The American Curl is distinguished by unique ears that curl back in an arc, giving the cat an alert, perky, and happily-surprised expression. A naturally occurring breed, the ears can be likened to those of a Lynx with long tufts fanning outward accentuating the swept-back look.

Curls are very people-oriented, faithful, and affectionate and they adjust remarkably fast to other pets, children, and new situations. People say they are very dog-like in their attentiveness to their owners, following them around so not to miss anything. When introduced into a new home, Curl’s seem to have an inherent respect for the current pet occupants, giving them plenty of room to adjust to the new kid on the block.

Not overly talkative, the Curl’s curiosity and intelligence is expressed through little trill-like cooing sounds. Because they retain their kitten-like personality well throughout adulthood, they are referred to as the Peter Pan of felines.

When Curls are born, their ears are straight. In 3 to 5 days they start to curl back staying in a tight rosebud position, unfurling gradually until permanently ‘set’ at around 16 weeks. The degree of ear curl can vary greatly, ranging from almost straight to an arc of 90-180 degrees, resembling a shell.

Although the distinctive feature of the American Curl is their uniquely curled ears, the medium-sized rectangular body, silky flat-lying coat, and walnut-shaped eyes are equally indicative of the breed. They are available in both long and shorthair color and pattern varieties, and since there is minimal undercoat, the Curl sheds little and requires hardly any grooming.

“Shulamith” is the original American Curl to which all bona fide pedigrees trace their origin.  Curls were first bred from this stray female in 1981, making them a relatively new breed. The ear-curling gene is autosomal dominant, which means that any cat with even one copy of the gene will show the trait.