| General | Appearance | the distinct feature of the American Curl Shorthair is their attractive, uniquely curled ears. Curls are well balanced, moderately muscled, svelte rather than massive in built. They are alert, active, with gentle, even dispositions. |
| Size | medium |
| Head | Shape | modified wedge without flat planes, moderately longer than wide, smooth transitions |
| Size | medium in proportion to body |
| Muzzle | rounded with gentle transitions, no pronounced whisker break |
| Chin | firm, in line with nose and upper lip |
| Profile | nose moderate in length and straight, slight rise from bottom of eyes to forehead, gentle curve to top of head, flowing into neck, without a break |
| Ears | Shape | wide at base and open, curving back in smooth arc when viewed from front and rear. Tips rounded and flexible. Furnishings desirable |
| Degree | minimum 90 degree arc of curl, not to exceed 180 degrees. Firm cartilage from ear base to at least 1/3 of height |
| Size | moderately large |
| Placement | erect, set equally on top and side of head |
| Eyes | Shape | moderately large, walnut, oval on top and round on bottom, set on slight angle between base of ear and tip of nose one eye width apart |
| Colour | clear, brilliant, no relation to coat colour except blue eyes required in himalayan colour varieties |
| Neck | | graceful |
| Body | Torso shape | medium in size. Length one and-half times height at shoulder, medium depth of chest and flank |
| Musculature | moderate strength and tone, flexible |
| Legs | | length medium in proportion to the body, set straight when viewed from front or rear, medium boning |
| Paws | medium and rounded |
| Tail | | flexible, wide at base, tapering, equal to body length |
| Coat | same length as body coat |
| Coat | Texture | short, soft, silky, laying flat, resilient without a plush dense feel
minimal undercoat |
| Colour | all colour varieties and patterns are permitted. For the colour varieties refer to tables below |
| Remarks | | when Curls are alert with ears swiveled toward front, lines following curve of ear through tips should point to center of base of skull |
| Faults | Head | Siamese type |
| Nose | deep nose break |
| Eyes | small |
| Ears | - low set
- abrupt change of direction without smooth curve
- pinch, horizontal or vertical crimp
- interior surface which appears corrugated
|
| Body | - tubular or cobby.
- excessive size.
|
| Coat | - heavy undercoat.
- coarse texture.
- dense or plush coat.
|
| Faults precluding the certificate | | - extreme curl in adult where the tip of the ear touches back of ear or head
- straight or severely mismatched ears
- thick or calcified ears
- lack of firm cartilage in base of ear
|