Elf Cats overview

The Elf Cat was established in 2007 after extensive research went into its health and viability, and obtaining the approval from the geneticists at TICA.  Elf breed founders, Karen Nelson and Kristen Leedom would work towards developing a standard of perfection for the Elf Cat and Karen Nelson continued on to write the breed standard that a small group of dedicated breeders are currently working towards.

The first litter of Elf kittens was 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.

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 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.

Elf cats are friendly, intelligent cats that are agile and have personality plus. They respond well to handling and are very interactive not only with their humans but also with other cats and cat-friendly dogs.

The Elf cat has a very unique appearance, but its personality is even more unusual. It is 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.  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.  They will follow that individual around faithfully, winding around legs and wagging their tails 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. They are lovers, not fighters and their soft skin and lack of fur means 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 have other pets, supervision is mandatory.

Caring for an Elf cat has to be a walk in the park, right?  This is a common misconception many people have about owning a hairless cat. Unfortunately, while the concept of owning a cat that requires no grooming is very nice, is in truth 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 feels good to your pet and is quality bonding time that can also alert you to potential problems before they become serious.

The Elf cat requires regular grooming, not only for the reason just mentioned 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" to touch and even leading to sore patches, acne, and other skin ailments. It is also very important to clean your Elf kitten's ears regularly in order to avoid a buildup of earwax.  Left to clog the ear canal, earwax can lead to infection or at the very least, runs the risk of your kitten hurting himself by pawing at his ears.

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.

Source: http://cat-breeds.cats-central.com