Breeds of curly cats and their conditions

Today there is a huge variety of cat breeds. Some of them are natural, while others were artificially bred by breeders. That is why such animals are very popular and often become domestic - each person will be able to choose a cat, depending on individual preferences and needs.

There are breeds with long and short hair, bald cats, tricolor and plain. If you are looking for an unusual pet, then you should pay attention to curly cats. A distinctive feature of such pets is a non-standard wavy coat.

What are the features of curly cats, what their breeds exist, in what conditions it is necessary to contain such a cat, how to care for her hair - we will talk in more detail.

All curly cats, regardless of the size, color and intensity of the curls, are combined into one large group called Rex. This name indicates the fact that these animals have a special rex gene, due to which their hair is wavy. At its core, such a gene is a kind of mutation (however, not artificial, but natural) - it began to appear without any extraneous interference.

After scientists noticed such a mutation, they began to consolidate it. As a result of large-scale breeding work, curly-haired cats were born, possessing a variety of external attributes (color, size).

It should be noted that curly-breed cats, in addition to unusual wool, have other special advantages and characteristics that distinguish them from other breeds.So, the hairline of an animal does not produce an unpleasant odor typical of cats. The molting period is also specific for these breeds. It is thanks to these properties that a curly breed kitten can become a great friend and pet for you.

To date, several possible variations in the mutation of the gene responsible for the curly hair of a cat have been recorded. It is depending on this that all curly cats are divided into several breeds. Consider what animals are, and what is the name of each breed.

The Cornish Rex breed was the first variety of curly cats, which was recorded at the official level. Thanks to historical sources, it can be established for certain that the first registered cat was called Kalibunker, and her owner, Nina Ennismore. It was Nina who gave the name to the unusual mutation of the fur of cats, which we still use.

Calibunker, together with his mistress, lived in England, in the county of Cornwall. An unusual kitten was born in 1950. After Nina Ennismore, who was familiar with the process of breeding animals (since she was breeding rabbits at that time), noticed the unusual hair of a kitten, she waited for his puberty, and then crossed the individual with his own mother.

After this story was publicized, and photos of unusual animals were published, enthusiastic scientists entered the business. It is believed that the first ancestors of the Cornish breed crossed with the Siamese breed of cats with short hair.

Generally speaking, Cornish Rex cats are animals that have long legs and a rather muscular body. Thanks to these characteristics, the animal is able to move quite elegantly and flexibly. The head of the cat has a wedge-like shape, large eyes and rather large ears are located on it. The tail of the animal is thin and mobile.

Cornish is a short-haired breed. However, the hairline is dense and thick. The waviness is quite uniform, and it is observed throughout the body. There is a wide variety of colors for such a cat - it can be either one-color (for example, white) or three-color (combining black, white and red).

This breed of curly cats has also been bred in England. However, despite such similarities with the breed described above, Devon Rex has its own distinctive features, in particular, the type of genetic deviation, the structure of the coat, and the general appearance belong to such characteristics. In addition, in scientific circles it is believed that the Cornish is a breed of the American type, and the Devon is a European variety.

The anatomical structure of the animal is also quite unusual. So, the body itself is powerful and muscular, but the cat moves on rather long legs. In connection with this feature, the cat's body may seem rather awkward and disproportionate. The head has a rather large size, but the muzzle itself is shortened and flattened with prominent cheekbones (this feature can also be observed in the British cat breed). The chest is quite wide and massive, but the neck is thin. The cat's eyes are slanting.

To date, there is no consensus among scientists about how and where this breed was bred.Some believe that German curly cats are descendants of Prussian animals, while others, on the contrary, completely deny this opinion. Only one thing is known for certain - the German Rex received official status in 1982. Moreover, it is important to note that in our country, as well as in other CIS countries, this breed is not very widespread.

If we talk about the distinctive characteristics of this breed, then you should first turn to the reviews of the owners of such animals. So, they report that In terms of wool structure, Germans are similar to Cornish. However, in the latter, wool is more rare, not so dense and elastic. On the other hand, with regard to anatomical features, the German breed is similar to the Devonian Rex. Thus, we can conclude that German curly cats are a kind of synthesis of the signs of the Devons and Cornish.

In contrast to the breed described above, the history of Selkirk origin is known for certain. So, these cats were bred by the efforts of breeders from the United States of America, namely: from the state of Montana.

Selkirks differ from their counterparts in many ways. One of the most prominent is the fact that this breed consists of several subspecies: long-haired and short-haired animals. In addition, Selkirk-Rex is a cat that is distinguished by rather large dimensions and weight, having a heavy bone.

The muscles on the cat's body are also pronounced. The head has a round shape, on which is located a fairly wide muzzle with an outstanding chin. In addition, unlike some other curly rocks, the Selkirk has paws proportional, and the tail is thick and not very long.

The cat has a rather thick coat structure, curls curl in large waves. However, an unaware person, having seen such an animal, may decide that they have not combed it for a long time, since the wool is rather randomly twisted.

From a linguistic point of view, the origin of the name of the breed is quite interesting. So, the word "laperm" is a derivative of the English word perm, which translates as "perm." This breed is even newer and younger than the previous one - it received its official recognition in 2002.

A distinctive feature of the laperma is its long coat. The body, like that of other curly cats, is rather muscular, and its legs are long. The muzzle is rounded, the ears are wide apart, and the eyes are slanting. The coat has a rigid structure and may appear a little scratchy.

The 5 breeds of curly cats listed above are officially recognized and registered, however, there are several more species of animals that are not currently enshrined in any registries.

• Boredom (or dwarf laperm). The birthplace of these animals are considered to be the United States of America. The breed was bred due to the crossing of the laperm and munchkin.
• Ural Rex. The name speaks for itself - this breed comes from Russia. Cats have medium-length hair.
• Danish Rex It is one of the most unstable breeds, as it is characterized by a high mortality rate and a tendency to baldness.
• Oregon rex from the USA is considered an extinct breed.
• Czech (or Bohemian breed) was created on the basis of the Persian variety.
• Beloyarsky Rex from Russia it is distinguished by a rather coarse, thick and short coat.

Curly cats do not need any special conditions of detention compared to any other breeds. So, the cat needs to equip the toilet, as well as a place for food. Toys and claws will come in handy.

A curly pet, like any other pet, needs a lot of attention. Therefore, you should not neglect communication with the cat - play outdoor games with it, use toys or just pick it up and stroke it.

Pay special attention to the diet - it must be balanced. Cats can be fed with dry food or with natural food. If you prefer the latter option, then make sure that the food for the cat is fresh and tasty - do not feed the animal leftovers from the master's table. In the event that you decide to feed your pet with dry food, then give preference only quality compounds from trusted brands.

Do not forget about vaccinations and regular preventive examinations at the veterinarian. At the first manifestations of the disease, visit veterinary clinics, do not self-medicate, as it can cause negative consequences (up to death).

Due to the fact that the distinctive feature of curly cats is their hair, it is precisely the care of it that it is necessary to devote a rather large amount of time. So, first of all, it is worth remembering that cats need to be combed regularly using special brushes and combs. Do not allow tangled shreds to form on animal hair.

In addition, curly cats need to be bathed - this procedure should be carried out with a frequency 2 times a month (i.e. every 2 weeks). Bathing water temperature should not be lower than 38 degrees Celsius, and also during the procedure it is necessary to ensure the absence of drafts.

Use as a detergent only special shampoo for curly cats, in no case do not use detergents that are intended for humans. At the end of the procedure, wipe the cat with a towel, but do not use a hair dryer - the coat should dry naturally.

More about curly cats in the video below.