Why Use the
American Curl
In the creation of the Elf cat many people ask why should I use an
American Curl instead of another curled ear breed of cat like the
highlander?  This question can be answered in many different
ways.  The biggest reason that the American Curl was chosen is
because of the health of this breed.  American curls have no
debilitating conditions associated with the curled ear mutation and
they are not plagued by the many diseases that most purebred
cats are because the curl breeders have included domestic
shorthairs and domestic longhairs in their breeding programs.

Sphynx can be subjected to health problems such as HCM and
because they are not an extremely hearty breed by nature the
decision was made to use a cat that was hearty and healthy to
improve the health of the kittens that we produce.  The American
Curl has only one genetic mutation and that is the curled ear not
several like many of the other curled ear breeds.

Through the last few years of breeding Sphynx to American Curl
there have been no adverse genetic anomolies reported by
combining these 2 mutations.

There are breeders out there who also claim to be the origanal
founder of the Elf who have chosen to use Highlanders and
register then as domestic short hairs rather then American cur;s
because they have been unable to obtain them.  Be careful who
you buy from.  This is paper hanging and lying.  A highlander is a
cat that has a bob tail and polydactal feel.  You do not want these
mutations in the back ground of your cat.  As be warned that
these breeders will lie about the use of highlands.
Please read The Elf History Page and Beware of Highladers
before you decide who to purchase an Elf from.
Watch for us
on National
Geographic
this summer!