La Perm

La Perm
Cycada Americas Finest

The LaPerm is another naturally occurring rex-coated breed, like the Cornish Rex, Devon Rex and Selkirk Rex although they are all genetically different.

The foundation of the breed was a tabby, born in Oregon in the North West of the USA in 1982; the kitten, to be named Curly, was completely bald. By eight weeks a coat was developing that was soft and curly; her first unplanned litter produced five males who were all bald and developed curly coats in the same way.

For five years this colony of barn cats continued to breed and the curly coats occurred more and more frequently, and the owner of the cats, Linda Koehl began to realised that she had something rather special and sought advice from cat breeders who were very excited by the new breed.

Coat development from birth is variable in the LaPerm, some being born hairless, others losing the coat they were born with and then growing back, and the majority having a naturally developing coat though the coat on the top of the head can take time to grow in. The mature cat can have either a short curly coat, a long coat with softer ringlets or a straight coat - this is the variant who cannot be shown but can form a valuable part of a breeding programme, and remains blessed with a superb temperament.

The LaPerm is Foreign in type, small to medium in size with females weighing only 5 – 8 lbs, with the males somewhat larger. The head is a modified wedge with the ears set wide apart and remarkably expressive eyes. Their temperament is extremely good; they are gentle and people-oriented, seeking out attention and forming strong bonds with their human family. Any colour is allowed and at present outcrosses are permitted - a number of breeds are recommended - until a sufficiently wide gene pool has been established.

Although La Perm have no particular health problems, it makes good sense to insure your cats.  Many breeders sell their kittens with six weeks free insurance cover.  More and more owners are now insuring their pets as advances in veterinary medicine, plus the soaring costs of drugs can mean astronomical bills.

LaPerm Breed Clubs & Rescue

LaPerm Cat Club

LaPerm Breeders

Cycada Located on Cambridgeshire/Lincolnshire borders.  Visit website to check kitten availability.  Also breeding Devon Rex and Sphynx

Contact the Breed Clubs who will have lists of Breeders and may have Kitten Lists.