Levkoy Cat
Facts and Breed Profile

The Ukrainian Levkoy cat is a new cat breed and at this stage relatively unknown in the West.

The development of this 'hairless cat breed' was probably inspired by the increase in popularity of the better known hairless cats - the Canadian Sphynx, the Russian Donskoy and the Peterbald.

development of the ukrainian levkoy

In 2000, Elena Vsevolodovna Birjukova, a Russian cat breeder, started work on developing a unique hairless cat.

In order to create this cat, Ms Birjukova crossed a female Sphynx and a male cat with lob ears similar to the Scottish Fold cat.

She finally achieved her goal in 2004.

The Levkoy cat was named after the Levkoy plant which is characterized by its bent leaves, much like the cats ears.

In Russia this cat is also known as the Levkoj or Levkoi. The first Levkoy was nicknamed 'Levkoy Primero' - a name that seems to have stuck with the breed.

The cat is recognized by the Russian and Ukrainian cat associations and it's a matter of time before it gains popularity in the West.

features of the ukrainian levkoy

The Levkoy is a graceful and elegant cat. It has a unique appearance, with the general look of the Sphynx and the lob ears of the Scottish Fold.

The cat has a muscular, but slender and medium to long body, a slightly arched back and muscular neck.

Its legs are fairly long and strong with oval shaped paws and long toes. The cat's tail is long and slender and in proportion to the body.

The Levkoy's head is 'wedge shaped' and it has prominent cheekbones.

the ears
Its ears are large and set wide apart. Between half or one third of the of the ear folds forward and down, but the ears should not touch the head.

Its almond-shaped eyes are large and set at a slant. All colors are permissible.

a hairless coat

This 'hairless' cat is in fact covered in a fine down-like coat. Sparse hair is found on the paws, face, tail and testicles.

The skin feels like chamois or a warm, fuzzy peach and the skin on the head, body and legs is very wrinkled.

Some cats may present with patches of fur on their tails and legs. All coat colors and patterns are recognized, but tabby cats are not differentiated by pattern.

ukranian levkoy information

ideal home | ideal family

The Ukrainian Levkoy is an indoor cat as they are sensitive to extreme heat and cold.

To prevent boredom, create an indoor adventure zone for your companion. It should include cat gyms, toys, scratching towers and if possible an indoor garden full of non-toxic plants.

This is a great cat for any family. Young children do need to be taught how to handle kittens and cats as most cats do not enjoy rough play.

The Levkoy gets on well with other cats and dogs.

levkoy personality and temperament

Levkoy's are sweet tempered cats. They are lively, mischievous, loving, affectionate, playful and very loyal pets.

They are quite vocal cats and certainly make themselves heard at dinnertime.

levkoy cat care

Whilst the Levkoy cat is hairless (or has minimal hair), it is not a low maintenance cat breed!

Its skin, like human skin, sweats and as result, daily sponging is recommended. A monthly bath is suggested.

Nail clipping every 4- 6 weeks and weekly dental hygiene is needed. The paws, nail bed and in between the toes needs to be cleaned weekly.

We have prepared an indepth guide for hairless cat care, so do visit this for information about caring for your cat.

levkoy health concerns

Its skin does need special care to avoid skin diseases and sunburn.

The Levkoy cat is prone to gum disease and tooth decay, so regular dental check-ups are advised.

It is too early to establish whether they have any hereditary / genetic diseases like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy which is found in the Sphynx.

We suggest that you speak to the breeder about any potential health problems.

Like all cats they do need to be vaccinated against infectious feline diseases and they need to be de-wormed regularly.

diet | average weight of the levkoy

The Levkoy needs to be fed a high quality diet. Our cat food information provides insights into raw, canned and dry cat food.

There are special commercial cat foods designed for hairless cats which you may want to explore.

Note: In winter they require a high calorie diet to keep their body temperature slightly above normal.

Levkoy Average Weight: 3.5 - 7.0 kg (7.7 - 15.4 lbs)

life expectancy of the levkoy

Their average life span cannot as yet be determined as this is a new cat breed.

The Levkoy cat breed is the result of a Sphynx / Scottish Fold cross - the average life span for the Sphynx is 15 years and 12 years for the Fold - so it would be a safe guess that they could live to 15 years.

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