The Ukrainian Levkoy is a cat breed of distinct appearance, having inward-folding ears and little to no hair. These cats are of medium size with a longish body, appearing both muscular and slender. They have soft, elastic skin; an excess of which leads to a wrinkled appearance. The breed is not recognised by any major, international cat fancier and breeder organisations, only Ukrainian and Russian clubs.
The Levkoy's peculiar features are: special angular contour of its head and 'stepped' profile (dog-face appearance), folded ears and large, but not wide almond-shaped eyes. The cats express sexual dimorphism.
This is a recent man-made breed, originally developed by Elena Biruikova in the Ukraine. Created by crossing or by outbreeding hairless Donskoy females with Scottish Fold metis males the Ukrainian Levkoy has a distinct and unique appearance. Two spontaneous mutations of dominant FD genes of cats with folded ears (that appeared in a simple domestic cat in Scotland) were used, as well as spontaneous natural dominant mutation of hairlessness or boldness of the domestic cat gene BD in Russia. Both had appeared in the last century in Scotland and in Russia. Oriental and Domestic cats were also used in mating to obtain the required characteristics of the Ukrainian Levkoy. The breed was recognised in 2005 in the Ukraine by ICFA RUI (Rolandus Union International). It was recognised in Russia in 2010 by ICFA WCA. In the Ukraine, starting in September, 2010, it was deemed that Ukrainian Levkoys may be awarded the title of "Champion" and that they may take part in "The Best in Show" competition. Nowadays there are 10 Ukrainian Levkoys who are given these titles. In Russia the first titles of "Champion" and "The Best in Show" were given in 2011. The other organisations are mating this new breed of Ukrainian Levkoy as an experimental breed without the "Champion" title at cat exhibitions.
These cats are friendly, playful and intelligent. Levkoys are very sociable, enjoying human or family company as well as the company of other domestic pets (e,g dogs, rats, pigs). Unclothed Ukrainian Levkoys do not need brushing but do need special skin care to give protection against direct sun and particularly cold conditions.
Whether or not you agree with all this breeding in and breeding out or not it will continue as long as people want something 'different'. I am not sure I would want one of these cats and yet I find there is something rather appealing about their faces. What do you think, and would you like to own one if one was available?
