Breed 33

Cornish Rex

breed description

The Cornish Rex official standard of points decrees that the cats should be elegant, foreign-type, medium-sized, with long, slender legs, and small oval paws, looking as if they are standing on tiptoe.

The Cornish head is a medium wedge, egg-shaped, with gentle lines, and high cheekbones, narrowing to a gently rounded muzzle, and firm chin. Their ears are very distinctive; large and ‘mussel shell-shaped’, with rounded tips, set rather high – but not vertically.

Their eyes should be oval-shaped and medium in size, with the top line set almost straight, and a slight slant to the outer edge of the ear; any eye colour is acceptable in the standard. The neck should be elegant and the body slender, hard and muscular, and the tail long, fine, and tapering. Although slender, they should feel surprisingly heavy when picked up.

The coat is very distinctive; short, dense, and silky, with no guard hairs, and should have neat, even, and well-defined waves (sometimes described as Marcel waves), especially over the back, sides, and tail; coats are at their best once the cat is fully mature. The whiskers and eyebrows will also be crinkled.

There are no points for colour for the Cornish Rex; all and any are acceptable.

health

They are generally a very hardy and long-lived breed, and don’t require a lot of special care, but don’t fare well out in the rain because they can become soaked due to the lack of guard hairs in their coat.

They do moult and, contrary to some reports, they are not hypoallergenic. A gentle hand grooming or occasional brush is all their coat requires to keep it in good condition, although they can tend to get greasy ears and toes.

They have very good appetites, and care should be taken to ensure they don’t overfeed and become too plump.

Paler coated or cats with white ears, may require sun protection in the summer months if they are allowed outside. Their body temperature is the same as that of any other cat, but because of their light coat they feel especially warm to the touch.
The lifespan for a Cornish Rex is around 16-plus years, although it is not unusual for them to live up to 20 years. They remain playful and energetic well into old age.
Males weigh between 8-10 pounds and females 5-7 pounds.

Temperament

The Cornish Rex is a very active breed, with their muscular hind legs enabling them to run very fast and jump high. They are fun-loving and require space to play, including vertically.

They have an endearing personality, are extremely affectionate, and make wonderful companions; bonding with and positively seeking the companionship of their human family. They are a good choice for families with children or other pets, and they enjoy a snuggle and a lap to sit on.

They are intelligent, curious, and tolerant. They are not particularly vocal, but communicate with their eyes and their body language, and make excellent therapy cats.

breeding cornish rex

The Joint Rex Breed Advisory Committee

Breeds which have been approved for use in outcrossing are: Abyssinian, Asian Shorthair, British Shorthair, Burmese, Ocicat, Oriental Shorthair, Russian Blue, Siamese, Tonkinese. . In addition, European Shorthair are permitted in the pedigrees of imported cats. All other breeds are listed as non-approved.

Note: Cats on the Genetic Register are not suitable to use for outcrossing

Full Register

Cornish Rex which have within the preceding three generations only Cornish Rex.
In the fourth and Fifth generations only Cornish Rex, Cornish Rex Variants, Abyssinian, Asian Shorthair, British Shorthair, Burmese.
In addition, European Shorthair are permitted in the pedigrees of imported cats.

Supplementary Register

Cornish Rex which have within the preceding five generations only Cornish Rex, Cornish Rex Variants, Abyssinian, Asian Shorthair, British Shorthair, Burmese, Ocicat, Oriental Shorthair, Russian Blue, Siamese or Tonkinese. In addition, European Shorthair are permitted in the pedigrees of imported cats. (See Reference Register Note 3 for information on the possibility of a change from the Reference to Supplementary Register when a cat of good breed phenotype is an adult.)

Reference Register

1. Cornish Rex Variants which have within the preceding five generations only Cornish Rex, Cornish Rex Variants, Abyssinian, Asian Shorthair, British Shorthair Burmese, Ocicat, Oriental Shorthair, Russian Blue, Siamese or Tonkinese. shall be registered on the Reference Register with a Cornish Rex Variant breed number. In addition, European Shorthair are permitted in the pedigrees of imported cats.

2. Cornish Rex and Cornish Rex variants which have within the preceding five generations any non-approved breeds, including non-pedigree cats, shall be registered on the Reference Register. NB When kittens with one or both parents registered on the Reference Register are, under this Registration Policy, eligible to be registered on the Supplementary Register it is recommended that the person registering these kittens requests such registration and encloses documentary evidence of the five generations required. If this is not done the kittens may be registered on the Reference Register.

3. Normal coated cats produced from variant x variant matings will have no breed number only colour description and will be over-stamped 'may carry the Cornish Rex gene'. Unless proven by DNA test to carry the CRX gene. If proven by test to carry the gene they are Cornish Rex variants.

4. All cats resulting from matings between Cornish Rex and any other rex coated breed will have no breed number and will be over-stamped 'not recommended for breeding’. Their progeny will remain permanently on the reference register’.

5. Any cats of Cornish Rex appearance, either Rex or normal coated, with Sphynx ancestry will be registered on the Reference Register and be over-stamped 'must not be used for Cornish Rex breeding'. No progeny will ever be recognised or registered as Cornsih Rex or Cornish Rex Variants.

6. All cats resulting from matings between Cornish Rex and any longhaired breed will be overstamped 'carries the longhair gene'. Their progeny will be overstamped 'may carry the longhair gene'. Unless a vet certified DNA test demonstrates that a cat does not carry any of the Long Hair genes.

NOTE 1: In accordance with GCCF Rules, Section 1, rule 1g, before the registration of any white Cornish Rex or white Cornish Rex Variant, on the active register a BAER or OAE certificate of freedom from deafness for the cat to be registered must be supplied to the GCCF. For identification purposes cats must be micro chipped prior to testing.

NOTE 2: All DNA samples for testing with the results to be submitted in support of registrations must be taken and certified by a vet. For identification purposes cats must be microchipped prior to testing and the number clearly shown on all documentation and the cat’s own veterinary record.

Note 3: In accordance with GCCF Rules, Section 1, rule 12c ii, the Cornish Rex Registration policy stipulates that cats (and their progeny) with registered parents who conform sufficiently to the breed phenotype, as defined by the Standard of Points, may be re-allocated to the Supplementary Register from the Reference Register and so be eligible for competition in GCCF shows. The opinion of at least three Full Judges of the breed would be required in support from occasions when the cat is shown as an adult in exhibition with critique classes.