The LaPerm is a naturally occurring mutation affecting both long and shorthaired cats. It is a medium-sized, curly-coated cat of moderate type. The most distinctive aspect of the LaPerm is its coat, which is not a soft rex but a light, springy, Poodle-like bouncy curl that is equally as obvious in shorthairs as it is in longhairs. Although it may look unkempt, it rarely mats and is easy to run your fingers through. It was discovered in 1982 on an Oregon farm in a litter of barn kittens—the others were normal, and one was born hairless with large ears. The owner waited, and by four months old, the kitten had a full coat of curly hair and the name Curly to match. The owner was not very knowledgeable about cats, and curly kittens kept showing up in litters in that area, until eventually she started trying to breed the curl on purpose. She entered them in the Household Pet category of her local cat show under the name LaPerm, totally unprepared for the interest her unique cats would generate. The name comes from the tendency of the Chinook language to include the French article in a noun, using “lapeep” and “lapom” for pipe (la pipe) and apple (la pomme) respectively.

Type & judging remarks
All parts of the body should be in harmony with each other—this is not an extreme cat. The LaPerm is alert and walks tall on the feet.