The LaPerm is a curly-coated breed with loose, ringlet-style curls and a sociable, dog-like personality.
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The LaPerm is a curly-coated breed with loose, ringlet-style curls and a sociable, dog-like personality. The breed originated in Oregon, USA, from a spontaneous mutation in a farm cat litter. Active, intelligent, and people-oriented, the LaPerm is sometimes called the "Curly Whirly."
In 1982 a bald kitten — named Curly — was born on Linda Koehl's farm in The Dalles, Oregon. The kitten developed a curly coat by 8 weeks. Koehl bred Curly and her descendants to create the breed. TICA recognition came in 2002.
The curl gene is dominant.
Medium-sized, athletic. 3–5 kg.
Active, intelligent, affectionate, dog-like. Bonds strongly with family. Many learn fetch and walk on harnesses.
Light. Don't over-brush — disrupts the curl pattern. Weekly tousling.
12–15 years. Generally healthy.
Pros: unique curly coat, friendly personality, healthy. Cons: uncommon; whiskers may break.
LaPerm vs Devon/Cornish Rex? Different gene. LaPerm has a slightly coarser, springier curl and a fuller coat. Devon and Cornish Rex have finer, more sparse coats.
Are they hypoallergenic? Often tolerated better by allergy sufferers — but not fully hypoallergenic.
Are they good with kids? Excellent.
The LaPerm — The Permed Charmer From Oregon
10–11 minutes
LaPerm cat with characteristic ringlets and waves, alert ears, sweet face. Caption: "FELINE PERM".
Studio photograph of a LaPerm cat with distinctive curly ringlets and waves throughout the coat, long curly whiskers, alert ears, large gold eyes, soft warm cream background, gentle even lighting, 85mm lens at f/2.2, professional pet portrait photography, curls clearly visible, sweet alert expression.
The LaPerm is the curly-coated cat from an Oregon cherry orchard. Distinctive ringlets, sweet temperament, easy care. Today we cover the 1982 farm origin, the affectionate personality, breed health, and whether the LaPerm is your cat.
⏱ Timestamps 00:00 Intro Hook 01:00 Origin: Curly Kitten in a Cherry Orchard 02:30 Temperament: Affectionate and People-Focused 04:00 Care: Unique Curly Coat 05:30 Health: Robust 07:00 Training: Cooperative 08:30 3 Biggest Mistakes New LaPerm Owners Make 10:00 Is The LaPerm Right For You? 11:00 Outro
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"In 1982, a barn cat in a Dalles, Oregon cherry orchard gave birth to a hairless kitten. By eight weeks, the kitten had grown a coat of soft curls and ringlets. The owner named her Curly. Curly became the foundation of the LaPerm breed. Today: the orchard origin, the temperament, care, health, and whether the LaPerm is your cat."
"Linda Koehl, the Oregon orchard owner, recognised the curly kitten as a mutation worth preserving. She allowed Curly to breed freely with the resident cats and over fifteen years a small population of curly-coated cats developed. Genetic testing confirmed a dominant mutation. TICA accepted the LaPerm in 2002, CFA in 2008. Both shorthair and longhair varieties exist. Kittens may be born hairless, with straight coats, or already curly — coat texture continues to develop through young adulthood. The breed has been carefully outcrossed to non-pedigree domestic cats to maintain genetic diversity, contributing to good general health."
"LaPerms are affectionate, gentle, intelligent, and people-focused. Voice is soft. Bonding is family-wide. Energy is moderate. Intelligence is high. LaPerms learn tricks and respond well to training. With other animals — excellent. Children — wonderful."
"Coat is unusually low-maintenance for a curly breed. Weekly comb with a wide-tooth metal comb. Bath every two or three months. Avoid vigorous brushing — preserves the curl. Nails fortnightly. Teeth daily. Enrichment: moderate cat tree, daily play. Indoor only."
"Lifespan thirteen to fifteen years. The LaPerm enjoys excellent general health thanks to careful outcrossing. No major breed-specific diseases. Standard feline concerns apply. Pet insurance sensible but not as urgent as in more extreme breeds."
"Cooperative and trainable. Targets: name, recall, sit, fetch, harness wear. Litter solved by the breeder. Scratching: moderate sisal posts. Handling tolerance is excellent."
"Mistake one: vigorous brushing. Destroys curls. How to avoid: wide-tooth comb only. Mistake two: expecting consistent curl. Coat varies — some kittens straighten, some develop tight ringlets. How to avoid: accept the variation as part of the breed. Mistake three: dismissing the breed for not being well-known. The LaPerm is one of the healthiest curly-coated breeds. How to avoid: do not let rarity influence your decision."
"Checklist: Affectionate gentle cat. Easy curly coat care. Healthy breed. Family-friendly. Unique look. Tick four — the LaPerm is wonderful."
"That is the LaPerm — the cherry orchard curly cat. Sweet. Curly. Healthy. Affectionate. Next breed? Comment below. Subscribe and the bell. Next week: the Pixie-bob — the bobtail cat with the bobcat look." (End screen: subscribe button, 'watch next: Pixie-bob' thumbnail, channel logo)