Excellent — you want a full, formal ICCF-style English translation of the Elf Cat breed standard, exactly like the previous ones (no dividers, no breaks). I’ll keep the official tone and structure identical to your Russian version. Here is the full translation:
Official ICCF Breed Description
Brief Historical Background
The Elf is a modern and rare cat breed that originated in the United States in the early 21st century. It was created through deliberate crossbreeding between the Canadian Sphynx and the American Curl, with the goal of combining the hairlessness of the Sphynx with the uniquely backward-curving ears of the Curl. The first representatives were registered in 2007 by a group of enthusiastic breeders seeking to develop a cat with a striking appearance and a gentle temperament. The breed quickly attracted attention from lovers of rare and unusual animals but remains relatively uncommon, bred only in a limited number of catteries. Elves are valued for their friendliness, high sociability, and exotic appearance, making them outstanding representatives of modern selective breeding.
General Appearance
The Elf is a medium to large-sized cat with an elongated, flexible, and muscular body. The skin is entirely hairless or covered with a fine, velvety down, forming folds, especially around the neck, armpits, and abdomen. Its distinctive feature is the large ears curved backward, creating a unique and memorable look. The head is a modified wedge with prominent cheekbones and a strong chin. The eyes are large, almond-shaped, slightly slanted, giving the breed a lively and attentive expression. The legs are long, slender yet strong, with oval paws. The tail is long, flexible, and tapers toward the tip. The overall impression of the breed combines exoticism and grace.
Important Proportions
The proportions of the Elf must maintain a balance between elegance and strength. The body is elongated and well-proportioned, neither heavy nor overly light. The height at the withers is slightly less than the body length, emphasizing harmony of silhouette. The head, shaped as a modified wedge, must be proportionate to the body; the ears are large but not excessive, with a soft and elastic curl. The eyes are set at a moderate distance from each other, slightly slanted, harmoniously complementing the muzzle. The limbs are long but not exaggerated, providing stability and fluid movement. The tail should be at least as long as the body, flexible, and free of kinks. A key ICCF requirement is the preservation of harmony and the characteristic curvature of the ears as the breed’s defining trait.
Behavior and Temperament
The Elf is an extremely friendly and human-oriented cat. It is intelligent, curious, and eager to learn. These cats form strong bonds with people, children, and other pets, and rarely show aggression. Elves love to be the center of attention, eagerly participating in games and active activities, requiring regular interaction. The breed is loyal; many follow their owners from room to room, showing dog-like devotion. They are communicative, using soft, melodic tones when vocalizing. If deprived of attention, they can become sad, so they thrive in homes where they are surrounded by care and affection. Elves are balanced and energetic cats, ideally suited for families and active individuals.
Head
The head of the Elf is wedge-shaped, slightly elongated, and moderately wide, with smooth contours. The cheekbones are well-defined, emphasizing the exotic look. The forehead is rounded, with a smooth transition from forehead to nose. The profile is straight with a slight concavity at the bridge of the nose. The muzzle is of medium length, neither pointed nor flat, in harmony with the overall head shape. The chin is firm and well-developed, aligned with the nose tip. The head should create a harmonious yet unusual impression that highlights the breed’s origin. The ears are an important focal point, so the head must remain proportionate—neither too massive nor too narrow—to maintain overall balance according to ICCF standards.
Facial Part
The facial area of the Elf is expressive and soft in outline. The cheeks are gently rounded, never coarse, but with defined cheekbones. The nose is straight, of medium length, with a slight rise at the bridge that adds refinement to the profile. The lips are neat, dry, and well-shaped. The chin is firm and balanced, neither protruding nor receding, aligned harmoniously with the nose. The muzzle is moderately broad, complementing the large eyes and backward-curving ears. The facial expression should convey friendliness and intelligence while preserving the characteristic breed look. Coarse features or a pointed muzzle are undesirable, as they disrupt ICCF breed harmony.
Eyes
The eyes of the Elf are large, almond-shaped, and slightly slanted toward the nose, open and expressive. They are set moderately wide apart, giving an intelligent and alert look. All eye colors are acceptable, provided they harmonize with the skin tone; brightness and clarity are especially valued. The expression should be lively, friendly, and slightly inquisitive, giving the breed its distinctive charm. The gaze must appear energetic and focused, never dull. Eyes that are too small, round, or expressionless are considered faults. The eyes play a key role in defining the Elf’s unique and friendly appearance and are essential for ICCF evaluation.
Ears
The ears are the defining feature of the Elf. They are large, broad at the base, and curve backward, creating the breed’s signature look. The cartilage must be flexible, forming a smooth, natural curl without stiffness or creasing. Ears are set high, directed upward and slightly outward, forming the characteristic silhouette. The inner ear may have fine down, though the skin is typically bare. Very small or upright ears lacking the backward curve are disqualifying faults. The ear shape must harmonize with the wedge-shaped head and accentuate its lines. The ears are the key identifying trait of the breed, and their correct form is one of the principal criteria of ICCF evaluation.
Neck
The neck of the Elf is long, flexible, and muscular, smoothly connecting the head to the body. It is graceful yet strong, emphasizing the breed’s elegance. Males have thicker, more powerful necks, while females are finer and more delicate. The skin on the neck often forms folds, which are characteristic of the breed. The neck should remain supple and proportional, never too short or too thick. A key ICCF standard requirement is the harmonious proportion of neck, body, and head, ensuring an elegant and exotic outline.
Body
The body of the Elf is medium to large, elongated, slender, and muscular. The chest is broad and deep, ribs are rounded, and the abdomen is taut. The back is straight and strong, smoothly flowing into the croup. The overall impression is one of both strength and suppleness. Males are typically larger and heavier, while females are more refined yet equally muscular. The skin forms folds, especially around the shoulders, chest, and abdomen—a distinctive trait of hairless breeds. Excessive bulk, weak musculature, or thinness are undesirable. The Elf’s body must express balance and uniqueness consistent with ICCF standards.
Tail
The tail of the Elf is long, flexible, and tapering to a fine tip, resembling a “rat tail.” It is completely hairless and smooth, sometimes with a faint down at the base or tip. The tail must be proportionate to the body length, providing balance during movement. It should be straight and supple, free of kinks or thickening. Short, bent, or stiff tails are faults. Occasionally, a fine tuft of hair may appear at the tip, which is not penalized. The tail emphasizes the breed’s flexibility and elegance, forming an integral part of the Elf’s expressive silhouette under ICCF standards.
Forelegs
The forelegs are medium in length, slender, straight, and strong-boned. The shoulders are well-laid back and close to the body. The paws are oval, neat, with long, flexible toes and pronounced pads. The skin on the legs is loose and forms light folds when in motion. Limbs must ensure both stability and elegance, maintaining body proportion. Bent legs, excessive heaviness, or weak bones are undesirable. Properly structured limbs provide the Elf with agility and grace, a hallmark of ICCF’s standard for this breed.
Hind Legs
The hind legs are slightly longer than the forelegs, giving the Elf its elegant, lifted posture and lightness of movement. The thighs are muscular and powerful, with well-developed joints. The hocks are firm and correctly angled. The paws are oval, neat, with flexible toes and soft pads. The hind limbs must ensure jumping power and smooth movement. Weak joints, crooked legs, or disproportionate length are faults. Harmony between fore and hind limbs is essential to maintain balance and correct gait. The hind legs should appear strong yet graceful, consistent with ICCF’s exterior standard.
Gait and Movement
The Elf moves with light, elastic, and fluid motion. Its gait is graceful and confident, giving the impression of constant readiness to leap. Movements are free, coordinated, and controlled. With long limbs and a flexible body, its stride is smooth and effortless. When running, steps are quick and agile. The gait must highlight balance and body proportions. Stiffness, lameness, or awkwardness are unacceptable. The Elf in motion should always appear lively and joyful, an essential characteristic of the ICCF breed type.
Coat
The Elf is a hairless breed. The skin is soft, warm, and velvety to the touch, often forming folds. A light down may be present on the nose, ears, paws, or tail but should be nearly invisible. The skin must be firm, elastic, and even in texture. Folds are most prominent on the neck, chest, and abdomen, which is characteristic of the breed. The presence of a dense coat is considered a serious fault. ICCF standards require the preservation of complete hairlessness and supple skin, emphasizing the breed’s exotic and unique character.
Acceptable Colors
All coat colors and patterns are accepted in the Elf breed, including solid, bicolor, tabby, tortoiseshell, harlequin, and van. There are no restrictions on color; overall harmony is key. Eye color may range from yellow to green or blue, and heterochromia is permitted. ICCF judges evaluate the evenness and clarity of pigmentation as well as harmony between skin tone and eyes. White markings are acceptable in all varieties. Artificial coloring or dyeing is strictly forbidden. ICCF values the breed’s genetic diversity of color as part of its richness.
Size
Elves are medium to large cats. Males weigh between 4 and 7 kilograms, females between 3 and 5 kilograms. The cat should remain graceful and mobile, without signs of heaviness. The height at the withers is moderate, with long limbs giving the illusion of additional height. Proportions must remain balanced; extreme miniaturization or excessive weight are considered faults. Size underscores the breed’s balance—an Elf should appear strong but not heavy, maintaining refined elegance, as emphasized in the ICCF system.
Faults
Faults include coarse or disproportionate body structure, weak musculature, excessive thinness or heaviness. Head faults include overly round or narrow skulls, loss of wedge shape, or small, incorrectly curved ears. Eyes that are small, round, or dull are faults. Limbs that are bent, too short, or overly heavy are penalized, as are weak joints and limited mobility. The tail must not be short, kinked, or thickened. Dense or long hair is a serious fault. Color faults include dull or uneven pigmentation or signs of artificial coloring. Behavioral faults such as aggression, fearfulness, or lack of sociability also reduce evaluation.
Disqualifications
Disqualifying defects include a complete absence of the ear curl, stiff or deformed ears, congenital deformities of the spine, limbs, or tail, or a fully developed coat inconsistent with the hairless type. Eye defects (strabismus), complete deafness, severe malocclusion, or evidence of surgical alteration are disqualifying. Skin diseases, parasites, or infections are grounds for exclusion. Any sign of crossbreeding with other breeds disqualifies the cat from ICCF registration. Aggressive or unmanageable behavior also results in disqualification. Any deviation distorting the Elf’s unique breed type leads to exclusion from shows and breeding under ICCF rules.
Important Notes
The Elf is a young breed requiring careful and controlled breeding. Particular attention must be paid to maintaining ear quality and the health of hairless lines. Only cats free of congenital and hereditary defects should be used for breeding. Proper care is essential, including protection from cold, sunlight, and regular skin maintenance. Because Elves are highly social and people-oriented, they require companionship and attention. ICCF emphasizes strict adherence to breeding standards to prevent loss of type or genetic health. Breeders bear the responsibility of preserving the breed’s exotic appearance and balanced temperament.
Conclusion
The Elf is a rare and unique breed combining an exotic appearance with a friendly disposition. Its hallmark is the large backward-curved ears, paired with a hairless, elegant physique. These traits make the Elf one of the world’s most extraordinary breeds. The ICCF applies strict standards for breeding and conformation, excluding any cats deviating from the defined type. Participation in ICCF exhibitions and breeding programs is permitted only for cats with official documentation verifying lineage and conformity. Under ICCF supervision, the breed continues to develop while preserving its unique qualities and status as a rare, collectible variety admired throughout international feline breeding.
