German Rex

German Rex

What can we say about this cat’s unique appearance? Their woolly fur makes them look like a lamb. Like the Laperm breed, the German Rex is the result of a genetic mutation. They are, as their name indicates, part of the Rex family and it’s difficult for the untrained eye to differentiate them from the Cornish, Devon or Laperm because of the great similarity between these varieties. The main differences are in the guard coat and the down coat. GCCF compares the morphology of the German Rex with that of the European Shorthair. In short, these cats are truly beautiful and even though they are rare, they will no doubt grow to be well-known eventually.

Key facts about the German Rex

Life expectancy :

4

19

9

14

Temperament :

Affectionate

Type of coat :

Naked Short Long

Origins and history

Some people believe that the German Rex is the first curly-haired cat breed to exist. The first specimen was found by Erna Schneider in Kaliningrad (formerly Kõnigsberg) in 1930 and was called Kater Munk. Then, in Pankow (formerly Buch) in 1946 or 1951 (there are contradictions between sources), a small black and white cat with curly fur, whose name was Lämmchen, was found by Dr. Rose Scheuer-Karpin in the garden of a hospital where she worked. In short, what we know for sure is that the breed comes from Germany. Lämmchen gave birth to several kittens and the German Rex breed was introduced to the world!

Physical characteristics of the German Rex

Adult size

Female : Between 12 and 14 in

Male : Between 12 and 14 in

The German Rex reaches adult size between the ages of 9 and 12 months.

Weight

Female : Between 9 and 13 lb

Male : Between 9 and 15 lb

Coat colour

Black
White
Red
Cream

Type of coat

Short

Eye colour

Green
Yellow

Description

Their size, which is about average, is similar to that of all other Rex cats. They are strong and muscly. And you’ll probably never be able to stop stroking their fluffy fur.

Good to know

These types of Rex are lesser known than the Cornish and the Devon, but they are nonetheless an official breed recognised the FIFE. They are considered, according to some sources, as very rare but certain breeders are working very hard on developing the breed so that it gains in popularity. In some countries (Russia and Finland, for example), crosses with smooth-haired cats are made to avoid too much consanguinity.

Temperament

  • 100%

    Affectionate

    Periods of cuddling and tenderness are usually well appreciated by this breed. They will probably come begging for attention when they want to be cuddled.

  • 66%

    Playful

    They are good at occupying themselves with toys on their own, but they also enjoy play sessions with their human on a daily basis.

  • 33%

    Calm

    They are able to catch their breath between activities, but they don’t need much time to get back into action when they’re well rested.

  • 66%

    Intelligent

    They are resourceful, curious cats, which often ends in them being forced to solve the problems they’ve created for themselves.

  • 66%

    Fearful / wary of strangers

    As long as people approach them calmly and softly and respect their need for distance, everyone will get along well!

  • 33%

    Independent

    The German Rex, like all other Rex cats, is quite a clingy cat.

    Behaviour of the German Rex

    • 33%

      Chatty

      They probably have a varied vocal repertoire and will make use of it when they need to, but they aren’t known for being very talkative.

    • 66%

      Need for exercise / Sporty

      There are an energetic breed, but these are nonetheless active cats that need to be worn out.

    • 33%

      Tendency to run away

      Since the German Rex inevitably prefers warmth to cold, the chances of them trying to escape from home are low. Despite this, it’s advisable to remain cautious as some more adventurous individuals could be tempted by a beautiful summer sun...

    • 66%

      Greedy / Gluttony

      The German Rex can be a bit of a guzzler. You’ll need to monitor them closely to make sure they don’t eat excessive amounts of food.

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      Compatibility

      • 66%

        German Rex and cats

        If the cats are introduced to each other in the right way, their cohabitation should go well.

      • 100%

        German Rex and dogs

        Great, long-lasting friendships can arise between these two species when care is taken to take the introductions at a pace that your cat is comfortable with, offering them alternatives if they want to get away from the dog.

      • 100%

        German Rex and children

        Children who pay attention to the cat’s needs will undoubtedly develop a lovely relationship with them.

      • 33%

        German Rex and the elderly

        Depending on the individual, it could be that this cat’s needs, in terms of energy, is too energetic for a calmer person, meaning they may not be suitable.

        Price

        We do not have enough data to set an average price for a German Rex, however the price will vary according to the lineage, breeding, age or even the sex. For your monthly budget you should allow on average £35 per month to meet their needs, offering them a high-quality diet and ensuring you keep them healthy.

        Grooming

        A weekly brush is easily enough for these cats. You should also take particular care of their ear hygiene as, like other Rexes, they can produce a fair amount of secretions.

        Shedding

        Hair loss is extremely minimal among this breed.

        Nutrition of the German Rex

        Ideally you should seek the advice of your veterinary team to establish the best diet for your German Rex.

        Health of the German Rex

        Life expectancy

        This cats tend to live for between 9 and 14 years.

        Strong / robust

        They have very little resistance to cold temperatures, since their fur isn’t adapted to stand up to it.

        Tendency to put on weight

        They sometimes have a tendency to put on unnecessary weight as they need to consume slightly more calories than most cats in order to maintain their body temperature. You should keep an eye on the portion sizes you serve them.

        Common illnesses

        As the German Rex is still rare and little-known, no sources yet mention any diseases to which they have a particular predisposition.

        They may nonetheless suffer from the same conditions as other cats, such as oral diseases.

        Reproduction

        Pairings with the European Shorthair are recognised.

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