American Wirehair - origin, behavior and maintenance

The American Wirehair cat, widespread overseas, is the national treasure of the United States, which has become the favorite of the entire continent. The breed has a special dominant gene that determines the skin of a rare type of animal. For all its softness, elasticity and thickness, the hairs visually look rough. The effect is explained by the fact that each hair, bending, forms a connection with its tips, creating the general impression of a wavy wire. Laying imaginary wire curls one after another, they create a plush surface similar to astrakhan.

The American Wirehair and Shorthair are considered relatives and were subject to the same standard until 1978. From this moment on, recognized by society as an independent creation, wirehaired cats take equal, legal participation in international exhibitions of the best cat breeds.

Historical fact

It is known that a new type of breed originated in 1966 in North America on a rural farm, where rare mutants appeared in the litter of an American shorthair cat. The kittens were born with an unusual curly coat, similar to a connection of hard wires. Of the entire litter, only one baby survived, who received the nickname Adam. A local breeder, Joan Oshia, became interested in the unusual kitten. In the process of selection with short-haired breeds from a mature cat, similar curly-haired offspring appeared. The new breed of American Wirehair was first exhibited in 1967 at an exhibition in New York. Since 1968, the felinological organizations CFA and TICA have established their own standard, with the status of “experimental breed” in which the uniqueness and dominance of wire-like wool is confirmed by genetic analysis.

Description of the breed

In 1967, the main parameters and characteristics of the American cat of a new wire-haired breed, with an original, unusual coat, were formed. Based on the phenological decision of the qualification commission, the World Cat Federation (WCF) organization approved the standard with the status of “experimental breed”.

It defines a number of parameters and criteria by which qualifying judges evaluate the appearance of a cat, which gives it the right to participate in various exhibitions.

Table No. 1 : Brief description of breed standards

Options	Short description	Notes
Place of Birth	USA, southern states	On a rural farm
Year of birth of the ancestor	1966	Nickname Adam
Wool group	Wirehaired	Elastic, curly, soft
Standard weight	From 3 to 8 kg.	Cats weigh more than cats
Character	Friendly, curious, playful	From birth to old age
Wool length	Short to medium	Varies depending on body part
Care	Not demanding, standard	Avoid frequent bathing and intense brushing.
Body size	average	Cats have more than cats
Health	practically never gets sick	Genetically determined
Attitude towards children	Friendly, playful	Resistant to pranks and stress
Lifespan	15-16 years old	In good living conditions they live up to 18 years
Who is it suitable for?	For the whole family	Even with many children

Almost simultaneously, another new breed of cat was developed in the United States, which was called the American Curl. A distinctive feature of these original, rare cats is the unusual, exclusive shape of the ears. The phenological qualification commission did not approve the unique feature of the curl for a long time, but in 1981 the standard was approved.

A brief comparison of the American cat and the American Curl

The Curl and the Wirehaired cat, in addition to their common homeland of origin in the USA, have a lot in common, but also have the main distinctive features

Table No. 2 . Description of the characteristics of the American: Curl and Wirehaired cats

options	description of a wirehaired cat	description of the American Curl	Note
Country of origin	USA		On a farm in the countryside
Year of appearance	1966	1981
Type:	Home
Height at withers:	15-30 cm		Cats are smaller than cats
Average weight:	From 3 to 8 kg.	From 2.5 to 7 kg	Cats weigh more than cats
Main Differences
Type of coat	Wirehaired Elastic, curly	Tender, soft, shiny, silky
Ear shape	The base is wide, cone-shaped with small shells	The base is wide, with curled ears at the top
Eye shape	look like an elongated oval	Color has no connection with coat color,
Eye shape	large, round, very expressive	Matches the color of the coat

Head

The large face of the American Wirehair cat, visible in any photo, has memorable outlines. The head and body are proportional:

is presented from the front, like a smoothly shaped heart;
profile view, like an elongated modified wedge with a prominent rounded forehead;
the dimensions in length and width in the area of the eyes are the same;
the width of the lower part of the muzzle is emphasized by a well-developed, almost square chin;
round, plump cheeks with barely noticeable dimples give the muzzle a prepossessing, friendly expression;
The color of the nose matches the color of the main color. Not long, even with a bend at the bridge of the nose.
Mustaches and eyebrows with characteristic curled hairs, emphasizing the breed.

Eyes

Large, rounded with small slants on the outer sides, which gives a surprised expression.

there is a large distance between the widely spaced eye sockets, which makes the muzzle very cute;
rich in color, even coloring of the iris: light blue, blue, green, even orange tones, most often they are in harmony with the color of the coat;
For silver specimens, the standard allows only green eye color, for brown tabbies - golden.

Ears

The ears are medium in size and have a cone shape with small shells. Straight and wide, located on the head, the cones smoothly taper with roundings at the very tips, which is confirmed by the views in numerous photographs. They are very different from the ears of another representative of the overseas representative of the United States - the American Curl. A beautiful, rare cat, with amazing, curled, rounded ears, the main distinguishing feature of the breed.

Body

The body shape of an animal, with average sizes, which are larger in cats than in cats. Proportional along the entire length, with a straight, even back, along with a short neck, it has dense muscles. The pectoral muscles are well developed. Gives the appearance of a properly developed beauty.

Paws

Strong, strong, with well-developed muscles, straight legs, of medium length with well-developed muscles. Large, strong paws with soft, round pads.

Tail

The tail is smooth, flexible, tapering smoothly to the bottom and rounded, forming a blunt tip. According to the standard, the length of the body from the shoulder blades to the tailbone and the length of the tail from the base to the tip should be equal.

Wool

The coat, similar to waves of wires, is therefore associated with wirehair, the calling card of the breed. In fact, it is short, with curly curls, soft, elastic, when stroked, it creates impressions or doodles. The impression of rigidity is created by slightly curved guard hairs that stick together. Even the mustache and eyebrows of this rare creature curl. After bathing and hard, intensive combing, the exclusive effect may disappear.

Coat color

The standard does not limit the types of coat colors of American breeds, which can be either single-colored in any color or two-colored in combination with white.

Size and weight

The breed is quite large: the height at the withers is slightly less than the length of the body from neck to tail. The weight of an adult cat is several kilograms less, on average 3-4.5 kg. The male weighs up to 8 kg.

Appearance of American Wirehair cats

Since the American Wirehair cat breed is a kind of mutation of the American Shorthair cat, there is a lot in common between these two breeds. As a matter of fact, they differ from each other only in the type of coat. The coat of the American Wirehair breed has virtually no down, it is wavy and hard, slightly longer than that of American shorthair cats. The fur is a little rough to the touch, reminiscent of a dog's. The fur is especially rough on the sides, back and head, while on the belly and chin it is softer and silkier. All the hairs are curled or curled, and even the mustache looks as if it has been permed.

However, despite its somewhat unusual appearance, a cat of this breed can by no means be called ugly. On the contrary, she has an indescribable charm. Young representatives of the breed have more curled fur than older ones, which gives them a somewhat comical appearance. Adult cats have dense, medium-length fur.

It is worth noting that curly hair is not always inherited. From time to time, in a litter of American wirehaired cats, you come across ordinary fluffy kittens with absolutely straight hair.

In terms of general appearance, representatives of this breed usually have a medium or even large build. They are strong, muscular and graceful, moving freely and easily.

Character of the breed

In its historical homeland in the USA, Canada, and in recent years in Europe, Russia, the American with wire-like wool is a tribute to fashion and is becoming more and more popular. Wirehaired cats and female cats are regular participants in international exhibitions and breed competitions. They are readily purchased, despite the high cost, not only because of their rare, exclusive appearance, but due to their wonderful character:

They are friendly to everyone, not only the owner, but the whole family and small children.
They have stress resistance to any negative influences.
The kitten will quickly adapt to the rules and conditions in the new home. Thanks to his high intelligence, he adapts to the litter box without any problems. Understands love and affection.
Calmly, without fuss or panic, they endure long loneliness when left at home unattended.
From infancy to old age they remain playful, love to frolic with small children, and will always find something to do.
They are distinguished by independence and perseverance; when they set a specific goal, then it is difficult to prohibit or force them to do something.
By nature, at the genetic level, hunting instincts are inherent in wire-haired creatures until old age. In a private house they will catch all the mice.
They coexist harmlessly with dogs and other cats, but they chase birds and rodents.
They love to relax on the couch or watch events outside the window. But they do not enjoy long hikes outside the home. Enjoy the fresh air on the balcony.
Not annoying creatures, they rarely meow. They love to sit silently on the owner's lap, silently waiting for affection, purring slightly.

Care and maintenance

Before buying an American wirehair kitten, the owner should prepare responsibly and create the most comfortable conditions for keeping the pet:

Buy a deep, roomy litter box, or better yet 2 replacement litter boxes, because cats are very ambitious and will refuse to use a dirty toilet. You can purchase an expensive automatic device or train a well-trained animal to use the toilet.
The cat breed definitely needs a vertically standing, stable scratching post.
Food utensils appropriate for age and optimal amount of food. A separate water bowl is required, which is constantly filled with fresh bottled water.
Choose durable bowls, made of ceramic or chrome-plated steel.
For a small kitten and an adult cat, it is important to choose the right toy. Balls, artificial animals, interactive or homemade crafts are suitable.
To set up a sleeping area, pet stores offer many options for sleeping devices and accessories.
Wirehaired cats require special, gentle care for their coat so as not to spoil the unique properties of the wire curls.
Frequent bathing with detergents is not permissible, only in cases of severe contamination;
A wet animal should not be combed or dried with a hairdryer.
Carry out once a week, comb out old falling hairs during molting, carefully, with special combs, sparing the guard hairs.
Carry out weekly hygiene of the ears and eyes, cleaning them with social means using wet tom-toms, cotton swabs. If there is frequent, heavy discharge, you should contact a veterinary hospital.
It is dangerous to let your pets go on independent walks; it is better to walk them from childhood using a harness.
To prevent the occurrence of gingivitis and the deposition of stones on the teeth, they are cleaned with a special paste and brush. An advanced problem in the oral cavity is treated in a veterinary hospital.
The necessary vaccinations are given annually, and the coat is treated with antiparasitic agents.
Treatment with anthelmintic drugs is carried out at least four times a year.

Diet

American Wirehaired pets love to eat well, but are not picky about the composition of their food:

feeding with natural food, it is necessary to observe its completeness, especially protein foods. In addition to meat products, it is recommended to add fermented milk and vegetable products to your food;
When industrial feeding, it is recommended to use high premium products with a wide range of products that meet the individual needs of the animal. Manufacturers of food must provide ready-made packaging and canned food with information on content, recommendations on quantity, and consumption rates;
Overeating, which can lead to excess weight and obesity, is not allowed;
It is recommended to feed kittens from 3 to 6 years old up to 4 times a day; for adults, 2 meals a day.

Video

Health and diseases

American Wirehair cats are mutating descendants of healthy farm shorthaired cats that do not have hereditary diseases. To keep the breed healthy:

carry out regular preventive examinations at the veterinary hospital;
carry out the full range of necessary vaccinations in a timely manner;
Preventive treatment against parasites and helminths is carried out quarterly.

Diet and health

The best option for an American wirehair cat is super-premium or premium-class dry and wet food. Opponents of ready-made food can choose a diet and organize natural nutrition, but feeding food from the table is strictly not recommended.

Since these cats appeared as a result of a natural mutation, they are distinguished by fairly good health, and no hereditary diseases have been noted. With a nutritious balanced diet, proper care and timely veterinary preventive measures, they rarely get sick. They live on average 13-14 years.

How to choose a kitten

American Wirehair cats, a rare young breed. It is not easy to buy a kitten on the Russian cat market.

Buy a kitten only from trusted nurseries with a reliable reputation.
They are finally convinced of the preservation of standard qualities only after 3 years, when the animal matures.
It is taken into account that in a cat's litter, not all kittens may retain the standard trait and will grow a specific, hard-curly coat.
When purchasing a baby, they learn about his health.
International documents indicate: date, place of birth, data confirming breed, indicating pedigree of at least the third generation.
The animal's passport indicates the vaccinations performed in the complex, indicating the date.
When choosing, you need to make sure the animal is healthy and pay attention to the absence of external defects.
A kitten is purchased and separated from the mother cat on the advice of breeders after 3 months of age.
He must be socially developed, affectionate, playful. Accustomed to using a litter box and knowing a scratching post.

Breed cost

Basically, a rare, exclusive breed of wirehairs is bred overseas, in the USA. Canada and Europe are much smaller. In the absence of nurseries in Russia for breeding amazing creatures, purchasing a kitten becomes expensive. The purchase is complicated by the lengthy transportation of the animal and transportation costs, which increases the final cost:

The price of a 3-month-old kitten, which is sold for breeding, for display at prestigious international exhibitions, reaches from 2 thousand dollars ;
For an example with a wire coating, but with obvious generic defects, the price can reach up to 1 thousand dollars .
In Russia, prices for American wirehair kittens are high and range from 60,000 to 150,000 rubles .

Colors

White

Pure, brilliant white. Nose and paw pad color: pink. Eye color: deep blue or bright golden. Cats with bicolor eyes have 1 blue and 1 golden eye of equal color intensity.

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Black

Rich, like coal, black, from the very roots to the tips of the fur. No shades or smoky undercoat are allowed. Nose color: black, paw pads: black or brown. The eyes are bright golden.

Blue

Blue, preferably with a slight tint, the same color from nose to tip of tail. Deep to the very roots of the hair. A deep dark shade is preferable to a light light shade. Nose: blue, eyes bright gold.

Red

Thick, rich, clear, brilliant red, without tint, markings or streaks. The lips and chin are the same color as the fur. The nose and pads of the feet are brick red. Eyes: bright golden.

Cream

Uniform buffalo color, cream color without pattern. The color is deep, right down to the roots; a lighter shade is preferred. Nose and paw pads: pink, eyes: bright gold.

Silver chinchilla

Silver smoky

Cameo with veil (red chinchilla)

Cameo with tan marks (red with tan marks)

Black smoky color of the American Wirehair cat

Blue smoky

Cameo smoky

Classic tabby shade

brindle tabby pattern

Silver tabby (classic)

the main color, including the lips and chin, is pure silver. Drawing in thick black color. The nose is brick red. Paw pads are black. Eyes: green or light brown.

Red tabby

The main color is red. The pattern is dark red, rich. Lips and chin are red. The nose and paw pads are brick red, the eyes are bright gold.

Brown tabby (classic)

Blue tabby

the main color, including the lips and chin, is light ivory with a bluish tint. The picture is dark and stands out in contrast against the main background. The nose is dark pink, the paw pads are pink, the eyes are bright gold.

Cream tabby

the base color, including the lips, chin, is a very light cream color. The pattern is cream, darker than the main color, contrasts with it, but not much. The nose and paw pads are pink, the eyes are bright golden.

Cameo tabby

The main color is snow-white, the pattern is red. The nose and paw pads are pink, the eyes are bright gold.

Tortoiseshell

black with clearly defined red and cream spots. The spots are clearly defined and evenly distributed on both sides of the body and on the limbs. It is advisable to have a red or cream spot on the face. Eyes: bright golden.

Calico

white with black and red spots. White predominates on the lower extremities. Eyes: bright golden.

Bleached Calico

White with blue and cream spots. White predominates on the lower extremities. Eyes: bright golden.

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Blue-cream

blue with cream spots. The spots are well defined and evenly distributed throughout the body and limbs. The eyes are bright golden.

Bi-color

white with black spots, white with blue spots, white with red or white with cream spots. The eyes are golden, the brighter the better.

Other colors

any other color and shade, with the exception of hybridity in colors: chocolate, lilac, Himalayan shade or their combination with white. Eye color: matches the color of the animal's fur.

American Wirehair cat. Color class numbers

Coat care is limited to bathing once a week; the coat should be dried without using a hair dryer. These cats need to be combed, and special oils can be used to facilitate this process.

Interesting facts about the breed

The ancestor of the exclusive wire-haired breed is considered to be a white-and-red kitten named Adam, the only surviving specimen in the litter. A rare, amazing cat that appeared on a US farm, thanks to the breeding work of breeder Joan O'Shea, gained recognition in America, Europe and is becoming popular in Russia.
Sometimes, in a litter of 5 kittens, not all of them retain hereditary characteristics; babies may appear without obvious wire-haired characteristics, which is discovered after 3 months of development.

Cats, American Wirehair cats, an original, exclusive breed, are a good choice for purchasing for a family. They will be a joy for everyone in the house. The pet will captivate you with its friendly, affectionate character and friendly attitude not only towards its owner. The docile animal becomes attached to members of the entire family and responds well to affection and attention. They are clean, well tamed to order, they are kept without hassle, both in apartments and in private motorcades.

Story

It is unknown for what reason - in one country or another, the genes of cats with straight fur mutate, and unusual curly babies are born.

This happened in the USA in 1966 - a kitten appeared on a farm whose owner was not interested in cat breeding. All the cubs in the litter were ordinary, and one was covered in curls. A breeder who lived nearby learned about an unusual kitten - for 50 dollars she bought a curly and ordinary kitten... The matured “unusual” cat did not wait for a pair to be selected for selection - and he himself found a girlfriend: she had kittens, and several of them repeated the peculiarity of their father...

Selection work continued - and soon felinological organizations registered the standard of the American Wirehair cat. The breed quickly gained popularity and is now, among others, considered a “US national treasure.”