A Playful Playmate Called Cornish Rex

Cornish Rex makes a wonderful companion for older people as her favourite place is the warm laps of pet parents and she is an amusing playmate for young children who are amused by her playful way. At a cat show, follow the sound of laughter and almost always you will find a Cornish Rex entertaining the visitors, old and young alike, with their cheerful and clownish way.

A flashback

The story of Cornish Rex is dated back to 21st July 1950 in Bodmin Moor, Cornwall (England), when Nina Ennismore’s tortoiseshell cat named Serena gave birth to a litter of five kittens. One red & white coloured kitten in the litter had an unusual curly coat. The kitten was named Kallibunker (Kalli) and was to become the founder of Cornish Rex breed. Nina’s vet suggested her to contact geneticist AC Jude.

Trait & temperament

From her unique appearance, complete with the adorable waves of her coat, to her boundless playful energy and zest for life, Cornish Rex promises to banish all boredom from the home in which she takes up residence. While the overall slight body frame of the cat may appear dainty and fragile, do not be misled. The breed carries a powerhouse of athletic muscle in that slender package, enabling her to scale elevated surfaces effortlessly and romp through the home with agile speed.

Distinguished features

Body structure of Cornish Rex includes a deep chest, a long neck, a slightly elongated head, a tight abdomen and long, muscular hind legs, all attributes that are often compared to those of a whippet or Greyhound dog. Other physical characteristics of the breed are the high cheekbones, Roman nose, prominent large ears and captivating almond eyes.
One of the most distinguished features of Cornish Rex, however, is her curly coat. At a glance, she appears to be made up of ripples as the coat falls in very short, tight marcel waves that are velvety soft to the touch. The wavy quality of the coat covers her entire body from the top of the head to the tip of the tail. Even the whiskers appear crimped. Her fine-textured, single-layer coat requires very little grooming. Cornish Rex will appreciate a blanket for snuggling on cooler days. Her coat spans the feline colour spectrum, from solid hues such as white, black, red or blue to calico and tabby patterns and everything in between.

A playful playmate

Cornish Rex is very much an interactive participant in all of her family members’ activities. Not content to sit on the sidelines, this keenly intelligent breed follows her pet parents throughout the house in her quest for human companionship and daily household adventures. No task will ever be carried out without the supervision and helping paw of Cornish Rex. She loves to entertain her pet parents with clown-like antics that will prompt instant smiles and chuckles.

Keep a plentiful variety of toys available for your Cornish Rex’s entertainment focus. She loves to play and fetch toys. Keep her stimulated with puzzle toys to challenge her mental faculties when you are not home, and interactive toys for engaging in play sessions together. Provide plenty of cat furniture and kitty condos for your little athletic wonder to expend some energy as you initiate friendly games of chase or hide & seek. Her dexterous paws can pick up and toss about small toys as well as open cabinets, closets and drawers. Full of fun-loving mischief, Cornish Rex is a true charmer, ensuring that there will never be a dull moment in your house. However, the affectionate and gentle breed equally appreciates cuddle time on the couch and relaxing petting sessions. Quite the extrovert, Cornish Rex is friendly, outgoing and inquisitive. Once you fall in love and adopt a Cornish Rex, you will gain a loving new family member who will enrich your life in so many ways. The charismatic temperament of a Cornish Rex is what it makes the breed an enjoyable family member. This highly sociable and interactive cat seeks out the companionship of her pet parents.

Attention seeker

A Cornish Rex will not thrive if she does not receive ample loving attention. Once you have invited her to become a cherished member of the family, be sure to treat her as such by spending quality time with her. She exudes a commanding presence through vocalisation and eyes that have a knack for engaging your attention. She insists on starring in the spotlight, tirelessly performing silly antics to entertain human audiences. Although energetic, Cornish Rex will crave sharing down time with you, savouring petting sessions on your lap and snoozing alongside you at night. Moreover, the mind of a Cornish Rex is always at work, seeking new places in the home to explore, new mischief to delve into and exciting new methods for returning your focus back to her spotlight.

Nocturnal habit

Despite many generations of domestication, some cats remain nocturnal. They do not always understand why their pet parents wish to sleep when there are feet to pounce, toys to jingle and cupboard doors to open and close repeatedly. You can curb some of this behaviour by providing plenty of simulating toys and activities to occupy your Cornish Rex throughout the daytime hours. You can also delve into a lengthy and active play session with your cat prior to your bedtime.

Cats are also wired to snooze after a meal. A few minutes after the play session, feed your cat a meal at bedtime instead of earlier in the day. In the excited frenzy of your cat’s playing session, the object of her play is perceived as prey. This can lead to misguided and unacceptable biting and scratching. Never play rough with your cat or encourage play with your hands or feet. Instead, offer plenty of toys that are acceptable alternatives for her to bite. The more love, attention and stimulation you lavish on your Cornish Rex, the greater the reward will be as you share a mutual companionship that you will miss during those hours of separation imposed by work or errand.

(Katerina Anyfandi is President of Association Felina Greece, Heraklion, Crete, Greece. She is also a WCF (World Cat Federation) judge in semi long-hair category)