Skookum is a breed of cat

The Skookum is an experimental hybrid cat breed that emerged in the United States in the 1990s. It is characterized by short legs, curly fur, and, according to owners, a "golden" personality. Acquiring a Skookum cat is a rare breed, and it's not just about price.

History of origin

In the early 90s, American breeder Roy Galosha began crossing short-legged cats of the breed Munchkin with cats of this breed LaPerm, known for their beautiful, curly coat and intelligence. In 1996, he achieved the desired type and subsequently worked to solidify it. He was soon joined by several other breeders from the United States, New Zealand, and Australia. In 2006, TICA added the Skookum to its Experimental Breed Registry, but the breed is no longer listed; it appears to have been delisted.

Currently, the Skookum is recognized as an experimental breed by independent European registries, the Toy Dwarf Cat Association (TDCA), and the Catz Inc. registry in New Zealand. In Australia, the Skookum can compete at the championship level with the World National Cat Registry of Australia (WNCA). Despite its growing popularity, acquiring a Skookum cat is not easy; the main obstacle is not the price, but the lack of breeders and kittens.

The breed's name was given by the breeder himself. Initially, he wanted to call his "brainchild" Pocachin (poco chino), which means "tiny curly" in Mexican Spanish. But it soon became clear that in classical Spanish, this phrase translates as "a little Chinese" and doesn't fit the breed at all. After that, the breeder decided to choose a name exclusively from American sources. The choice fell on a word from the Indo-European language of the Chinook tribe, who once inhabited the northwestern United States. "Skookum" means bold, courageous.

A short-legged cat with a cute face and curly fur was nicknamed Shirley Temple in America (the first child actress in film history).

Appearance

The Skookum is a miniature cat with a strong, stocky body and curly fur. It stands only 13-15 cm at the withers and weighs between 1.5 and 3 kg. Males are slightly larger than females.

The muzzle is rounded, with fairly large, pointed ears and expressive, walnut-shaped eyes. The eyebrows and sideburns are curled, giving the cat an even more unique appearance.

The physique is strong. The body is noticeably elongated. The front legs are shorter than the back legs, but with proper rearing and no developmental abnormalities, this body structure does not impede the cat's ability to move quickly and easily. Overall, the Skookum has a fairly compact and rounded appearance, as can be seen in the photo.

Another distinctive feature of Skookums is their curly fur. Females may have a looser coat than males. Its texture can be described as light, airy, and soft. Depending on the length of the fur, there are short-haired and long-haired varieties. At the tip of the long tail, the fur forms a "pom-pom." The coat can come in a variety of patterns and colors, including colorpoint.

There is another similar breed of cat in the world - the Lambkin. It was bred by crossing the short-legged Munchkin and the curly-haired Selkirk Rex.

Character and behavior

Skookum cats are known for their cheerfulness, calmness and confidence. They smart, quiet and athletic. They'll happily join in a game, and spend their free time relaxing on a lap or entertaining family members with their cheerful nature. They become very attached to people and always try to be close.

Even in adulthood, Skookums retain some of the carefree and curious nature of kittens. They are very sociable and usually get along well with other pets, including small rodents and birds. They are not aggressive and get along well with children. They prefer to retreat from prying attention rather than show their claws.

Maintenance and care

Skookums are not suited to the life of semi-outdoor cats. They are gentle indoor creatures who enjoy short walks and sunbathing. They are trained to walk on a leash from an early age. As many owners have shown, they can live long and happy lives indoors.

Grooming curly fur is easy. Its soft texture makes it easy to comb. Regular brushing will significantly reduce shedding and prevent tangles. To promote curl, you can periodically mist the coat with water and let it air dry after bathing, without blow-drying.

Health and life expectancy

A mutation that causes shortened leg bones can have detrimental consequences for a cat's health. In some cases, it leads to bone and joint deformities, resulting in limited mobility, pain, and untreatable symptoms. Life expectancy is 10-15 years.

Choosing a kitten, price

Those looking to buy a Skookum kitten, as pictured, or any other color, will likely encounter difficulties. Only a few breeders worldwide breed them professionally, such as the Short-n-Sweet cattery in Australia. If you come across an ad for a Skookum for sale online, it's highly likely that it won't be a breeder passionate about the breed, but rather a Munchkin or LaPerm owner looking to cash in on an even rarer breed. Not all kittens from Munchkin and LaPerm matings have the desired phenotype. Furthermore, subsequent matings of closely related animals increase the risk of inheriting various disorders, so choosing a breeder should be approached with great care.

Price

According to some sources, the average cost of a kitten is $1,000 from breeders in the United States and a little less in New Zealand or Australia.

Photos and videos

This gallery contains photos of Skookum male and female cats. As you can see from the photos, the hybrids differ significantly in color, coat length, and body type.

Video about the Skookum breed

Read also:

• Short-legged cats: a list of breeds
• The most unusual cat breeds
• New cat breeds