In 2004 I, Kristen Leedom, created and founded the elf cat along with Karen Nelson. We looked at our cats and shared a vision of our hairless sphynx with curled ears and the foundation of the Elf was born.
Kristen Leedom, and Karen Nelson began working toward making that dream a reality. They shared their vision with others and from their beginning until now more breeders have fallen under the spell of the Elves and have joined in the venture toward their future. Elf Cats are now being bred all over the world.
As the days have passed on the journey toward the kingdom of Elf, they came to a fork in the road and some chose one path while others chose another. As it is in this world, people sometimes reach the same end by different means, the Elf benefitted, gaining the genetic diversity of the American Curl and the Highlander through both being chosen to gain those amazing curled ears.
As an original founder of the Elf breed, I have given my heart to these cats and remained true to the original concept and Standard. I have only outcrossed with the American Curl to bring about our wonderful Elf. I’m not a large fan of the Highlander as an outcross, but I’ve chosen to respect the right of others to add them to their programs if that was their choice. Ultimately the breed benefits most through the dedication of a group of breeders working together for them and a broad gene pool to work from. I made the decision that the greater harm would come from a division in the breeders due to different choices in outcross, I understand that we share this dream, thus we have reached this compromise for the cats.
Many of the Elves are now in generations that are beginning to exhibit the traits that were envisioned in their beginning. The breeders that have devoted their years, their homes and their hearts to these marvelous cats are beginning to introduce them in TICA’s showhalls. Once the introductions have been made all around, and the numbers have been met, they hope to gain acceptance as a New Trait of the Sphynx.
As a New Trait, the Standard for the Elf is that of the Sphynx with only a modification for the Elf’s curled ears. The standard Elf appears to be a hairless cat, although it is not truly hairless. The skin should have the texture of chamois it may be covered with very fine down which is almost imperceptible to both the eye and the touch. On the ears, muzzle, tail, feet and scrotum, short, soft, fine hair is allowed. Lack of coat makes the cat quite warm to the touch. The cat should not be small or dainty. The overall appearance of the Elf ear should be one that is aesthetically pleasing to view. The ears are large and open, with firm cartilage from the base to at least one-third the height of ear, curving back in an arc to the curled tips. The Elf is sweet-tempered, lively and intelligent and above all else amenable to
handling.
