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Elf Cat Breed
The Elf is known as The Enchanted Thief of Hearts
Origin: United States
Weight: 10-15 pounds depending on the sex of the cat
Average Litter Size: 1-5 Elves per litter
Grooming Needs: Medium
Life Expectancy: Unknown, due to the breed being so new
Good With Kids: Yes
Good With Other Animals: Yes
Unique People are drawn to the Elf Cat. These enchanted felines are truly
magical. While the appearance of the Elf may take some getting used to, this
thief of hearts has a personality that is unmatched. They love their human
companion and want to be with them as much as possible. They feel like a peach
and are so warm to the touch that it invites you to hold them as much as
possible. They love to sleep at night tucked away under the covers with you!
Anyone that loves an Elf considers themselves to be some of the luckiest people
in the world.
The History of the Elf Cat
Creature from fairy tales…
In science fiction, Elves are semi-divine beings, with long life, magic powers
and pointed and curved ears. The Elf cat brings these creatures from fairy tales
to reality.
Named the Elf cat because of their Elf-like appearance (slightly curved ears).
The Elf, is a new hybrid breed, the product of American Curl with Sphynx.
Permissible out-crosses also include Domestic Short Hair, which is any cat
belonging to Felis Domesticus not registered as a recognized breed. The
foundation cats, the Sphynx and American Curl breeds, have a single trait that
makes them distinct from all other breeds. The Elf combines these two traits to
create a unique breed of cat that is different from each of the parental
foundation breeds. These two traits are independent of each other and when
combined pose no harm to the health and well being of the new breed Elf.
The Elf Cat was established in 2007 after extensive research went into its
health and viability, and got the approval from the geneticists at TICA. Elf
breed founder, Karen Nelson of Arizona, wrote the breed standard that a small
group of dedicated breeders are working towards.
The first litter of Elf kittens were born, and all those involved instantly fell
in love with the appearance, personality and social ability of this new breed.
Breeders and cat lovers alike wait with great anticipation and much nurturing,
as the Elf cat continues on its long journey.
The Elf Cat’s Appearance
Few people realize that the sweet-natured Elf is no more wrinkled than any other
breed of cat, but there is something about the hairless appearance, along with
the curled ears that either repels or attracts their human counterparts.
Surprisingly, the Elf cat is really not hairless at all. Picking one up, many
are surprised by how soft, downy, and warm hairless kittens can be - in fact,
they are best compared to a warm fuzzy peach in texture. It’s a sensation that
makes you just want to cuddle them closer and, believe it or not, the Elf cat
uses that to his advantage. There’s nothing that Elf kittens/cats like more than
cuddling.
Another interesting and little-known fact is the wide variety of colors that the
Elf cat comes in. Found in a rainbow of hues, they are as beautiful and
diversified as their furry feline cousins; any color and/or any pattern that can
be found in felines is an acceptable color and pattern for your Elf kitten.
The Elf Temperament
Elf cats are friendly, intelligent cats that are agile and have personality
plus. They respond well to being handled as they are very interactive, not only
with their humans but also with other cats and the attention of dogs.
The Elf cat has a very unique appearance, but his personality is even more
unusual. It’s often said that Elf kittens are one part cat, one part dog, one
part monkey and one part child - and most people who have had the good fortune
to meet one of these individuals are quick to agree with that description. The
Elf is a very loving and loyal member of the household and has a strong tendency
to bond with his or her choice in humans or the pet dog. That individual, they
will follow around faithfully, winding around legs and wagging their tail
happily. The Elf will also greet you with a happy chirp when he sees you get out
of bed, or arrive back home from a long day at work.
In addition to their love of affection, the Elf also has a great love of
mischief. They love to climb, hide and get into all sorts of trouble -
everything is a toy, regardless of whether it’s a wadded up piece of paper that
missed the trashcan, good china, or a family heirloom. If it can be moved,
knocked over, or will produce some form of sound (crashing and breaking noises
are especially fun), the impish Elf will believe it to be a noisemaker built
just for her.
Elf cats can be wonderfully patient and affectionate towards children and other
animals. The Elf is not an aggressive animal by any extent, but they are not
fighters either and their soft skin and lack of fur means that they can be
easily injured if bitten or scratched by other playful pets. If you do intend to
introduce an Elf into your home and you do have other pets, supervision is
mandatory.
Elf Grooming Requirements
Caring for an Elf cat has to be a walk in the park, right? Well, this is a
misconception that many people have about owning a hairless cat. Unfortunately,
while it’s a nice concept that there might be a cat that requires no grooming
whatsoever, in truth, it’s just not practical or fair to your pet. All pets
should be groomed at least once a week, even if it’s just checking their ears
and rubbing them down with a natural chamois cloth; not only does it help to
remove dander and dirt, but it also feels good for your pet, is quality bonding
time spent with your cat, and it helps you to be aware of potential problems
before they arise.
The Elf cat requires regular grooming, not only for the above important reasons,
but also because it is required to remove the natural oils that a cat’s fur
would normally absorb. Failing to wipe your Elf cat down regularly can lead to
skin problems, making them sticky when you touch them, and leading to sore
patches, acne, and other skin problems. It’s also very important to clean your
Elf kitten’s ears regularly or they will get a build-up of ear wax in their
ears; left untreated, this can lead to infection or, at the very least, run the
risk of your kitten hurting himself, scratching at his ear.
It’s also highly recommended that you give your Elf a monthly bath. While most
cats dislike water, Elf cats usually grow to enjoy their baths, provided they
are always treated with a kind and patient mannerism and acclimated to it from
the time they are kittens. Bathing your pet Elf is no more difficult than
bathing a baby and, while it sounds like a lot of work, it can be done
relatively quickly. Drying the Elf is even quicker - a few minutes snuggle time
in a toasty towel and he’s happy and dry as can be.
Elf Cat Health Concerns
The Elf cat is still a relatively new breed and, because of this, we are still
learning things about them, coming from the American Curl which is known to be
the most genetically free of defects purebred cat and the Sphynx now has far
fewer health concerns than most purebred cats. The reason for this is generally
attributed to what is known as “hybrid vigor,” where out-crossing to another
breed helps to stabilize and strengthen the existing line when bred back. So
with the two breeds combined the Elf should be a very stable cat.
Is the Elf Cat the Right Breed For You?
If you’re looking for a new pet, one should always give the matter careful
consideration. What is your home like? How much time do you have to spend with
your pet and, when you are home, how much of that time will be quality time,
involving things like grooming or clipping toenails. Adopting any pet is a big
responsibility and the Elf is no exception to this rule.
Known for being athletic and naked in appearance, active and robust, out-going
and very affectionate feline aka enchanted thief of hearts, the Elf cat is sure
to give you and your family hours of entertainment and love.
One of the common misconceptions about Elf cats is that, just because they’re
“hairless,” they are hypoallergenic. Not true! First off, the Elf cats is not
completely hairless but, more importantly, it all depends on what people are
allergic to - some are allergic to fur or dander, but a large variety of people
are allergic to an protein that is found in the saliva of our feline friends,
and then spread over the fur when a cat grooms himself. If you have allergies,
be sure to spend an extensive period of time around Elf cats before determining
whether or not to bring one home.
The Elf Cat
Breed Standard
The developement of the Elf has been under the guidance of the breed founder Karen Nelson.
The foundation cats come from the Sphynx and American Curl breeds. Domestics are also allowed which are cats from unrecoginezed breeds.
Each of these two breeds have a single trait that makes them distinct from all other breeds.
THe Elf cat combines the traits from the two breeds to create a unique breed of cat that is different from the two foundation breeds of Sphynx
and American Curl. These two traits are independent of each other and when
combined pose no harm to the health and well being of the new breed Elf.
Head: Shape: The head is slightly longer than it is wide with prominent cheek
bones and a distinctive whisker break with prominent whisker pads. The skull is
slightly rounded with a flat plane in front of the ears.
Eyes: Shaped as a walnut, oval on top and round on the bottom.
Placement should be at a slight angle between base of ear and tip of nose . Wide
set with a minimum of one eye width apart. Color should be clear and brilliant
with no relation to cat color, except that blue eyes are required on all pointed
cats.
Body: Torso: Medium in length, hard and muscular with broad rounded chest and
full abdomen as if just finished a meal. Legs: Medium in proportion to the body.
Sturdy well muscled with rear legs being slightly longer then the front. Front
legs widely set. Females may have slightly finer boning.
Feet: Medium in size, oval shape with long slender toes. The paw pads are
thick giving the appearance of walking on cushions.
Tail: Slender, flexible and long while maintaining proportion to body
length. Whip-like, tapering to a fine point. Musculature and Boning: Hard and
muscular, not delicate. Medium boning.
Coat/Color/Pattern: Length: Appears hairless. Short fine hair may be present
on feet, ears, nose, tail and scrotum. The remainder of the body can range from
completely hairless to a covering of down-like fur whose length doesn't
interfere with the appearance of hairlessness. Whiskers if present are sparse
and very short. Texture: Can be chamois-like to smooth skin. A feeling of
resistance may be felt when stroking the skin of some cats. The skin is very
wrinkled in kittens. Adults should retain as many wrinkles as possible,
especially on the head. Color and Pattern: Any color or pattern genetically
possible.
General Description: The Elf is a medium to large size cat with sturdy boning
and good muscle development and should have a bit of a belly as if they just
finished a meal. Whiskers and eyebrows may be present but sparse. Males can be
up to 25 percent larger so long as proper proportions are maintained. The most
distinctive features of this cat is it's appearance of curled ears and
hairlessness, although it is not truly hairless. The skin may be covered with a
fine down which is almost imperceptible to both eye and touch. The Elf by nature
is very people-oriented and affectionate. They are extremely inquisitive and
love to be the center of attention. They are active and alert with gentle and
even dispositions.
Penalize: Hair: Other than described Delicate or frail appearance.
Should not resemble the Oriental body type. Lack of wrinkles on the head. Ears:
Abrupt change of direction without smooth curve, pinch, horizontal/vertical
crimp, interior surface which appears corrugated. Non-amenable disposition.
Allowances: Lockets.
Disqualify (DQ): Any evidence of debilitating, plucking, shaving or
clipping or any other means of hair removal. Inability to handle. Kinked or
abnormal tail. Extreme curl in adult where tip of ear touches back of ear or
head. Ears that are straight, severely mismatched, thick or having inflexible
tips. Lack of firm cartilage in base of ear. Ears in which the lower portion of
the ear is abnormally flattened, has compressed ridges of cartilage and does not
have a normal, visible ear cavity. Inability to handle.
Elf Standard, 02/22/2008
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