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The American Wirehair needs help!

post #1 of 5
3/31/10 at 5:14pm
Thread Starter 
Somebody really needs to step up and save the American Wirehair from disappearing. It is the rarest cat breed in existence, and I don't know the number of registered cats now, but I believe it is less than 50.
This is a truly unique breed with a gene/coat found in no other breed, and to lose it would truly be a shame. I can only find two breeders of the Wirehair on the internet!
Please, if there are any cat breeders out there who could manage to take on a couple more cats, you would really be doing this beautiful breed a favor! I would hate to see it go extinct.

Here is a link to a list of breeders of Wirehairs:
http://www.breedlist.com/breeders/amew.html

It lists four, but not all of them breed Wirehairs anymore.
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post #2 of 5
3/31/10 at 7:04pm
Agree they are a unique breed, but the wire hair feeling is not a popular one for most people that like cats. Personally I would rather pet a soft coat then one that felt like a wirehair dog.

If you look at purebred cat history there are many breeds that have become extinct due to lack of interest, etc. Simple fact is that unless you have a market for them, it makes no sense to breed them and not have homes.
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post #3 of 5
3/31/10 at 7:09pm
I have seen them at shows and do not like how the fur feels on them.
Some of my friends LaPerms have the wire feeling also.
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post #4 of 5
3/31/10 at 9:50pm
Maximum411, if you feel so strongly about the American Wirehair, then perhaps you should become involved with breed preservation and promotion. Do you have a Wirehair as a pet? Have you ever tried to show one? Showing is a big part of breed promotion. Your obvious passion for the breed is something that is a necessity in the cat fancy, and always welcome Many of us breeders work with our chosen breeds because we have a deep love for our breed and wish to both preserve and promote its unique traits.


The American Wirehair has been doing well recently as far as breed promotion goes. A Wirehair was voted one of the IAMS Cat Idols at last year's Meet the Breeds event in NYC. The spectators at the show were utterly fascinated by the cats' coat texture, as the breeders working the wirehair breed booth encouraged people to pet their cats and feel the coat for themselves. I've also been seeing a number of Wirehairs out at the shows. Not all breeders keep a website and not all breeders pay for the breedlist's services. But it's true, there are very few breeders working with the wirehair.
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post #5 of 5
4/1/10 at 8:04pm
Thread Starter 
I don't think it's the wiry feel that's the problem, I think it is just a problem of breed promotion (although it's fantastic to hear that it was promoted at the IAMS cat idols, FerrisCat ). I mean, how many people have heard of an American Wirehair? After all, wirehair dog breeds are very popular, and I'm sure there are plenty of cat people out there who would like the American Wirehair if they knew about it. I believe such a unique cat breed is a treasure that should not be lost.
I would love to get involved with the breed, but I'm currently still in school and don't have my own place. As soon as I do, though, I will almost certainly get a wirehair and perhaps breed them one day as well. I just hope they don't disappear before then! I believe this breed has great potential and like you said, FerrisCat, promotion is vital if more people are going to learn about and become involved with the breed.
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