Cat Breeds: Ukrainian Levkoy

The Ukrainian Levkoy is a highly distinctive breed of domestic cat that is not only hairless but also has unusual inward-folding ears.  The breed isn’t recognised internationally but is recognised by both Russian and Ukrainian cat clubs.

Breed history

The breed was the work of a Ukrainian breeder called Elena Biriukova who worked from 2000 to 2011 to create this breed.  It was made by outcrossing hairless Donskoy female cats with the Scottish Fold males to creature the unique Levkoy appearance.  Two spontaneous mutations that proved to be dominant were utilised that made the ears fold along with another dominant mutation that made the cats hairless.  Oriental breeds were also used to widen the genetic pool and bring in their characteristics.

Before this work, there had been spontaneous appearances of this breed in both Scotland and Russia.  It was formally recognised in the Ukraine in 2005 and in Russia in 2010 when it was deemed able to take the title of Champion and Best in Show in Russian competitions. 

Appearance

Viewed from above, the profile of these cats resembled a soft pentagon that is longer than it is broad and has a muzzle that is only 1/3 of the head length.  Their foreheads are low and the skull is of a long and flat shape.  They have prominent cheekbones and eyebrows that form an angular shaped head.  Whiskers are curly and tend to be short while the neck is of medium length and slightly arches from shoulder to skull base.  Ears are large and widely set with ½ to 1/3 folding forward and down but not touching the head.

These cats have a medium to long length body that is slender and very muscular.  Their chests are oval and quite broad and they have long legs.

Health issues

If a cat inherits a certain gene from both parents (Gene FD) this can lead to a higher change of bone illnesses such as arthritis and even malformed bones. 

If breeding these cats, you should be aware that hairless kittens need more attention than normal kittens because they tend to be weaker.  They will need to be monitored until around 16 weeks old to ensure they develop properly.  Once adults, the Levkoy is a healthy cat overall and is very active.

Personality

Levkoys are very playful and intelligent cats that are extremely sociable and enjoy companionship from humans and other animals.  They don’t require grooming as such due to their hairlessness but are often given ‘clothing’ for hairless cats to protect them against direct sunlight, which can burn their skin, and the cold.

Conclusion

 

The looks of the Levkoy is not to everyone’s tastes as the hairless cat is an extreme in the cat breed world.  However, for those who like the look and can work with the inherent issues that their hairlessness bring, these cats will respond with love and affection, making them an excellent member of the family who lives happily with children and with other animals.