Facts about LaPerm Cat
- 07
A LaPerm kitten's ears typically curl backward during development, with this ear curl often appearing before the full body coat becomes visibly wavy.
- 06
Hypoallergenic qualities make LaPerm cats popular among people with cat allergies, as their curly coat reduces the amount of dander and Fel d 1 protein dispersed into the environment.
- 05
LaPerm cats possess a distinctive Rex gene that creates their curly whiskers, which are often among the first facial features to show the breed's signature wave pattern.
- 04
Sphynx and Devon Rex cats can successfully breed with LaPerms, producing offspring that may inherit either curly or straight coats depending on the genetic contribution from each parent.
- 03
LaPerm cats are recognized by The International Cat Association and have appeared in cat shows since the mid-1990s, establishing themselves as an officially registered breed within two decades of their discovery.
- 02
Both male and female LaPerms typically develop their characteristic curly coat between 2 and 10 months of age, though some individuals may not fully curl until 18 months.
- 01
The curly coat of the LaPerm cat breed originated from a spontaneous genetic mutation in 1982 on an Oregon farm owned by Linda Koehl.