German Rex
The oldest of the rex breeds, found in Berlin in 1951, before either the Cornish or the Devon. The coat waves softly and the whiskers curl with it.
Overview
The German Rex is the oldest of the rex breeds. A curly coated cat called Lammchen was found on the grounds of a Berlin hospital in 1951, and she predates the Cornish Rex by a year and the Devon by eight.
The coat carries the same gene as the Cornish Rex, so the two are compatible, and the German Rex is essentially the continental European expression of the same mutation on a sturdier body.
Temperament
Friendly, lively and people oriented. German Rex cats are playful into adulthood, affectionate without being demanding, and generally easy going.
They are sociable with children, dogs and other cats, and they are moderately vocal. They are less frenetic than a Cornish Rex and a little more substantial in build.
Care and grooming
Very little brushing, because the soft wavy coat damages easily. A hand smoothed over it is the right approach.
Without proper guard hairs they lose heat faster than a normal cat and are sensitive to cold, and the skin can become greasy enough to want the occasional bath. Ears collect wax.
Living and exercise
A warm indoor home with things to climb. They are active without being extreme.
The breed remains rare, particularly outside Germany, and the population is small enough that gene pool breadth is worth asking a breeder about. Nine to fourteen years is the usual range.
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