The Cornish Rex descends from a curly-coated kitten born on Bodmin Moor in 1950. Its coat consists only of soft, wavy down hair.
It is a lively, warmth-seeking breed that needs almost no grooming but feels the cold.
The Cornish Rex is a slender, long-legged cat with a short, soft coat that lies in tight waves. The breed began with one kitten born in Cornwall in 1950.
Origin
The kitten, a cream male named Kallibunker, was born to a farm cat on Bodmin Moor and was the only one in the litter with a curly coat. His owner, who had bred curly-coated rex rabbits, recognised a new mutation. Mating him back to his mother produced more curly kittens and showed that the gene is recessive. The breed was recognised in Britain in 1967.
Appearance
A normal cat's coat has three kinds of hair. The Cornish Rex has only the soft down layer, with no coarse guard hairs, and it forms even ripples over the body; the whiskers are curly too. The build has been compared to that of a whippet: an arched back, tucked-up waist, fine bones and long legs, with a narrow egg-shaped head, high cheekbones and very large ears set high. All colours are accepted.
Temperament
Cornish Rex are energetic, acrobatic and playful throughout their lives, and strongly attached to people. They seek warmth, on laps, under bedclothes and beside radiators.
Care and health
The coat needs little grooming and is easily damaged by brushing; stroking with a hand or soft cloth is enough. Without a protective outer coat these cats feel the cold and can burn in strong sun. They shed less hair than most cats but still produce the protein that causes allergy, so they are not a safe choice for people with a cat allergy. The breed is generally healthy.
Recognition
The Cornish Rex is recognised by the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy and all the international registries. It is a different breed from the Devon Rex, whose curls are caused by a different gene.
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