frisson

LaPerm Information

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      Sueno - lilac mink bicolour 

The LaPerm is one of the four main Rex breeds, along with the Devon Rex, Cornish Rex and Selkirk Rex, having in common curly coats from unrelated natually occurring mutations.

           Devon                                             Cornish                                           Selkirk

            Honey                                                 Linkin                                                 Rad
         a rescue cat                                 Ch Coslinkar Sir Phillip                         Ch Frascott Radical Red

                                     LAPERM HISTORY

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LaPerms first appeared in Oregon,USA amongst a colony of farm cats in 1982 but were not developed as a breed for nearly ten years. By this time there was a large population of curly cats from this dominant gene, which had developed a recognisable type all of it's own. The LaPerm was recognised by TICA for NBC status 1995.

1997-98 LaPerms were exported to New Zealand, South Africa,  Japan and Germany.

1999-2004 they spread to Russia, Netherlands, Sweden, France, UK and Australia.

CFA recognised the breed in Miscellaneous class in 2000.

The LaPerm gained Championship status in TICA in 2002 and with CFA finally in February 2008. QFA and GCCFSA accepted the LaPerm in March 2008, ACF and CCCA the following June.

The only permitted outcross is the Domestic cat (either shorthair or longhair) as per the standard set by the country of origin, and agreed to by ACF and CCCA.

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PLEASE NOTE

The UK permits outcrossing to other pedigree breeds, no Domestics.

We believe that using only the Domestic cat as an outcross is the way to preserve the unique look and temperament of the LaPerm. Although there are other breeds in our cats' ancestries due to outcrossing done before our time under different registry rules, we are breeding to the TICA standard adopted in it's entirety by ACF.

Responsible breeders will DNA test their cats to ensure the good health, not only of their own cattery, but of the breed as a whole.

                                         DESCRIPTION

The LaPerm comes in any colour, pattern or eye shade. The coat is light, airy and textured, never heavy or wiry, does not matt, and there is very little shedding. They do not need brushing or grooming and I only bathe mine for shows, to better fluff up the curl.

Archangel 7 mths

This is a small to medium sized cat, with a modified wedge shaped head, long neck and slim foreign-type body.

         
                         head shape - Frizzante                                                                       profile - Cumin

The large-ish ears follow the angles of the head, with the muzzle prominent not pointed, and the long legs have rounded paws, with hindlegs slightly longer than the forelegs.

                                                  18mths   -   Lucy's ruff   -   30mths old      

The coat is shorter over the shoulders with the longest curls on the belly, and the neck ruff on longhaired LaPerms. The ruff may be more apparent in cold months and the mature cat.

tummy curls - Sueno 20mths

The long tail forms a full plume in the longhair and a bottlebrush in the shorthair cat.

                                                    Sierra   -   plumed tail   -   Chinotto

All have long curly whiskers and eyebrows. This is unusual in Rex breeds as the Devon, Cornish and Selkirk Rex have brittle whiskers that break off short. The LaPerm's whiskers are flexible, very long and individual - they can be Dali-esque, crimped, or every-which-way. Occasionally an eyebrow will need to be trimmed to prevent it curling into the eye.

                                                Sumac    -   curly whiskers and eyebrows 

They can be born curly (BC), or born bald (BB) as was the first LaPerm, which is noted on their pedigree to track this occurrence. The coat can go through changes before full development by three years old (see COAT CHANGES page). It may come and go with hormone fluctuations too, making it difficult for a breeding female to look her best, but desexing will stabilise this.

                                       Jared with the brothers Cumin, Zedoary and Coriander

But the best thing about a LaPerm is it's personality. It is an alert, intelligent and active cat, who is also very cuddly and loving, and who will want to bond closely with it's owners. They are not vocal but will follow you around to see what you're doing, and are likely to come up on your lap for kisses or to pat your face affectionately. They get on well with other breeds or animals, and are a gentle companion for children.

               Sam and Lucy                                                         Saskia and Zahtar

                     Sierra and Sumac                                                     Scarlett (Chermoula) and Maddie

                            Koda (Tamarind) and friend

Archie (Archipelago) and Karma