A striking, distinctly 'dog-faced' hairless cat with inward-folding ears, created in Ukraine in the early 2000s. Sociable, even-tempered and deeply attached to its people.
- Origin
- Ukraine
- Category
- hairless
- Lifespan
- 12–15 yrs
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 3.5–5.5 kg
- Coat
- Hairless or near-hairless, soft elastic skin
- Colours
- All skin tones and patterns
😺 Temperament
🏡 Best suited to
📊 Personality ratings
📜 History & origin
The Ukrainian Levkoy is a young, deliberately designed breed first bred in Kyiv in 2004 by felinologist Elena Biriukova, who crossed a Donskoy (a hairless cat) with a Scottish Fold to combine hairlessness with folded ears. The result is a unique angular, 'dog-like' profile found in no other breed. The name comes from the levkoy flower, whose folded petals echo the cat's distinctive drooping ears. It is recognised by Ukrainian and Russian cat associations but remains rare outside the region.
🧼 Care & grooming
Like other hairless cats, the Levkoy needs regular bathing or wiping to remove the oily residue that would normally be absorbed by fur, plus gentle ear cleaning. Its bare skin loses heat quickly and sunburns easily, so keep it indoors, warm and out of direct sun — many owners provide soft sweaters in winter. The folded ears should be checked and cleaned carefully and gently.
🩺 Health notes
As a newer breed with Donskoy and Scottish Fold ancestry, responsible breeding is important — the fold gene is associated with cartilage and joint issues, so reputable breeders manage matings carefully. Hairless cats also need extra attention to skin health, warmth and sun protection. A balanced diet supports their faster metabolism, since they burn energy keeping warm.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)