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American Wirehair(cat)

July 20th, 2008 | by admin |

The American Wirehair is distinguished by its coat - as the result of natural mutation, every hair is crimped and springy, including the whiskers. This mutation first made itself known in a litter of kittens born in 1966 in upstate New York; twelve years later, in 1978, it was accepted for championship status by CFA.

There is considerable variation in the degree of “wiring” to the hair; if the hair is too long or too soft, it may straighten or form waves and ringlets with age. The ideal American Wirehaircoat is hard and springy.

Natural athletes, the American Wirehair is a strong, muscular cat that likes active play as well as affection and quiet time.

The original mutation occurred in a domestic shorthair, and the American Shorthair has also contributed to the development of the breed. Wirehairs are found in a variety of colors and patterns.

American Wirehair History

The American Wirehair cat is another happy accident for the feline world. A litter born in upstate New York in 1966 had a unique wirehaired kitten that attracted a breeder who began trying to breed for this interesting trait. Breeders still strive for perfection in this breed, which they believe is individual enough to dedicate whatever time and attention it takes to keep the breed alive.

Originally, since there was only one surviving male wirehair in the first litter, there was a lot of inbreeding to create the line. Later, American Shorthair cats were introduced to the line to create hybrid vigor, and they are still the only allowable outcross. Introducing the American Shorthair did change a few of the traits of the American Wirehair, but they are still a quite different from any other feline breed.