Wazzie

DESCRIPTION

Tomo

            The curly or wavy fur is a major trait that sets the LaPerm apart from other breeds.  It can sport anything from a wavy coat to ringlet-type curls that are anywhere from tight ringlets to long corkscrew curls.  The tightest curls occur on the underside of the cat on the throat and at the base of the ears. The longhair is generally blessed with a curly plumed tail and often times a full, curly ruff. The coat is moderately soft in texture, yet each cat's coat is distinctly unique.  The shorthaired has more texture to the coat than does the longhaired variety. It does not have the ruff, has a “bottle-brush” type tail and the coat generally stands away from the body. 

            Some kittens are born hairless, but most have short wavy hair at birth.  Often they will go almost totally bald beginning with a spot on the tops of their heads.  This process generally starts when the kittens are about two weeks old and they can be in varying stages of baldness during the first four months or so.  The coat will generally come back in but the cat can lose it again and again.  Although not common, they can also be born with straight hair and then lose that with the hair coming back in curly.  For the first six months it's pretty much a guessing game as to what you have.

            The breed is "low maintenance" requiring a minimum of grooming because the coat does not easily mat.  LaPerms' curls hold the hair, much like that of a Poodle, therefore shedding is minimal.  Bathing and towel drying is all that is required to maintain the curl.  Blow-drying tends to make the hair frizz.  After the coat is totally dry, spritzing with a fine mist of plain water works well to achieve more curl.

            The coat on both varieties (long and short) may vary in length and fullness depending upon the season and the maturity of the cat.  Both males and females of the longhair variety may have a full ruff on the neck at maturity.  Both varieties will have a saddle of shorter hair over their shoulders although this is much more apparent on the longhair.

            The face and head of the LaPerm is somewhat triangular in shape with fairly wide set ears, relatively full whisker pads and large expressive eyes.  They boast a splendid set of curly whiskers.

            The males tend to weigh 9-12 pounds while the females grow to be between 6 and 8 pounds.  The breed comes in both long and short hair.