Breed of the Month - the Elf Cat

The Elf’s appearance may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but there is a growing fan base for this playful, lovable and interesting new breed

Last month is was Munchkins, and we’re keeping the fantasy theme going at Cat Diaries by profiling the newly established breed, the Elf cat. Combining the distinctive features of the Sphynx and the American Curl, Elf cats are instantly recognisable, and the breed is rapidly growing in popularity.

History
The origins of the Elf cat can be traced back to the US. Some Sphynx breeders dreamed of combining the physical and temperamental characteristics of their beloved Sphynx with those of the American Curl, in order to create a hairless, curly-eared puss with a beautiful personality. According to one of the initial breeders, Karen Nelson, ‘extensive research went into [the Elf’s] health and viability’. She also says approval was also obtained from The International Cat Association geneticists.

Photo courtesy of Karen Nelson

Appearance
The Elf cat appears hairless; however, there may sometimes be a soft coating of hair on the ears and whiskers. The adorable ears of the Elf are primarily what give this breed its name, and are large, pointed and curled.

Sturdy and muscular, the Elf cat has a slightly rounded tummy, as if it has just finished a meal, and because of the inherited hardy nature of its foundation cat, the American Curl, the Elf is a healthy and robust animal with no biological problems resulting from the genetic mutation of the ears and hairlessness.

Personality
Playful, affectionate and very active, the Elf certainly lives up to its mischievous namesake. ‘The Elf is full of energy and is docile and outgoing,’ says another initial breeder, Kristen Leedom, on her website. ‘[It’s] a perfect mix of its two foundation breeds.’

Sometimes described as ‘the thief of hearts’, this fantasy feline is fast securing a place in the hearts of cat-lovers the world over: ‘It is often said that Elf kittens are one part cat, one part dog, one part monkey and one part child – and most people who have had the good fortune to meet one of these individuals are quick to agree,’ says Kristen.

‘The Elf is a very loving and loyal member of the household and has a strong tendency to bond with his or her choice in humans or the pet dog. They will follow that individual around faithfully, winding around legs and wagging their tails happily. The Elf will also greet you with a happy chirp when he sees you get out of bed, or arrive back home from a long day at work.’

The other-worldly Elf is quietly casting its spell over the feline-fanciers’ world, and if you can appreciate their unusual appearance and look past those wrinkles into its big innocent eyes, life with an Elf cat may just turn out to be a fairytale ending for you and your family!

Article image sourced from elfcats.com and Cat Breed Info