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American Wirehair breed guide
The coat is the point: the Cat Fanciers' Association compares it to steel wool turned into a crisp, fuzzy coat that stands off the body and the breed standard gives it 45 points, more than the coat of any other breed.
The mutation first appeared in a litter of barn cats in upstate New York in 1966 and, as far as is known, has not occurred in any other country.
Temperament
An American Wirehair may have a favorite person but makes time for everyone, handing out head butts and purrs. It is independent and self-sufficient enough to be left alone during the day.
It adapts easily to other pets and is gentle with children.
Personality
American Wirehairs supervise or observe more often than they join in, though a game with a toy can turn them enthusiastic. Some learn to open cabinets and drawers, especially ones that might hold food.
They are not particularly vocal: a questioning mew after a long absence or a purr to announce playtime.
Care
The American Wirehair is one of the easiest of all breeds to groom. It still sheds and an occasional bath can help reduce it.
Towel drying in a warm room replaces blow-drying and some owners find a rolling lint collector almost as effective as a bath.
Health
There is no record of health problems characteristic of the breed despite the close line breeding behind its look. Most breeders use genetic testing and some check breeding cats with an echocardiogram for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which reflects breeder diligence and not a sign of a problem.
History
Only one of the four original wire-haired kittens survived infancy: Council Rock Farms Adam of Hi-Fi, a red tabby and white noted for a mellow, even temper. His wiry coat proved dominant but semi-penetrating, so a wire-to-straighthair mating yields wired kittens in about half the litter.
CFA first accepted the breed in 1967 and granted championship status in 1978.