The Cornish Rex is a slim, athletic cat with a uniquely curly coat consisting only of soft down — no guard hairs and no awn hairs.
Coming soon. Subscribe to the newsletter to get notified when this video drops.
The Cornish Rex is a slim, athletic cat with a uniquely curly coat consisting only of soft down — no guard hairs and no awn hairs. Combined with large ears, prominent cheekbones, and a slender body that looks almost greyhound-like, the breed has one of the most distinctive appearances in any cat species. The Cornish Rex is also playful, intelligent, and intensely people-oriented.
In 1950 a curly-coated kitten named Kallibunker was born in a litter of farm cats in Cornwall, England. The owner consulted a geneticist who identified the curly coat as a recessive mutation. Kallibunker was bred back to his mother to produce more curly kittens, founding the breed.
The Cornish Rex gene is genetically different from the Devon Rex gene; the two breeds arose independently. CFA recognition came in 1964.
Medium-sized, slim, elegant. Adults weigh 2.5–4.5 kg (6–10 lb).
Key features:
Playful, affectionate, intelligent. The Cornish Rex is one of the most active cats — agile, fast, and energetic well into adulthood. The breed is people-oriented and dislikes being alone.
Most Cornish Rex are vocal, social, and dog-like in their attachment. The breed learns fetch, walks on harnesses, and enjoys interactive play.
The down-only coat is delicate. Very light weekly brushing or rubbing; over-brushing damages the curl. Bathe every 4–6 weeks — skin oils accumulate without normal coat absorption.
Clean ears weekly (large ears collect wax). Trim claws every 2 weeks. Brush teeth daily.
Cold-sensitive — sweaters and warm beds in cool homes.
High. Cat trees, climbing structures, daily play. The breed loves to run, leap, and explore vertically.
Average lifespan is 11–15 years.
Common concerns:
50–70 g per day. The breed's high metabolism may require slightly more than other small cats.
Cold and people-oriented.
Pros
Cons
Not suited for cold drafty households, working households without coverage.
Cornish vs Devon Rex — which is curlier? Cornish has only down hair (softest, most uniform curl). Devon has all three hair types in curly form (slightly coarser, more varied curl).
Are they hypoallergenic? Not fully — they produce Fel d 1 normally. Many allergy sufferers tolerate them due to less coat.
Do they need clothing? In cool homes, yes. Sweaters help maintain comfortable body temperature.
Are they good with kids? Excellent — playful, friendly, tolerant.
How long do they live? 11–15 years on average.
The Cornish Rex — The Greyhound of the Cat World
10–11 minutes
Cornish Rex in graceful mid-leap, slim arched body, wavy short coat catching light, huge ears. Caption: "FELINE GREYHOUND".
Action photograph of a Cornish Rex cat mid-leap with arched slim greyhound body, wavy short coat catching warm light, very large ears, narrow elegant head, long whippy tail, blurred soft indoor background, side-lit cinematic lighting, 85mm lens at f/2, professional pet action photography, ultra-sharp focus on eyes and body shape.
The Cornish Rex looks like a feline greyhound — arched back, slim body, wavy short coat. In this full guide we cover the 1950 origin on a Cornish farm, the playful athletic temperament, coat and warmth needs, breed health, and whether this elegant oddball is right for your home.
⏱ Timestamps 00:00 Intro Hook 01:00 Origin: Kallibunker the Cornish Farm Kitten 02:30 Temperament: Active, Affectionate, Adventurous 04:00 Care: Coat, Warmth, Enrichment 05:30 Health: HCM, Hypothyroidism, Patellar Luxation 07:00 Training: The Sprinter's Mind 08:30 3 Biggest Mistakes New Cornish Owners Make 10:00 Is The Cornish Rex Right For You? 11:00 Outro
🔔 Subscribe for a new breed each week.
"Picture a greyhound. The arched back. The slim waist. The long legs. The deep chest. Now shrink it to cat size, give it huge ears and a wavy coat, and you have the Cornish Rex. Discovered in 1950 on a Cornish farm, the Cornish Rex is the older of the two great rex breeds and a distinct genetic line from its Devon cousin. Today: the origin story, the playful temperament, the warmth needs, breed health, training, classic mistakes, and whether the Cornish Rex is your cat."
"In 1950, on a farm near Bodmin Moor in Cornwall, a barn cat named Serena gave birth to a litter. One of the kittens — a cream-coloured male — had a curly coat. The farmer's wife, Nina Ennismore, recognised something special, named him Kallibunker, and consulted a geneticist. The geneticist confirmed a new spontaneous mutation. Kallibunker was bred back to his mother and the curly coat was inherited as a simple recessive. The breed grew slowly. By 1957 the first Cornish Rex was exported to America. CFA accepted the breed in 1964. The Cornish Rex coat lacks guard hairs — the outer coat layer present in most cats. Only the soft undercoat remains, producing the wavy texture. This is genetically distinct from the Devon Rex mutation, which is why Cornish and Devon crosses produce only straight-coated kittens."
"Cornish Rex are athletic, playful, affectionate, and kitten-like for life. They run. They climb. They leap. They play fetch. They greet visitors. They sit on shoulders. They never seem to fully grow up. Voice is moderate. Chirps and trills. Not loud. Bonding is family-wide. Cornish Rex love everyone. Energy is high. Daily play sessions, vertical space, and enrichment are essential. Intelligence is high. They learn tricks fast, open cupboards, and remember routines. With other animals — excellent. Pair with active cats, friendly dogs, and respectful children. Other Cornish Rex make ideal companions."
"Coat care is unique. The wavy undercoat is delicate. Use a soft cloth or your hands — never a hard brush. Wipe weekly. Bath every two to three weeks. The breed produces less skin oil than the Devon Rex, so bathing is less frequent. Warmth essential. The thin coat is poor insulation. Home above 22°C in winter. Sweaters or heated beds for some individuals. Enrichment: tall cat trees, puzzle feeders, daily interactive play. Cornish Rex are sprinters and need to expend energy. Indoor only. Speed plus trust plus thin coat equals outdoor danger. Litter: standard, daily scoop."
"Lifespan twelve to fifteen years. Health concerns: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Annual cardiac ultrasound from age three in known lines. Patellar luxation. Screen at vet checks. Hypothyroidism — uncommon but slightly elevated in this breed. Hereditary baldness — some kittens are hairless. Not a health problem in itself. Sun sensitivity — pale Cornish Rex can sunburn through the thin coat. Block direct sun exposure. Buy from cardiac-screened breeders."
"Highly trainable. Clicker work delivers fast results. Targets: name, recall, sit, fetch, harness wear, agility. Leash training works well. Litter solved by breeder. Scratching: tall sisal posts. Train early. Handling: easy with regular practice from kittenhood."
"Mistake one: cold homes. Thin coat plus cold equals miserable cat. How to avoid: home above 22°C. Heated bed. Watch for shivering or seeking heat. Mistake two: too much sun. Pale individuals burn. How to avoid: shade. Curtains. Limit windowsill sunbathing for pale cats. Mistake three: no enrichment. A bored Cornish Rex becomes destructive. How to avoid: cat trees, puzzles, daily play, ideally a feline companion."
"Checklist: You want a playful, affectionate, lifelong-kitten cat. Your home is warm. You can provide enrichment and ideally a companion. You will brush teeth daily. You enjoy training. Tick four — the Cornish Rex is wonderful. If you want a calm dignified cat, choose a Russian Blue."
"That is the Cornish Rex — the greyhound of the cat world. Slim. Wavy. Athletic. Affectionate. One of the most charming breeds in the pedigreed world. Next breed? Comment below. Subscribe and the bell. Next week: the Birman — the sacred temple cat of Burma." (End screen: subscribe button, 'watch next: Birman' thumbnail, channel logo)