The German Rex cat is the first Rex cat to appear in the world. The origin dates back to the year 1930 in a town in Germany with the appearance of a kitten resulting from a cross between an Angora cat and a Russian blue. However, development of the breed did not begin until 1951, when another curly-coated kitten was discovered and began to be interbred with other curly-coated cats. The character of these medium-sized curly-haired cats is gentle, affectionate, docile, sociable and they love the company of their fellows. In addition, they are not predisposed to any particular disease, being strong and he althy cats.
Keep reading this article from PlanèteAnimal to know all the characteristics of the German Rex cat and learn more about these curious felines, their origin, their character, their care, their he alth and where to adopt them.
Origin
- Europe
- Germany
FIFe Rating
- Category III
Physical Characteristics
- Thin tail
- Big ears
- Strong
Size
- Average
Average Weight
- 5-6
Life expectancy
- 10-15
Character
- Active
- Extrovert
- Affectionate
- Calm
Hair type
- Short
Origins of the German Rex cat
Although these cats already appeared in Königsberg in the 30s and 40s through crosses with Russian Blue and Angora, it was not really until 1951 that the development of this breed began to be taken seriously. This happened after a stray cat with curly hair was captured by veterinarian R. Scheuer-Karpin. In order not to lose this phenotype, this cat was crossed with a Cornish Rex cat and a litter of curly-haired kittens was born. These were then crossed to start the selection of a new breed, the German Rex.
In 1960 they were exported to the United States and today it is one of the favorite breeds in European countries.
Characteristics of the German Rex Cat
The German Rex is a medium-sized feline that measures 30 to 35 cm and weighs 4 to 7 kg. The body of these cats is athletic and muscular, with strong legs of medium length that allow them to reach great heights when jumping, and a tail that ends in a rounded, thin and robust point at the base.
The head of these cats has a medium size and arched profile, with broad cheeks, a firm chin, curly whiskers and medium ears with a broad base and somewhat rounded tips. On the other hand, the eyes are round, widely set apart and of a color matching that of the coat.
German Rex colors
If we talk about the characteristics of the German Rex, the coat is what most attracts the attention of these cats. It is smooth and wavy, short, but longer than that of the Cornish Rex.
All hair color types are accepted at the German Rex, except chocolate/cinnamon or their dilutions (fawn and lilac) in any combination. However, the most common coats in the German Rex are:
- Cinnamon
- Brown
- Frost
- Red
- Black
- Chestnut
- White
German Rex character
The German Rex cat has a good temperament, he is friendly and affectionate, very sociable and dependent on his master, so he does not like to be left alone at home, because he likes the company of his family, including including other animals. Being a calm and balanced cat, he is suitable for children, with whom he can also get along very well, thanks to his very playful spirit.
While not an overly communicative breed like Oriental cat breeds can be, the German Rex enjoys communication and lets it be known through their meows so that their guardians can understand and interact with.
Caring for a German Rex
These cats require special attention and daily games, as they are dependent and very affectionate.Otherwise, they can quickly find themselves frustrated. In addition, they must benefit from a largely provided environment when they are alone, do not hesitate to buy them a scraper to their liking to be able to sharpen their nails and mark the object. They should also have a suitable litter box with nice sand that they like.
The wavy hair of these cats should be brushed at least two or three times a week to prevent tangles, hairballs, remove dirt and loose hair, as well as to stimulate blood circulation so that their coat looks shiny and strong. The bath will be necessary when they are dirty or need a care-type shampoo for a skin or hair problem.
The eyes, ears and teeth of these cats need to be cleaned frequently to prevent infections and diseases that affect these structures. Likewise, food for cats must be complete and balanced with a high percentage of animal protein.In this way, all the nutrients will be obtained in their correct proportions for the maintenance of all their vital functions and their he alth in general. This food must be divided into several doses with water always available. For more details, don't miss this other article on what cats eat.
German Rex He alth
The German Rex cat has a life expectancy of between 12 and 16 years. It is a strong and he althy cat that is not prone to any particular disease. In any case, it is very important to carry out a good preventive medicine with vaccination to prevent infectious diseases such as feline leukemia, feline rhinotracheitis, calicivirosis or chlamydia, as well as a correct deworming to prevent internal parasites and external diseases and infectious diseases, which they can in turn transmit.
Early sterilization is also important to reduce the risk of mammary tumors in females and prevent other conditions such as pyometra or ovarian cysts and tumors; and in males, reproductive system problems such as tumors, hydroceles, and testicular inflammation.Annual he alth checkups are particularly important from the age of 7, when the risk of suffering from chronic diseases such as kidney disease, endocrine disease or diabetes increases.
Adopt a German Rex
If you have fallen in love with this feline breed and have been thinking long and hard about adoption, the first thing to do is to go to the animal shelters in your area and ask for the availability of a German Rex cat. These cats are more common in European countries or the United States, so if you live in other areas, it may be difficult to adopt a specimen. If there is no availability, you can search the internet for the existence of an association for the rescue of cats of this breed or other Rex breeds.
German Rex pictures
