The mutation reappeared in 1985 and was also known as the Wirehair Rex.

The Wh gene (dominant, possibly incomplete) results in Wirehair cats.

Cat fanciers believed the strain originated from an American Wirehair belonging to military personnel.

But the real stars of the party were still dachshunds like Gunner, a caramel-colored wirehair who arrived wearing a little jeweled crown.

The American Wirehair is a breed of domestic cat originating in upstate New York.

The American Wirehair is a spontaneous mutation of the American Shorthair.

The Wirehair has an even, balanced temperament which is essentially identical to that of its American Shorthair relative.

The Wirehair coat trait is dominant, so any breeding between a Wirehair and another cat can produce wired kittens.

Nancy Dolling of Howard Beach, Queens, who arrived at 8:30 and was first in line, eagerly touted the qualities of her 8-year-old wirehair, Higgins.

The dog was a nice little fellow, a wirehair who was full of fun, and the Rickard kids were about as fine a bunch of kids as you'd find anywhere.

About two years ago, Aubrey Lees adopted a red wirehair dachshund she named Harry, and since then she has come to think of herself as a good judge of canine personality.

"He's good-looking and he's got a good personality, and he's big enough for everybody to see," Ms. Dolling said, and pointed to the second dog in line, a 2-year-old wirehair named Coco.