Breed History:

The LaPerm is a naturally curly-coated cat breed that originated in Oregon, United States, during the 1980s. The breed began when a domestic barn cat named Speedy produced a kitten with an unusual curly coat in 1982. The kitten, named Curly, became the foundation of the breed.

A naturally occurring genetic mutation caused the curly coat. Over several generations, breeders selectively bred cats with distinctive curly or wavy coats while maintaining their friendly and adaptable temperament.

The breed was named LaPerm because its coat was said to resemble a loose permanent wave. LaPerms can have both short and long coats, and the degree of curl can vary considerably between individual cats.

The breed gained recognition in the United States during the 1990s and was accepted by major cat organisations, including The International Cat Association (TICA) and the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA).

Today, the LaPerm is valued as an affectionate, intelligent, playful, and social companion known for its distinctive curly coat and friendly personality.

Gender	Height	Weight
Male	25 to 30 cm	3.5 to 5 kg
Female	20 to 25 cm	2.5 to 4 kg

Size: Small to Medium

Life Expectancy: 12 to 15 years

Breed Appearance:

The LaPerm is an elegant, muscular, and moderately sized cat with a distinctive curly coat.

The breed commonly features:

• Wedge-shaped head

• Rounded muzzle

• Prominent whisker pads

• Large, expressive eyes

• Medium to large ears

• Long neck

• Slender but muscular body

• Long, graceful legs

• Rounded paws

• Long, tapering tail

The LaPerm can have either a short or long coat, with both varieties featuring the breed's characteristic curls or waves.

The coat may range from:

• Loose waves

• Soft curls

• Tight ringlets

The coat is usually light and springy rather than heavy or dense.

Common coat colours and patterns include:

• White

• Black

• Blue

• Red

• Cream

• Chocolate

• Lilac

• Cinnamon

• Fawn

• Silver

• Golden

• Tabby

• Tortoiseshell

• Calico

• Smoke

• Bi-colour

• Colourpoint

Eye colours can include:

• Green

• Gold

• Copper

• Yellow

• Blue

• Hazel

The combination of its curly coat, expressive eyes, elegant body, and feathered tail gives the LaPerm a distinctive appearance.

Breed Type – Companion / Family Cat:

The LaPerm is an affectionate, intelligent, playful, and social companion breed.

It is known for being:

• Affectionate

• Intelligent

• Playful

• Social

• Curious

• Gentle

• Adaptable

• People-oriented

LaPerms usually form strong bonds with their families and enjoy interacting with people.

They are generally good with children and other pets when properly socialised. The breed enjoys attention but can also entertain itself when provided with suitable toys and enrichment.

Training:

The LaPerm is intelligent and responds well to positive reinforcement.

Training should focus on:

• Early socialisation

• Positive reinforcement

• Basic handling

• Harness training

• Recall training

• Interactive games

• Mental enrichment

The breed can learn:

• Basic commands

• Tricks

• Fetch

• Harness walking

• Puzzle toys

• Interactive games

Short, reward-based sessions help maintain the LaPerm's interest and provide useful mental stimulation.

Health & Care:

The LaPerm is generally considered a healthy breed, although individual cats can develop common feline health problems.

Potential health concerns may include:

• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

• Dental disease

• Obesity

• Kidney disease

• Urinary tract problems

• Parasites

• Age-related health conditions

The breed's curly coat itself is not generally associated with major health problems.

Routine veterinary examinations, regular dental care, parasite prevention, a balanced diet, appropriate exercise, and maintaining a healthy body weight help support long-term health.

Living Conditions:

The LaPerm adapts well to indoor living.

Ideal environments include:

• Apartments

• Houses

• Urban or suburban homes

• Families with children

• Homes with other cats

• Homes with cat-friendly dogs

The breed enjoys climbing, exploring, and interacting with its surroundings.

Cat trees, scratching posts, window perches, tunnels, puzzle toys, and interactive games are useful additions to the home.

Exercise:

The LaPerm has moderate exercise requirements.

Recommended activities include:

• Interactive play

• Wand toys

• Chasing games

• Fetch

• Puzzle feeders

• Cat trees

• Climbing structures

• Hunting-style games

• Short training sessions

Around 30 to 45 minutes of active play and exercise per day helps maintain physical fitness and mental stimulation.

The breed benefits from a mixture of physical play and problem-solving activities.

Grooming:

The LaPerm has moderate grooming requirements, although its curly coat generally does not mat as easily as some dense long-haired coats.

• Brushing two to three times per week

• More frequent brushing for longer or more heavily curled coats

• Gentle combing to prevent tangles

• Occasional bathing when necessary

• Regular nail trimming

• Routine ear cleaning

• Regular dental care

Grooming should be gentle because excessive brushing can disrupt the natural curl pattern.

Advantages:

• Affectionate and people-oriented

• Intelligent and trainable

• Playful and social

• Distinctive curly coat

• Generally adaptable

• Good with children and other pets

• Moderate grooming requirements

• Usually does not mat excessively

• Enjoys interactive play and learning

Disadvantages:

• Curly coat requires regular grooming

• Coat texture and curl can vary considerably

• May become bored without sufficient stimulation

• Can become lonely if left alone for extended periods

• Some individuals may be quite attention-seeking

• Relatively uncommon breed

• Can gain weight without adequate exercise

• Requires regular dental care