LaPerm

Character file #28 of 65 — its shampoo-ad curls.

Temperament

The LaPerm is best summed up as clownish, hands-on, gentle. Expect a cat that's right in the middle of everything you do, mostly in comfortable silence. Chaos rating 3/5 means a daily zoomies window is part of the deal.

Where the LaPerm Comes From

A barn in The Dalles, Oregon, in 1982. A kitten born to a working cat of Linda and Richard Koehl was completely bald, and grew a soft curly coat over the following weeks; she was named Curly. The curl proved dominant, so it spread readily through the barn population before the Koehls began deliberate breeding and outcrossing to keep the gene pool broad. Registry recognition came in the early 2000s. The breed's foundation is therefore ordinary working farm cats rather than any established pedigree line.

Living With a LaPerm

The coat behaves oddly and owners should expect it. Many LaPerms moult heavily at some point, occasionally going close to bald, then regrow the curl over several months; kittens may do this too. Day to day, shedding is low and a wide-toothed comb rather than a brush preserves the ringlets. Behaviourally they are hands-on: reaching for faces, sitting on keyboards, riding shoulders. Energy is moderate rather than frantic, so a flat works, and they tolerate a normal working day better than the Oriental breeds.

Care Notes

Grooming: Light effort. A weekly once-over plus nail trims covers it. Exercise: with moderate energy, plan daily play sessions and a climbing spot. Health: keep up annual vet visits, dental care, and weight watch.

Health: What to Watch For

No inherited disorder is characteristic of the LaPerm, and the extensive outcrossing to domestic cats during its development left it with better genetic diversity than most young breeds. That is the honest position rather than a sales point. Routine screening is what applies: echocardiography for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, dental assessment, and weight control in neutered adults. The curly coat is not fragile and needs no special products. If a line has been outcrossed to Persian-type cats, ask about PKD1 testing. Have kittens examined by your own veterinarian in the first weeks home.

FAQ

Is the LaPerm a good family cat?

Yes — the LaPerm is clownish, hands-on, gentle, and its moderate energy suits calm households and apartments. Slow introductions and daily play keep any cat family-ready.

How much grooming does a LaPerm need?

Grooming is light: its curly coat mostly maintains itself with a weekly brush.

How long do LaPerms live?

With indoor life, good food, and regular vet care, LaPerms commonly live around 14 years — many exceed it.

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