{"id":15233,"date":"2015-01-23T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2015-01-22T22:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tvaryny.com\/?p=15233"},"modified":"2025-05-27T20:37:59","modified_gmt":"2025-05-27T17:37:59","slug":"german-rex","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tvaryny.com\/en\/breed-german-rex","title":{"rendered":"German Rex"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The German Rex is a charming breed of domestic cat with a unique curly coat and a history dating back to the mid-20th century; read more on Tvaryny<\/a><\/strong>. It is often considered the first of the Rex breeds. These cats are true companions, going through life with optimism and their tails held high. Their cheerfulness, liveliness, and intelligence are striking. The German Rex adores being the centre of attention, happily plays with children and other pets, and basks in the warmth and affection of its owner. Its velvety, wavy coat, which lacks stiff guard hairs, requires minimal grooming, but the cat itself needs warmth and care, becoming a true “curly” gem in any home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

German Rex: A Brief Breed Overview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"German<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Characteristic<\/th>Description<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Origin<\/td>Germany (East Berlin)<\/td><\/tr>
Time of origin \/ recognition<\/td>~1947 \/ 1951, 1982 (recognised by FIFe)<\/td><\/tr>
Lifespan<\/td>12\u201316 years, sometimes longer<\/td><\/tr>
Height at withers<\/td>~30\u201335 cm<\/td><\/tr>
Weight<\/td>Females 3\u20134 kg; males 4\u20135 kg<\/td><\/tr>
Temperament<\/td>Affectionate, sociable, playful, intelligent, even-tempered, patient, active<\/td><\/tr>
Grooming<\/td>Minimal (light brushing with a soft brush or by hand once a week; ear care)<\/td><\/tr>
Activity<\/td>Medium \/ High<\/td><\/tr>
Vocalisation<\/td>Moderate<\/td><\/tr>
Compatibility with children<\/td>Very good<\/td><\/tr>
Compatibility with other animals<\/td>Good<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

History of the German Rex Breed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The history of the German Rex begins not with selective breeding, but with a stroke of luck and the attentiveness of one woman. Contrary to initial reports about crossbreeding Angora and Russian Blue cats, the real story involves an unnamed black curly-coated cat found around 1947 (or 1951, according to other sources) in the garden of the Hufeland Hospital in East Berlin (then GDR). Dr Rose Scheuer-Karpin, a doctor, noticed the unusual animal and named her L\u00e4mmchen<\/strong> (German for “little lamb”) due to her curly, sheep-like coat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

L\u00e4mmchen lived freely on the hospital grounds, regularly producing kittens. It was only in 1957 that the first deliberate mating between L\u00e4mmchen and one of her sons (a black cat named Fridolin) was carried out to establish the curly coat gene. The result was kittens with the same wavy fur. This proved that the mutation responsible for the curliness is recessive<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The breed’s further development took place in Germany. Interestingly, the mutation causing the curliness in the German Rex (designated as the ‘re’ gene, or Rex Type 1) turned out to be identical to the mutation of the Cornish Rex<\/a><\/strong>, a breed that began to develop around the same time in Great Britain, but entirely independently. This means that when a German Rex is crossed with a Cornish Rex, all kittens are born curly. However, the mutation of the Devon Rex<\/a> (Rex Type 2) is different, and crossing a German Rex with a Devon Rex will produce kittens with straight fur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although L\u00e4mmchen appeared before the first Cornish Rex (Kallibunker, born in 1950), the German Rex breed developed more slowly and remains considerably rarer than its British ‘curly’ relatives. It only received official recognition from the F\u00e9d\u00e9ration Internationale F\u00e9line (FIFe) in 1982. Some other major feline organisations, particularly American ones (e.g., CFA, TICA), still do not recognise the German Rex as a separate breed, often considering it a variation of the Cornish Rex.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Does a German Rex Look Like: Appearance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"German<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The German Rex is a medium-sized cat; not as compact in build as, for example, a Burmese cat<\/a>, nor overly dainty. It is characterised by harmonious proportions, being muscular yet not massive. It gives the impression of a sturdy but elegant animal \u2013 an elegance that might remind one of the Burmilla<\/a>, were it not for its utterly unique coat. Overall, its body type is somewhat similar to a European Shorthair, but it is clearly distinguished by its special coat structure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Head:<\/strong> Rounded, with well-developed cheeks and a strong chin. Broader between the ears than in the Cornish Rex. Profile with a slight break at the base of the nose (a small “dip”), but without the pronounced “Roman nose” of the Cornish Rex.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Ears:<\/strong> Large, wide at the base, slightly rounded at the tips. Set quite wide apart, the outer line of the ear continues the line of the head. Covered with fine fur.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Eyes:<\/strong> Medium to large, oval-shaped, set wide apart and slightly slanted. Eye colour is bright, clear, and should harmonise with the coat colour (e.g., yellow, golden, green).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Body:<\/strong> Medium length, strong, muscular, with a well-developed, rounded chest. The back is straight. Not as refined or “oriental” in type as the Cornish Rex.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Legs:<\/strong> Medium length, fairly slender but strong, ending in oval or rounded paws.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Tail:<\/strong> Medium length, thick at the base, tapering gradually to a rounded tip. Well-covered with a curly coat.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. Coat:<\/strong> The breed’s most characteristic feature.<\/strong> Short, soft, and velvety to the touch, sometimes compared to plush or Astrakhan (Karakul). It has distinct curls or waves all over the body. The uniqueness of the German Rex’s coat (like the Cornish Rex’s) lies in the absence of stiff guard hairs<\/strong>. The coat consists mainly of soft undercoat and fine down hairs, which gives it its delicate texture. Whiskers and eyebrows are also short and curly.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Coat Colours and Texture<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Breed standards permit all possible colours and patterns<\/strong>, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n