The Cornish Rex, Devon Rex
& Selkirk Rex Cat Breed

The Cornish Rex, Devon Rex and Selkirk Rex cat breeds are known for their waved coat pattern. 

This is due to the fact that the rex fur grows at a much slower rate than other cat fur and is therefore not so developed. Even the whiskers are shorter than in other cat breeds.

The Rex breeds are also known for their athleticism and have a very compact, muscular bodies that are very agile. Because of this the cats should not be confined to small areas and then require lots of activity.

The name Rex came from the Rex rabbit whose fur has a similar genetic makeup to the cat breed. The three types of Rex cats are very distinctive and were developed completely independently to each other.

The Cornish Rex

This breed was first recorded in 1950 in Cornwall, England and was officially recognised in 1967.

This cat breed has an elongated wedge shaped head with a rounded muzzle. They have very large ears and have very strong, hard muscular bodies and long legs. Their tail is long and tapers.

The coat of the Cornish is short and silky and has no guardhairs. It can either curl, wave or ripple along the body especially on the back and tail.

They require only gentle grooming and require the use of the fingers to reset the waves along the coat, but this is not essential.

They have a very intelligent temperament and enjoy the company of humans.

Devon Rex Cat

The Devon Rex coat is less thick than the Cornish and can appear almost bald. It has a very distinctive look and has a very broad chest, with a flat wrinkled forehead and prominent cheekbones but shares the muscular build and long whip like tail with the Cornish breed.

The coat does not require brushing but does benefit from gentle stroking with a soft mitt.

They are very mischievous by nature and love to play. So you would have to be prepared for lots of activity and possibly a few mishaps too if you owned this breed of cat.

The Selkirk Rex

The Selkirk rex has a much denser coat than the others and also has guardhairs. The cat has a more Persian look about them and so has a much rounder fuller face.

Selkirk Rex picture by mobilestreetlife

The coat requires grooming with a wide toothed comb, which is easier to get through the thick curly fur.

It has a much calmer temperament that the other Rex breeds but still enjoys playing.

All three cat breeds come in all colours and pattern combinations.


Top of Cornish Rex Cat page

  1. Home Page
  2.  ›
  3. More Cat Breeds

I'd love to hear what you think of this page or my site. Let me know if you like what you have read or if it has helped you with a problem.

It's easy to do just leave a comment in the box below and click the like / share or +1 to let others know about my site. Thank You It really is most appreciated.

New! Comments

Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.
Enjoy this page? Please pay it forward. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.