German Rex

The German Rex is a naturally occurring cat breed, which means humans didn’t intentionally breed them to promote certain characteristics. Most naturally occurring breeds have unknown histories. However, the German Rex’s history is very well known. The first cat of this breed was discovered in the late 1940s. A little wavy-coated cat breed lived in an East German Hospital. The staff called her Laemmchen and Dr. R. Scheuer-Karpin adopted her. He was fascinated by her coat and decided to produce several litters. It wasn’t until 1957 when Laemmchen was bred to one of her offspring, and the litter they produced was used as the foundation for the new breed called the German Rex.

The German Rex is an interesting breed. These cats have long legs and are more muscular than their relatives, the Cornish Rex. They are surprisingly heavy for their build, and they sport slightly curled whiskers. Here are the most essential characteristics of this breed.

Coat

The first thing you will notice about these cats is their coat. They have a short, curly, silky coat. The German Rex has thick awn hair that is thicker than its undercoat. That characteristic gives them a wooly appearance.

Coat color

Like many cat breeds, the German Rex comes in a variety of coat colors. Some of the most common coat colors this breed comes in are white, black, brown, red, fawn, frost, platinum, champagne, seal, cream, blue, lavender, cinnamon, chestnut, and chocolate. The most common patterns are solid, tabby, shaded, bicolor, ticking, pointed, smoke, calico, and tortoiseshell.

Size

Another important thing for all future German Rex owners is the size of this breed. These cats are considered small to medium-sized. Most adult cats weigh 5 - 8 pounds.

Temperament

While physical characteristics and appearance are important, what’s even more crucial is the cat’s temperament. The good news is that the German Rex’s temperament is fantastic. These cats are active and affectionate. They will love spending time with you and the family. They are very social and don’t do well in households that leave them alone for longer periods. They are very playful and will form strong bonds with their families.

Health

All cats and cat breeds are prone to health issues. Pureblooded cats are usually studied pretty well, which means vets and owners noticed breed-specific health issues that a specific breed is prone to. The German Rex is generally considered a healthy breed with a life span of 9 - 14 years. However, there are some potential health concerns you and your vet should keep an eye on. Those issues are;

• Patellar luxation - A hereditary kneecap dislocation that can range from mild to severe.
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy - One of the most common heart problems in cats. The heart gets enlarged, and its functions are affected.
• Hereditary baldness
• Hereditary myopathy - This hereditary disease will affect the cat’s muscles and legs.

World Cat Finder Team