Breed name: Ukrainian Levkoy
Country of origin: Ukraine
Weight: 4-5 kg
Wool: none
Life expectancy: 12-14 years.
History of the bre0ed’s origin
The Ukrainian Levkoy is one of the newest types of domestic cats, the breed standard of which is still in the process of creation. The decision to create such an association belongs to the Ukrainian feline and owner of a cattery, Elena Biryukova. In the early 2000s, she wanted to breed new, unlike others, pets and even depicted their approximate appearance in the form of sketches. It took a lot of time to select the “parents”: the breeder wanted the future pets not only to inherit the general characteristics of already known breeds but to be individual and unique.
Thus she was left with two breeds: the Don Sphynx, and the Scottish Fold. The first Ukrainian Levkoy kitten was born in 2004: he was named Levkoy Primero which means Levkoy the First. Externally, he was a little more like a bat, or baby bat/dragon hybrid. The name for the new breed was suggested by nature itself: the baby’s ears were similar in shape to the petals of a Levkoy flower.
Elena was satisfied with the result and continued breeding experiments: after two years, there were already about 40 individuals of the new breed who were granted the right to participate in exhibitions under the ICFA RUI system (International Cat Fanciers Association). In 2012, a preliminary standard of the Ukrainian Levkoy was adopted in the WCF federation. However, the breed still has an experimental status in leading technological organizations due to the small number of representatives. Despite this, it has gained many fans in Ukraine, Russia, and many European countries.
Breed characteristics: size, weight, appearance
Ukrainian Levkoys are medium-sized pets: their weight usually does not exceed 4-5 kg (males are slightly larger than females), and the height at the withers is 22-25 cm.
Their head is short and shaped like a modified wedge. The skull is flattened at the top, with a low forehead. The cheekbones and superciliary arches are clearly defined, giving the head a certain angularity.
The muzzle of Levkoys is rounded, with a barely pronounced pinch. The chin is strong and located on the same line as the nose. The vibrissa pads are dense, but not convex, the vibrissae themselves are twisted (short broken ones are also acceptable).
The eyes of the pets are large, almond-shaped, half-open, set wide, and slightly slanted. Any color of the iris is acceptable, preferably a rich and bright shade.
Levkoy’s ears are quite large, with a wide base, set high on the head and far apart. Their rounded tips are gently curved forward and downward but do not cover the auricle.
The body is elongated, proportionally forming a rectangle, with a strong bone structure and dense, well-defined muscles. The chest is oval-shaped and narrow. The group is well-rounded, making it seem more massive from behind.
The limbs of Ukrainian Levkoys are of medium length, proportional to the body, straight and strong. The paws are oval, with long, mobile toes. The tail is also medium, tapering evenly from the base to the tip.
The skin is characterized by excessive folding on the head, neck, inner surface of the paws, and in the groin area. They are divided into several varieties by the type of skin:
- Naked – the most valuable type: the skin is completely devoid of hair, hot and sticky to the touch.
- Flock – the skin resembles the skin of a peach, evenly covered with short and soft hairs, which usually fall out in the second or third year of life.
- Velour – the entire body is covered with short hair, which may be somewhat longer on the tail, front, and back legs.
- Brush – the body has hard, curled hair (except for bald spots on the head, neck, and back). Individuals of this subtype are not allowed to participate in exhibitions but are used in breeding work.
There are no restrictions on the colors, shades, and patterns on the body of these cats. Any deviations from the norms set out in the standard are considered breed defects.
Photo of Ukrainian Levkoy
Character
In addition to the lop-eared and hairless features, Ukrainian Levkoys have inherited many character traits from Don Sphynxes and Scottish Folds. These cats are incredibly good-natured, loving, and attached to their owners. They do not like long periods of loneliness. Still, they do not show excessive intrusiveness in human society: they can observe a person’s actions and behavior for a long time while being nearby.
Pets of this breed easily endure moving, traveling, and changing environments and do not experience fear or hostility towards strangers: when guests appear, they will not run away but will certainly be the first to make contact.
Levkoys’ natural curiosity, combined with their developed intelligence, removes almost all “barriers” to exploring the territory: They can cope with closed doors, bolts, and latches without much difficulty. Strong limbs with elastic muscles allow them to jump high, so owners should take care of the safety of small things the pet can accidentally throw off a high shelf.
These cats retain their cheerful and playful nature even in adulthood and are always happy to have fun both on their own with their favorite toys and in the company of their owners and other pets. They get along with the latter without any problems, unless they encounter hostility towards them.
Levkoys also get along well with small children: they are happy with any attention and are happy to participate in joint games. If the child gets carried away playing and starts to treat the pet roughly, then it will simply go to a safe place: aggression is completely uncharacteristic of the breed.
Feeding
You can feed Ukrainian Levkoys with both ready-made industrial feeds and natural food. But in this case, you will have to buy products and prepare food for your pets separately since dishes from the human table are not suitable for them. In addition, it is necessary to correctly select the necessary ingredients and calculate their quantity – which will not be easy to do without special knowledge.
If you do not have the time and desire to buy and prepare food for your cat separately, use high-quality industrial premium and higher class feeds for its nutrition.
Levkoys, like Don Sphynxes, have an accelerated metabolism. This allows them to warm their own bodies in the absence of fur.As a result, they must be fed 3-4 times daily with equal time gaps between feedings for efficient digestion. Overeating should not be allowed as they are inclined to become overweight, which results in severe systemic diseases.
Care and hygiene
The skin of Ukrainian Levkoys contains many sebaceous glands. However, unlike their ‘fluffy’ relatives in which sebum is distributed evenly over the fur, in coated cats it will gather on the surface of the skin. Therefore, they need to be washed more often than usual: at least once in each week and up to 10 days. Between the baths, pets’ skin should be cleaned with special wet wipes which can be bought in pet shops.
Otherwise, caring for Levkoys is no different from other breeds. They also need to have their teeth regularly (2-3 times a week) brushed with a special brush and paste, their claws trimmed as they grow, and their eyes and ears cleaned with tampons or cotton pads soaked in hygienic lotion.
Health: Common Diseases and Problems
Like many hybrid breeds, Levkoys are prone to certain genetically inherited diseases. The most common of these are:
- Ophthalmological pathologies (inversion or eversion of the eyelid, microphthalmos, etc.);
- Skin problems (acne, seasonal dermatitis);
- Anomalies in the development of the ear cartilage (too small, backward-curved, twisted ear, folds on the auricle).
Levkoys are also required to receive a vaccination once a year for dangerous infections and to take preventive measures against parasites regularly. In addition, you should take your pet for a medical examination at a veterinary clinic at least once a year to identify possible diseases at an early stage: in this case, they will be easier to cope with.
How to choose a kitten
It is best to buy a baby Ukrainian Levkoy in official nurseries – there are many of them in Russia. Professional breeders are always ready to provide birth certificates, veterinary passports of animals, pedigree documents, and the necessary medical certificates.
Before buying, study the breed standard and evaluate the appearance of the kittens for compliance with it. In addition, the babies should be active and curious, not show excessive cowardice or aggression, and be outwardly healthy.
The main advantages and disadvantages of the breed
Pros
- They have a friendly and loyal nature.
- Never show aggression
- They get along well with other pets.
- Suitable for families with small children
- They do not shed or leave hair on surrounding objects
Cons
- Require careful skin care and frequent bathing
- Sometimes, they behave in an intrusive manner
- They don’t tolerate long periods of loneliness
- Sensitive to temperature changes
- Due to accelerated metabolism, they have an increased appetite
“Ukrainian Levkoys are a great choice for those who love communicating with cats and are ready to devote much time and attention to them. Such pets will become loyal friends for lonely people or wonderful companions for a large and friendly family.”
