From the Pet Health Library Reference Desk -
While I was at the Breeds section last week, I noticed there are three different breeds listed as "American Curl" cats. I also noticed you can view the entire list of cat breeds with their photos, as well as the text listing.
But back to the American Curl Cats, their story is fascinating (to me) and I'll give you a taste of why here. The Longhair and Shorthair breeds are fairly new and remarkable in that both trace their origin to the same mother, "an adopted stray named Shulamith."
They began with a spontaneous mutation in 1981 — only reaching acceptance by the Cat Fanciers' Association for championship status in 1993.
And the shorthair breed arose in Shulamith's third litter.
An earlier spontaneous mutation across the country in 1966 produced the "uniquely American" Wirehair breed, which was accepted for championship in 1978.