Poodle Cat: History, Popular Breeds, Food, Care & More

Poodle cat is a specific breed of Cat, known for it’s curly, fluffy coats. Actually, the term “Poodle cat” is commonly applied to cats with curly fur, but major cat registry organizations do not officially recognize the breed. Rex breeds like the Selkirk Rex, Devon Rex, LaPerm, and Cornish Rex are often called poodle cats.

Many a time, mixed-breed cats with a rex parent are referred to as poodles. But it is important to note that these cats are not a cross between Poodles and cats. They are a purebred breed of Cat with a natural curly coat, and each of them is unique for their coat, the rest of their appearance, and temperament, but the Selkrik Rex is the most popular one. Moreover, there is a common saying that the official breed name of the Poodle Cat is the Selkirk Rex.

Poodle cat gets their name from their curly coat, which resembles that of a Poodle dog, and they are similar to these dogs because of their tightly curled fur. Their fur is usually tightly curled, and can even extend to their whiskers and eyebrows. All of the cats of this breed have one thing in common, which is Curly Fur. People also call them “cats in sheep’s clothing” because their coat is akin to that of a sheep. The German name for the breed is Pudelkatze. 

Poodle Cat History:

Rosemarie Wolf, A German Scottish Fold breeder developed the breed in 1987 by crossing a Devon Rex cat with a Scottish Fold cat, which was called Pudelkatze, which means “Poodle cat. However, it’s also said that the breed was first discovered in Montana in 1987 by a Persian cat breeder named Jeri Newman, who cross-bred a black Persian male with a stray cat, named Miss DePesto that had a curly coat, resulting in a new breed of Cat with curly coats which is recognized as Selkirk Rex we know today.

Poodle Cat’s recognization by different Associations:

In 1992: The International Cat Association (TICA) officially recognized the Cat breed as a new one.

In 1998: The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) officially recognized the Cat Breed as a new one.

Poodle Cat Appearance:

The Poodles are large, healthy cats, known for their gentle and affectionate personalities. These cats typically have a round, fluffy head wire, with large and expressive eyes and a short nose. Their ears are often folded, but they can also be natural. Their bodies are long and slender, with long, muscular legs. Their tails are also long and bushy. They have a soft, curly coat like lambswool that comes in a variety of colours and patterns. The coat is relatively low-maintenance and requires only occasional brushing to remove loose hair.  

An Overview of the Poodle Cat’s Appearance:

Head:

Round head with a short nose
Large, expressive eyes
Medium-sized, pointed ears
Long, wiry whiskers

Body:

Medium-sized to large Cat
Sturdy build
Long tail
Slightly elongated body with a slightly arched back

Coat:

Curly or wavy coat
Any colour or pattern, but the most common colours are black, white, brown, and cream.

Poodle Cat Temperament:

Poodles are known for their gentle and affectionate personalities. They are very loving and loyal to their owners, and they enjoy spending time with people of all ages. They are also very playful and curious cats.

Poodle Cat Care and Grooming:

Poodles need to be brushed and trimmed regularly to keep their coats looking neat and tidy and distribute the natural oils in their fur. Moreover, regular brushing helps to prevent their coats from becoming matted and tangled. Regular trimming This will help to prevent their nails from becoming overgrown and painful. 

Poodle Cat Health:

Poodles are generally healthy cats, but they are prone to a few health conditions, including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a type of heart disease. It is essential to have Poodles screened for these conditions by a veterinarian.

Some of the most popular poodle cat breeds:

American Curl

The American Curl is a medium-sized cat that is popular for its long, curly fur. They have a distinctive curled-back ear, which is caused by a dominant gene. American Curl cats are known for being playful and affectionate, and they make great family pets.

Key characteristics of American Curl cats:

Size: Medium-sized, weighing between 5 and 10 pounds
Coat: Comes in both shorthaired and longhaired varieties
Colours: Can be any colour or pattern – Brown, white, black, blue, red, cream, chocolate, lilac, silver, or golden
Lifespan: 13+ years
Temperament: Friendly, affectionate, playful, intelligent, curious, adaptable, even-tempered

Cornish Rex

The Cornish Rex is a medium-sized cat with short, wavy fur. They are long-tailed and have a lean frame. Cornish Rex cats are known for being energetic and playful, and they love to climb and explore.

Key characteristics of Cornish Rex cats:

Size: Small to medium-sized cats with a long, slender body weighing 5 to 10 pounds.
Coat:  Very short, curly coat that feels like velvet to the touch.
Colours: A wide variety of Colours and Patterns, including Black, White, Brown, Tabby, and Calico.
Lifespan: 12 to 15 Years.
Temperament: Affectionate, Playful, Intelligent, Easygoing, Adaptable, Social.

Devonshire Rex

The Devonshire Rex is a medium-sized cat with short, wavy fur. They have a pixie-like appearance with large ears and eyes. Devonshire Rex cats are known for being intelligent and curious, and they love to learn new tricks.

Key characteristics of Devonshire Rex cats:

Size: Medium-sized cats, typically weighing between 6 and 9 pounds.
Coat: Very short, wavy, and feels like soft down or suede.
Colours: Wide variety of Colours and Patterns, including Solid, Bi-color, and Tortoiseshell.
Lifespan: 10 to 12 Years.
Temperament: Intelligent and curious, Active and playful, Social and affectionate, Adaptable and easygoing, Gentle and good with children and other pets.

LaPerm

The LaPerm is a medium-sized cat With long, silky, velvety fur. Their fur can be curly, wavy, or straight, and it can be any colour or pattern. LaPerm cats are known for being affectionate and gentle, and they make excellent lap cats.

Key characteristics of American Curl cats:

Size: Medium-sized cats, typically weighing between 6 and 10 pounds.
Coat: Short or long, and the curls can range from loose waves to tight ringlets.
Colours: Any Colour or Pattern, including Solid, Tabby, Calico, and Tortoiseshell.
Lifespan: 10 to 15 Years.
Temperament: Affectionate, Playful, Intelligent, Curious, Adaptable.

Selkirk Rex

The Selkirk Rex is a medium-sized cat with long, curly fur. They have a distinctive round face and large ears. Selkirk Rex cats are known for being sweet and gentle, making great companions for people of all ages. In fact, this one is the most popular breed of Poodle cat.

Key characteristics of Selkirk Rex cats:

Size: Medium to large sized cat with a solid build.
Coat: Soft, woolly coat that comes in both short and long hair varieties.
Colours: Wide variety of Colours and Patterns, including Chocolate, Lilac, White, Black, Red, Bicolor combinations, and Pointed coats
Lifespan: 10 to 15 years.
Temperament: Active and playful, Social and affectionate, Adaptable and easygoing.

The Poodle is still relatively new and rare, but it has become more popular in recent years, especially on social media. They captivate a lot of people with their distinct looks and lively personalities. In fact, Poodles are a popular choice for families with children.