This is one of the most unique and intriguing cat breeds in the world. American wirehair cats are so named because of their coat. Instead of the silky smooth hair that most cats have, American wirehairs have crimped hair that curls, hooks, and bends particularly on the whiskers. The unique coat pattern is the result of a random mutation that has never occurred anywhere but the United States of America. In 1966, a litter of cats was born in a barn in upstate New York. Seeing the strange coat on two of the kittens, a male and female, the owner took them to a local cat aficionado, Joan O’Shea. When she bred the male who was named, Council Rock Farm Adam to his litter mate, more kittens of the odd coat pattern were created. The mutation is a dominant pattern, but occurs in only about half of the offspring of a litter of similarly bred kittens.http://www.cfainc.org/breeds/profiles/articles/american-wh.html

Close line breeding, and careful out crossing on American shorthair cats for the hybrid vigor, established the American wirehair as a distinct breed. By 1978 the Cat Fanciers Association recognized it as a championship eligible breed. Today, the cat resembles an American shorthair in body type with a muscular build, and body that is slightly longer than it is tall. The eyes can come in a variety of colors depending on the coat pattern, but are large, nearly round, bright and set well apart. Like most other domestic shorthair cats, the American wirehair is affectionate and people oriented, making it a good pet with a coat that gives it a unique twist.

Due to hybrid vigor, American Wirehair cats are generally free of diseases and genetic problems. These cats seem to have sensitive skin and are prone to allergies. Owners will find it important to keep the coat clean with regular grooming and bathing. This is also helpful in dealing with the slightly oily skin of the breed, something they have in common with breeds of Rex Cats. Along with the oily skin, there seems to be more production of dark ear wax which should be routinely cleaned from the ears.

Because of the consistency of the hair and its implications in hairball formation, owners need to follow regular steps to prevent hairballs including routine grooming, feeding of a hairball preventing food and other hairball remedies that may be purchased through a veterinarian or pet supply catalog.