Description

The first curly-haired kitten, officially considered as the ancestor of LaPerm breed, was born in 1982 in Dallas. The baby was born bald, and it also had surprisingly large and wide-set ears. However, two months later, the appearance of the animal changed, it had grown soft curly hair. The mother of strange baby was an ordinary yard cat, called Speedy. After a decade, Linda started deliberately breeding a new breed and found out that the gene for curliness is dominant, it is transmitted both through the paternal and maternal lines, so curly babies were born in each litter. TICA recognized this breed in 2002. In 2008, the LaPerm was recognized by the CFA, and since 2011 the breed has received its recognition worldwide.

Look

LaPerm cats are muscular, and predominantly slender, with elongated bodies. The breed includes long-haired and short-haired variations. In the long-haired species, the curls are soft, varying in shape and size. On the other hand, short-haired coats are thicker, curls more distinct, and the tail resembles a brush. The coat colour of LaPerms is very diverse since the standard allows it to have any combination of colours. Tortoiseshell and tabby are considered hereditary, but the most common are mono colours – white, black, red, cream, chocolate, and bi-colour.

Health

LaPerm cats are currently not known to suffer from genetic conditions, however we advise you to pay utmost care to choosing the right breeder and schedule regular veterinarian appointments after adopting your cat. At KittenGuru.com, we recommend that you buy your kitten from reputable breeders, who use genetic testing and good breeding practices. KittenGuru.com’s Health Guarantee certifies that all promoted kittens are in good health.

Learning

Rowdy but clever, the Airedale Terrier can be tricky to train. They were originally bred to hunt animals such as badgers, and as such are tenacious, curious, and fearless dogs. Proper exercise and socialization will definitely make training easier, but you may want to enroll in puppy classes or get help from a trainer for this strong-willed breed. You will need to be firm and consistent; although you should never lose your temper, do not let your Airedale get away with bad behavior. If your Airedale sees that they can get away with something, they will continue to challenge you. The good news is that they tend to calm down once they grow up, but proper training as a puppy is key to developing a good relationship with your dog and turning them into a good canine citizen.

Temperament

LaPerms are gentle, affectionate, and social animals. They cannot withstand loneliness, so you shouldn’t leave them alone in your apartment for a long time. These cats get along well with other pets, including dogs and other cats. LaPerms are friendly with children, not prone to aggression, and prefer to hide from everyone they don’t like. Early socialisation will improve their attitude towards strangers. Cats of this breed are considered adults when they reach two years of age, however, even then they remain active, curious, and playful.

Living with

La Perms often lick their fur, however, the owner should pay attention to it too. Special care is necessary for their vulnerable coat, with regular brushing and bathing being the best way forward. If you decide to buy a kitten, try getting them used to all hygiene routines as early as possible; it will reward you in a long run.