La Perm
Breed Profile
Origin: United States
Colour: Brown, Tabby
A new, curly-coated breed from the United States. Its full title is 'The Dalles La Perm', after the place in Oregon where it was discovered as a isolated mutation.
Owner's Guide
Domestic Breed: A new, curly-coated breed from the United States. Its full title is 'The Dalles La Perm', after the place in Oregon where it was discovered as a isolated mutation.
Appearance: A cat with a tightly curled coat. In short-haired examples it has an 'Afro' look, but in longer-haired versions the coat forms into very tight ringlets. Referred to as 'The Cat with the Permanent Curl.' It has also been called the Alpaca Cat (see separate entry).
History: Described by its discoverer as 'The Cat for the 90s', the first example of this exciting new breed was found among ordinary, short-haired American barn-cats by Linda Koehl of The Dalles, Oregon, in 1986. She noticed that one of the kittens had been born bald and thought it would die. But it survived and two months later began to grow a unique, curly coat. A brown tabby female, predictably named 'Curly', this animal became the foundation cat of a breeding programme to foster the unusual hair mutation. The La Perm has already gone though seven generations and in September 1995 was accepted as a New Breed by TICA. All colours are allowed. Bald kittens still appear occasionally but are no longer common. It is estimated that by early 1996 there were about sixty cats of this breed in existence. In personality it is described as extremely affectionate and easy-going.
Breed Club:
There is as yet no breed club, but until one is formed, enquires are directed to 2945 Dry Hollow Road, The Dalles, Oregon 97058-9551, USA.
Breed Index
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