittens 6 months later, would grow a worldwide debate about the genetics behind those unusual curled ears. When selective breeding began in 1983, fanciers bred the American Curl with an eye toward developing a show breed.
In analyzing data on 81 litters (383 kittens), renowned feline geneticist, Roy Robinson of London, England, confirmed that the ear-curling gene is autosomal dominant, which means that any cat with even one copy of the gene will show the trait. In the December 1989 Journal of Heredity, Robinson reported finding no defects in any of the crosses he analyzed. This information provided the pathway for a new and healthy breed…and one with an outstanding temperament.
Appearance :
- Boasting head adornments that could have easily been fashioned by a legendary hat designer, along with their opulently plumed tails reminiscent of a luxurious ostrich-feather boa, the American Curl has audiences in awe worldwide.
- Designed exclusively by Mother Nature, the ears can be likened to those of a Lynx with long tufts fanning outward accentuating the swept-back look, while complementing the Curl's overall sophistication, stylish elegance, and dynamic presence.
Body:
Torso Shape: semi-foreign rectangle, length one and one-half times height at shoulder, medium depth of chest and flank. Size: intermediate, with allowances for larger males. Musculature: moderate strength and tone, flexible. Tail: flexible, wide at base, tapering; equal to body length. Legs: length medium in proportion to body, set straight when viewed from front or rear. Medium boning, neither fine nor heavy. Neck: medium. Feet: medium and rounded
Coat patterns:
- Longhair Division: Texture: fine, silky, laying flat. Undercoat: minimal. Coat length: semi-long. Tail coat: full and plumed. Color: all colors accepted as listed.
- Shorthair Division: Texture: soft, silky, laying flat, resilient without a plush dense feel. Undercoat: minimal. Coat length: short. Tail coat: same length as body coat.
- Color: all colors accepted as listed.
Personality
Wake-up call! The alarm rings and emerging out from under the covers eager to start the day is your Curl buddy. Eyelid pats, nose kisses, and hairlicking prompt a gentle awakening. :statisfie Then your eyes focus on that exuberant little Curl face, and another day begins. The Curl personality is truly unique. If not sleeping up high somewhere in a large salad bowl, figuring out with great determination just how to get into the shower with you, or assuming their spot right in front of a favorite TV show, they are patting at your glasses while you try to read the paper. Needless to say, Curls are very people-oriented, faithful, affectionate soulmates adjusting remarkably fast to other pets, children, and new situations. People say they are very dog-like in their attentiveness to their owners, following them around so not to miss anything.
The first american curl
[/B]
Intelligence
When introduced into a new home, Curl's seem to have an inherent respect for the current pet occupants, giving them plenty of room to adjust to the new kid on the block. Not overly talkative, the Curl's curiosity and intelligence is expressed through little trill-like cooing sounds. Because they retain their kitten-like personality well throughout adulthood, they are referred to as the Peter Pan of felines.
Grooming
Because both coat lengths have minimal undercoat resulting in
non-matting hair, grooming an American Curl is easy -- an occasional bath
and combing is all that is needed. Care should be taken when handling
the ears to avoid breaking the cartilage -- do not force the ear into
unnatural positions.
Health
They are healthy cats and they have a good hearing. Just try the "can opener" test - you won’t find any problems with their hearing (smile).
Source
Source
Source
Source
|