The American Wirehair could essentially be considered an American Shorthair with a fur mutation. This is because the one distinguishing feature that sets it apart from the American Shorthair is its odd, springy fur, which is said to resemble and feel much like the coat of a Wirehair Terrier dog.

Similar to the American Shorthair in temperament and personality, its disposition is that of a quiet, active, sweet-tempered and playful cat, devoted to its family. Easy-going and intelligent, this affectionate breed gets along well in a family setting, and does not seem to have a problem adapting to other animals and small children.

A breed of small to average size, the general weight span of an American Wirehair is approximately eight to 11 pounds, with the males running slightly larger than the females. Though not terribly large, the American Wirehair is solid, sturdy and muscular of build, with a large, rounded head and erect ears, which are slightly rounded at the tips. The eyes are large, almond-shaped and space well apart, bearing colors of green, amber or gold. The legs are of medium length and musculature, and the tail is of medium length; thicker at the base and tapering near the end. The coat, which may either be long or short, is of course, the American Wirehair's most essentially unique feature. A natural, spontaneous genetic mutation, each hair is springy and curled, including its whiskers. Dense and somewhat coarse, the Wirehair's coat comes in as wide an array of colors as that of the American Shorthair, ranging from solid white to solid black, and all colors and mixtures of tabby patterns in-between.

The origin of all recent American Wirehairs can be traced back to a farm cat named Adam, that was discovered in New York in 1966; the genetically mutated product of two American Shorthairs. Only one of six other kittens in a litter, Adam was also the only one with the mutation. When mated with one of his sisters, Adam passed along the mutated gene and today the American Wirehair has more than enough numbers to be established as its own breed.

Because the springy curls of the American Wirehair are so easily damaged, brushing is not generally recommended at all, except during the worst of the shedding season.

There is currently no special breeding information in our databases for this animal. To submit breeding / propagation information that is specific to this animal please click here.