Group Classification: Shorthair and longhair divisions
Country of Origin: U.S.
Date of Origin: 1980s
Weight (M): 9-11lbs.
Weight (F): 7-9 lbs.
Life Expectancy: 12 years

History
This American breed began with Shulamith, a stray cat with long black hair and curled ears. When Grace and Joe Ruga saw her outside their California home, they began feeding her and made her their own. Half of Shulamith's kittens had the same (dominant) characteristic and they were the start of the breeding program in 1981. Careful breeding produced long haired and short haired varieties, which were dually recognized in 1986.

General Description
The American Curl is distinctive for ears that curl back, giving these medium-bodied animals an inquisitive expression. This curl is graded in stages and the arc can range from 90 to 180 degrees. The grading system is in visual degrees of curl: first degree denotes cats with ears that are just turned back; those ranked second degree are the cats commonly used for breeding. Cats graded as third degree