These amazing ears

Selection of partners for pairing with American Curl is limited to others Curls or house hold pets, which are closed to the standard керла (except for ears). New bloods of usual domestic cats allows to keep in breed a sound health and a genetic variety. At pairing of curls practically all kittens will have curly ears, similar parental. If one of partners has usual ears (whether irrespective of this cat not purebred or given birth from parents - curls) at least 50 %, and sometimes is and more, kittens will have curly ears. Homozygous individuals are capable to give rise kittens only with curly ears. Such animals are rare and become pride of any cattery.

Curl kittens are born with usual ears, but from the second till the tenth day their ears start to be bent back. Becoming of a curl lasts till 4 months. Only at this age the breeder can finally define quality of a kitten (a pet, breed, show). Alongside with full conformity of type, degree of a curl of an ear - the key factor in definition of quality of these cats.

I.e. at full conformity such as and the ex-terrier of kittens, the factor of ears curl is determining. The small degree of curl (the first degree) carries a kitten in the category of house pet. More abrupt curl of ear (the second degree) allows cats to take part in breeding, and the ideal, abruptly incorporated curl (3 degree) carries animals to the show quality.

The certain interest represents that fact, that practically never it is impossible to predict, what degree of curl will have kittens. Thus curls degree of parents does not play any role. The female and male having small degree can easily bring into the world curl kitten in fine show quality, and the pair excellent, correct animals is not guaranteed from a birth kitten in the lowest show quality.

Ear of American curl - the elegant smooth arch revolved back minimum on 90 degrees, a maximum - 180 degrees. Optimum value of a curl - 135 degrees. The basis of an ear a minimum on two third makes a steady cartilage. The ear is wide and open in the basis. The smooth arch is visible both in a structure, and at a sight in front. The edge of an ear should be equal and smooth. Ears set is equally high and wide. Tips are round and flexible. Dense hair decorate an ear of Curl with a magnificent nimbus even at short-haired cats.

The general question, which harasses today many selectors and breeders, is the size and height of an ear. The working standard calls to "quite big ears which are wide and open in the basis ". Such type of ears is characteristic to the first American curls. From the very beginning the ideal Curl has been described as well balanced cat, ideal which length of ears - what is proportional to the size of a head of a cat and to a body at preservation of a graceful, smooth arch. That is the aesthetics plays a determining role.