Weldon's Cornish Rex
Origination
Cornish Rex cats originated in Cornwall, England, where one first appeared in a litter of barn cats in 1950. A cream-colored male, named Kallibunker, was covered in tight rows of tiny curls, giving him the appearance of a miniature lamb. As he grew, his differences from his littermates became more dramatic: a slender, fine-boned body standing on long legs, a narrow head, enormous “bat ears,” and a long, whippy tail. Kallibunker was a genuine mutation and was bred back to his mother to produce curly kittens. The curly coated cats were bred with Burmese, Siamese, and British domestic shorthair cats, resulting in a broad genetic base for the Cornish Rex breed and the knowledge that the gene was recessive.
Characteristics and Personality
Cornish Rex cats are very lightweight. Adult females are typically 5-7 pounds. Adult males are typically
7-9 pounds. However, they are very long cats, typically 12-14" standing height.
Cornish Rex cats have one of the longest average life expectancies of any cat breed. It's common for them to live beyond 16 years, with the oldest cats living into their 20s.
Cornish Rexes do shed, but a lot less than most other cat breeds. Unlike other cat breeds, the Cornish Rex lacks a topcoat, made up of long awn and guard hairs. So, while the short undercoat hairs are lost and replaced, you'll never notice these tiny hairs.
The Cornish Rex is a highly intelligent, highly active cat who loves to be involved in everything you’re doing, climb to the highest point in the house to survey her domain, steal food to fuel her antics, and play fetch — really, anything that will bring her attention and applause.
She's a quick learner, although you may find that she is a better trainer of you than you are of her. This is a cat who speaks her mind. She might not speak English, but she definitely knows how to get her point across with a glance, gesture, or vocal riposte.
With her playful, outgoing nature, the Cornish Rex is a good choice for families with children, other pets, or frequent guests.