LaPerm

LaPerms are gentle, affectionate, and moderately active cats with a sweet, curious nature. They love being close to their people and are often found reaching out a paw to touch your face or curling up on your lap. They are friendly with everyone — family, visitors, children, and other pets — without being overly demanding. Their soft, quiet voices add to their gentle charm. They are curious and enjoy interactive play but are content with moderate activity levels. Adaptable and easygoing, they adjust well to various living situations. They have a clownish side and can be quite playful, but they are never overwhelming. Their affectionate nature makes them excellent therapy cats.

The LaPerm's defining feature is their textured coat — the curls range from loose waves to tight spiraling ringlets, with the tightest curls typically found on the belly, throat, and base of the ears. Longhair LaPerms have a full, bouncy coat with corkscrew curls, while shorthairs have a more textured, wavy coat. The body is medium-sized, moderately muscular, and slightly elongated. The head is a modified wedge with rounded contours, prominent whisker pads, and flared ears set slightly wide. Eyes are medium to large, almond-shaped, and expressive in any color. Whiskers and eyebrows are also curly. LaPerms can be born bald, straight-coated, or curly, with the final coat often not developing until several months of age.

The LaPerm originated in 1982 on a cherry farm in The Dalles, Oregon, when a barn cat named Speedy produced a hairless kitten that later developed a soft, curly coat. Owner Linda Koehl named the kitten Curly and noticed that subsequent litters often included curly-coated kittens. The curl gene proved to be a dominant mutation. Koehl began a selective breeding program in the early 1990s. The breed was accepted by TICA in 1995 and gained Championship status in 2003. CFA accepted the breed in 2008 and granted Championship in 2014. The breed is named "LaPerm" as a playful reference to the permanent wave hairstyle. Both shorthair and longhair varieties exist.

LaPerms are one of the healthiest cat breeds with no known breed-specific genetic diseases — a benefit of their recent origin from a diverse farm cat population. As with all breeds, HCM can occur, so periodic cardiac screening is sensible. Periodontal disease should be prevented with regular dental care. Their curly ear hair can trap wax and debris, making regular ear cleaning important. Obesity should be prevented through portion control and regular play. Annual veterinary checkups are sufficient for healthy adults. Their broad genetic base makes them robust, typically long-lived cats.

The curly coat is surprisingly easy to maintain — it rarely mats due to its texture and needs only gentle brushing once or twice per week with a wide-toothed comb. Avoid heavy brushing, which can straighten or disrupt the curls. Bathing occasionally enhances curl definition. Check and clean ears regularly, as the curly ear hair can trap wax. Feed a balanced, high-quality diet with measured portions. Provide moderate daily play and interactive toys. LaPerms are adaptable and do well in most living situations. Their gentle nature makes them excellent for families with children. No special environmental requirements — they are easy, low-maintenance companions.