Ukrainian Levkoy

The Ukrainian Levkoy is a recent artificial and experimental breed, initially developed in Ukraine in the early 2000s by Elena Biriukova. Resulting from the cross of female Donskoy with male Scottish Fold, the Levkoy has a distinct and unique appearance. Two spontaneous mutations of the dominant FD genes of cats with folded ears (appeared in a simple domestic cat in Scotland) were used, as well as a spontaneous natural dominant mutation of the absence of hair or baldness of the BD domestic cat gene in Russia. Both had appeared in the 20th century in Scotland and Russia. Oriental shorthair breed cats and domestic cats were also used during mating to obtain the required characteristics of the Levkoy. The breed was recognized in 2005 in Ukraine by ICFA RUI (Rolandus Union International), then in Russia in 2010 by the ICFA WCA. In Ukraine, since September 2010, it was estimated that Ukrainian Levkoy could receive the title of 'Champion' and participate in the 'The Best in Show' competition. To this day, ten Levkoy have received this title. In Russia, the first 'Champion' and 'The Best in Show' titles were awarded in 2011. Other organizations are raising this new breed as an experimental breed and these cats therefore cannot receive awards at feline shows.

Ukrainian Levkoy are friendly, playful and intelligent cats. They are generally very social, enjoying human or family company as well as the company of other pets (such as dogs, rats, or even pigs). They do not require brushing, but need special skin care to protect them from direct sunlight and particularly cold conditions.

Viewed from above, the head of a Ukrainian Levkoy resembles a pentagon with light contours, slightly longer than wide, where the length of the muzzle represents only a third of the length of the head. The forehead is rather low and the skull is long and flat. Prominent cheekbones and eyebrows form the angular contours of the head. The profile of the cat's head is 'stepped' on two levels. The upper lines of the nasal ridge and head are almost parallel. The eyes are almond-shaped. The whiskers are curled, can be briefly broken, and the neck is medium in length, muscular and slightly arched from the shoulder to the base of the skull.