Cat Breeds: Cornish Rex

Massive change such as a world war often triggers genetic change. This is how the Cornish Rex first developed. On July 21st, 1950, a litter of five kittens was born in Cornwall, England. One of these five kittens was a curly coated, cream male. This kitten was named Kallibunker by his owner, Nina Ennismore. Ennismore assumed that the coat was the result of a spontaneous mutation, the same kind that had been seen in horses, rats, and mice.

Under the advice of geneticist A.C. Jude and cat fancier Brian Stirling-Webb, Ennismore bred Kallibunker back to his mother (a tortie-and-white shorthair named Serena). This breeding produced two males and a female in the later summer of 1952. Both males had the curly coat of their father. One of these died before reaching seven months of age. The other was named Poldhu and is considered the father of the Cornish Rex cat breed, which was named because of its place of origin.

The problem with the foundation stock, including both Kallibunker and Poldhu, was one of a limited gene pool. There just weren`t that many Cornish Rex cats. So Ennismore had to inbreed her cats quite a bit. Knowing this would eventually compromise their health, she began to outcross to ordinary shorthaired cats. Though she might have introduced the gene into any number of breeds, she chosen to stick with shorthairs, mostly because a longhaired Cornish Rex would suffer from constantly matted hair.

After having achieved a cat population of more than forty cats, Ennismore discovered she could not sell enough of her unique cats to stay financially afloat. She chose to put many of her cats to sleep, the aging Kallibunker and Serena among them. She might have still had Poldhu, but two veterinarians performed a testicular biopsy in an attempt to determine if Poldhu was simply a blue-tabby-and-white stud or something more rare, siring blue cream and white. Females of this latter sort were common, but males were rare. Even more rare was a male of this sort who was fertile. Most were born sterile.

Though the vets promised Ennismore that Poldhu`s fertility would not be damaged, he never sired another litter after the biopsy. To make matters worse, the sample extracted from Poldhu was lost somewhere in the laboratory, rendering the entire procedure worthless.

This might have spelled the end of the Cornish Rex if not for Brian Stirling-Webb. In 1962, he learned that a male Rex kitten had been born in Devon. The woman who owned this kitten (named Kirlee) offered him to Stirling-Webb, hoping this would inject new blood into the failing Cornish Rex breed. Stirling-Webb bred Kirlee to the Cornish Rexes, but this resulted in kittens with straight hair. It became obvious that the Kirlee did not share the same mutation as the Cornish Rex cats. Luckily further test matings proved that the German Rex cats, developed independently in Germany, were compatible with the Cornish Rex. This allowed the Cornish Rex to continue in England.

Across the ocean, the Cornish Rex was also beginning to thrive. Before giving up her cats in the 1950s, Ennismore had sent several to American breeders. Most of these breeders were actually Siamese breeders, so they used their Siamese cats to enhance the Cornish Rex. This introduced a triangular head shape, fine bones, large ears, and a look reminiscent of the Greyhound dog. In a sense, they created the look of the Cornish Rex we are now familiar with.

The unique look of this breed was popular with cat fanciers and enthusiasts around the world. slowly gained acceptance around the world as a distinct and separate breed from the Devon Rex, beginning with the Canadian Cat Association and the American Cat Fancier`s Association in 1963. The Cat Fancier`s Association, however, continued to see the two breeds as one, registering both as Cornish Rex, until 1979.

The Appearance of the Cornish Rex Cat

The physical appearance of the Cornish Rex is unique and a little disconcerting the first time you see one. They`re tall and slender, a little like the Siamese, and have a dainty appearance. Even so, they are strong and well muscled. The power in their legs allows them to leap to astonishing heights. The body itself flows from head to tail.

The ears are rather large and placed on top of the head. The eyes are oval and have a slight upward slant. This, combined with the triangular head, gives the cat an exotic appearance. The body temperature of the Cornish Rex is also higher than would be considered normal for most cats.

But the thing that defines the Cornish Rex is the coat. The coat is short and curly, with even the whiskers and eyebrows having significant curl. There are no guard hairs at all on this breed of cat, so the Cornish Rex is usually soft to the touch. Because of the lack of guard hairs, the coat doesn`t require much in the way of grooming. The coat may be of any color and pattern.

The Personality of the Cornish Rex Cat

If your looking for a cat that is unreserved, friendly, and intelligent, the Cornish Rex might be for you. These unique cats have an almost fanatical need to be the center of attention. Sometimes called the Velcro cat for its need to near people, the Cornish Rex isn`t as independent as some other breeds. They don`t like to be left alone, so this isn`t a good pet for people who are gone twelve hours a day.

The Cornish Rex is full of energy and loves to play games. This is a cat that will love being taught to fetch and will even roughhouse with children to some extent. As long as they can have positive attention, this cat breed will do almost anything and are the entertainers of the cat world. They tend to be excellent with children and adapt well to most situations.

For all that it loves to communicate, the Cornish Rex isn`t a vocal breed. Instead, this cat will get his message across with body language and friendly antics. They use their tail, ears, and paws to tell their story, so watch your feline friend closely if you choose one of these cats.

Known Health Issues of the Cornish Rex

The Cornish Rex has very few genetic health issues, none of them serious. This is a hardy breed that generally enjoys good health. It should be noted, however, that they do have very short hair and have no guard hairs. This means they`re not suitable for colder climates and generally benefit from a cat sweater. You should also clean the ears and between the toes as these areas tend to get greasy.

Is the Cornish Rex Hypoallergenic?

This question comes up a lot, mostly because there are some dog breeds (Poodles among them) with curly hair that does not shed. These dogs are generally considered hypoallergenic as their coat minimizes the risk of allergic reaction. But a cat is not a dog, even though the thought in the 1950s was that the Cornish Rex would turn out to be hypoallergenic.

The problem is root of allergies. In dogs, it's usually the dander. So if the hair doesn't fall out, there's no dander on the couch to cause a reaction. With cats, however, the reaction is typically to the protein Fel D1 (which dogs don't have). This protein is present in the skin, dander, saliva, and urine of cats, including the Cornish Rex. To state it simply, coat type has no impact on allergies, so the Cornish Rex is not hypoallergenic.

The Cornish Rex may not be considered hypoallergenic, but it's still a wonderful and loving companion. These sweet natured felines make excellent pets for many families around the world.

Hybrid Cat Breeds: Chausie

Some breeds are so new they're only recognized by The International Cat Association (TICA). And some of these are allowed to compete in TICA sanctioned shows, but they cannot earn points or titles yet. So it is with the Chausie (pronounced chow-see). This breed, classified as an advanced new breed by TICA at the time of this writing, is not yet a truly recognized breed, but it is well on its way to becoming one.

Though the idea for this breed has its roots in the late 1960s and early 1970s, it was not until 1995 that the Chausie achieved foundation registry with TICA. This was after jungle cats from south central Asia were crossed with Abyssinians. It was a further six years before the breed was advanced to evaluation status. In 2003, the Chausie was granted advanced new breeds status, where it remains as of this writing. Chausie cats can compete in shows, but not yet earn points or titles.

The Chausie, which can weigh up to 30 pounds, is a large-sized cat with a short, fuzzy coat and ears that are a little larger than normal. There are only three color combinations allowed. These are brown ticked tabby, black grizzled tabby, and solid black. The coat is short enough that it needs very little maintenance, but it will become dull if not brushed regularly. To keep your cat looking its best, brush the coat once a week with a soft brush. This had the added benefit of removing dead hair making your cat more comfortable.

These cats are highly intelligent and easily bored. For this reason, Chausie cats do not do well when left on their own. They prefer human companionship, but a feline friend will do. Just don't leave your pet home alone for hours on end unless you want a very upset kitty indeed.

These cats like to have games to play. They are graceful and agile, and can frequently be found perched on top of drapes or slipping behind a bookshelf. They like activities that allow them to really move, so make sure your cat has plenty of room to run, even if it's just around the kitchen.

Chausies are among the healthiest of cat breeds but they do need a glueten-free diet. Because of this, they can't eat most commercial cat foods. A diet of pure meat is best, so you may have to prepare special meals for your cat if you choose this breed.

If you're looking for an unique and athletic companion, the Chausie may be for you. Though they are not a truly recognized breed yet, they probably will be sometime soon. At this point, they may become easier to find. These little house cougars are energetic, however, so bear this in mind and be sure to keep your feline companion occupied.

The Characteristics of the Chartreux Cat

Also known as the Chartreuse, the history of the Chartreux is long and varied. Though legends regarding the origins of this silvery-blue breed abound, we'll probably never know how the breed got started. They were shown at a cat show in Paris in 1931 by the Leger sisters. They were and still are rare, and so did not appear in the United States until the 1970s. However, it wasn't until 1987 that the Chartreux was granted championship status by the Cat Fancier's Association (CFA).

The Appearance of the Chartreux Cat

The Chartreux is a fairly large cat as cats go. Its body is muscular, its limbs short, but the paws look almost too large for the body and legs. The head is nicely rounded while the muzzle is long and tapered. The shape of the muzzle makes it appear this cat is smiling, almost like the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland. The eyes of the Chartreux should be a gleaming gold. Deep copper is also acceptable.

The coat of this rare breed is soft and plush. It should not be bristly or sharp. The hairs are rather short, but the dense undercoat makes it appear longer than it really is. All Chartreux are blue in color with a deep silver sheen. They appear to glow in low light. This cat is relatively low maintenance, but you should use a soft cloth or a grooming glove to remove dead hair once a week. This will keep your feline friend's coat soft and gleaming.

The Personality of the Chartreux Cat

Not a vocal breed, the Chartreux rarely makes any sound at all. They are intelligent, willing to learn, and utterly silent. These qualities combine to make them excellent hunters. They'll wait patiently for prey and have the ability to stay still for long stretches of time. They're rare enough that they are not usually employed at mousers, but when they are, they're excellent at the job.

If you're looking for a cat who loves to play and may even learn to fetch, the Chartreux might be for you. They're always willing to engage in games and hate being left alone. These cats do well with small children and other pets, but they do tend to bond to one specific person. When they do, they rarely leave this person in peace. Even so, they'll remain affectionate and loving toward the rest of the family.

Known Health Issues of the Chartreux

Since breeding programs for the Chartreux are relatively recent, this breed tends to be more robust than many. These cats bred themselves with very little interference for many years, probably longer than we know, so genetic health conditions are rare. Some cats are prone to patellar luxation, also known as slipping kneecaps. Most breeders are away of this and are careful not to breed lines with this particular problem.

The Chartreux is a pleasant and sweet cat and makes a wonderful addition to any household. Bear in mind that they are rare, and so have a higher price tag than some cat breeds. But if you're willing to spend the money, you can find yourself a loving and beautiful feline friend.