What Kind of Cat is the American Wirehair?

March 17, 2023

Photo credit: Cat Fanciers Association

If you’ve never heard of the American Wirehair Cat, you’re not alone. Featured as the CFA’s cat breed of the month, the American Wirehair is a relatively new breed of cat that first came into existence in 1966, New York.

Unique to Vernon, America, the Wirehair Cat is a very rare breed that can only be found in the US. This line of cats got their beginnings from a Wirehaired sire named Council Rock Farms Adams of Hi-Fi and a female Shorthair called Tip-Top. They have since been adopted by other countries, including Canada and Germany.

American Wirehair vs. American Shorthair

The distinguishing feature of the Wirehair is, you guessed it, their wiry hair! A result of a spontaneous birth mutation with the American Shorthair, the wiry coat of the American Wirehair separates it from all other breeds of cats. Together with their crazy whiskers and hairy, crimped ears, the American Wirehair is a pretty frizzy cat that requires minimal grooming!

Apart from their wiry, springy coats, the American Wirehair differs from the Shorthair in many other features, such as their round heads, high cheekbones and a pronounced nose. They come in all colours and usually have golden eyes. Some white Wirehair cats are born with blue or amber eye colour.

American Wirehair Temperament

As far as temperament goes, the American Wirehair is said to be the same as its cousin, the American Domestic Shorthair. Owners of the breed describe the Wirehair as an indoor-loving cat that is cute and funny. Just as happy to play or cuddle up on your lap, the American Shorthair is a gentle, reserved and loving breed with a quiet voice. Like all cats, though, they do have energetic spurts during the day (or night) when they are active and playful. An allround delightful feline companion. 

Breeding and Adopting Information

Breeders report the American Wirehair as a healthy, easy-to-care-for breed. You can find an American Wirehair for about $800 to $1200, according to the Grand Champion, National or Regional Winning or Distinguished Merit (DM) parentage. Parentage is determined by the mother Wirehair having produced five CFA Grand Champion/Premier (alter) or DM offspring, or a sire (father) having produced fifteen CFA Grand Champion/Premier or DM offspring. 

Adopting a rescue Wirehair will cost you anywhere from $80 to $150.

The American Wirehair were first registered with the Cat Fanciers Association in 1967 and for Championship competition in 1978.

When looking for a breeder for the American Wirehair Cat, the Cat Fanciers Association gives this advice:

Usually breeders make kittens available between twelve and sixteen weeks of age. After twelve weeks, kittens have had their basic inoculations and developed the physical and social stability needed for a new environment, showing or being transported by air. Keeping such a rare treasure indoors, neutering or spaying, and providing acceptable surfaces (e.g. scratching posts) for the natural behaviour of scratching (CFA disapproves of declawing or tendonectomy surgery) are essential elements for maintaining a healthy, long and joyful life. 

For more information, please contact the Breed Council Secretary for this breed.