It isn’t some weird urban myth. The werewolf cat is actually a legitimate breed called the Lykoi. It’s called the werewolf cat because of the unusual appearance of its coat, which resembles that of a werewolf. It has a unique combination of build and color, but the real shocker is its unusual hair pattern.
How rare is a Lykoi cat?
An extremely rare breed still, there are fewer than 100 show-standard Lykoi in the world.
What breed is a werewolf cat?
Lykoi breedThe Lykoi breed of domestic cat (its name comes from the Greek word lykos, or wolf) has an unusual genetic mutation that causes its hair to grow in a werewolflike way. The skin around the cat's eyes, muzzle and chin is hairless, making it resemble a human-turned-werewolf.
How much does a Lykoi kitten cost?
Here's a quick price analysis that will answer your questions: A Lykoi kitten's starting price is typically around $1,500. Lykois can cost up to $2,500. Several breeders specialize in producing litters with Lykoi kittens.
What breeds make a Lykoi?
The Lykoi comes from a natural genetic mutation from a domestic shorthair cat. The first Lykoi was discovered in 2010 in a feral cat population in the United States. In 2011 a veterinarian named Johnny Gobble and his wife Brittney Gobble and a woman named Patti Thomas founded the breed.
What's the rarest cat breed?
1. Sokoke Cat. The Sokoke Cat is the rarest domestic cat breed in the world, according to the UK's Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF).
What is a Loki cat?
The Lykoi (commonly called wolf cat sometimes werewolf cat) is a natural mutation from a domestic shorthaired cat. The mutation has occurred in domestic cats over the last 20 years. DNA testing has been done by UC Davis to confirm that the cats do not carry the Sphynx/Devon Rex gene.
Can you have a wolf cat as a pet?
1:1610:46THE WOLF CAT - The Lykoi - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThey are now becoming very popular as pets.MoreThey are now becoming very popular as pets.
Are wolf cats rare?
Since the breed is rare, and wolf cats trigger fewer allergies, the breed has become somewhat popular in some circles. It's also become quite expensive, so a few breeders are trying to produce wolf cats.
Are wolf cats healthy?
They are generally healthy, but there are some health concerns that are associated with their unique coat and heritage. It is important to keep your Lykoi at a healthy weight, keep their eyes and ears clean, and take them to the vet at the first sign of infection.
Is a wolf a cat or a dog?
Canines. The third group, the Canines includes the wolf and all living species of dogs.
How can you tell if a cat is Lykoi?
The Lykoi is a partially hairless breed of cat with a coat that is unique to them. A combination of 3 distinct traits set the Lykoi apart from all other breeds. 1) A lack of undercoat. 2) Sparse guard hair on legs, feet and face mask which gives the appearance of a werewolf.
How much is a wolf cat?
This is still a very rare breed. A kitten can cost around $1,500 and an intact adult can run as much as $2,500. There are quite a few breeders who specialize in creating litters with Lykoi kittens. However, the waiting list is enormous and the prices run very steep.
Can you have a wolf cat as a pet?
1:1610:46THE WOLF CAT - The Lykoi - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThey are now becoming very popular as pets.MoreThey are now becoming very popular as pets.
Are wolf cats rare?
Since the breed is rare, and wolf cats trigger fewer allergies, the breed has become somewhat popular in some circles. It's also become quite expensive, so a few breeders are trying to produce wolf cats.
How much is a wolf cat?
This is still a very rare breed. A kitten can cost around $1,500 and an intact adult can run as much as $2,500. There are quite a few breeders who specialize in creating litters with Lykoi kittens. However, the waiting list is enormous and the prices run very steep.
What is cat werewolf syndrome?
His extreme furriness is the result of a rare hormonal condition never-before seen in cats called hypertrichosis, also known as "werewolf syndrome." Hypertrichosis causes fast and continual hair growth and thickening of the claws, but that's not stopping Atchoum from world domination.
Why do Lykoi cats have black coats?
Because a black coat was favored by the initial breeders, they have chosen to outcross these cats with domestic black cats. This is an attempt to preserve the unusual appearance of the Lykoi and help prevent inbreeding and subsequent health problems.
What does Lykoi mean?
The name Lykoi, roughly translated, means “wolf cat” in Greek. This is a fitting name for these cats, which many describe as a feline werewolf.
What does it mean when a cat is white and black?
Animals with white in their coat will appear silver. This blend of white and black is often called roan in non-feline species, and it is often also used to describe these cats. However, when they show, they typically enter in the “all black” classes.
When did hairless kittens appear?
Unusual appearing hairless kittens were found in different feral litters starting around 2010. People captured the animals for a closer look. Some of these kittens were examined for health problems that may have caused the unusual appearance, but with time and testing, it was determined to be a recessive gene.
What is the difference between a cat's tail and its legs?
Their tails are shorter than their body, and their legs are medium relative to the body size. Their ears are wide set, tall and pointed—contributing to the unusual facial appearance of the cat. Many people feel that this very much contributes to the “wolf look” of these animals.
Is a lykoi cat hairless?
The Lykoi cat is considered to be a partially hairless cat. There is no true undercoat, and parts of the body, such as the eyes, chin, nose, muzzle and behind the ears are commonly hairless. The exposed skin, ears and nose feel similar to leather, and although the skin is normally pink, it can darken with exposure to sun. Most cats will molt some or all of their coat, occasionally leaving them to appear even more naked than usual. This is normal for Lykoi cats, and not associated with a disease process.
Can cats have werewolf looks?
It is still possible to find feral cats with the werewolf look —and sometimes these cats are also admitted into breeding programs after determining that they do not have a health condition causing the appearance and do not carry the genes associated with other hairless breeds of cats.
What is a lykoi cat?
Domestic cat ( Felis catus) The Lykoi (commonly called wolf cat, and sometimes werewolf cat) is a natural mutation from a domestic shorthair that looks like the popular idea of a werewolf. The mutation has occurred in domestic cats over the last 20 years.
Where did the Lykoi cat come from?
History of the cat breed. Two different sets of domestic shorthairs with the Lykoi gene were adopted from a rescue after being discovered in Virginia in 2010, by Patti Thomas, who co-founded and named the breed, and in 2011, a second pair were located in Tennessee, by Johnny Gobble.
Why do lykoi have a coat pattern?
What they did find is that some hair follicles lacked all the necessary components required to create hair (which is why Lykoi lack an undercoat). They also found that the follicles that were able to produce hair lacked the proper balance of these components to maintain the hair (which is why Lykoi do molt and can become almost completely bald from time to time). It was determined, with test breeding, to be true natural mutation.
When was Lykoi kittens first introduced?
Work is currently being done to expand the breeding program. The Lykoi is a naturally occurring gene in the feral cat population. The Lykoi breed was founded in 2011 by Johnny Gobble, Brittney Gobble, and Patti Thomas when two unrelated litters of kittens were presented to the founders as unique cats.
Is Lykoi a championship breed?
The Lykoi went before The International Cat Association (TICA) registry in 2012 and was passed to "Registration Only" status by unanimous consent. The breed is now recognized as a Championship Breed and were able to begin competing against other Championship breeds from May 2017, with TICA.
Do lykoi have hair?
Lykoi vary from completely covered in hair to partially hairless. Sometimes they may lose all of their hair resulting in them looking like a Sphynx but it grows back. Lykoi are genetically distinct from the Canadian Sphynx.
Who bred Lykoi?
To prove it was a gene, Johnny Gobble bred two of the unrelated cats to produce the first intentionally bred Lykoi. Since the mother to one litter was a black domestic, extensive outcrossing with shorthair black domestic cats began.
How many breeders of lykoi are there?
Currently there are solely seven approved breeders of the Lykoi within the u. s., Canada, African country and France. The International Cat Association (TICA) recognized the Lykoi as a brand new breed in 2012. Gobble hopes to complete the complete registration method with TICA therefore the Lykoi could enter cat show competition as early as 2016.
What is the temperament of a Lykoi?
The Lykoi temperament is roughly almost like that of a dog, Dr. Gobble says. They exhibit extreme loyalty and are extremely intended by scent, to the extent that “these guys go nearly ‘on point’ after they get a whiff of something!
How many times do people ask about Lykoi?
People ask him about the Lykoi at least ten times a day. To say these cats are popular sellers is an understatement. They’re a gold mine, and therein lies the problem. A man named Wally Conron knows all about what’s coming next.
What is Lykoi's accomplishment?
His crowning accomplishment is that the Lykoi, a cat that appears sort of a mythical creature and acts a touch like a dog. Web sites from Perez Hilton to Gizmodo are utter over the “scary cuteness” of this new cat.
Who determined he needed to breed for this specific quite cat?
Dr. Gobble determined he needed to breed for this specific quite cat.
Do Lykois have sweet nativity?
The Lykois themselves appear to be sweet-natured, attention-grabbing companions. putt these factors aside for a flash,
Does Lykoi have an undercoat?
thanks to a genetic bug in its hair follicles, the Lykoi has no undercoat. During the summer of 2010, a lady with a combine of bizarre kittens contacted Dr. Rebel Gobble of Vonore, Tenn. Dr. Gobble, a medico, was fascinated with the mutation evident in these cats.
What is a Lykoi cat?
This is a cat with a unique description in terms of color. A classic Lykoi has a combination of fur colors as it is partly black and partly amelanistic. This means that some of its hair has no melanin and is therefore colorless.
How long do lykoi cats live?
The average life expectancy of a Lykoi is 12-15 years. They do not exhibit any particular health predispositions or vulnerabilities. That said, scientists do warn that the cat is still a new breed, and not enough time has elapsed for a definitive study.
What animal has black hair?
In other animals where this occurs, the animal is said to be roan. Horses, in particular, are often described as roan, as this isn’t limited to animals with black hair. Other colors often arise alongside the pigment-less hair. The Lykoi is the only known cat in which this occurs.
What is a mutated cat?
The mutated gene created a patched fur condition that gave the cat partial facial fur. The rest of the body also contains patches of thin fur. The cats, therefore, tend to look somewhat bedraggled and feral. The first Lykoi cats discovered were indeed feral felines.
Why is a werewolf cat called a werewolf?
It’s called the werewolf cat because of the unusual appearance of its coat, which resembles that of a werewolf.
Why do cats look like they are mutated?
It’s believed that the look of the cat is a result of natural mutation. It would seem that a pair of shorthair cats, both carrying a hairless gene , created offspring that carried this mutated gene.
When did Gobble breed cats?
Veterinarian Gobble, along with his wife Brittney and another researcher called Patti Thomas founded the breed in 2010, when they brought together cats found in two unrelated litters for study. A few years later, they confirmed a cat found as far afield as South Africa as Lykoi.
What is a lykois cat?
This fun-loving cat breed loves human interaction, as well as other animals such as cats and dogs. Lykois are medium-sized cats with somewhat slender legs and have a muscular bodies. They are known for their facial “mask” and are considered to be their most striking feature. Their coat ranges from nearly coated to nearly hairless, especially during “moulting” that happened twice a year. Lykois will always lack an undercoat, regardless of the density of their coat, giving way only to their top guard hairs. Their coat appears coarse, but it is actually very soft and silky. The most usual and striking colour of their coat is black roan – a mingling of black hairs accented with individual white hairs that gives a very intense appearance of the facial “mask” and colour contract. While Lykois can appear in other colours, black roan is only the accepted colour in The International Cat Association championship status. Although they have very few coats, Lykois are not considered hypoallergenic.
Why are lykoi cats good for kids?
Because of their high energy and intelligence, Lykois are ideal for families with children. They are affectionate, playful and active, which is an excellent match for children. They can be trained to play a game of fetch. Just remember to oversee every interaction between a child and a Lykoi to prevent any unwanted circumstances from occurring, such as hurting the child or mishandling the cat. Also, remember to give your Lykoi their own space and time to make them happy and content.
What does a lykoi look like?
They are the only cat breed with a fascinating look that has become popular with cat lovers and enthusiasts. Most people concur that they look like little wolf cats – where the name Lykoi is from, a play off the Greek word Lycos which means wolf. Their strong prey drive is evident when they play. This cat will stalk their toys, other pets, and even people before they leap.
How many white hairs do lykois have?
The number of unpigmented white hairs within their coat varies from cat to cat and throughout their lifetime – ranging from 30% to 70%, with around 50% being the ideal. Their hairs appear a little longer compared to a normal shorthaired cat. Their gene also causes a reduction in their coat volume, so they would have a little undercoat, and only sparse down is seen in specific areas like around their eyes, muzzle or on their feet, which contributes to their werewolf-like appearance. Lykois have an agile moderate foreign type of built. Their head has a modified wedge shape with rounded contours, large, high-set, vertical ears, and beautiful gold oval-shaped eyes. The unique pattern of reduced hair and roan pigmentation gives the Lykoi’s unique look.
How to train a lykois cat?
Start them young. Train your Lykois to use their scratching post and litter boxes. These are simple tasks where they could start and can progress to a more complex training such as learning how to play a game of fetch, and following commands through clicker-training.
How to keep a Lykoi's teeth clean?
For their dental health, brush your Lykoi’s teeth weekly to prevent tartar buildup and tooth and gum diseases. You can use a pet toothbrush and toothpaste to clean their teeth and mouth well. To keep their nails clean, trim them often as twice a month or as needed. Examine their paws as well to see if it is healthy, dirt and injury-free.
Do lykoi cats grow up?
Moreover, Lykois will grow up to be a well-bred and well-rounded feline companion.
How big is a lykoi cat?
The Lykoi is a small to medium-sized cat weighing between 6-11 pounds. They have lean, athletic bodies with pointed, large ears. Their bodies are longer than their tails as well. The Lykoi is a partially hairless breed of cat with a color that is unique to them.
Where was the Lykoi breed developed?
The Lykoi breed was developed in Vonore, Tennessee and is said to resemble a werewolf. The word
What is the standard price for a black roan kitten?
Black roan is also the only color that can be shown. The Lykoi is a new breed and the standard “pet quality” fee for Black Roan kittens is $1800-2000 USD.
Do Lykoi cats have Devon Rex?
DNA testing has been done by UC Davis to confirm that the cats do not carry the Sphynx / Devon Rex gene. The Lykoi breed was developed in Vonore, Tennessee and is said to resemble a werewolf. The word "lykoi" means 'wolves' in Greek. The Lykoi is a small to medium-sized cat weighing between 6-11 pounds.
Does Lykoi have bald spots?
This can cause near baldness in some cats. This shedding is seasonal, typically happening about twice a year.
Is Lykoi a rare breed?
Lykoi, also known as the “werewolf cat”is still a very rare breed. There are several breeders who specialize in producing litters with Lykoi kittens. However, the waiting list is enormous and the prices run very steep.
Is Lykoi a hypoallergenic cat?
Health Issues. 1 stars. Hypoallergenic: No Generally Healthy: They have proven to be a hardy, healthy breed that will give other cats great competition in the show hall.
History and Background
Physical Characteristics
- The Lykoi cat is considered to be a partially hairless cat. There is no true undercoat, and parts of the body, such as the eyes, chin, nose, muzzle and behind the ears are commonly hairless. The exposed skin, ears and nose feel similar to leather, and although the skin is normally pink, it can darken with exposure to sun. Most cats will molt some or all of their coat, occasionally leaving t…
Personality and Temperament
- The Lykoi cats are derivatives of feral cats, and as such, they have retained their strong prey drive. They very much enjoy stalking their cat toys, other pets (beware of smaller animals!) and people. They are also cautious when presented with a new situation, preferring to size it up before jumping into the fray, but will quickly warm up to new people and pets. Although they have been …