Ukrainian Levkoy cat breed: facts, temperament and care
A rare, nearly hairless cat from Ukraine with ears that fold forward, bred from the Donskoy and the Scottish Fold and drawn into welfare debate.
Also known as Levkoy, Ukrainian Levkoy cat, Ukrainsky Levkoy
Quick facts
| Origin | Ukraine |
|---|---|
| Size | Medium |
| Coat length | Hairless |
| Coat | Hairless or with very little hair; soft, elastic, wrinkled skin |
| Colours and patterns | Skin and coat colours vary; no full standard is widely documented |
Recognition
| Cat Fanciers' Association | Not recognised by the CFA |
|---|---|
| How common | Very rare |
Temperament and care (1 low, 5 high)
| Affection | 4 |
|---|---|
| Energy | 3 |
| Playfulness | 3 |
| Talkativeness | 2 |
| Grooming needed | 3 |
| Shedding | 1 |
| Good with children | 3 |
| Good with other pets | 3 |
| Happy alone | 2 |
| Trainability | 4 |
| Suits a small home | 4 |
Best suited to
| Suits | A reader interested in a very new breed, with an informed view of the health debate over folded ears and hairlessness. |
|---|---|
| Less suited to | Most households. Both the fold and the hairless trait carry health concerns, and kittens are very hard to find with reliable records. |
Health conditions to watch
- Osteochondrodysplasia
About the Ukrainian Levkoy
The Ukrainian Levkoy is a very new breed from Ukraine, created by crossing the hairless Donskoy with the Scottish Fold. Most sources credit a breeder named Elena Biriukova and place the work in the early 2000s, with the breed look reached around 2004. It is medium-sized, with a long, lean, muscular body, and little or no hair. The skin is soft, elastic and wrinkled where there is excess.
The ears are the signature. They fold forward and down from a point partway up, so that a third to a half of the ear bends over without lying against the head. This gives the cat a distinctive face with an upswept, angular profile. Some kittens in each litter have straight ears.
Registry status is unsettled. Most sources say that the major international registries do not recognise the breed. Reports differ on whether the WCF, or only some national and regional bodies, accept it. Check any claim with the registry itself.
Temperament and living with one
Descriptions are limited. Owners and breeders describe an intelligent, affectionate, people-oriented cat. A hairless cat needs warmth and company, and does best in a home with someone around. Little independent information is available on temperament across the breed.
Care: coat, food and play
Hairless skin needs care. It can be oily and needs regular cleaning, and it is sensitive to sun and cold. Keep the cat indoors and offer warm bedding. Clean ears gently, as wax can build up. Feed a complete diet in measured meals and ask your vet about portions.
Health
The fold gene is a known cause of osteochondrodysplasia, a painful cartilage and bone disorder, and cats with two copies are the most severely affected, often with growths on the leg bones. Cats with one copy can show similar but usually milder signs. Breeders are told to pair a fold-eared cat only with a straight-eared cat. Hairlessness adds skin and heat concerns. The welfare of breeds based on the fold gene is debated, and some countries restrict breeding of folded-eared cats. Ask your vet.
Is it right for you?
This is a breed to approach with caution. Anyone considering a kitten should ask for health records and the parents' ear types, and should check local rules. For a hairless cat without the fold gene, consider the Donskoy, the Peterbald or the Sphynx.
Profile last reviewed November 7, 2026