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The Scratching Post
LaPerm 
The LaPerm is a medium-sized, curly coated cat that comes in all colors. The skull is wedge-shaped with rounded contours. There is a gentle curve rising from the bridge of the nose to the brow. There is a slight dip to the nose just below the bottom of the eye that continues to the tip of the nose. The ears are slightly flared and cupped and are medium to large in size. The earmuffs have lynx tipping. The almond-shaped eyes are expressive and alert. The body is medium in size with medium boning. The forelegs may be slightly shorter than the hind legs. The tail is in proportion to the body and tapers to the tip. The coat can be from medium-long to long in both males and females and may have a ruff on the neck at maturity.
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Temperament
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LaPerms are very bright and playful. They make wonderful lap- warmers. They are gentle and affectionate, but very active. They seek human contact and will stop playing to join you on the sofa and soak up the attention you give. The curly coat of this breed can become addictive. They can learn to fetch. This breed will follow at your heels and come when it is called.
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Weight
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Male 7-9 lbs. ; Female 5-6 lbs.
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Health Problems
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The LaPerm comes from healthy barn stock and have not been inbred. They have no known genetic defects.
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Living Conditions
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Keeping your cat indoors and neutering or spaying are essential elements for maintaining a healthy companion, and most importantly will extend the life expectancy of your cat.
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Exercise
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This active cat is social, playful, and full of life, but not ?bouncing-off-the-walls? hyper.
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Life Expectancy
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9-15 years
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Grooming
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These dog-like cats have curly hair. Like the Poodle, the shedding is caught in the curls so does not transfer easily to their surroundings. Low shedding is a plus as well as their lack of a need for formal grooming. Occasional brushing is all that is needed.
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Origin
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The LaPerm was founded by Linda Koehl in Oregon in 1982. Koehl?s barn cat, Speedy, gave birth to a litter of kittens with one being bald. Within eight weeks, the kitten began to grow very soft, curly hair. By the age of four months, the kitten, now named Curly, had a full coat of curly hair. During the next ten years, Koehl made no attempt to breed selectively and noted that there was a frequency of bald kittens. As interest in the breed grew, she began to confine the cats in order to control the breeding. Koehl began to enter cat shows and was unprepared for the excitement and interest in this breed. The owner gave the cats the breed name "LaPerm" which means wavy or rippled.
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