Breed Profiles

Cornish Rex

The Cornish Rex is the oldest of the three Rex Cat breeds, and originated 1950 as a natural mutation in a litter of barn cats.

The Cornish Rex cat gets his name from the Rex rabbit because of similarities in their unusual wavy coats, known as a marcel waves. The coats are curly in appearance and they have curly whiskers & eyebrows. The typical cat has three types of hair, guard hairs, and fawn hairs & down hairs (the undercoat). The Cornish Rex coat completely lacks the guard hairs, giving it a lovely soft feel. The drawback is that they are not very well insulated and can be sensitive to cold. These critters have arched backs with long legs, and a barrel chest. They can be any colour. The head is wedge shaped, & is longer than it is wide; it has high cheekbones & a roman nose. The ears are set high on the head, but should not be too close together. The eyes are oval. The large, open ears should be checked and cleaned regularly. Groom by stroking with a gloved hand.

The Cornish Rex has an average lifespan of 15 years and has no special requirements bar that their large, open ears should be checked and cleaned regularly and they should be groomed by stroking with a gloved hand. They are quiet, outgoing and active cats and enjoy being a part of the family. They have a high energy level & love to play well into adulthood. They are also very acrobatic & love to climb and are even known to enjoy playing fetch with their owners! They are extremely intelligent cats & very affectionate. They get along with other pets & children. Their fine textured wavy coat is thought by some to make them hypoallergenic, although the jury is still out on that issue!