Cornish Rex

The Cornish Rex is a slender, fine-boned cat with a short, wavy coat that lacks the usual outer guard hairs — soft as cut velvet to the touch.

History

It began with a curly-coated kitten born on a farm in Cornwall, England, in 1950, and was developed from that natural mutation. The gene involved is distinct from the one behind the Devon Rex, though the two share a rexed look.

Temperament

The breed is known for being active, playful and affectionate — an athletic, acrobatic cat that stays kitten-like and enjoys being at the centre of things. It is sociable and dislikes long spells alone.

Care

The delicate coat needs only gentle handling, but the breed's fast metabolism and thin coat mean it seeks warmth and eats heartily. It appreciates a warm, active home.

Health

The breed is generally healthy; its main considerations are the warmth its sparse coat cannot provide and, in some lines, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. These are patterns for the breed rather than a verdict on one cat; the measured facts and trait ratings are in the panels.