Did You Know?
The Cornish Rex derives his name from Cornwall and Rex Rabbit, whose coat has a resemblance with the former. The cat first appeared in Cornwall in 1950.
Size
The Cornish Rex is a small to medium-sized kitty, weighing between 6 and 10 pounds.
Coat
Short, soft, silky
Color
Cornish Rex comes in an array of colors, including black, blue, cream, chocolate, lilac, red, and tortoise shell
Life Span
12 years
Dubbed as the “doglike” cat, the Cornish Rex is an affectionate, lovable, and charming cat breed. The tabby is always looking for an opportunity to sit in your lap. He is a perfect addition to families that promise to offer constant companionship, love, and care. The Cornish Rex loves the attention he receives from kids and elders alike, including cat-friendly pets. This cat breed has a lifespan of about 12 years.
Physical Characteristics of The Cornish Rex
One standout feature of this breed is his soft, wavy hair, strongly bridged Roman nose, and striking expression. The small-to-medium-sized tabby with a muscular built has large expressive ears flanking his egg-shaped head with big eyes, hollow cheeks, and high cheekbones. He has unusually long hind legs that carry hisWhippet-like arched body. With his curved profile, curly coat, and elegant appearance, the study cat breed is a study in curves, belying his fragile appearance with its small waist, barrel chest, and arched back.
The cat breed comes in different colors, such as black, blue, cream, chocolate, lilac, red, and tortoise shell.
Personality and Temperament of The Cornish Rex
A dignified, loving, and affectionate companion, the Cornish Rex is a people-oriented cat, whose kitten-like antics carry into their old age. The playful, active, and demanding tabby is ever ready to fetch and catch. Like dogs, they often tend to use their agile paws to fetch, catch, or pick up small objects.
The attention-seeking kitty loves to indulge in mischief, fun, and frolic and is not the right match for the busy jet-setter. If you overlook the tabby, he will become mischievous and naughty and do anything to grab attention. They love to fetch things and leap onto high shelves or cupboards.
They become overactive at dinner time. Do not be surprised if they insist getting a share of your dinner, that too, from your plate. They just love to get a pie from your platter.
The Cornish Rex is not an ornamental cat, who will remain quiet and laidback in a corner of your room. The highly active tabby loves to follow you around the house and enjoys your warm companion. So making trips to the vet or getting therapy work is easy for the cat breed.
Although he is not talkative, he may start and carry on a conversation if he wants to convey something. The charming, suave, and refined tabby has a sweet to strident voice. He has a highly intelligent cat’s sense of humor and will not waste an opportunity to play tricks, play the piano, to capture attention.
When putting things away from his sight, make sure he is not around. Otherwise, you are only wasting time, as the tabby can amaze you with his acrobatic skills and reach out to the highest point in a room. He can use his long toes to effortlessly open doors and cabinets.
Health and Care of The Cornish Rex
The Cornish Rex is a healthy cat breed; however, both mixed and pedigreed cats have reported umbilical hernia, which is a defect in the abdominal wall. The last case of an umbilical hernia was reported in 1997. Some instances of congenital hypotrichosis, which is a form of hereditary baldness, have been reported in the Cornish Rex. Ideally, they have a fine coat, but there are a few tabbies from the breed with less hair that are considered to be hypotricotic.
The kid-friendly cat is the best companion for owners who want to introduce a playful pet to their family life. They shed less hair and are categorized as“hypoallergenic.”
The Cornish Rex always seeks warmth even though he may feel warm to touch. Grooming him is as easy as brushing your hand over his silky coat, though some cats from the breed may have a longer or woolier coat.
Gentle grooming with a soft brush is the best way to groom and prevent their delicate hairs from breaking. They have a life expectancy of around 11-12 years.
History and Background of The Cornish Rex
The Cornish Rex originated in Cornwall in the 1950s as a kitten of a tortoiseshell and white domestic cat. The short, curly haired kitten in orange and white with a long body was named Kallibunker, who was then crossed with his mother, Serena. The breeding resulted in a litter of similar curly coated kittens.
Although the cat breed came to the United States in 1957, they got recognition from the Cat Fanciers Association in 1964. The attention-loving, affectionate, and playful cat breed has become a widely popular show cat.
