Why are some LaPerms born with straight hair? Does this mean that they do not breed true?
The LaPerm does breed true, but like some other breeds recessive genes will always be a part of the breed. Straight-hair is recessive to curly-hair in LaPerms. To keep the gene pool healthy and to increase the numbers of cats. However the LaPerm breeding program makes use of some cats which are straight haired and many curly cats which carry the recessive gene for straight hair (called heterozygous LaPerms), as well as homozygous LaPerms which do not carry straight hair. This means that sometimes the recessive straight hair gene can surface when breeding from heterozygous LaPerms, and when a heterozygous LaPerm is mated to a straight haired cat about half the kittens are straight haired or LaPerm Variants. These straight haired cats are very beautiful with extremely soft silky flat coats and the same loving natures as their curly brothers and sisters. They can also play a valuable role in the LaPerm breeding program.
