American Wirehair

American Wirehair

A “PERMED” VERSION of the American Shorthair from which it sprang, the American Wirehair has all the same features as its predecessor but with curly or hooked hair. This coat has a rough texture and springs back when touched.

The breed is among the newer ones. Its first example, a white-and-red torn named Adam, was produced as a mutation in a litter of American Shorthairs in 1966 in Vernon, New York. A breeder mated Adam to a litter mate and produced two similarly wire-haired kittens, thus giving the breed its start. The name was borrowed from the Wirehaired Terrier.

The wire-haired feature is a dominant characteristic, which means that wire-haired kittens will be born in the first generation of a mating between a Wirehair and an “ordinary” short-hair.

Similarly, wire-haired cats appeared naturally on the streets of London during World War II, making their homes in the bombed-out ruins of the city. Some were

Exhibited in cat shows, but the trait was not bred through after the initial interest and the breed is not exhibited in Britain.

Like its progenitor, the American Wirehair is even-tempered, smart, and happiest when doing something. It shows interest in nearly everything around it and is affectionate towards the entire family, although it appreciates respect and tranquility. The cat enjoys the comforts of home but also needs to roam open spaces.

Varieties are similar to the American Shorthair, with the exception of the patched tabby pattern: White, Black, Blue, Red, Cream, Bicolor, Shaded Silver, Brown Tabby, Red Tabby, Silver Tabby, Blue Tabby, Cream Tabby, Cameo Tabby, Chinchilla, Shell Cameo, Shaded Cameo, Cameo Smoke, Blue Smoke, Black Smoke, Blue-Cream, Tortoiseshell, Tortoise-shell Smoke, and Calico.

The fur. Of the American, Wirehair is dense, curly, woolly, and coarse. The body is athletic and powerful, set on medium-sized legs that are likewise powerful and large, with round paws. The tail is long, straight, and ends at a rounded point. The head is egg-shaped with a square muzzle; there is a well-developed chin and wide-set, large, round eyes with a slight slant. Theirs are medium and rounded at the tips. Males are larger than females. Like the American Shorthair, this breed makes excellent parents.

Occasional brushing with a soft-bristle brush and combing in moderation is recommended. The diet should be meat-based, although the Wirehair is not finicky.

Common standard faults are fur that is too long or soft, a deformed tail, and too hard a break in the nose.

See more: Havana Brown Cat