UKRAINIAN LEVKOY CAT BREED
The Ukrainian Levkoy cat breed
History
The Ukrainian Levkoy Cat Breed (in Ukrainian: Український левкой) is a cat breed of distinct appearance, having inward-folding ears and little to no hair. These cats are of medium size with a longish body, appearing both muscular and slender. They have soft, elastic skin; an excess of which leads to a wrinkled appearance. The breed is not recognized by any major, international cat fancier and breeder organizations, only Ukrainian and Russian clubs.
The Levkoy’s peculiar features are: special angular contour of its head and “stepped” profile (dog-face appearance), folded ears and large, but not wide almond-shaped eyes. The cats express sexual dimorphism.
The Ukrainian Levkoy cat breed is recent man-made breed (2000–2011), originally developed by Elena Biriukova in Ukraine. Created by crossing or by outbreeding hairless Donskoy females with Scottish Fold metismales, the Ukrainian Levkoy cat has a distinct and unique appearance. Two spontaneous mutations of dominant FD genes of cats with folded ears (that appeared in a simple domestic cat in Scotland) were used, as well as a spontaneous natural dominant mutation of hairlessness or boldness of the domestic cat gene BD in Russia. Both had appeared in the last century in Scotland and in Russia. Oriental and Domestic cats were also used in mating to obtain the required individual characteristics of the Ukrainian Levkoy cat. The breed was recognized in 2005 in the Ukraine by ICFA RUI (Rolandus Union International). It was recognized in Russia in 2010 by ICFA WCA. In the Ukraine, starting in September 2010, it was deemed that Ukrainian Levkoys may be awarded the title of “Champion” and that they may take part in “The Best in Show” competition. Nowadays there are 10 Ukrainian Levkoys who are given these titles. In Russia the first titles of “Champion” and “The Best in Show” were given in 2011. The other organizations are mating this new breed of Ukrainian Levkoy as an experimental breed without the “Champion” title at cats exhibitions.
Gene FD is evident in the organism of the Ukrainian Levkoy cat in homozygous, both parents may serve as provocation of bones illness such arthritis or the others bones mistakes.
Disqualification results due to defects of the born structures, or crossed eyes. Other disqualify in accordance with the show rules. For example, too short or round of a head, round eyes, short “cobby” body, weak chin, or stressful behavior.
The average litter size is generally three to five kittens. They need constant attention for about 16 weeks. Absolutely hairless kittens need special attention, because they tend to be weaker than the others. Adult Levkoys are very healthy cats though, and tend to be active.
Allowable outcrosses: Don Sphynx, Scottish Fold, Peterbold, Household Cats, Phenotypic ally correspond to the morphological type of Ukrainian Levkoy.
