Which cat breed is recognized for a naturally occurring wire-textured coat?

The American Wirehair is recognized for a naturally occurring wire-textured coat.

The breed began with a spontaneous mutation in a farm cat litter in upstate New York in 1966. One red-and-white male kitten had unusual, springy hair that differed from the smooth coats of his littermates. Breeders preserved the trait and developed it into the American Wirehair breed.

The wire texture can affect the guard hairs, undercoat, and whiskers. Individual cats vary, but the coat often feels resilient or crimped rather than soft and flowing. The breed may occur in many colors and patterns, so texture—not a single color—is its key identifying feature.

The American Wirehair is sometimes confused with rex breeds. Rex coats are shaped by different mutations and often produce curls or waves, while the American Wirehair’s defining trait is its coarse, springy texture.