When did the Lykoi Cat First Appear in the U.S.? The Lykoi cat is a unique breed that has captured the hearts of many cat enthusiasts in the United States. But when did this unusual feline first make its appearance in the country? Let’s explore the story of the Lykoi cat’s origins in America.
The Lykoi cat was first developed in Vonore, Tennessee in 2010 by breeder Johnny Gobble. The name “Lykoi” is derived from the Greek word for wolf, due to the breed’s distinctive resemblance to the wild canid. However, the breed was not officially recognized until 2017 by The International Cat Association (TICA).
The first appearance of the Lykoi cat in the United States was in 2011 when Johnny Gobble introduced the breed to the public. As word spread about this fascinating new feline, more breeders began to take an interest in the Lykoi and started to breed them themselves.
Today, the Lykoi cat is becoming increasingly popular in the United States, and there are many breeders and enthusiasts dedicated to promoting and preserving this unique breed.
- The Lykoi cat was first developed in Vonore, Tennessee in 2010 by breeder Johnny Gobble.
- The name “Lykoi” comes from the Greek word for wolf, due to the breed’s resemblance to the wild canid.
- The Lykoi cat was first introduced to the public in 2011, and its popularity has been growing ever since.
- The breed was officially recognized by The International Cat Association (TICA) in 2017.
- There are now many breeders and enthusiasts dedicated to promoting and preserving the Lykoi cat in the United States.
When did the Lykoi Cat First Appear in the U.S. – The Origins of the Lykoi Cat
The Lykoi cat, also known as the “werewolf cat” due to its unique appearance, has a fascinating history in the United States. The breed was first recognized in America in 2011, but its origins can be traced back to a natural mutation in a litter of domestic shorthair cats in Memphis, Tennessee in 2010.
According to the International Cat Association (TICA), the first Lykoi cat was discovered by Johnny Gobble and Brittney Gobble, who noticed the kitten’s unique appearance and reserved personality. After conducting genetic testing, it was confirmed that the kitten carried a mutated gene that produced the Lykoi’s signature hairless and patchy coat.
Following the discovery, the Gobbles worked with other breeders to develop the Lykoi into an established and recognized breed. In 2011, the Lykoi was presented to TICA for evaluation and was granted registration status as a new breed.
Since then, the breed has continued to grow in popularity, with more breeders producing and selling Lykoi cats across the United States. Today, the Lykoi is recognized as a unique and distinct feline breed, with its origins rooted in a chance mutation of a domestic shorthair cat in Memphis.

Now let’s dive into the specifics of how the Lykoi cat first arrived in the United States, marking its emergence in the country’s feline landscape. The breed was initially introduced to the U.S. in 2010 when a litter was born to two cats with similar features in Vonore, Tennessee. The breeders noticed that some of the kittens had a unique hair pattern that made them look like tiny werewolves.
The Tennessee-based breeders, Johnny Gobble, and his wife Brittney, were fascinated by this distinctive appearance and started to selectively breed these cats to produce a more consistent and recognizable look. Soon enough, the Lykoi cat became a recognized breed in the United States under The International Cat Association (TICA) in 2011.

The breed quickly gained popularity among cat enthusiasts and attracted breeders and cat owners across the U.S. By 2012, the first Lykoi cat outside the U.S. was born in Canada, and the breed began to make its mark globally. Today, the Lykoi cat is a recognized breed by several major cat associations and continues to grow in popularity among feline lovers worldwide.
Related Posts
- How Often Do Lykoi Cats Seek Human Interaction- Lykoi Cat Breed And Human Companionship Explained
- Do Lykoi Cats Like to Climb? Feline Tree Climbing Aspect Of The Lykoi Cat Breed
- Are Lykoi cats territorial? Possessive And Territorial Behavior Of The Lykoi Cat Breed
- How Do Lykoi Cats React to Strangers – Lykoi Cat Breed And Stranger Interaction
- Do Lykoi Cats Have Any Unique Behavioral Traits?
Timeline of the Lykoi Cat in America
The Lykoi cat, also known as the werewolf cat, made its way to the United States in 2011. It was during this time that the first known breeding program for the Lykoi cat was established in Vonore, Tennessee.
The first Lykoi cats were the result of a natural mutation that occurred in a domestic shorthair cat in 2010. Breeders Johnny and Brittney Gobble noticed a unique appearance and behavior in the kitten, which they named “Daciana.” They later bred Daciana with a black domestic shorthair to produce a litter of four kittens with the same unique appearance.
The Lykoi cat’s unique appearance and personality quickly caught the attention of cat lovers and breeders, and the breed began to gain popularity in the United States. By 2012, the International Cat Association (TICA) accepted the Lykoi cat as an official breed for registration.
Since then, the Lykoi cat has continued to grow in popularity, with more breeders establishing programs to preserve and expand the gene pool. In 2016, the Lykoi cat was granted championship status by TICA, allowing it to compete in shows alongside other recognized breeds.
Today, the Lykoi cat continues to be a unique and sought-after breed among cat enthusiasts. Its emergence in the United States has not only provided a new and exciting breed of cat, but it has also demonstrated the resilience and adaptability of the domestic feline.

The Lykoi

