Cat Breeds 101: Ukrainian Levkoy – Image To Repin / Share
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The Ukrainian Levkoy is a relatively new cat breed which has a very unique appearance: They are hairless and their skin is wrinkled, with a texture which has been described to feel like chamois.
Levkoy cats have long heads and prominent cheekbones. These cats are medium sized with long, slender and muscular bodies. Their ears are large and set widely apart; they are folded forward and down. Their eyes are large, almond-shaped and can come in any color. [1]
In 2000, Elena Biryukova – a Ukraninan breeder, produced the Levkoy cat by crossing a Donskoy female with a Scottish Fold male. The offspring inherited the dominant genetic trait of baldness from its Donskoy parent and the trait of folded ears from the Scottish Fold parent. To obtain its individual attributes, other domestic cats including the Orientals were also used in breeding. [2] The Levkoy was named after the Levkoy plant, which is characterized by its bent leaves – much like the cats’ ears. [3]
Ukrainian Levkoy cats are gentle and friendly animals that get along with everyone in the family including children and other pets. They are very loyal to their owners and can be quite vocal. They are indoor cats because they are sensitive to extreme heat and cold. They are playful but do tend to get bored easily so the ideal owner should provide them with lots of toys and engage in interactive activities with them.
These cats produce more body oils than normal coated cats and may need more frequent bathing. [1] They need a daily wiping routine to remove the excess oil on their skin. Levkoy cats are prone to skin related problems. Feline sunblock should be applied if they are taken out during the day. During cold weather, they need igloo-type bedding and fleece lined jackets to protect them. [2]
References:
[1] https://www.wotcat.com/breed/Ukrainian+Levkoy+Cat.html
[2] https://www.catbreedselector.com/ukrainian-levkoy.asp
[3] https://www.catbreedsjunction.com/levkoy-cat.html