Cornish Rex

Detailed description of Cornish rex

Cornish rex is a medium-sized cat breed with a curly coat. The coat of cornish rex cats consists of only down hairs that provide the cat with limited protection against cold.

Genesis

The first-ever cat with curly and fine hair was born In 1950 on a farm in Cornwall. Curly coat appeared on a single cat in the entire litter so the owner decided to backcross the kitten to his mother which resulted in the litter of cats with unusual, curly fur. Later on, curly-haired cats have been crossbred with Siamese cats, which resulted in the next litters of cats with curls in their fur taking after Siameses, especially in regards to their lean bodies, skinny tails and triangular heads adorned with huge ears. The usage of the word “rex” to imply some aberration originates from a rabbit show in Belgium, to which King Albert I of Belgium supposedly brought two curly-haired rabbits. Though the animals did not meet the breed standard, judges and show officials did not want to risk offending the king, so they accepted the animals and wrote the word “rex” (Latin for king) beside their names.

Appearance

Cornish rex cats have quite a bit in common with siamese cats, with which the ancestors of the modern breed have been crossbred. Cornish rex cats have muscular but lean bodies, long and lean legs that make cats appear tall. The long, skinny tail is the cherry on top for the lean appearance of the cornish rex cats. Triangular head with big and wide ears set high atop it seems small. Cornish rex cats have medium-sized and almond-shaped eyes, usually in a bold and vivid colour. But the most important feature of the cornish rex cat is most definitely the fur. Cats of this breed have dense and short hair with a pronounced curl to it. Cornish rex cats' coats lack guard hair and awn hair - it can lead to a quick loss of body heat, especially during winter. Fur that lacks the guard hair has a tendency to become greasy, mostly on the chin and paws.

Behaviour

Cornish rex are very active felines that love any physical activities, such as jumping, running around and more. This intelligent cat breed is very quick learners and can easily adapt to new surroundings or situations. Cornish rex cats can be extremely communicative and social - you can expect that your cat will gladly accompany you during any everyday tasks, many times loudly meowing to get your attention. Cornish rex cats are known for being very curious about their surroundings and friendly towards other pets. They get along well with children too. Due to their coat lacking guard and awn hair they do best as indoor only cats - they can quickly lose body heat which can even lead to hypothermia.

Requirements

Cornish rex cats do best as exclusively indoor cats - in the warm home or apartment it is easier for them to maintain their higher body temperature. Provide your cat with a ton of warm and cozy places to lounge around, especially during winter, when even the warmest places can get colder than usual. As an active and playful breed cornish rex cats need a proper amount of physical activity. Cats of this breed love the company of their humans, so prepare yourself to spend some quality time with your cat every day.

Daily care

Curly coat of the cornish rex cats has no other hair except for down - it is fine and light and has a tendency to get greasy rather quickly. Cornish rex cats do require more baths than other cat breeds. Once a week brush your cat, but remember to be gentle - putting too much pressure on light and curly hairs can disrupt the hair structure and ruin the curls. Trim your cat’s nails regularly, check the ears and clean them if needed. Always use care products made specifically for cats that are made to suit the pH balance of their skin.