Scale of Points

HEAD 20 Shape & Size 8 Profile 6 Muzzle 4 Chin 2 EARS 30 Degree of Curl 10 Shape & Size 10 Placement 8 Furnishings 2 EYES 10 Shape & Size 6 Placement 3 Color 1 BODY 25 Torso & Neck 9 Size & Boning 6 Legs & Feet 5 Tail Length 5 COAT AND COLOR 15 Silky Texture 6 Minimal Undercoat 4 Body Coat Length 2 Tail Coat Length 2 Color 1

General:
The distinctive feature of the American Curl is their attractive, uniquely curled ears. The original American Curl, a longhaired female named Shulamith, was first noted in Southern California in 1981. Selective breeding began in 1983. Curls are well balanced, moderately muscled, slender rather than massive in build. Females weigh 5 to 8 pounds, males weigh 7 to 10 pounds. Proper proportion and balance are more important than size. Allowance is to be made for normal male characteristics. They are alert, active, with gentle, even dispositions.

Head:
Shape: modified wedge without flat planes, moderately longer than wide, smooth transitions.
Profile: nose moderate in length and straight, slight rise from bottom of eyes to forehead, gentle curve to top of head, flowing into neck, without a break. Size: medium in proportion to body.
Muzzle: rounded with gentle transition, no pronounced whisker break.
Chin: firm, in line with nose and upper lip.

Ears:
Degree: minimum 90 degree arc of curl, not to exceed 180 degrees. Firm cartilage from ear base to at least 1/3 of height. Shape: wide at base and open, curving back in smooth arc when viewed from front and rear. Tips rounded and flexible.
Size: moderately large.
Placement: erect, set equally on top and side of head.
Furnishings: desirable.
Note: when Curls are alert with ears swiveled toward front, lines following curve of ear through tips should point to center of base of skull. (Lines following curve of ear through tips beyond 90 and up to 180 degrees may intersect at a point farther up on skull, but not beyond top of skull.

Eyes:
Shape: walnut, oval on top and round on bottom.
Placement: set on slight angle between base of ear and tip of nose one eye width apart. Size: moderately large.
Color: clear, brilliant, no relation to coat color except blue eyes required in colorpoint class.

Body:
Torso Shape: semi-foreign rectangle, length one and one-half times height at shoulder, medium depth of chest and flank.
Size: intermediate, with allowances for larger males.
Musculature: moderate strength and tone, flexible.
Tail: flexible, wide at base, tapering; equal to body length.
Legs: length medium in proportion to body, set straight when viewed from front or rear. Medium boning, neither fine nor heavy.
Neck: medium.
Feet: medium and rounded.

Coat & color:
Longhair Division:
Texture: fine, silky, laying flat. Undercoat: minimal.
Coat length: semi-long.
Tail coat: full and plumed.
Color: all colors accepted as listed.

Shorthair Division:
Texture: soft, silky, laying flat, resilient without a plush dense feel. Undercoat: minimal.
Coat length: short.
Tail coat: same length as body coat.
Color: all colors accepted as listed.

Penalize:
Ears: low set; abrupt change of direction without smooth curve; pinch, horizontal or vertical crimp; interior surface which appears corrugated.
Body: tubular or cobby. Excessive size.
Nose: deep nose break.
Coat:
Longhair Division: heavy undercoat; heavy ruff; coarse or cottony texture.
Shorthair Division: heavy undercoat, coarse texture; dense or plush coats.

Diaqualify:
E xtreme curl in adult where tip of ear touches back of ear or head. Ears that are straight, severely mismatched, thick or having inflexible tips. Lack of firm cartilage in base of ear. Tail faults.