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Donskoy vs Ukrainian Levkoy
The Ukrainian Levkoy descends from the Donskoy and the Scottish Fold. It adds folded ears, the welfare debate and a calmer manner.
Verdict
The Ukrainian Levkoy is bred from the Donskoy and the Scottish Fold, so the choice comes down to ears and health. The Donskoy is hairless or nearly so, lively and clinging. The Levkoy has the same bare skin, plus ears that fold forward, and it scores lower for energy and play. The fold gene carries a known cartilage and bone disorder, and kittens with reliable records are very hard to find. Choose the Donskoy for the simpler hairless cat, and the Levkoy only after careful thought and vet advice.
Choose the Donskoy if
- You want a lively, affectionate hairless cat.
- You want to avoid the fold-ear welfare debate.
- You are home most of the day.
- You will manage the skin and ask about ectodermal dysplasia.
Choose the Ukrainian Levkoy if
- You want a calmer hairless cat with folded ears.
- You have weighed the health debate over folded ears and hairlessness.
- You can find a breeder who documents the health of their cats.
- You accept a Very rare breed and ask about osteochondrodysplasia.
Where they are alike
Both are medium cats with bare or nearly bare skin that sheds almost no hair and needs warmth and care. Both are not recognised by the CFA, and no breed is hypoallergenic.
Side by side
| Donskoy | Ukrainian Levkoy | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Rex, hairless, fold and dwarf | Rex, hairless, fold and dwarf |
| Origin | Rostov-on-Don, Russia | Ukraine |
| Size | Medium | Medium |
| Typical weight | 6-12 lb (2.7-5.4 kg); males are larger | — |
| Lifespan | Commonly 12-15 years | — |
| Coat length | Hairless | Hairless |
| Coat | Bare skin or a short covering of down, flock, velour or brush hair, depending on the cat | Hairless or with very little hair; soft, elastic, wrinkled skin |
| Cat Fanciers' Association | Not recognised by the CFA | Not recognised by the CFA |
| How common | Rare | Very rare |
| Affection | 5 | 4 |
| Energy | 4 | 3 |
| Playfulness | 4 | 3 |
| Talkativeness | 3 | 2 |
| Grooming needed | 3 | 3 |
| Shedding | 1 | 1 |
| Good with children | 4 | 3 |
| Good with other pets | 4 | 3 |
| Happy alone | 1 | 2 |
| Trainability | 4 | 4 |
| Suits a small home | 4 | 4 |
| Allergies | No breed is hypoallergenic. Allergens come from saliva and skin as well as hair, and a hairless cat can still trigger a reaction. | — |
| Suits | A warm home with someone around most days that welcomes a clinging, curious cat and does not mind skin care. | A reader interested in a very new breed, with an informed view of the health debate over folded ears and hairlessness. |
| Less suited to | A cold or empty house, or an owner unwilling to manage sunburn and oily skin. | Most households. Both the fold and the hairless trait carry health concerns, and kittens are very hard to find with reliable records. |
| Registries that recognise it |
| — |
| Health conditions to watch |
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Facts come from each breed's profile. Scores run from 1 (low) to 5 (high) and describe a breed in general. Every cat is an individual, so meet the cat before you decide.
Last reviewed November 7, 2026