German Rex

The story of the German Rex doesn’t begin with a deliberate breeding program but with a stroke of luck and the keen eye of one woman. Unlike initial accounts of it being a cross between an Angora and a Russian Blue, the real history involves an unnamed black curly-haired cat found around 1947 (or 1951, by some accounts) in the garden of the Hufeland Hospital in East Berlin. A doctor named Dr. Rose Scheuer-Karpin noticed the unusual animal and named her Lämmchen, which is German for “little lamb,” due to her curly, sheep-like coat.

Lämmchen lived freely on the hospital grounds and regularly had kittens. It wasn’t until 1957 that the first deliberate breeding took place, pairing Lämmchen with one of her sons (a black cat named Fridolin) to solidify the curly coat gene. The result was a litter of kittens with the same wavy fur, proving that the mutation responsible for the curls was recessive.

The breed’s development continued in Germany. Interestingly, the mutation that causes the curly coat in the German Rex (known as the re gene, or Rex Type 1) turned out to be identical to the mutation of the Cornish Rex, a breed that was developing around the same time in the UK but completely independently. This means that when you breed a German Rex with a Cornish Rex, all the kittens will have curly fur. However, the mutation of the Devon Rex (Rex Type 2) is different, and breeding a German Rex with a Devon Rex would result in straight-haired kittens.

Although Lämmchen appeared earlier than the first Cornish Rex (Kallibunker, born in 1950), the German Rex breed developed more slowly and remains significantly rarer than its British “curly” relatives. It wasn’t officially recognized by the Fédération Internationale Féline (FIFe) until 1982. Some other major feline associations, particularly American ones like the CFA and TICA, still don’t recognize the German Rex as a separate breed, often viewing it as a variation of the Cornish Rex.

The German Rex is a medium-sized cat with balanced proportions. It’s muscular but not overly bulky, giving the impression of a sturdy yet elegant animal that resembles a European Shorthair, but with a standout coat.

1. Head: Round, with well-developed cheeks and a strong chin. It’s wider between the ears than the Cornish Rex. The profile has a gentle curve at the base of the nose, but without the pronounced “Roman nose” of the Cornish Rex.
2. Ears: Large, wide at the base, and slightly rounded at the tips. They are set fairly wide apart, with the outer line of the ear continuing the line of the head. Covered in fine fur.
3. Eyes: Medium to large, oval-shaped, set wide apart, and slightly slanted. The eye color is bright, clear, and should harmonize with the coat color (e.g., yellow, gold, green).
4. Body: Medium in length, robust, muscular, with a well-developed, rounded chest. The back is straight. Not as sleek and “oriental” as the Cornish Rex.
5. Legs: Medium length, quite slender but strong, ending in oval or rounded paws.
6. Tail: Medium length, thick at the base, gradually tapering to a rounded tip. Well-covered with curly fur.
7. Coat: The most distinctive feature of the breed. It’s short, soft, and velvety to the touch, sometimes compared to plush or astrakhan. It has a distinct wave or curl across the entire body. The German Rex’s unique coat (like the Cornish Rex) is defined by the absence of stiff guard hairs. The coat consists mainly of a soft undercoat and fine downy hairs, which gives it that delicate texture. Whiskers and eyebrows are also short and curly.

Coat Colors and Textures

The breed standard allows for all possible colors and patterns, including:

• Solid (black, white, blue, red, cream, chocolate, lilac)
• Tortoiseshell
• Tabby (marbled, striped, spotted)
• Bicolor (a combination of a main color with white)
• Colorpoint

The coat texture can vary slightly, but it should always be soft, silky, and wavy. The curl can be tighter or looser.

The German Rex isn’t just about its unique look—it also has a wonderful personality. These are incredibly affectionate, social, and people-oriented cats. They adore the company of their humans and want to be involved in all family activities. For more on people-oriented cat breeds, check out the Burmese Cat or the Burmilla.

• Attachment: They form strong bonds with their families and need regular interaction and attention. They don’t like being left alone for long periods.
• Playfulness and Activity: These are energetic and curious cats who maintain their playful spirit into old age. They love interactive games, exploring new spots, and “helping” their owners with daily tasks.
• Intelligence: German Rexes are smart and clever, and they can easily learn various tricks and good behaviors.
• Patience and Balance: Despite their active nature, they have a very balanced temperament. They aren’t prone to aggression, are patient, and get along very well with children, making them excellent family pets.
• Friendliness: They are typically friendly with strangers (after a short adjustment period) and get along famously with other pets, including dogs and other cats.
• Adaptability: They adapt easily to life in an apartment or a house (as long as they are safe and warm).
• Vocalization: They aren’t overly “talkative,” only vocalizing when they want to get your attention or tell you something.

Overall, the German Rex is a cheerful, loving, and low-maintenance companion who will bring a lot of joy to their owners.

The German Rex is considered a relatively healthy breed, largely due to its origins from common domestic cats and the absence of extreme physical traits. They don’t have a long list of specific genetic diseases tied to the breed.

However, as with any breed, there are certain things to watch out for:

• Sensitivity to Cold: Due to their unique coat (lacking stiff guard hairs and having a thin structure), German Rexes don’t retain heat well. They love warm places and can easily catch a chill in drafts or cold rooms. It’s important to provide them with a warm sleeping spot and protect them from getting cold.
• Skin and Ear Problems: Like other Rex breeds (Cornish Rex, Devon Rex), German Rexes can be prone to increased sebaceous gland secretions. This can lead to greasy fur and the buildup of dark, waxy residue in their ears. Regular ear cleaning is a must to prevent ear infections. In some cases, periodic bathing with a special shampoo may be necessary.
• Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM): This is the most common heart disease in all cat breeds. While no specific predisposition has been found in German Rexes, the risk still exists. Periodic heart screening (ultrasound) is recommended, especially for cats used for breeding.
• Patellar Luxation: This knee issue is sometimes seen in Rex breeds.
• Obesity: With improper feeding and a lack of activity, a German Rex can gain excess weight. It’s important to control their diet and provide opportunities for play and exercise.

Preventive Measures

Overall, with proper care and attention to their health, the German Rex is a resilient cat with a good immune system.

Despite the initial impression that a curly coat might be high-maintenance, grooming a German Rex is actually very simple.

• Coat Care: The main rule is to not overdo it. The soft, velvety coat without stiff guard hairs isn’t prone to matting. Gently run a soft, natural-bristle brush (to avoid static) or simply a damp hand over their fur once a week to remove dead hair and dust. Brushing too often or too vigorously can damage their delicate curls.
• Bathing: Bathe your German Rex only when necessary, such as when their coat gets greasy or dirty. Use a mild cat shampoo. After bathing, towel-dry them well and keep them warm until they are completely dry.
• Ear Care: This is a critical part of their care. Due to their tendency for earwax buildup, their ears should be regularly (every 1-2 weeks) checked and cleaned with a special ear-cleaning solution and cotton pads.
• Eye Care: Their eyes usually don’t need special care; just wipe away any natural discharge from the corners of their eyes as needed.
• Nail Trimming: Regularly trim their claws (every 2-4 weeks) with cat nail clippers.
• Dental Hygiene: As with all cats, regular tooth brushing is recommended to prevent tartar and gingivitis.

Also, don’t forget to provide a warm and cozy spot for your curly companion to rest.

Thanks to their intelligence, playfulness, and desire to interact with people, German Rexes are quite easy to train and socialize.

• Learning Rules: They quickly understand where the litter box and scratching post are, especially if you start training them young. Positive reinforcement (praise, treats) works best.
• Learning Tricks: Their cleverness can be used to teach simple tricks like fetching a toy, giving a paw, or responding to commands. The key is to make sessions fun, short (5-10 minutes), and never force the cat.
• Socialization: It’s very important to introduce a kitten to different people, sounds, and, if possible, other animals from an early age. This will help them grow into a confident and friendly cat.
• Providing Activity: Due to their energetic nature, German Rexes need regular physical and mental stimulation. Offer them a variety of toys, wand toys, balls, and interactive puzzles. They will love climbing cat trees and exploring their environment.

While the German Rex is smart, don’t expect “dog-like” obedience. They are still cats with their own independent personalities, but they are always happy to cooperate with a loving owner.

Metabolism and the need to maintain body temperature due to their thin coat can influence a German Rex’s dietary needs.

• Calorie Needs: Some owners and breeders note that Rexes (including the German Rex) may need slightly more calories than other cats of a similar size and activity level to maintain energy and warmth. However, this doesn’t mean you should overfeed them.
• High-Quality Protein: The basis of their diet should be a high-quality food (dry or wet) of super-premium or holistic class with a high content of animal protein (meat, fish). Protein is crucial for maintaining muscle mass and overall health.
• Balance: The diet should be balanced in terms of protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. While some sources mention increasing fats, it’s important not to go overboard. Excess fat can lead to obesity and health issues. It’s better to choose foods with a moderate content of quality fats (a source of energy and omega acids).
• Portion Control: It is very important to feed your cat measured portions 2-3 times a day, following the food manufacturer’s and veterinarian’s recommendations. Don’t leave food out all the time.
• Natural Diet: If you choose a natural diet (meat, organ meat, dairy products, vegetables), it must be carefully balanced with the help of a veterinary nutritionist and supplemented with vitamins and minerals. The mention of kefir, cheese, and saltwater fish in the original text are good components, but they must be part of a comprehensive diet. B vitamins, which are important for their coat, are usually present in sufficient quantities in high-quality foods or meat products.
• Water: Always provide constant access to fresh, clean water.

• The First Rex? While the debate continues, many believe that Lämmchen and the German Rex breed represent the first recorded instance of the Rex mutation in cats, predating the appearance of the Cornish Rex.
• “The Little Lamb” from Berlin: The name of the breed’s founding cat, Lämmchen, translates to “little lamb,” a nod to her unusual curly coat.
• Same Gene, Different Story: The gene that causes the curls in the German Rex is identical to the Cornish Rex’s gene (Rex Type 1, re gene), but it arose spontaneously and independently in a different cat population.
• Curly Whiskers: Like other Rexes, the German Rex’s whiskers and eyebrows are also short, brittle, and curly.
• A Rare Treasure: The German Rex remains one of the world’s rarest cat breeds, especially outside of Germany and Europe.
• Warm “Hot Water Bottles”: Due to their thin fur, they adore warm spots—sunny windowsills, radiators, their owner’s lap, or cozy blankets.

Is the German Rex a hypoallergenic breed? No, there is no such thing as a completely hypoallergenic cat. However, due to the unique structure of their coat (lacking guard hairs) and less shedding, some people with allergies may have a milder reaction to a German Rex than to other breeds. The allergen is a protein called Fel d 1 (found in saliva and skin secretions), not the hair itself. It’s recommended to spend time with the breed before getting a kitten.

How does the German Rex differ from the Cornish Rex and Devon Rex?

• From the Cornish Rex: Although the curl gene is the same, the German Rex has a sturdier build, a less elongated body, a wider and rounder head, a less pronounced “Roman” nose, and less exaggerated ears. The German Rex’s coat may also be slightly denser.
• From the Devon Rex: The curl gene in the Devon Rex is completely different (Rex Type 2). The Devon has a more “elf-like” appearance with very large, low-set ears, a short, wide muzzle, and large eyes. The texture of the Devon’s coat is also different. Breeding a German Rex with a Devon Rex would result in straight-haired kittens.

Is the German Rex good with children? Yes, the German Rex is considered an excellent choice for families with children thanks to its patient, playful, and non-aggressive nature.

How difficult is German Rex coat care? Grooming is very simple. A light brushing with a soft brush or a damp hand once a week is all that’s needed. The main thing is not to overdo it to avoid damaging the curls. Regular ear care is more important.

How active are these cats? German Rexes are quite active and playful cats who need regular physical and mental stimulation. They love interactive games and exploring their surroundings.