| Elf Cat Foundry Breeders |
The Elf Cat
This site is dedicated to the Elf cat and its
breeders. We offer information about the breed
and how it has evolved. We have supplied a
breeder page which lists the names, websites and
e-mails of the breeders of this group from whom
you can obtain information and or an Elf
cat/kitten for pet buyers and breeders.
This site is dedicated to the Elf cat and its
breeders. We offer information about the breed
and how it has evolved. We have supplied a
breeder page which lists the names, websites and
e-mails of the breeders of this group from whom
you can obtain information and or an Elf
cat/kitten for pet buyers and breeders.
The Elf: Enchanted Thief of Hearts
Chances are the Elf has heard it all - wrinkled aliens of the cat world, alien cats, and freak cats, to name a
few. It takes a special kind of person to love one of these enchanted felines but, those who do, consider
themselves some of the luckiest people in the world. While the appearance of the Elf may take some
getting used to, this thief of hearts has a personality that is unmatched. Named the Elf cat because of
their elf-like appearance (slightly curved ears).
The Elf is a new hybrid, the product of crossing an American Curl with a 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
obtaining the approval from the geneticists at TICA. Elf breed founder, Karen Nelson of Arizona,
wrote the breed standard that this 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 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
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. 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.
Elf Grooming Requirements
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.
Elf Cat Health Concerns
The Elf cat is still a very young breed and because of this we are still gathering information about them
almost daily. We chose the American Curl to cross with the Sphynx because she is known to be the most
genetically free of defects in the purebred cat world. For that reason combined with what is known as
“hybrid vigor,” (where out-crossing Domestic Shorthairs helps to stabilize and strengthen the existing
line when bred back, i.e., Sphynx-to DSH, American Curl-to Sphynx, DSH to Elf) the Elf should
have far fewer health concerns than most purebred cats. With the breeds combined the Elf should be a
very stable cat.
Is the Elf Cat the Right Breed For You?
When 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 when you are home? How much of that time
will be quality time such as playtime, grooming, clipping claws and cleaning ears? Adopting any pet is a
serious commitment and the Elf is no exception.
A common misconception about Sphynx or Elf cats is because they’re “hairless” they are hypoallergenic.
Not true! The fact is it all depends on what an individual is allergic to. Some are allergic to fur or dander
but many react to a protein found in the saliva of our feline friends, which is spread over the fur (or skin)
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.
Known for being athletic and naked in appearance, active and robust, out-going and very affectionate,
the Elf cat is sure to give you and your family hours of entertainment and love.
Chances are the Elf has heard it all - wrinkled aliens of the cat world, alien cats, and freak cats, to name a
few. It takes a special kind of person to love one of these enchanted felines but, those who do, consider
themselves some of the luckiest people in the world. While the appearance of the Elf may take some
getting used to, this thief of hearts has a personality that is unmatched. Named the Elf cat because of
their elf-like appearance (slightly curved ears).
The Elf is a new hybrid, the product of crossing an American Curl with a 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
obtaining the approval from the geneticists at TICA. Elf breed founder, Karen Nelson of Arizona,
wrote the breed standard that this 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 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
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. 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.
Elf Grooming Requirements
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.
Elf Cat Health Concerns
The Elf cat is still a very young breed and because of this we are still gathering information about them
almost daily. We chose the American Curl to cross with the Sphynx because she is known to be the most
genetically free of defects in the purebred cat world. For that reason combined with what is known as
“hybrid vigor,” (where out-crossing Domestic Shorthairs helps to stabilize and strengthen the existing
line when bred back, i.e., Sphynx-to DSH, American Curl-to Sphynx, DSH to Elf) the Elf should
have far fewer health concerns than most purebred cats. With the breeds combined the Elf should be a
very stable cat.
Is the Elf Cat the Right Breed For You?
When 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 when you are home? How much of that time
will be quality time such as playtime, grooming, clipping claws and cleaning ears? Adopting any pet is a
serious commitment and the Elf is no exception.
A common misconception about Sphynx or Elf cats is because they’re “hairless” they are hypoallergenic.
Not true! The fact is it all depends on what an individual is allergic to. Some are allergic to fur or dander
but many react to a protein found in the saliva of our feline friends, which is spread over the fur (or skin)
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.
Known for being athletic and naked in appearance, active and robust, out-going and very affectionate,
the Elf cat is sure to give you and your family hours of entertainment and love.
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| Copyright Elf Cat Foundry Breeders 2008 |
| All Rights Reserved No Part of the above can be copied or used in any manner without consent of the author. |
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