Introduction

The American Curl is the result of a spontaneous ear mutation that occurred in 1981 in a domestic cat, in Southern California. Selective breeding started in 1983. The specific feature of the breed is their ears that are curled out and back in a regular arc. They are firm at the base with a flexible tip.

Head:

the head is a medium triangle, longer than wide and without flat plane. Viewed from the side, it displays rounded curves from skull to a rather straight nose.

Muzzle:

from the front, the muzzle follows the head triangle, without pinch and with rounded contours. The chin is firm.

Eyes:

moderately large in proportion to the head, they are walnut-shaped (oval on top and rounded on bottom). They are about one eye-width apart. All even colours are accepted, the more intense and brilliant the better.

Ears:

the ears are the distinctive and essential feature of the breed. They are curved out and back like a crescent moon in a 90° to 180° arc. The tip of ear should not touch the back of the head or have an extreme curl that would close the ear and cause the tip to touch the back of the ear. Moderately large, they are set one ear width apart. Wide at base, they have firm cartilage from base to at least one-third of height of ear. The tip is flexible and rounded. Ears should have symmetrical curl and inside furnishings. The American Curl’s ears specific shape should not affect their natural movements when the cat is alert and attentive.

Neck:

rather long, the neck is slender and graceful.

Body:

semi-foreign in type, the body is elegant and rectangular. Its length should be 1-1/2 times the height at shoulders. The American curl is a medium-sized cat, the males often being larger than females. Musculature should be long and tonic. Boning is medium, neither heavy nor fine.

Legs:

medium in length, in proportion to the body, the legs are straight, with medium boning.

Feet:

the feet, medium in size, are rounded.

Tail:

thick at the base, the tail is as long as the body. It should be flexible.

Coat and texture:

Shorthair: short, silky, close-lying coat, with little undercoat. Tail coat should be as long as body coat.
Longhair: semi-long haired, fine-textured, silky and flat lying, with minimal undercoat. The tail should be well furnished, with full plume.

Penalize

Low ear set. Crimps or ripples inside the ear.
Stop on nose.
Coarse or woolly coat texture, abundant undercoat. Thick ruff.
Oriental or cobby-typed body.

Withhold all awards

Extreme ear curl in adult cats where ear tip touches back of ear or head.
Flattened base of ear or ear with calcified tips.
Straight ears or ears with non symmetrical curls in adults.
Ear cavity not visible.
General show penalties and withholdings.