Cornish Rex Facts

Originating in Cornwall, England, the Cornish Rex domestic cat breed was first accepted by the Cat Fanciers Association, or CFA, in 1964 for the purposes of competition. Cornish Rex cats are bred both in the U.K. and U.S. with different crossbreeding producing slightly different cats in each country.

  1. History

    • The story of the Cornish Rex begins with a tortoiseshell cat litter born on July 21, 1950, in Cornwall. One of the five kittens born in this litter was a male that had a curly coat, which was considered unusual as the breed was expected to have straight hair. A vet referred the owner to a geneticist who suggested after testing that the male be bred back with its mother to get more curly-coated kittens. The geneticist further wrote an article, which raised interest, about the curly-coated cat. The owner began breeding selectively to produce this curly-coated cat and by 1956, had 40 such cats.

    Description

    • In 1957, breeding stock Cornish Rex cats were imported to California where differing breeding styles started to change the breed. British versions are slightly more robust than American cats, with deeper chests and more powerful musculature. The American varieties have been cross-bred with Siamese, Burmese and American shorthairs and have taken on the more slender bodies of these breeds. American Cornish Rex cats have longer, more slender necks and more dainty legs and paws than the British variety. The head shape is also different as the British version has a more wedge-shaped head compared to the American's egg-shaped head.

    Coat and Color

    • All Cornish Rex cats have a tight wavy coat referred to as Marcel waves, which is named after a 1920s hairstyle. This coat is short and offers poor insulation, meaning the Cornish Rex is not suited to being an outdoor cat. The tight wave also means that it sheds less than many cat breeds, making it suitable for some allergy sufferers. Originating from a tortoiseshell cat means the breed can be a wide range of colors and patterns. Solid colors include white, black and red, and combinations of all of these colors are possible.

    Temperament

    • The Cornish Rex is a lively breed and is sometimes described as clownish in behavior. The Cornish Rex is a naturally social breed and craves contact with its owner, making for a good lap cat. It has a friendly demeanor and usually gets along well with children and other pets. Aggression is not a common trait in the breed as long it is not treated roughly.