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 Cat Breeds - There are a variety of different cat breeds. Read about the many domestic cat breeds, including the Maine Coon and Siamese cats. And view the many cat breeds pictures to see how each breed differs dramatically in coat length and overall look.
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American Wirehair. American Wirehair cat history, breed profile, American Wirehair characteristics and temperament, plus American Wirehair cat pictures and more...
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AMERICAN WIREHAIR
The American Wirehair cat is distinguished by its coat - as the result
of a natural mutation, every hair is crimped and springy, including
the whiskers!
History
The American Wirehair breed is uniquely
American. It began as a spontaneous mutation in a litter of upstate
New York farm cats. A spontaneous mutation is an uncommon, although
not rare, happening.
What is interesting and unusual about this
particular mutation is that it has not been reported in any other
country thus far.
The degree of coarseness
depends upon the coat texture of the parents. To produce the best
wiring, both parents must have a hard coat.
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Description
The coat is the characteristic that
separates the American Wirehair from all other breeds. Just as there
is a wide variety of texture in Persians or Exotics, there is also
considerable variation among the Wirehairs.
As this is a dominant
mutation, approximately half of the kittens will be wirehaired at
birth.
The most readily apparent wiring is that of the whiskers and
ideally, the entire coat will be wired at birth. If the coat appears
to be ringlets, it may be too long and may wave or straighten with
maturity. Some of the lightly wired coats may continue to crimp
during the early life of the Wirehair.
Special Requirements
Breeders find them easy to care for, resistant to
disease, and good producers. Pet owners delight with their quiet,
reserved and loving ways.
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