La Perm Cat Breed Information
Also known as: LaPerm, Dalles La Perm
A curly-coated cat that traces to a single mutant kitten on an Oregon barn in 1982. The breed comes in short and long coat lengths, with the curl most pronounced on the ruff and tail.
A highly affectionate, great with young children, friendly with strangers cat. On the practical side: low grooming demands and minimal drool.
About the La Perm.
The La Perm is a curly-coated cat that traces to a single mutant kitten on an Oregon barn in 1982. The breed exists in short and long coat lengths and produces a wavy or curly coat with the curl most pronounced on the ruff and tail.
Personality and behaviour
Calm, affectionate, modestly active. The breed is people-oriented but less demanding than Cornish or Devon Rex.
Care and grooming
Weekly brushing with a wide-tooth comb. Very low shedding.
Indoor vs outdoor in New Zealand
Indoor or catio.
Where to find a La Perm in New Zealand
NZCF and Catz Inc list registered breeders (NZCF La Perm, Catz Inc La Perm). NZ litters are infrequent. Waitlist long, NZD 1,500 to 3,000.
The La Perm, by the numbers.
Each trait scored 1 to 5 on the AKC scale. The verdict synthesises the data; the panels below show the strengths, group averages, and the full trait table.
Top strengths
Family Life
avg 4.3Affectionate with Family
Good with Young Children
Good with Other Pets
Physical
avg 1.5Shedding
Grooming Frequency
Social
avg 3.5Openness to Strangers
Playfulness
Adaptability
Independence
Personality
avg 2.6Trainability
Energy Level
Vocal Level
Prey Drive
Mental Stimulation Needs
Living with a La Perm.
A 24-hour breakdown of how this breed's day typically goes, scaled to its energy, mental-stimulation, and grooming needs.
What a La Perm costs to own.
An indicative NZ lifetime cost: purchase, setup, then food, vet, insurance, grooming and other annual outgoings. Adjust the inputs to see how your choices change the total.
A La Perm costs about
$138per month
$32
$5
$25,650
Adjust the inputs:
Where the monthly cost goes
Food
$33 / mo
$400/yr · breed-appropriate dry & wet food
Insurance
$32 / mo
$380/yr · lifetime cover protects against breed-specific claims
Vet (avg)
$39 / mo
$470/yr · routine checks plus breed-specific risk
Grooming
$8 / mo
$100/yr · brushes, shampoo, professional clips
Other
$25 / mo
$300/yr · toys, treats, dental, boarding
Indicative NZ averages calculated from breed weight, grooming need and screened-condition count. One-off costs (purchase $2,250 + setup $300) are factored into the lifetime total but not the monthly figure.
How does the La Perm compare?
This breed
La Perm
$25,650
14-year lifetime cost
- Purchase + setup$2,550
- Food (lifetime)$5,600
- Vet (lifetime)$6,580
- Insurance (lifetime)$5,320
- Grooming (lifetime)$1,400
- Other (lifetime)$4,200
Reference
Average NZ cat
$23,600
14-year lifetime cost
- Purchase + setup$500
- Food (lifetime)$7,000
- Vet (lifetime)$5,600
- Insurance (lifetime)$5,600
- Grooming (lifetime)$1,400
- Other (lifetime)$3,500
A La Perm costs about $2,050 more over a lifetime than the average nz cat, mostly higherpurchase + setup and lowerfood.
What to ask the breeder.
Reputable NZ cat breeders test for these conditions and share results. The bigger health drivers for the breed appear in the Common group.
Common
1 conditionDental disease
A common condition in the La Perm. Ask the breeder about screening.
Rare but urgent
1 conditionGenerally healthy breed
Rare in the La Perm but worth knowing the warning signs.
The La Perm in NZ.
- Popularity: A rare NZ pedigree breed.
- Typical price: NZ$1500–3000 from registered breeders or rescues
- Rescue availability: rare
- NZ climate fit: Curly coat handles cooler regions.
- Living space: Apartments and houses both suit.
Who the La Perm is for.
Suits
- Mildly allergic households (low shed, often better tolerated)
- Calm households
- Owners wanting a curly cat without the high energy of Cornish or Devon Rex
Less suited to
- Outdoor-roaming setups
Common questions.
Is the La Perm hypoallergenic?
If the La Perm appeals, also consider.
Breeds with a similar profile that might suit your household.
Selkirk Rex
The most patient and laid-back of the curly-coated cat breeds. Unlike the Cornish Rex and Devon Rex, the Selkirk Rex has all three normal coat layers, just curly, and a calm Persian-style temperament rather than a vocal active one.
Cornish Rex
Small, slender cat with an extremely soft curly coat made entirely of down hair (no guard hairs). Highly active, dog-like in temperament, and one of the most social pedigree breeds.
Devon Rex
Small, large-eared, curly-coated cat with a mischievous and dog-like personality. The Devon Rex's curly coat comes from a spontaneous gene mutation in a Devonshire stray in 1959. Sociable, attention-seeking, and a poor fit for households where the cat is alone all day.
Last reviewed:
Sources for this pageInformation only. Breed traits and health notes on this page are aggregated from public registry and breed-authority sources. Individual animals vary; this page is general information, not veterinary, behavioural, or insurance advice. Always consult a registered NZ vet or breeder for guidance specific to your situation.