“Are those cats from outer space?!”
No, Cornish Rex cats are not from outer space and, in spite of their resemblance
to ancient Egyptian statues, they are not from Egypt either. As their
name implies, these cats originated in Cornwall, England, where they first
appeared in a litter of barn cats born about 1950.
In appearance, Cornish Rex cats are a study in curves starting most noticeably
with their coat which ideally falls in washboard waves. The coat is very
short, lies close to the body and is incredibly soft to the touch, prompting
comparisons to cut velvet, karakul lamb, rabbit fur or silk. In fact,
it feels like a Cornish Rex coat and nothing else is the same. There is
even variation among individuals within the breed.
In addition to the coat, this breed has a distinct head and body type.
Large ears are set high on a comparatively small, egg-shaped head with
high cheekbones, hollow cheeks, and a high-bridged Roman nose and strong
chin. The body has been compared to a Whippet dog’s because of its
arched back, barrel chest, small waist and very long, fine legs. In spite
of their dainty appearance, these small to medium sized cats are extremely
hard-bodied and muscular, using their well developed hips and long legs
for fast starts and stops, quick turns and high jumps.
In personality, the Cornish Rex is extremely affectionate and people-oriented.
They are also active cats whose kitten-like antics last for their lifetime
and who can be very inventive in their play. Favorite Cornish Rex games
are fetch, catch and even “discus,” in which the cat uses
its hand-like paw to pick up and toss a small object.
In spite of their sophisticated, elegant appearance, Cornish Rex cats
are anything but cool, aloof or dignified. They are perfect pets for the
owner who wants active cats to participate in family life.
Because of their extremely short, fine textured coat, many people have
the impression that the Cornish Rex does not shed and is hypoallergenic.
This is not strictly true.
All animals are constantly renewing their coats as old hairs are replaced
by new ones. While Cornish Rex hairs are not easy to find lying on the
furniture, they are there and owners will find them in the dryer filter
and clinging to some fabrics. Certainly, by comparison to some other cats,
the shedding is minimal. Even so, most allergic people are bothered by
the dander (dead skin cells) and the saliva, both of which are present
in Cornish Rex cats. Policies concerning allergy sales vary from breeder
to breeder and potential buyers should realize each breeder does what
he or she feels is in the cats’ best interest.
Pricing on Cornish Rex depends on type, applicable markings and bloodlines
distinguished by Grand Champion (GC), National or Regional winning parentage
(NW or RW) or of Distinguished Merit parentage (DM). The DM title is achieved
by the dam (mother) having produced five CFA grand champion/premier or
DM offspring, or sire (father) having produced fifteen CFA grand champion/premier
(alter) or DM offspring.
Usually breeders make kittens available between twelve and sixteen weeks
of age. After twelve weeks, kittens have had their basic inoculations
and developed the physical and social stability needed for a new environment,
showing, or being transported by air. Keeping such a rare treasure indoors,
neutering or spaying and providing acceptable surfaces (e.g. scratching
posts) for the natural behavior of scratching
(CFA disapproves of declawing or tendonectomy surgery) are essential elements
for maintaining a healthy, long and joyful life.
General: the Cornish Rex is distinguished from all other
breeds by its extremely soft, wavy coat and racy type. It is surprisingly
heavy and warm to the touch. All contours of the Cornish Rex are gently
curved.
By nature, the Cornish Rex is intelligent, alert, and generally likes
to be handled.
Profile: a curve comprised of two convex arcs. The forehead
is rounded, the nose break smooth and mild, and the Roman nose has a high
prominent bridge.
Head: comparatively small and egg shaped. Length about
one-third greater than the width. A definite whisker break, oval with
gently curving outline in front and in profile.
Muzzle: narrowing slightly to a rounded end.
Ears: large and full from the base, erect and alert;
set high on the head.
Eyes: medium to large in size, oval in shape, and slanting
slightly upward.
A full eye's width apart. Color should be clear, intense, and appropriate
to coat color.
Nose: Roman. Length is one-third length of head. In profile
a straight line from end of nose to chin with considerable depth and squarish
effect.
Cheeks: cheek bones high and prominent, well chiseled.
Chin: strong, well-developed.
Body: very distinctive, small to medium in size, males
proportionately larger but never coarse. Torso long and slender, not tubular,
showing a deep, but not broad chest.
The general outline is comprised of graceful arches and curves without
any sign of flatness. The back is naturally arched and evident when the
cat is standing naturally.
The underline gently curves upward from the ribcage to form a smallish
(tucked up in appearance) waistline. Hips and thighs muscular and feel
somewhat heavy in proportion to the rest of the body.
Shoulders: well-knit.
Rump: rounded, well-muscled.
Legs: very long and slender. Thighs well-muscled, somewhat
heavy in proportion to the rest of the body. The Cornish Rex stands high
on its legs.
Paws: dainty, slightly oval. Toes: five in front and
four behind.
Tail: long and slender, tapering toward the end and extremely
flexible.
Neck: long and slender.
Bone: fine and delicate.
Coat: short, extremely soft, silky, and completely free
of guard hairs.
Relatively dense. A tight, uniform marcel wave, lying close to the body
and extending from the top of the head across the back, sides, and hips
continuing to the tip of the tail. Size and depth of wave may vary. The
fur on the underside of the chin and on chest and abdomen is short and
noticeably wavy.
Condition: firm and muscular.
Penalize: sparse coat or bare spots.
Disqualify: kinked or abnormal tail. Incorrect number
of toes.
Any coarse or guard hairs. Any signs of lameness in the hindquarters.
Signs of poor health.
White: pure glistening white. Nose leather and paw pads:
pink. Eye color: deep blue or brilliant gold. Odd-eyed whites shall have
one blue and one gold eye with equal color depth.
Black: dense coal black, sound from roots to tip of fur.
Free from any tinge of rust on the tips. Nose leather: black. Paw pads:
black or brown. Eye color: gold.
Blue: blue, lighter shade preferred, one level tone from
nose to tip of tail.
Sound to the roots. A sound darker shade is more acceptable than an unsound
lighter shade. Nose leather and paw pads: blue. Eye color: gold.
Red: deep, rich, clear, brilliant red; without shading,
markings, or ticking.
Lips and chin the same color as the coat. Nose leather and paw pads: brick
red.
Eye color: gold.
Cream: one level shade of buff cream, without markings.
Sound to the roots.
Lighter shades preferred. Nose leather and paw pads: pink. Eye color:
gold.
Chincilla silver: undercoat pure white. Coat on back,
flanks, head, and tail sufficiently tipped with black to give the characteristic
sparkling appearance. Legs may be slightly shaded with tipping. Chin,
stomach and chest, pure white. Rims of eyes, lips, and nose outlined with
black. Nose leather: brick red. Paw pads: black. Eye color: green or blue-green.
Shaded silver: undercoat white with a mantle of black
tipping shading down from sides, face, and tail from dark on the ridge
to white on the chin, chest, stomach, and under the tail. Legs to be the
same tone as the face. The general effect to be much darker than a chinchilla.
Rims of eyes, lips, and nose outlined with black.
Nose leather: brick red. Paw pads: black. Eye color: green or blue-green.
Black smoke: individual hair shafts white or silver,
each deeply tipped with black.
In repose, the cat appears black. In motion, the white base of the hairs
is readily apparent. Points and mask black with narrow band of white at
base of hairs next to skin which may be seen only when fur is parted.
Nose leather and paw pads: black.
Eye color: gold.
Blue smoke: individual hair shafts white or silver, each
deeply tipped with blue.
In repose, the cat appears blue. In motion, the white base of the hairs
is readily apparent. Points and mask blue with narrow band of white at
base of hairs next to skin which may be seen only when fur is parted.
Nose leather and paw pads: blue.
Eye color: gold.
Red smoke: individual hair shafts white or silver, each
deeply tipped with red.
In repose, the cat appears red. In motion the white base of the hair is
readily apparent. Points and mask red with narrow band of white at base
of hairs next to the skin, which may be seen only when fur is parted.
Nose leather and paw pads: rose. Eye color: gold. Cream smokeE:
individual hair shafts white or silver, each deeply tipped with
cream.
In repose, the cat appears cream. In motion the white base of the hair
is readily apparent. Points mask cream with narrow band of white at base
of hairs next to skin, which may be seen only when fur is parted. Nose
leather and paw pads: pink.
Eye color: gold.
Lavender, lavender and white, lavender smoke: frosty
grey with pinkish tones. Eye color: gold. Nose leather, paw pads, eye
rims: lavender pink.
Chocolate, chocolate and white, chocolate smoke: rich,
warm chocolate brown, darker color preferred. Paw pads: cinnamon pink.
Eye color: gold.
Nose leather, eye rims: brown.
Classic tabby pattern: markings dense, clearly defined,
and broad.
Legs evenly barred with bracelets coming up to meet the body markings.
Tail evenly ringed. Several unbroken necklaces on neck and upper chest,
the more the better. Frown marks on forehead form an intricate letter
"M." Unbroken line runs back from outer corner of eye. Swirls on cheeks.
Vertical lines over back of head extend to shoulder markings which are
in the shape of a butterfly with both upper and lower wings distinctly
outlined and marked with dots inside outline. Back markings consist of
a vertical line down the spine from butterfly to tail with a vertical
stripe paralleling it on each side, the three stripes well separated by
stripes of the ground color.
Large solid blotch on each side to be encircled by one or more unbroken
rings.
Side markings should be the same on both sides. Double vertical rows of
buttons on chest and stomach.
Mackerel tabby pattern: markings dense, clearly defined,
and all narrow pencillings. Legs evenly barred with narrow bracelets coming
up to meet the body markings. Tail barred. Necklaces on neck and chest
distinct, like so many chains.
Head barred with an "M" on the forehead. Unbroken lines running back from
the eyes. Lines running down the head to meet the shoulders. Spine lines
run together to form a narrow saddle. Narrow pencillings run around body.
Spotted tabby pattern: markings on the body to be spotted.
The spots can be round, oblong, or rosette-shaped. Any of these are of
equal merit but the spots, however shaped or placed, shall be distinct.
Spots should not run together in a broken mackerel pattern. A dorsal stripe
runs the length of the body to the tip of the tail. The stripe is ideally
composed of spots. The markings on the face and forehead shall be typical
tabby markings. Underside of the body to have "vest buttons."
Legs and tail are barred.
Patched tabby(classic, mackerel, spotted): an established silver,
brown, or blue tabby with patches of red and/or cream. Eye color: gold.
PATCHED TABBY & WHITE(classic, mackerel, spotted): white with colored
portions, the colored portions to conform to the currently established
patched tabby color standards. Eye color: gold, blue, or odd-eyed.
Brown patched tabby: ground color brilliant coppery brown
with classic or mackerel tabby markings of dense black with patches of
red and/or cream clearly defined on both the body and extremities; a blaze
of red and/or cream on the face is desirable. Lips and chin the same shade
as the rings around the eyes.
Eye color: brilliant gold.
Blue patched tabby: ground color, including lips and
chin, pale bluish ivory with classic or mackerel tabby markings of very
deep blue affording a good contrast with ground color. Patches of cream
clearly defined on both body and extremities; a blaze of cream on the
face is desirable. Warm fawn overtones or patina over the whole.
Eye color: brilliant gold.
Silver patched tabby: ground color, including lips and
chin, pale silver with classic or mackerel tabby markings of dense black
with patches of red and/or cream clearly defined on both body and extremities.
A blaze of red and/or cream on the face is desirable. Eye color: brilliant
gold or hazel.
Silver tabby: (classic, mackerel, spotted): ground color,
including lips and chin, pale clear silver. Markings dense black. Nose
leather: brick red. Paw pads: black.
Eye color: green or hazel.
Red tabby: (classic, mackerel, spotted): ground color
red. Markings deep, rich red. Lips and chin red. Nose leather and paw
pads: brick red. Eye color: gold.
Brown tabby: (classic, mackerel, spotted): ground color
brilliant coppery brown. Markings dense black. Lips and chin the same
shade as the rings around the eyes.
Back of leg black from paw to heel. Nose leather: brick red. Paw pads:
black or brown. Eye color: gold.
Blue tabby: (classic, mackerel, spotted): ground color,
including lips and chin, pale bluish ivory. Markings a very deep blue
affording a good contrast with ground color. Warm fawn overtones or patina
over the whole. Nose leather: old rose. Paw pads: rose. Eye color: gold.
Cream tabby: (classic, mackerel, spotted): ground color,
including lips and chin, very pale cream. Markings buff or cream sufficiently
darker than the ground color to afford good contrast but remaining within
the dilute color range. Nose leather and paw pads: pink. Eye color: gold.
Tortoiseshell: black with patches of red or softly intermingled
areas of red on both body and extremities. Presence of several shades
of red acceptable. Blaze of red on face is preferred. Nose leather and
paw pads: black and/or brick red.
Eye color: gold.
Tortoiseshell smoke: individual hair shafts white or
silver, each deeply tipped with red or black. In repose, cat appears tortoiseshell.
When the coat is parted, the white base of the hairs is readily apparent.
Points of the cat may exhibit deeper tipping than in the rest of the coat.
Nose leather and paw pads: black and/or brick red.
Eye color: gold.
Calico: white with unbrindled patches of black and red.
White predominant on underparts. Eye color: gold, odd-eyed or blue.
Calico smoke: white with unbrindled patches of black and red.
In non-white areas, individual hair shafts are white or silver, each deeply
tipped with red or black.
Cat in repose appears calico. When the coat is parted, the white base
of the hairs is readily apparent. Points of the cat may exhibit deeper
tipping than in the rest of the coat. Eye color: blue, gold, or odd-eyed.
Van calico: white cat with unbrindled patches of black
and red confined to the extremities; head, tail and legs. One or two small
colored patches on body allowable. Eye color: gold, blue or odd-eyed.
Dilute calico: white with unbrindled patches of blue
and cream.
White predominant on underparts. Eye color: gold, blue or odd-eyed.
Tortoiseshell and white: black with patches of red softly intermingled
(brindled) and white on both body and extremities. Presence of several
shades of red acceptable. Less than 1/4 of body being white. Eye color:
gold, blue or odd-eyed.
Blue-cream and whiteblue with patches of cream softly
intermingled (brindled) and white on both body and extremities. Less than
1/4 of body being white.
Eye color: gold, blue or odd-eyed.
Blue-cream: blue with patches of solid cream. Patches
clearly defined and well broken on both body and extremities. Eye color:
gold.
Blue-cream smoke: individual hair shafts white or silver,
each deeply tipped with blue or cream. Patches clearly defined and well
broken on both body and extremities. In repose, the cat appears blue-cream.
In motion, the white base of the hairs is readily apparent. Points and
mask blue or cream with narrow band of white at the base of hairs next
to skin, which may be seen only when fur is parted. Eye color: gold.
Dilute van calico: white cat with unbrindled patches
of blue and cream confined to the extremities; head, tail, and legs. One
or two small colored patches on body allowable. Eye color: gold, blue
or odd-eyed.
Bi-color: solid color (black, blue, red and cream) and
white; tabby (brown, blue, silver, red and cream) and white; smoke (black,
blue, red and cream) and white; and any pointed and white. Cats with no
more white than a locket and/or button do not qualify for this color class.
Such cats shall be judged in the color class of their basic color with
no penalty for such locket and/or button. Eye color: gold, odd-eyed or
blue.
Van bi-color: solid color (black, blue, red and cream)
and white; tabby (brown, blue, silver, red and cream) and white; smoke
(black, blue, red and cream) and white; and any pointed and white. White
cat with color confined to the extremities; head, tail and legs. One or
two small colored patches on body allowable.
Eye color: gold, odd-eyed or blue.
Pointed: body color can range from white, bluish white, ivory
to pale fawn depending on the point color the cat is. The points on the
legs, tail, ears and head will be much darker than the body color. Nose
leather and paw pads: same color as points.
Eye color: blue.
Pointed and white: a bi-color cat with point color on
the head, ears and tail with spots of point color on body and legs along
with white. Eye color: blue.
Orc: (Other Rex Colors): any other color or pattern.
Eye color: appropriate to the predominant color of the cat. Eye color
(where any other color or pattern is coupled with white, exclusive of
buttons or lockets): gold, blue or odd-eyed.
head (25)
5 ..Size and shape
5 .. Muzzle and Nose
5 .. Eyes
5 .. Ears
5 .. Profile
Body (30)
3 .. Size
10 .. Torso
5 .. Legs and Paws
5 .. Tail
5 .. Bone
2 .. Neck
Coat (40)
10 .. Texture
5 .. Length
20 .. Wave, extent of wave
5 .. Close lying
Color (5)