Let's talk Cornish Rex
The Cornish Rex, named for their coat’s resemblance to that of the rex rabbit, are affectionate, people-oriented, and highly active cats, whose kitten-like antics last a lifetime.
Fetch and catch are truly among the breed’s favourite games and they may even use their agile paws to pick up and toss small objects. That means: You should be prepared for a high-energy cat. Although it has a fragile appearance, the Cornish Rex is a very sturdy breed, they are perfect pets for the owner who wants active cats to participate in family life.
Official name: Cornish Rex
Origins: United Kingdom
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Warm weather? |  |
| Energy Level (high, low, medium) *: | High | Family pet? * |  |
| Compatibility with other pets: |
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* We advise against leaving pets alone for long stretches. Companionship can prevent emotional distress and destructive behaviour. Speak to your veterinarian for recommendations.
Every pet is different, even within a breed; this snapshot of this breed’s specifics should be taken as an indication.
For a happy, healthy and well-behaved pet, we recommend educating and socialising your pet as well as covering their basic welfare, social and behavioural needs.
Pets should never be left unsupervised with a child.
All domestic pets are sociable and prefer company. However, they can be taught to cope with solitude from an early age. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or trainer to help you do this.
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20 - 30 cm
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3.5 - 4.5 kg
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20 - 30 cm
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2 - 3.5 kg
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| Baby cat: | Birth to 4 months |
| Growing kitten: | 4 to 12 months |
| Adult: | 1 to 7 years |
| Mature: | 7 to 12 years |
| Senior: | From 12 years |
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Origins of the breed
For many enthusiasts, the Labrador Retriever remains one of the most popular all-round dogs worldwide. It’s thought that Labrador Retrievers originated from the coast of Newfoundland, Canada, where fishermen used dogs of this appearance to retrieve fish. The breed as we know it today, however, was established by the British in the early 1800’s.
The Labrador Retriever Club was founded in 1916 and the first standard followed soon after, predominantly tailored to working Labrador Retrievers who found early fame, having been originally introduced to the U.K. in the late 1800’s by Col Peter Hawker and the Earl of Malmesbury.
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2 facts about Cornish Rex
1. Cat-proof the home for this adventurer
Did we mention the Cornish Rex is high-energy? The breed loves to run, jump, climb, and explore (often into your cabinets and closets, you’ve been warned!) and will need the vertical space to do so freely and safely.
2. Well-known waves, the Cornish Rex hallmark
The wavy coat of the Cornish Rex, the breed’s hallmark, is like the feline version of the marcel wave, the elegant flapper hairstyle of the 1920s. Where most cat breeds have the long hair of an outer coat (called guard hairs), a middle layer, and a down undercoat, the Cornish Rex only has the third, making them velvety in appearance and incredibly soft to touch.
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History of the breed
The Cornish Rex breed emerged from a cat born to a housecat in Cornwall, England, in 1950. Named Kalibunker, the kitten was a red and white male with a tightly curled coat of fur, giving him the impression of a little lamb.
As Kalibunker grew, so did his ears, torso, and head. It became clear that he was significantly different from the other cats in the litter. His fine-boned, slender body was supported by long legs and his head was far narrower than the British domestic shorthair standard. His “bat ears” were especially differentiating, leading to the realisation that this cat was special due to a genuine mutation.
Experimental breeding involving outcrosses to Siamese, British, and Burmese ultimately formed the Cornish Rex as we know it today. Officially recognised in the UK in 1967, the breed has been very popular around the world ever since.
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From head to tail
Physical characteristics of Cornish Rex
1. Head
Egg-shaped head with large eyes and oval eyes.
2. Body
Long, slender body and a long, tapered tail.
3. Whiskers
Short crinkled or curved whiskers.
4. Coat
Soft, visibly wavy coat, comes in a variety of colours.
5. Legs
Long and straight legs.
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Things to look out for
From specific breed traits to a general health overview, here are some interesting facts about your Cornish Rex
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Caring for your Cornish Rex
Grooming, training and exercise tips
Less is more when it comes to grooming your Cornish Rex. Their silky and wavy coat is actually quite delicate so excessive brushing or combing could damage the fur as well as the skin underneath. Although bathing is rarely needed, it is advisable to check their ears and nails weekly. Where your Cornish Rex needs the most attention is in their activity levels as this breed has a lot of energy. Engage your Cornish Rex with fetch and high-activity toys, such as interactive teasers, and be sure to keep cat trees and high perches accessible to satisfy their climbing instincts. A highly intelligent and adventurous cat, the breed can also be taught tricks and be entertained for hours simply by having the space to explore (in other words: The Cornish Rex might be better suited to a house than a small apartment!).
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All about Cornish Rex
While the two breeds have similar origin stories and even personalities, their differences lie in their appearance: The Cornish Rex has an egg-shaped head and a short and thin coat with no guard hair whereas the Devon Rex has a more triangular head and a triple coat of curly fur. The Cornish Rex is largely considered to involve less maintenance than the Devon Rex.
The Cornish Rex will go the distance! On average, the breed will live to be 15 years old but it isn’t uncommon for the cat to live a long and healthy life of 20 years. It takes a healthy diet, an active lifestyle, and your companionship!
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Your guide to adopting a cat
Your guide to buying a kitten
Sources
1 - Veterinary Centers of America https://vcahospitals.com/
2 - Royal Canin Cat Encyclopaedia. Ed 2010 and 2020
3 - Banfield Pet Hospital https://www.banfield.com/
4 - Royal Canin BHN Product Book