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American Wirehair

American Wirehair

As its name suggests, it's the coat that characterises this American Wirehair cat breed. The American Wirehair is on the large size and has a harsh, springy and wiry coat - each short-to-medium hair is thin and crimped, or hooked. The whiskers are often curly. The full extent of the 'wiring' only becomes apparent when the cat is mature; American Wirehair kittens that appear to have very curly coats when they are young can grow up into merely wavy, rather than wiry adults, and vice versa. They come in all sorts of colours, patterns and markings.

The need-to-know
  • Highly active and inquisitive cat
  • Friendly but independent cat
  • Quiet cat
  • Average build cat breed
  • Requires grooming once a week
  • Non hypoallergenic breed
  • Outdoor cat
  • May require familiarisation before living with children

Personality

The American Wirehair cat is friendly and laid-back. It is relaxed, sweet natured, gentle and playful, enjoying toys, and games with its owner. This is not a particularly talkative cat breed.

History and Origins

Country of Origin: America

The American Wirehair cat breed began as a spontaneous mutation in a litter of New York farm cats in 1966 when one wirehaired kitten (named Adam) was produced among normal coated littermates. All American Wirehair pedigree cats can be traced back to Adam. The American Wirehair cat has become popular in the USA and Canada, but is little known elsewhere.

Finding a cat

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