Cornish Rex

The Cornish Rex has a completely accidental origin, the result of a spontaneous mutation discovered in Cornwall, in the south-west of England. In 1950, Nina Ennismore found among the kittens of her farm cat a specimen very different from the rest: a male with a wavy coat, slender body and large ears, which she named Kallibunker. On observing that this trait was due to a recessive genetic mutation, she initiated a breeding programme to fix the type.

The geneticist A. C. Jude advised the programme and confirmed that the wavy coat was similar to that of the laboratory Rex (rabbits), which led to naming the new breed Rex. To broaden the gene pool, crosses were made with Burmese, Siamese and domestic cats. The breed arrived in the United States in the 1950s and was recognised by the CFA in 1964.

It is important to distinguish the Cornish Rex from the Devon Rex, which despite its similar appearance is due to a different genetic mutation: the two genes are incompatible and cannot be combined to produce a wavy coat.

The Cornish Rex has an unmistakable silhouette: long, slender and arched body with high hips that give it a characteristic posture. The legs are long and fine, the head is oval with a marked stop and the ears are large, wide at the base and well upright. Its ethereal appearance and graceful movements give it an almost supernatural look, compared by many to a greyhound or an elf.

The most defining trait is its wavy coat without guard hairs: composed solely of underfur (undercoat), it is extraordinarily soft and warm to the touch, with waves or curls covering the entire body. Due to the absence of guard hairs, the Cornish Rex is not completely hypoallergenic, although some people with mild allergies tolerate it better.

Its personality is lively, playful and extremely sociable. The Cornish Rex is not a calm cat: it loves to play, explore, jump to elevated spots and persistently claim the attention of its owners. It maintains kitten-like behaviour throughout its adult life.

The Cornish Rex's coat is one of the easiest to maintain in the feline world: having no guard hairs, it barely sheds into the environment. However, attention must be paid to the ears and skin: the absence of outer hair leaves the skin more exposed, and the folds of the ears can accumulate dirt. Periodic gentle cleaning of the ears with a damp cloth is sufficient.

Due to its low body insulation, the Cornish Rex feels the cold more intensely than other breeds. In cold climates it may actively seek out heat sources: its owner's lap, warm blankets. It must be ensured that it has warm spaces available.

The Cornish Rex has a very active metabolism and a corresponding appetite. Nutrition must be of high quality and provide enough calories to cover its activity level. It is important not to excessively restrict caloric intake, as it tends to stay naturally slim due to its build.

Hereditary alopecia can occur in some Cornish Rex, causing progressive coat loss without an infectious or parasitic cause. Although not painful, it has a genetic basis that responsible breeders try to control. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common cardiac disease in felines and also affects the Cornish Rex; regular echocardiographic check-ups allow early detection.

Due to its lesser body coverage, the Cornish Rex is more sensitive to temperature changes and can develop hypothermia more easily than other breeds in cold environments. It may also have greater sensitivity to certain topical medications or anaesthetics, which is why it is important to inform the vet of the breed before any procedure.

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