Ad Reference: 2872149 Pet Name: dany Pet Type: Cats Pet Sex: Male Pet Breed: Sphynx elf Advert Type: For Sale Advertiser Type: Breeder / Frequent Advertiser Council Licensed?: No Pets Microchipped: Yes Neutered: No Vaccinations Up-to-Date: Yes Registered: TICA
Elf cat is a new and extremely rare hybrid breed, the Elf cat is a playful and intelligent cat that combines the physical and personality traits of the Sphynx and American Curl cats. Elf cats are extremely sociable and friendly, and make excellent pets because they can easily integrate into any household and become part of the family.
We are long term foundation Sphynx breeders with 30 plus years of combined knowledge and experience in the Sphynx breed. We are all in good standing with TICA and CFA organizations.Currently we are showing our elf cats and kittens under the Sphynx breed in New Traits in TICA (The International Cat Association.)
ABOUT Elf Cat
There is a new meow in town …and it goes by the name Elf Cat. The excitement over this new breed is international; as two of the most personable, distinct species of cat are married together creating a cat that is different from each contributing foundation breed. When combined, there is no harm to the health or well-being of the resulting Elf Cat.
Contributing foundation breeds include the Sphynx, known for its unique hairlessness and personality, and the American Curl, known for its signature curled ears. Permissible out-crosses include Domestic Short Hair, which is any cat belonging to Felis Domesticus not registered as a recognized breed. A strong foundation has been built utilizing many bloodlines from numerous Elf Foundry Breeders located in Arizona, California, New Jersey, Idaho, Michigan, Illinois, and Georgia.
The Elf Cats most distinctive features are it’s hairlessness and curled ears. They are extremely intelligent, have a sturdy, athletic build, and are as loving and cuddly as lap dogs. Sociable and highly inquisitive, they love to be the center of attention.
Cat enthusiasts throughout the world are lining up, awaiting the arrival and availability of these incredible Elf Cats. Currently being registered as an experimental breed with The International Cat Association (TICA), Elf Cat are quickly catching the eyes of the Cat Fancy. Half Elfs resulting as non-standard kittens will be sold at prices in accordance to the respective out-crosses. Please welcome the return of the Elf into mans world…
Registrations: TICA
In addition to the elf cat being nearly hairless, it is the elf’s intelligence, affection, and playfulness that make them unique among felines. Elf cats and elf kittens have a fine down on their body, or some hair on the paws, nose, tail, or outer ears. The feel of their skin can be compared to that of chamois or somewhat rubbery. Some people who suffer from cat allergies can tolerate living with elf cats. However, depending on the type and severity of the individual’s allergic reactions, there are still people who cannot live with elf cats or elf kittens. It is always recommend that you visit a breeder to see if you have allergies to the elf cat.
Elf cats and elf kittens get along great with other pets. They quickly adapt to other cats, dogs, or any other pets in you household. Two elf cat are always better than one! Elf cats and elf kittens require a lot of attention and can get very lonely when left alone. Because of this we always discount for anyone purchasing more than one elf from us!
OUR ELF BREEDING PROGRAM
We began our Elf Cat endeavor in 2007. It has been a very long journey since then. The decision to start our Elf Program was not taken lightly and there was a lot of thought before we came to the decision. After doing extensive research on the American Curl (which is the outcross used to produce our naked curls) that is when I realized this outcross WILL benefit our sphynx breed more than anything. The American Curl is an extremely healthy breed with an amazing body structure and of course those cute curly ears READ ME. Using them as an outcross to our sphynx poses no harm and in the end will make a more healthy naked cat. CURLED EARS from the American Curl is A SPONTANEOUS NATURAL MUTATION just like the hairless gene. Two noted geneticists, Solveig Pflueger and Roy Robinson, were contacted to study this unusual mutation of the American Curl in 1985. They each determined that the peculiar curled ear was a genetic trait and was inherited in every case, causing it to be labeled a dominant gene, with no deformities attached to it. Referred to as a spontaneous mutation, the gene that causes the ear to curl appeared to be following a single dominant pattern. All cats in our Elf program are scanned for HCM and we also hope by using the American Curl (which has no known genetic defects) our chances of producing HCM positive kittens will be reduced drastically. Some feel that breeders are producing Elf Cats just to make money on a “Designer Breed”…. I believe people that say this do so because they are close minded and don’t really know how beneficial it is to outcross with very healthy breeds like the AC. Any responsible breeder knows that breeding is a hobby and a lot of hard work no matter what breed. We did not start selling pet kittens until 2011 and even then there was very few going to pet homes. Many of our first kittens stayed in our program or went to other responsible breeders working on the Elf Cats. Outcrossing is very expensive to do and starting a new breed is 100x that. Almost every breed out there was made by putting 2 breeds together at some point. We would not have a lot of our wonderful cat and dog breeds today without the determination of a few breeders working very hard for the same goal. I am so glad to have the Elfs in my life…. they are the sweetest little kitties I have ever met and I could not imagine the world without them.
Because the Elf cat is such a new and extremely rare breed, its history is somewhat limited. Breeders and cat enthusiasts Karen Nelson and Kristen Leedom are considered to be the creators of the breed; in 2004 Nelson and Leedom came together with a vision of breeding a cat with curled ears that retained the personality and physical attributes of their beloved Sphynx cats.
The Elf cat was successfully developed from crossing the Sphynx and American Curl cat breeds. Each these two breeds has a single distinctive trait, and the Elf cat was designed to combine them. The most distinctive features of this cat are the appearance of curled ears, taken from the American Curl, and hairlessness, taken from the Sphynx. However, like the Sphynx, the Elf cat is not actually completely hairless; its skin may be covered with a very fine fur that’s practically imperceptible to both the eye and by touch.
The medium to large Elf cat has an athletic, muscular body that’s similar to the Sphynx, and they also inherited their prominent cheek bones and whisker pads. The Elf’s whiskers and eyebrows are sparse and short, while their skin is wrinkled around the shoulders, ears, and muzzle. The breed takes their ears, which are curled backwards, from the American Curl cat, which is caused by a naturally-occurring genetic mutation; ear furnishings are also missing.
Many of the Elf cats are now in generations that are exhibiting the traits that were originally envisioned, and they are starting to be introduced in International Cat Association (TICA) showhalls. Once the required numbers were met, the original creators and breed enthusiasts gained acceptance of the Elf cat as a new trait of the Sphynx cat; the Elf cat has been accepted for registration with TICA, and are shown as Sphynx with new traits at cat shows.
Elf Cat Care
The Elf cat is generally considered to be a low-maintenance cat breed. Due to the fact that the Elf cat is hairless, potential owners won’t need to worry about shedding. However, these cats will require an routine bath or wipe-down. Regular grooming is important to remove secretions from the skin, otherwise an Elf cat can become sticky to the touch or even develop skin issues. Many Elf cats tolerate (and even enjoy) an occasional bath.
The Elf cat is a very sociable, gentle breed, which means that it can easily adapt to most household settings and family structures. They also adjust well to other pets in the home. However, their lack of hair means they must remain indoor cars for their comfort and safety.
The Elf cat was bred to perpetuate the best personality qualities of both the Sphynx and American Curl cats, such as friendliness and affection. They are also considered to be one of the most intelligent of all cat breeds. Because they’re so outgoing and social, they desire more human contact and interaction than the average cat and therefore are best suited to homes where they won’t be left alone for long periods of time. They will also be happier sharing their home with a fellow feline to play with.
Elf cats are active and gentle cats that love to be the center of attention, and they are also extremely inquisitive and playful (and have been known to get into a little bit of mischief). Potential Elf cat owners should be aware that these cats love to climb and will want to play with pretty much anything that’s within their reach, so ample playtime and lots of toys–as well as high shelves or other safe spaces where they can climb–is a must.
Common Health Problems
Because of their hairless bodies, sunburn, sensitivity to hot and cold weather, and other skin issues are potential concerns for Elf cat owners. Their delicate skin can also be easily injured, such as when playing with a cat companion. The Elf cat is considered a healthy cat, and as a newer breed, genetic health issues have yet to be determined. However, they may be susceptible to health conditions that impact their parent breeds, such as heart and gum issues.
Diet and Nutrition
Like all breeds, the Elf cat can be susceptible to weight-related issues such as obesity or heart disease, so they should be fed a high-protein, high-quality diet and receive plenty of exercise in the form of playtime with their families. Potential Elf owners should know that both the Sphynx and American curl breeds tend to have robust appetites (and have a prominent belly to prove it), so it’s that much more important to feed these cats a proper, balanced diet.
Pros
Gentle and great with families
Friendly to other cats and animals
Cons
Requires regular grooming
Cannot go outdoors
Where to Adopt or Buy an Elf Cat
Elf cats are very rare, so be sure to check local animal shelters and rescue groups for these cats that are in need of a forever home, as well as reputable breeders.
Be sure to do your homework when choosing a cat. Talk to other Elf cat owners, reputable breeders, and rescue groups to learn more about this particular breed and their care. There’s a variety of cat breeds and with a little research, you can be sure you’ll find the right dog to bring home.
If you’re interested in learning more about other cats, consider these breeds:
3 Little-Known Facts About Elf Cat
1.Elf cats are a hybrid breed
The Elf cat is a hybrid created by breeding the American Curl and the Sphynx. They were first developed in 2004, for the challenge of breeding a cat with both curled ears and a hairless body.
2.They’ve been accepted for registration with TICA
Elf cats are still incredibly rare, but they have now been accepted for registration with the International Cat Association. They’re shown under the Sphynx with new traits category.
3.Elf cats need special care
With their hairless bodies, Elf cats are sensitive to changes in temperature. Many owners of Elf cats decide to keep them indoors, as they can feel the cold easily and are prone to sunburn. Their delicate skin can also get cut or lacerated more easily than other breeds.
You won’t need to brush your Elf cat’s fur, but their skin does require special attention. This includes wiping your cat down to remove oily secretions and giving them a bath when necessary.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Elf Cat
Elf cats are extremely sociable, playful, and intelligent. They love to be surrounded by their family and won’t enjoy being left alone for long periods of time. They adapt well to living in a multi-pet household, especially since there will always be someone for them to play with.
Their playfulness means they need plenty of mental stimulation to keep them active and content. Food games, hide and seek, chasing catnip mice, and racing up and down the stairs are all games that an Elf cat will love.
Are These Cats Good for Families? 👪
Elf cats can make great family pets, and they’re sociable enough to get along with life in a busy household. They usually adore children, as long as the kids know how to play with a cat respectfully. Older kids may love to train an Elf cat. They have delicate skin that can be easily damaged, so make sure anyone playing with an Elf cat takes extra care.
They love to be the center of attention, so they will happily entertain everyone with their antics.
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?
Elf cats generally adapt well to life in a multi-pet household. They’re sociable and confident enough to enjoy living in the same house as a dog, as long as those initial introductions are carefully managed.
They also enjoy living with other elf cat, especially if they can be persuaded to play! Elf cat don’t have a huge prey drive, so they can usually live in a house with smaller pets, like rodents, without any problems. Just make sure the smaller pets are housed in a separate part of the house, and never leave them and cats unattended together.
Things to Know When Owning an Elf Cat
Deciding to add an Elf cat to your family isn’t just a matter of whether you can afford the high initial cost of buying a kitten. You also need to make sure you can meet your cat’s needs on a daily basis. Whether that’s sourcing a specific food or making sure their vaccinations are up to date, you’re responsible for your cat’s wellbeing.
Before you start searching for an Elf kitten, here’s more information to be aware of.
Food & Diet Requirements
Hairless cats like the Elf cat can have sensitive digestive systems, so it’s worth asking your kitten’s breeder what brand of food they use and sticking to that, at least to start with.
Elf cats need to burn more calories than haired breeds in order to maintain their body temperature. This means it’s vital to select a high-quality food to help them feel their best. Make sure that real meat is the first ingredient and that the food is free from artificial colors and flavors.
Elf cats have inherited a prominent belly shape from their Sphynx parents. They generally have a good appetite, but make sure you work with your vet to keep your Elf cat at a healthy weight. A protruding belly is normal, but excessive fat across other areas of their bodies may mean they’re becoming overweight.
Exercise 🐈
Elf cats can quickly feel too cold due to their hairless coats. They can also be prone to sunburn. For both these reasons, it’s best to keep them as an indoor cat. Some Elf cats may need a heated bed or a sweater to wear if you live in a very cold climate.
Elf cats are also incredibly rare, so that’s another good reason for keeping your precious kitty indoors. They’re friendly and sociable, so they may just make friends with someone outside who decides that they’d rather steal someone else’s rare breed cat than pay for one of their own.
Indoor cats need plenty of enrichment within their environment to keep them happy and engaged. Consider adding things like scratching posts, cat condos, high shelves, and other items that your Elf cat can climb and sit on. They love being up high! Also, things like birdwatching stations, outdoor enclosures, and plenty of playtime can keep your Elf cat feeling satisfied.
Training 🧶
The playful and intelligent character of the Elf cat makes them the perfect candidate for kitty training sessions! Using positive reinforcement and food rewards are great ways to keep your cat feeling engaged. Regular training sessions are excellent enrichment activities for your cat.
Elf cats can enjoy going for walks outside on a leash and harness, as long as they’re appropriately protected from the weather.
Grooming ✂️
The Elf cat’s body might look hairless, but sometimes, it’s actually covered in a very light covering of soft hair. Grooming wise, they don’t need much more than the occasional wipe-down with a soft cloth to remove the oily secretions that can build up and leave your Elf cat feeling sticky.
Some Elf cats enjoy being bathed, but be sure to use a shampoo that’s designed for cats. Bathing up to once every 2 weeks is a good idea, and wipe down your cat with a soft cloth or baby wipes in between those times.
Their lack of hair can also cause dirt to build up in their ears and eyes more quickly than most breeds. You can clean out these areas using a cotton ball or baby wipe.
Health and Conditions
It’s not yet clear which health conditions commonly affect the Elf cat. We’ve outlined known conditions below, but be aware that there may be others that haven’t been discovered yet.
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