LaPerms
by Anthony Nichols
The LaPerm is a new rex breed which differs from the Devon and Cornish Rexes in
resulting from a
dominant
gene and coming in both long and short coats. They are loving and outgoing cats
whose striking, ringlet coats add something new and different to the cat world.
The
LaPerm breed originates from one rexed kitten named Curly who was born in 1982
on Linda and Dick Koehl’s cherry farm in The Dalles, Oregon, in the traditional
lands of the Native American Wishram tribe. Curly was a shorthaired tabby who
was born with a rather sparse coat which grew in soft and wavy as she matured.
She stayed on the farm as a working cat and was a real character and favourite
of the Koehls, getting into many scrapes throughout her life. For the first ten
years or so there was no formal breeding programme; rather the working cat
colony interbred and the new kittens which were born grew up and took their
place in the group. Curly’s first litter produced five male cats all with curly
coats and it was through the efforts of these cats as they grew up and mated all
of the farm’s queens that soon the dominant rex gene was spread through the
whole colony.
In
time both long and short haired cats appeared and both would be recognised as
part of the LaPerm breed. Eventually Linda was persuaded by all the comments of
visitors to the farm to look into what she had. She did some research and
realised that she had a dominant rex gene and that this was something new. She
attended a CFA show with some of her cats and met with a very positive response.
Several of the judges she met became actively involved and were very keen to
ensure that these beautiful and unique cats were preserved and developed with a
proper breeding programme. One CFA judge, Kim Everett provided invaluable
advice, encouragement and support. A group of people became involved with the
LaPerm and took on breeding cats. LaPerms started to be shown in TICA shows also
where they received much support from Dr Solveig Pflueger, the head of the TICA
genetics committee.
The natural origins of the
LaPerm have given rise to a healthy breed with no known problems. They are
devoted mothers who tend to produce big strong litters which develop rapidly.
Both coat lengths can occur in the same litter. The LaPerm gene is dominant,
which means that some LaPerms (known as heterozygous) can carry the gene for
straight hair. Sometimes straight haired kittens, or LaPerm variants, can appear
in litters. These cats are like LaPerms in every way except their silky flat
coats. They cannot be shown but are useful in breeding programmes and make great
pets. Breeders often use the initials BC, BB or BS in their kittens’ names;
these stand for Born Curly, Born Bald and Born Straight. Those kittens like
Curly who are born bald then develop a curly coat have become rarer as the breed
has progressed. As with other rex breeds outcrossing has been an important part
of breeding programmes, ensuring that the breed maintains a large healthy gene
pool. During the development of the breed the most popularly used outcross was
the domestic cat or non-pedigree as these were closest to the original stock.
Not any cat could be used and these had to be carefully chosen to conform to the
desired standard. Some pedigree breeds have been used for outcrossing and will
be used as the breed develops in the UK, including the Somali, Tiffanie and
their shorthaired cousins, as well as the Tonkinese and Ocicat.
The
LaPerm is a cat with no extremes but whose visual drama can pack a punch at
first sight. They have a moderate foreign build with long legs and a long neck
and the firm muscles you would imagine a cat bred from hardy working stock to
possess. Their heads are a modified wedge shape with gentle rounded contours.
They have almond shaped eyes, large cupped ears, long broad noses which have a
slight break in profile but no stop and long broad muzzles with firm chins. The
body is finished off with a medium long tapering tail.
The coat is the breed’s
most distinctive feature; it is unique and does not feel like the coat of any
other breed. There are both longhaired and shorthaired LaPerms and both have
curls all over their bodies. The shorthaired coat is wavy and stands
away from the body with a tail like a bottle brush. The longhaired cat has a
light bouncy coat which you can part by blowing on it. Ringlets can develop
throughout the coat, especially on the neck, ruff and plumed tail. The ear
furnishings are also curly and their ear muffs, or longer hair on the back of
the ears, have been described as like angel’s wings. The coat feels very
different to the other rex breeds; while stroking a Devon or Cornish rex can be
like stroking a piece of rippled silk, the LaPerm has a “textured” coat which is
more like stroking velvet. All colours and patterns are possible and some
beautiful combinations have been produced. The light, single coat is low
maintenance and is best kept in condition with a revolving toothed comb which
can move through the fur without pulling the curls straight.
The LaPerm temperament is
very bold, inquisitive and friendly. They like lots of attention and cuddles and
if you are foolish enough to ignore their demands to be picked up they may take
matters into their own hands (or paws) and leap into your arms. They are very
playful, energetic cats and some will bring their toys to their owners and ask
for a play session, retaining their kittenish ways into adulthood. They are
tactile cats and enjoy being stroked making their pleasure known with their loud
purrs.
The LaPerm is still a young breed but is rapidly gaining in popularity around the world. Although still rare the breed is now well established in its home land and has recently been promoted to championship status with TICA. LaPerms have spread to New Zealand, South Africa, Germany, Holland, Canada, Russia, Japan and in 2002 to the UK. The first LaPerm to arrive here was Uluru BC Omaste Po of Quincunx, a lilac tortie and white female, who shortly after gave birth to a litter of five kittens. These cats are the UK foundation stock and a breeding programme has been started with the GCCF using these cats, some carefully planned outcrossing and some additional imports from both the USA, Holland and New Zealand. There is a small friendly core group working with the breed and we would welcome any interest from others who want to get involved. The breed is supported by the Scottish Rex Cat Club, the Rex Cat Association and the Rex Cat Club who have all been unfailingly positive and helpful in encouraging the breed. The LaPerm is a real charmer and seems set for a bright future in the United Kingdom.
Anthony Nichols
Quincunx LaPerms and Devon Rex
2003
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