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Rebecca is a Domestic Medium Hair!
The gene for long hair is recessive in cats. This means that there must be one copy passed to the kitten from each parent. The mutation that created long-haired cats occurred centuries ago in Central Asia, probably as a survival mechanism to protect the cats from the cold climate. They were brought to Europe in the 1500s and were initially referred to as "Persians". Another variation of the long-haired cat occured in America, known as the "Maine Coon". It isn't clear whether it was an independent mutation that occured in America or whether the recessive gene came from European cats that were brought to America.
Many of the long-haired cats with northern origins have sturdy bodies, broad faces and calm, friendly attitudes. They prefer lounging on their owner’s laps while being stroked to scampering about and playing. The short-hair is typically sturdy, seldom exhibits the overly heavy or the slender bodies of the purebreds, and are playful and active. The Domestic Medium Hair cat combines qualities of both the long-hair and the short-hair cat. They have more playfulness than the long-hair and, yet, are usually calmer than the short-hair. Their body type can be either broad and stocky or slender.
The medium coat is caused by the cat having fewer secondary "down" hairs than the long-haired breeds and by the cat having a shorter growth and "shedding" cycle. Simply put, the coat has length without being as thick. While most short-hairs can handle their own grooming, and the Domestic Long Hair needs help with regular grooming, the medium length of this cats' coat normally doesn't require extensive grooming on the part of the owner.
We are pleased to welcome Rebecca to our practice!
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