LaPerm

The LaPerm came into the world by accident — the result of a single unusual kitten born on a cherry farm in The Dalles, Oregon in 1982 — and it has been turning heads ever since. Its coat is its most immediate attraction: a soft mass of loose curls and ringlets that can range from tight spirals to long, cascading waves depending on the individual cat. Unlike the Cornish Rex or Devon Rex, whose curly coats are the result of shortened or sparse hair, the LaPerm’s curls are full-length ringlets with real body and texture — bouncy, tactile, and entirely irresistible. Paired with a warm, curious, and genuinely affectionate personality, the LaPerm is a breed that earns devoted fans quickly.

1. History and Origins: Born on a Cherry Farm

The LaPerm has one of the most precisely documented and charmingly specific origin stories of any domestic cat breed.

Linda Koehl’s Farm Cat

In 1982, on a working cherry and walnut farm owned by Linda and Richard Koehl near The Dalles, Oregon, a barn cat named Speedy gave birth to a litter of six kittens. One of the kittens was born bald — completely without hair, which was unusual but not unheard of in domestic cat litters. As the weeks passed, the bald kitten began to grow a coat unlike anything anyone on the farm had seen: soft, wavy, and curly, with a texture completely different from the barn cats’ shorthaired coats. Linda Koehl named the kitten Curly.

Years of Natural Development

For the next decade, Koehl paid relatively little attention to the genetic significance of what she had. More curly-coated kittens continued to appear among the farm’s free-roaming cat population. It was only in the early 1990s, when the farm population had grown to include dozens of curly cats, that Koehl began to investigate. A veterinarian confirmed that this was a unique, previously undocumented coat mutation.

Naming the Breed

Koehl began a deliberate breeding program and worked with cat geneticists to establish the mutation’s nature. The breed was named LaPerm — a reference to the permanent wave of the coat — and Koehl began showing the cats. TICA granted the LaPerm championship status in 2003.

The Gene

The LaPerm curl gene is dominant, which means a single copy is sufficient to produce a curly coat. This makes the trait relatively easy to establish in a breeding program. Outcrossing with domestic shorthairs and longhairs is permitted, which has helped maintain genetic diversity.

2. Appearance: Ringlets and Ruffles

The LaPerm is a moderate cat in almost every respect — medium size, medium build, medium everything — except for the coat, which is anything but moderate.

The Coat

The coat is the LaPerm’s defining characteristic and the feature that makes it instantly recognizable. The curls are loose, springy ringlets rather than the tight waves of the Cornish Rex or the plush waves of the Selkirk Rex. They are full-length — each individual hair goes through its full growth cycle and curls along its entire length — which gives the coat real texture, body, and movement.

The coat comes in two lengths: shorthair and longhair. The shorthaired LaPerm has a tight, springy coat with curls close to the body. The longhaired version is more dramatic, with loose ringlets that can be several inches long, particularly on the tail, belly, and ruff. The ruff around the neck and chest is one of the longhaired LaPerm’s most striking features — a cascade of curls that gives the cat a mane-like appearance.

The whiskers and eyebrows are also curled, adding to the overall impression of a cat that has been delightfully, permanently tousled.

No two LaPerm coats are identical. The curl pattern varies between individuals and can also vary on the same cat depending on age, season, hormonal status, and even humidity. Some LaPerms are born straight-coated and develop their curls over the first months of life; others are born with loose waves that tighten as they mature.

Body

The body is medium-sized, slender, and athletic — neither cobby nor elongated. The overall impression is of a light, agile cat. Males weigh between 8 and 10 pounds; females are smaller at 5 to 8 pounds. The legs are medium in length, and the tail is tapered.

Head and Expression

The head is a modified wedge with prominent whisker pads that give the face a broad, open expression. The eyes are large, almond-shaped, and can be any color. The ears are medium to large, continuing the lines of the face, and are often furnished with curly interior tufts.

3. Personality: The Velcro Curl

The LaPerm is consistently described as one of the most affectionate and people-oriented cat breeds — a quality that surprises many people who are drawn to the breed initially for its unusual coat.

Deeply Affectionate

LaPerm cats seek out human contact with a persistence and warmth that is characteristic of the breed. They will climb onto laps uninvited, press themselves against their owners when they sleep, and seek out any available human for company throughout the day. The affection is genuine rather than performative — they consistently prefer a person’s company over solitude.

Curious and Interactive

The LaPerm has inherited something of its working-cat heritage: a lively, curious engagement with the world. It investigates new objects with enthusiasm, watches household activities with alert attention, and participates in its owners’ daily routines with cheerful insistence. It is not a passive observer — it wants to be part of whatever is happening.

Gentle and Patient

Despite the high activity level and curiosity, the LaPerm is a gentle cat. It is tolerant of handling, including from children, and is not prone to scratching or biting when annoyed. It will typically signal discomfort with a soft vocalization before taking any stronger action.

Active but Not Hyperactive

The LaPerm is playful and energetic without reaching the hyperactivity levels of some of the more intensely active breeds. It enjoys interactive games and climbing, but it also knows how to switch off and relax, making it a comfortable companion for a wide range of household environments.

Social

LaPerms tend to be friendly with everyone — family, regular visitors, and new people. They are not a breed that hides or takes a long time to warm up. This sociability makes them easy to integrate into busy households.

4. Care and Maintenance

Grooming the Curls

Grooming a LaPerm requires some specific knowledge to avoid damaging the curl pattern. The most important rule is to avoid over-brushing or using the wrong tools. A wide-tooth comb or simply running fingers through the coat is the most effective approach for the longhaired variety. Brushing with a slicker brush will flatten and frizz the curls.

The coat rarely mats, which is a significant advantage for a curly longhaired breed. A light misting of water can refresh the curl pattern after a cat has been lying in one position for a long time.

Bathing is occasionally necessary — every six to eight weeks for show cats, less frequently for pets. The curl pattern responds well to being allowed to air-dry naturally.

Shedding

The LaPerm sheds relatively little compared to many shorthaired breeds, despite the volume of the coat. The curly structure traps loose hairs within the coat rather than allowing them to fall freely, which means less fur on furniture but more need for regular combing to remove trapped dead hair.

General Care

Routine ear checks, nail trimming every two to three weeks, and dental care are standard requirements. The curled whiskers require no special attention.

5. Health and Lifespan

The LaPerm is a generally healthy breed with a lifespan of 10 to 15 years. The broad gene pool resulting from permitted outcrossing with domestic cats has contributed to good genetic diversity.

No Coat-Associated Health Issues

The LaPerm curl gene has not been associated with any health complications. The curly coat is the result of a change in the structure of the hair shaft, not a skeletal or neurological issue. This distinguishes it favorably from some other breeds defined by physical mutations.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)

HCM is possible in any cat breed and LaPerm is no exception. Routine veterinary cardiac monitoring is recommended for older cats.

General Robustness

Because the LaPerm originated from a farm cat population and is routinely outcrossed with domestic cats, it tends to be a hardy, adaptable breed without the concentrated health vulnerabilities of more narrowly bred populations.

6. Is a LaPerm Right for You?

Ideal for:

• People who want an affectionate, warm companion with a unique visual appeal
• Families with considerate children
• Owners who want a moderately active but not hyperactive cat
• Anyone interested in a low-shedding curly coat

Less ideal for:

• Those with lanolin or wool sensitivities, as curly coats can occasionally trigger reactions
• People who want a fully independent, low-interaction cat
• Owners who will over-brush the coat and flatten the curls

Conclusion

The LaPerm is a cat that most people have never seen before — and almost nobody forgets. The ringlets, the ruff, the curled whiskers, and the bright, curious expression create an immediate and lasting impression. But it is the personality that keeps people: the warmth, the curiosity, the uncomplicated affection of a cat that genuinely wants to be close to the people it has chosen. From one bald kitten on an Oregon cherry farm, something genuinely original entered the cat world, and it has been brightening households ever since.