Cornish Rex: breed description, photo, character and more

general information

• Breed name: Cornish Rex.
• Country of origin: England.
• WeightThe Breed Standard / Cornish Rex Club of Canada: 2.2 - 4 kg.
• Height at withers: up to 27 cm.
• Medium life expectancyThe Cornish Rex/CFA: from 15 years old.
• Average price: from 15,000 rubles.

What do Cornish Rex look like?

Future Cornish owners should put an internal filter on insults in advance. Most likely among your loved ones there will be those who will call your pet "ugly".

The breed rarely leaves indifferent: the Cornish are either considered fabulous plush elves or bald monsters. Their appearance is really unusual. Long thin paws and a high arch of the back visually "relate" the Cornish with Russian greyhounds and hounds. The outstretched fingers resemble those of a monkey. The thin tail of the Cornish is controlled like a whip. And huge ears above the egg-shaped head complete the picture and make the Rex a target for metaphors.

The refined body structure of the Cornish is due to the genes Siamese cats, but the noble profile is not yet the main feature of the breed. Business card - curly wool. Soft short curls lie in waves close to the body and make cats look and feel like astrakhan lambs. By the way, the mustaches of the Cornish are the same - short, barely noticeable and twisted. Interestingly, the mutation that gave the Cornish their “fur coat” is natural and happened by accident. In 1950, in the English county of Cornwall, a strange KittyThe Cornish Rex/CFA British Shorthair. Narrow muzzle instead of the usual round and fluffy, flexible, skinny tail and strange coat - baby Kallibunker was a real surprise for his owner and Cornwall veterinarians. He also gave the world a new breed, registered in 1967.

Cornish have a lot of color variations: completely black, snow-white, tortoiseshell, tricolor, red, gray and striped, lilac and point - with darkened legs and muzzle. And there are also fur coats with interesting spots scattered over the body.

The softness of these cats' fur makes them excellent live antistress. The tactile properties are partly due to the absence of stiff protective hairs. Houses with Rexes will be clean, because short-haired cats shed less noticeably. By the way, many people think that this breed is suitable for allergy sufferers. But this is a myth. Hypoallergenic cats do not exist at all: a special proteinAn update on molecular cat allergens: Fel d 1 and what else? / NCBI, which is found in cat saliva and skin flakes.

What is the personality of the Cornish Rex

If the cat-dog really existed, he could have been born a Cornish Rex. The nature of these pets is more like a dog: loyal and affectionate curly cats do not tolerate loneliness very well and are not suitable as a pet for those who are rarely at home. Cornish love to sleep with the owners under the covers and sit on the owners' shoulders, they can bring balls and sticks (and not only in their teeth, but also in their fingers!) And endure obsessive caresses.

How do Cornish Rex get along with adults?

Cornish - faithful companionsCornish Rex Club Of Canada. Washing dishes, during yoga classes, in the bathroom - you will not be left alone anywhere if you get a Rex. Some owners call such cats annoying: it is almost impossible to hide from curly-haired "stalkers" in the apartment. And cats of this breed are very fond of playing and are able to persistently and loudly demand attention. So the Cornish can deliver hassleCornish rex / PetMD for those who want to have a calm purring fluffy at home for quiet evenings. When choosing this breed, it is important to understand that every owner leaving the house is stressful for the pet, and upon returning you will be greeted at the doorstep with indignant meowing.

A convenient feature of the Cornish is that they easily adapt to the daily routine of the owners. Such cats can be trained to sleep at night and save yourself from awakening to the roar of a raging hunter.

How do Cornish Rex get along with children?

Rexes will easily share with younger children love for gamesCornish rex / PetMD. Getting a Cornish is a good way to teach your child to share: restless cats tend to "steal" toys from their little owners. At the same time, curly pets are very patient: in any case, it’s not worth letting a child torment a pet, but scratches and biting a cat will probably only respond as a last resort. But the games of children with kittens need to be monitored carefully: corniches can get very carried away and scare the kids with their hyperactivity.

How do Cornish Rex get along with other animals?

It is almost impossible to guarantee a happy cohabitation of any animals. But the Cornish is a curious, friendly and very sociable breed, so there should not be any serious problems with neighbors of other breeds and species.

What conditions of detention are required for Cornish Rex

Cornish Rex cats are hyperactive, but medium-sized, so you can comfortably accommodate such cats in a small apartment. It is important to consider that Rex are very fond of jumpCornish rex / PetMD. Shelves, cabinets, a refrigerator, floor dryers and mezzanines - the Cornish will climb anywhere. On the one hand, it is important to take care of the space for cat maneuvers, and on the other hand, to make sure that curious pets are safe at altitude. We'll have to remove everything that can be dropped and broken.

A happy landing on four paws is a dangerous myth, so Cornish breeders need to install special screens on the windows. Standard anti-mosquitoes are not the best choice: they will easily fly out into the street with the animal. It is also not worth hoping for a ventilation mode. A curious cat can get stuck in a window opening and get seriously injured.

Active Rex need toys. To keep restless pets busy for a while, balls and teasers will do. The latter can be fixed so that the rope with a bow or a mouse is constantly in sight and swaying invitingly before the eyes of the Cornish, so the pet will learn to play on its own. But you don’t need to buy cute toys with catnip: domestic purrs, especially kittens, can be frightened by a strong smell.

Next, you need a standard set: a tray, carrying, bowls (preferably metal or ceramic), scratching post. With the purchase of a bed, you can not rush. The Cornish are very thermophilic, often sleeping on radiators, and at night with their owners under a blanket. Wait until the pet chooses its own place, and even then pick up a bedding or a soft house.

You can buy any tray. Cornish are finicky in matters of cleanliness, but they calmly get used to a tray without filler. The main thing is to put the cat litter in a secluded place, wash it more often or change the filler.

What to buy

• Protective reinforced mesh on windows from Trixie, 1,660 rubles →
• A set of four plastic balls for cats from Papillon, 96 rubles →
• Teaser with feathers, 100 rubles →
• Tray with mesh from Sima-Lend, 149 rubles →
• Plastic carrier for cats from "Pijon", 1 379 rubles →
• Ceramic bowls on a stand from AliExpress, 463 rubles →
• Metal bowls on a stand, 750 rubles →
• Scratching post couch from Tommy Cat, 990 rubles →

How to feed Cornish Rex

Like most other cats, Cornish can also eat specialized feedand natural food. The main thing is to choose one food model that is convenient for you and suitable for your pet. Combining food with a regular food diet is not a good idea. Pet foods are formulated to meet the daily needs of pets for vitamins, minerals and calories, and, diluting such a diet with something from the table, you run the risk of knocking down the calculated balance and exposing your pet’s stomach to excess load.

In the case of the Cornish Rex, food will be more convenient than a natural diet: cats of this breed are similar to dogs in that they do not control appetite. Whatever portion you put in, the bowl will be immediately empty. So dry food with a gram calculated per serving is a great way out for curly gluttons. And you can also buy a special interactive bowl for the cat: you have to literally get food from it. Such feeding will significantly lengthen the meal and will be a good workout for the brain.

How to care for Cornish Rex

The hair of the Cornish is shorter and thinner than that of most other cats, so it is not necessary to comb out the Rex. In addition, this is a very clean breed, and there is no special need to wash the pet more than several times a year. Sometimes you can wipe the Rex with a damp cloth and comb with a soft rubber brush to remove excess fluff. Also don't forget about nail trimming: not all animals grind them down naturally, and regrown claws can be dangerous for both the owners and the pet itself.

The main feature of Cornish care is cleaning the ears. Their "elven" physiology contributes to rapid contamination, so you will have to go over the top of the ears with a cotton swab at least once a week.

What causes Cornish Rex

Cornish cats are sensitive to hypothermia and drafts: the animal can easily catch a cold, and owners should be prepared for the fact that cats also have snot and tears. Discharge from the nose and eyes is eliminated simply by eliminating the draft, and colds in Rex usually do not require special treatment. To check if your pet is cold, touch his ears. But if the symptoms do not go away on their own within a couple of days, the animal becomes lethargic and refuses to eat, it’s definitely not worth delaying a visit to the veterinarian.

The lack of a tough protective coat also makes the Cornish vulnerable to the sun. burnsCornish Rex Guide, so long sunbathing is contraindicated for rex. By the way, cats of black colors under hot rays can burn out and become chocolate - this is not dangerous, and you should not be afraid of such metamorphoses.

Despite the outward fragility, Rex is generally a very healthy breed, but their condition directly depends on nutritionCornish Rex breed information. They tend to gain weight easily, so you have to provide your pet with daily physical activity with games or training - these cats are amenable to it. And if there is an imbalance in the diet, the pet may develop bald patches. The problem resolves quickly if the host restores the correct menu.

What to Look for When Buying a Cornish Rex

Responsible breeders are not usually opposed to getting to know the parents of the chosen kitten. It can be very helpful to see how your pet's mom and dad look and behave. Aggression or excessive fearfulness are alarm bells. It is also important to assess the conditions of the kennel where you take your pet: it is unlikely to pick up a healthy animal from a dirty, cramped and poorly equipped premises.

A good seller is ready to patiently answer all questions about the breed, feeding and adaptation of a kitten in a new home. And the most responsible ones even conduct an “interview” with the buyer, because decent breeders care about where and how the life of the ward will pass.

Next, evaluate the appearance and behavior of the baby. An animal that grew up in good conditions usually does not hiss or hide in a corner at the sight of a new person. Check that the future pet does not grow hair in the ears. The fur coat should be soft and silky, without bald patches and coarse hair.

If the cattery, breeder and parents of the kitten have passed the trust test, and the baby itself does not cause you anything but affection, take care of the documents. At a minimum, the pet should be given with a veterinary passport. Ideally, you should draw up a sale and purchase agreement with the breeder and get a metric (cat's birth certificate).