Exotic animals can make popular pets but a cat with a touch of the supernatural will stand out in among the neighbours’ moggies.
A new breed of cat that looks like a werewolf and behaves like a wolf has been developed by U.S. breeders
The Lykoi gets its spooky looks because of a genetic mutation in a domestic shorthair cat, which prevents the curious creature from growing a full coat of fur, making it looks like a werewolf.
Its name comes from the Greek for 'wolf' and translates as ‘wolf cat’ as the animal has no hair around its eyes, nose, ears and muzzle as well as a consistently patchy coat on the rest of its body.
Curiously Lykois are said to have a ‘hound dog personality’.
‘They like to hunt around the house for whatever they can find.
'They show caution to strangers, but warm up quickly and become very friendly,’ according to the breed’s website.
Perhaps in parallel to supernatural werewolf characters, the cats have a ‘strong prey drive’ that ‘causes them to stalk and pounce on everything they consider to be prey.’
However, unlike a werewolf, whose personality chances at full moon, Lykois are said to be friendly and playful as well as loyal to their owners.
The first official Lykois came about as the result of a natural mutation of the shorthair cat.
‘The gene is a natural mutation that appeared in the domestic cat population,’ said Breeder Johnny Gobble.
‘There was no human intervention to create the cat. We are simply using the genetics of natural processes,’ he added.
There were three ‘foundation breeders’ – Mr Gobble, his wife Brittney Gobble and Patti Thomas, who located the first two kittens, while it was Mr Gobble used cats from two groups of kittens to breed the first Lykoi kittens.
They found that the cats were not a Sphynx (a breed of hairless cat) that had retained some of its fur and this was confirmed by DNA testing that did not find the Sphynx gene.
In fact, researchers found that a new breed had been created, but they wanted to make sure the kittens were completely healthy before breeding them.
Tests were run to rule out genetic illnesses and dermatologists at the University of Tennessee examined the animals for skin abnormalities. While none were found, the scientists were stumped at first as to what had caused the strange coat.
They then found that some of the animals' hair follicles lacked all the components needed to create hair and that follicles that did have an undercoat were imbalanced so the hair could not be maintained.
Consequently the cats moult and can go completely bald some of the time – not just on a full moon. It is hoped that the felines will be categorised as a 'preliminary new breed' by the The International Cat Association (TICA) this coming Autumn when they will be able to be shown at cat shows.
A total of 14 litters of kittens not from the original litter have been reported and there are just seven Lykoi breeders registered in the world, making the kittens hot property.
Mr Gobble said that breeders get requests for the unusual kittens daily and he gets asked about the breed at least ten times a day.
‘We are doing our very best to monitor breeding cats to ensure that the Lykoi cat will be a new breed that has wonderful health, great personality, and the Lykoi (werecat) look,’ he said.
Source
A new breed of cat that looks like a werewolf and behaves like a wolf has been developed by U.S. breeders
The Lykoi gets its spooky looks because of a genetic mutation in a domestic shorthair cat, which prevents the curious creature from growing a full coat of fur, making it looks like a werewolf.
Its name comes from the Greek for 'wolf' and translates as ‘wolf cat’ as the animal has no hair around its eyes, nose, ears and muzzle as well as a consistently patchy coat on the rest of its body.
Curiously Lykois are said to have a ‘hound dog personality’.
‘They like to hunt around the house for whatever they can find.
'They show caution to strangers, but warm up quickly and become very friendly,’ according to the breed’s website.
Perhaps in parallel to supernatural werewolf characters, the cats have a ‘strong prey drive’ that ‘causes them to stalk and pounce on everything they consider to be prey.’
However, unlike a werewolf, whose personality chances at full moon, Lykois are said to be friendly and playful as well as loyal to their owners.
The first official Lykois came about as the result of a natural mutation of the shorthair cat.
‘The gene is a natural mutation that appeared in the domestic cat population,’ said Breeder Johnny Gobble.
‘There was no human intervention to create the cat. We are simply using the genetics of natural processes,’ he added.
There were three ‘foundation breeders’ – Mr Gobble, his wife Brittney Gobble and Patti Thomas, who located the first two kittens, while it was Mr Gobble used cats from two groups of kittens to breed the first Lykoi kittens.
They found that the cats were not a Sphynx (a breed of hairless cat) that had retained some of its fur and this was confirmed by DNA testing that did not find the Sphynx gene.
In fact, researchers found that a new breed had been created, but they wanted to make sure the kittens were completely healthy before breeding them.
Tests were run to rule out genetic illnesses and dermatologists at the University of Tennessee examined the animals for skin abnormalities. While none were found, the scientists were stumped at first as to what had caused the strange coat.
They then found that some of the animals' hair follicles lacked all the components needed to create hair and that follicles that did have an undercoat were imbalanced so the hair could not be maintained.
Consequently the cats moult and can go completely bald some of the time – not just on a full moon. It is hoped that the felines will be categorised as a 'preliminary new breed' by the The International Cat Association (TICA) this coming Autumn when they will be able to be shown at cat shows.
A total of 14 litters of kittens not from the original litter have been reported and there are just seven Lykoi breeders registered in the world, making the kittens hot property.
Mr Gobble said that breeders get requests for the unusual kittens daily and he gets asked about the breed at least ten times a day.
‘We are doing our very best to monitor breeding cats to ensure that the Lykoi cat will be a new breed that has wonderful health, great personality, and the Lykoi (werecat) look,’ he said.
Source
THE MOST UNGLY CREATURE I ' VE EVER SEEN
i do not believe man has the right to inbred to the point that there is flaws and health risk,, but will agree this is a lovely cat,, aka i am wicca.. and love it
Omg I want one! They are so adorable. <3
They didn't do anything to the cats. This is a naturally occurring mutation. There are other cat breeds that are based on genetic mutations as well, for example the manx.
I think it is not a nice idea with this rare gene to create a new breed, seriously, and I hope the TICA will not recognize it as a new breed. Nature decides sometimes gene mutations. Let the nature do. Not need from human to use it. They already created so much cat breed using rare mutation (naked cat, curl hair, long hair, poor plate faces etc...) it is enough !
God does not make ugly cats or dogs I love all cats hair or no hair or some hair there Beautiful in my eyes
So sad! Because the world doesn't have enough cats.
I think these wee purr babies are adorable. As long as this is natural, I see nothing wrong.
There is no such thing as an ugly cat ..
but there are ugly breeders that need to stop creating new breeds .. no cross breeding !!!
o my I just love these cue little babies....
I think there beautiful and look amazingly Wolfy. They are striking and playful.
There are no ugly mammals, indeed! This cat looks a bit strange at first, but seems to be very happy and playful. If this becomes an official new breed, I guess that it will become a popular breed. Especially with those who can't choose between a cat and a dog for a pet! I could get used to its looks... unfortunately I'm allergic to cats.....
I like them but....Manx cats can have problems...what problems will these sweeties have...What will supernatural fans who aren't necessarily animal lovers do when they decided they don't want a cat in the house? I fear for them if they get put out of the house or lost. Everything that is different generally gets treated unfairly.
I am sure with the hefty price for these kittens.they won't get put out.Many new breeds are being introduced to the world, cat and dogs alike.Don't blame good breeders for the over population,It's the pet owners who are to blame,not having theirs pets spayed or neutered, and aloud to run free to breed as they want.I love all animals and I do like purebreds as well.
they are so cute. I want one.
They are beautiful.
Yes that is true; however, it is from breeders over breeding animals trying to find the best genetics. It has been inbreed so much that the original breed caused the mutation. No different from dogs when they try finding the best genetics of the breed.
If you read the article, it stated:
"The first official Lykois came about as the result of a natural mutation of the shorthair cat.
‘The gene is a natural mutation that appeared in the domestic cat population,’ said Breeder Johnny Gobble. "
I repeat ... "a natural mutation that appeared in the domestic cat population" , meaning that the origin if this new breed lies in domestic shorthair cats ... i.e. moggies ... regular old barn cat type of cats. They were not bred from other breeds to specifically elicit the emergence of the mutation, it occurred naturally. Many other cat breeds originated in the same way, including the Munchkin. They are not the feline equivalent of the "Designer Dogs" that are so popular now, such as the Labradoodle (although I do wonder if that breed would have been so popular if it had been called a Poodador). These designer dog breeds were specifically bred from two or more existing breeds to produce the dominance of selected (?desired) traits. There is a lot that can be said against a lot of this type of "god play" if breeders are lacking in the knowledge and experience required to produce healthy puppies, and not the grotesque "accidents" that can occur. These Lykoi kittens were produced by none other than good old Mother Nature herself, and the breeders are doing things the right way.
All I see is cat that is born with very few hair to give itself warmth when winter comes.
These cats are not ugly, they are beautiful.
i think it's all about money,i believe there is some human dealings here ,breeders have to come up with new and exciting breeds so they can make lots of money !!!
Hmmmm.........well scientists say we're overdue for a saber toothed cat to appear. They has asset by the fossil record that they just appear and then disappear at relatively regular intervals, but cant quote the interval at the moment though.
You all are funny condemning these people for creating this cat. You all need to realize where today's cats and dogs come from. None of them are natural, all were created by man through select breeding over thousands of years. Go get an ocelot or a lynx for a pet, then you can talk your shit.
You all are funny condemning these people for creating this cat. You all need to realize where today's cats and dogs come from. None of them are natural, all were created by man through select breeding over thousands of years. Go get an ocelot or a lynx for a pet, then you can talk your shit.
What does being "Wicca" have to do with liking this cat? Because it looks like a Werewolf? Relevance?
God dammit people, at least read the article before showing everyone how ignorant you are...
I want some
I think they are fabulous and beautiful.
CREEPY
lol "I am wicca".
I think the cats are cute. and I believe if it is a natural mutation it should stay that way. I don't believe we should toy with natures way of things.
I want one!!!!!!! ;o)
I want one
You didn't read the article sis you.