1 of 3

Write now Article Tools

Referred to as the "punk of the feline world", the American Wirehair cat breed began like many other breeds, from a mutation within a litter of kittens. An American born breed, the first American Wirehair was born in a barn near Vernon, New York in 1966. Born to a pair of farm cats named "Bootsie" and "Fluffy", one kitten from the litter would stand out amongst the rest, a red and white male kitten that had a wiry coat unlike its littermates.

The cat's owner contacted a nearby breeder of Rex cats (Mrs. William O'Shea) and she purchased the wiry coated cat for $50 along with a female from the same litter. These were the only two kittens that survived from the litter as the rest were killed by a weasel. Her goal was to begin a breeding program in hopes of creating more of these wiry-coated cats. The red and white male was named "Council Rock Farm Adam of Hi-Fi" and the female was named "Tip-Toe of Hi-Fi" or Adam and Tip-Toe for short. The results of the breeding program were successful and more wiry-haired kittens were born.

Other breeders began to purchase the kittens and it wouldn't be long before the wiry feline frenzy hit Canada and Germany. Only three short years after Adam was born, the true American Wirehair breeding program was fully developed which would secure the future of the breed. The Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) began accepting registration of this breed in 1967 with it reaching championship status in the United States during the late 70s. However, according to cat breed expert Desmond Morris, this breed was officially recognized by the CFA in 1977 and didn't receive championship status until the 1990s.

Although this breed became rather popular in many countries fairly quickly, it is still considered a rare breed. The first American Wirehairs were exported to France during the early 70s and almost 4 decades later, this breed is still quite rare in Europe.

What makes the American Wirehair cat unique is the texture of the coat. The individual hairs are bent and crimped which gives the coat an overall dense appearance. Other than this one feature, the American Wirehair resembles the American Shorthair in body shape and size. Some American Wirehairs may have curled whiskers which is a characteristic of the Rex Cat breeds. The coat standard is "springy, dense, and resilient" and the texture feels soft to the touch.

The American Wirehair cat is a medium to large size cat with males typically being larger than the females. The Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) accepts the American Wirehair in almost every color and pattern. It is not uncommon to see the classic tabby pattern or even pure white American Wirehairs. Eye colors also vary from vibrant blues to sparkling gold. White American Wirehairs can also have two different eye colors, one blue and one gold.

Owners of American Wirehair cats describe this breed to be quite friendly and highly intelligent. There are contradictions among owners concerning their activity levels. Some describe them to be reserved and quiet much like Persians while other owners state that their American Wirehairs are playful and inquisitive. The coat requires some special attention but precautions should be taken to not damage the coat. The American Wirehair can live 15 to 20 years with proper care. With the unique appearance and sweet dispositions of this breed, the American Wirehair can make a wonderful companion to almost any household.

References:

CAT BREEDS OF THE WORLD, by Desmond Morris, copyright 1999.

http://www.cfa.org/breeds/prof iles/articles/american-wh.html

http://www.cfa.org/breeds/prof iles/american-wh.html

Learn more about this author, Angela Pollock.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Cat breed facts: American wirehair?
We want to hear your view. Write now!