The German Rex is a very interesting feline breed that is well known for its loving character in addition to its bouncy thick fuzzy hair. One of the oldest Rex categories, with its soft, curling, furry coverings and an unquenchable spirit, is completely beloved by cat lovers. However, this breed is quiet quite unobtrusive as regards its popularity in comparison to more common breeds. This article will focus on the German Rex cat which is rarely studied: from history and physical characteristics, ancient and modern to personality, breeding, and known health issues.
For those who want a dedicated pet who is not only great looking but also very expressive and interactive, this wonderful educational breed always fits the bill. So, let’s get straight to the points that grab your attention and make German Rex different from the other cats.
The German Rex History
The history of the German Rex is very interesting and is due to some of the genetic variants. In 1951, one of the first German Rexes, which was later named Lämmchen, was found by Rose Scheuer-Karpin in the flowerbeds of a hospital in East Germany. Lämmchen had also a peculiar coat which attracted the attention of Dr. Scheuer-Karpin. It was later uncovered that the German Rex Lämmchen possessed a mutation that created the unique coat seen on her.
It is reasonable to assume that Lämmchen’s family tree can be traced to a specific cat breed dating back to the 1930s. However, her work was what laid the foundation for the German Rex breed. The mating of Lämmchen with her kittens produced further cats with the given mutation, cementing the principles of the German Rex breed.
However, the germ of the German Rex and the Cornish Rex appears to have developed simultaneously somewhere in England. But the question remains as to why the two breeds emerged differently, there are two opposing views as to the origins of the two breeds. While the Cornish Rex has become the more popular of the two, the German Rex remained relatively unknown except in Germany and certain regions of Europe.
Physical Characteristics
It is easy to tell the German Rex from other cats thanks to certain features it possesses.
Size and Build:
The German Rex is considered a medium-sized breed with its weight tending to range from 6 to 10 pounds (2.7 to 4.5 kg). Their bodies are not only muscular but also elegant giving them an athletic and agile look. Even though the bodies of these cats are heavy, their movement is delicate and light.
Coat:
The most recognized characteristic of the German Rex is the curls in the coat fur. Fur is plush and soft but raised in waves, especially at the back, sides, and on the tail. Unlike the Cornish Rex which has a very fine silky coat, the German Rex has a much thicker coat but is made of short hairs and is somewhat velvet-like. Its coat can be a combination of different colors and shapes including a single color, tabby, two colors, and tortoiseshell.
Head:
Their heads are spheroid in shape with a prominent supraciliary region and rather large cheekbones that soften their head giving it a childlike cute look. Their nose is shorter than in most other cat breeds which gives them a unique stuffed appearance.
Eyes:
On the German Rex, probably the most distinguishing feature are large round expressive eyes of amber, green, blue, or other shades. The eye color very often matches the color of the coat.
Ears:
The ears of German Rex are not very large – medium in size and placed higher on the head and they have a broader base ended with rounded ears.
German Rex cat is soft and plushy looking thanks to its fluffy coat, and round and soft features.
Temperament and Personality
What distinguishes the German Rex from all other breeds is its adorable temperament. These cats are often calm, active, sociable, and very affectionate, which in most cases makes them a good fit for families and children, single people, or people that already have pets.
Affectionate:
German Rex cats require humans most of the time. They especially enjoy socializing and are very attached to their owners. They frequently ask for attention and are inclined to be around their people, being held or carried by them.
Playful:
German Rex can be termed as perpetually playful breeds and sane kittens are always deep inside them regardless of their physical age. They love chasing and playing with objects, toys, and playful humans.
Intelligent and Curious:
This breed is not only affectionate but also friendly and intelligent. It is natural for them to be inquisitive and to seek out the things around them. This also means that they can be taught how to do tricks, play fetch, or even walk on a leash.
Loyalty Like A Dog:
Most of the dog owners, if anyone could be called, do say German Rex has a dog-like loyalty. They are devoted to their family and are well attached, doing best when they are showered with attention.
Great with Families and Pets:
Their characteristics make them perfect for families with small kids or other pets. Thanks to their gentle temperament, they get on well with both dogs and cats if introduced the right way.
This breed is perfect for people who are ready to give them a load of love, attention, and petting which is why families and people who do not have an aversion to pets are ideal.
Care and Maintenance
Although the German Rex has a striking curly coat which is the main reason some people go for the breed, the grooming is not too high maintenance. Nevertheless, there are a few basic care routine practices that are necessary to keep the breed healthy.
Grooming:
German Rexs don’t have long hair, instead, they have a short, curly coat, which means they do not require too much grooming compared to owners of long-haired breeds. It is however advisable to do brushing using a soft brush once or twice every week to facilitate the removal of dead hairs and ensure the coat remains soft. The coat may also require a few native oils than a normal coat may, so a wash may be done on a two-monthly basis to prevent accumulation within the skin layer.
Shedding:
German Rex cats love to shed all the time even if writers claim that they are a little hypoallergenic. This is good news for allergy-prone individuals although very allergic persons will still suffer irrespective.
Dental Care:
As with every other cat, the Rex is also susceptible to dental problems and therefore it is advisable to engage in teeth brushing quite frequently to avoid fatal periodontal disease. There is a need for a veterinary dental check-up at least once yearly.
Diet and Nutrition:
German Rex cats are to be fed a high-grade nutritious diet that matches their age and level of activity. While one should recognize that a cute appearance invites petting. In reality, none of them should be fat, and overfeeding should be avoided. You can consider it especially in this breed which was bred to fight against furnace spiders where an active body is a necessity.
Exercise and Mental Stimulation:
These cats are very active and require a lot of playtime to get all the energy out. They should be able to use their energy by providing them with various toys, puzzles, climbing structures, and exploring.
Health Concerns
The German Rex is described as a large and powerful breed. But as with every feline, there are some healthcare issues one needs to worry about in aging Rex and their hybrid descendants. These include:
Obesity:
One of the most common issues affecting the Rex felines is due to their great appetite for food and to an extent a less active lifestyle in some homes. Managing their nutrition and having playful times adequately can help address their fault.
Skin Conditions:
Depending on the length and thickness of the curly coat of a German Rex, some cats may experience skin problems such as oiliness or dryness. Regular brushes, grooming, and baths from time to time can help reduce such irritations and keep them in good condition.
Dental Disease:
This is typical of many breeds, including the Rex, which can suffer from gum disease and tooth decay. Therefore, brushing daily and visiting the veterinary dentist for a routine check-up is of utmost importance.
German rex makes an average companion cat that can live for 12 to 15 years, however, with proper care, some can live longer than that. For the replacement of the average lifespan in people helpful highlight their regular easy veterinary visits.
German Rex versus their counterparts Cornish and Devon Rex
The German Rex is very popular in many countries and it is often referred to along with the Cornish and Devon Rex breeds. However, there are quite big differences between these breeds.
German Rex and Cornish Rex:
The main feature that distinguishes German Rex from other similarly looking cats is the density of the fur. Although covered with a coat of its own in a more silky and finer texture the cornish rex would have a comparatively thinner body than the German comparison.
German Rex Cat and the Devon Rex:
The German Rex Cat has longer and softer fur than the Devon Rex given in the statement above. While the Devon Rex is more stylized – angular with a wedge-shaped head and large ears – a Rex is round in the face with a moderate ear.
Why Choose a German Rex Cat?
The German Rex is not only good-looking but it also has something more to add in terms of loyalty, intelligence, and love. This breed’s sociability will sit well with those who appreciate beauty but want a cat that can also respond to them.
Affectionate and Loyal:
The people become the center of the universe; this makes them suited for people who are inclined to be close to their pets.
Playful and Intelligent:
They are fun and smart, which means that their presence will live up to years to keep everyone smiling.
Low Shedding:
This is most appropriate for those on moderate allergy medication or people who wish for a cat but do not want one with too much fur.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, the German Rex cat is the only exotic but beautiful breed that makes cat lovers have it as one of their top choices. It may not be popularly existing like the rest of the breeds but the owners of a German Rex scratch addiction their heads because of that breed’s beautiful soft heart then returns.
You might be a person who wants a pet only for yourself or someone in your family might need one, regardless, the German Rex will be a wonderful, faithful pet for people ready to shower it with the care and warmth it needs.
FAQs
Taking into consideration the fact that German Rex cats have a coat that is curly, low-allergy shedding, and relatively low, they cannot be regarded as completely hypoallergenic. Their shedding helps in producing lesser allergens than the other breeds, but in cases of Hypersensitivity with serious Allergies, such proteins, found in the skin and saliva of the cat would still elicit a skin reaction. Furthermore, such cleaning practices could also reduce the amount of allergens present.
When compared to longhaired breeds, the German Rex is made the easier to take care of as prepping will be done from time to time. Once or at most twice a week makes it warm and moist to prevent the dead hairs from accumulating as well as keeping the beautiful soft fur. Occasionally, one has to wash her/him self because of the excess oil on the body surface
Says, owning a German Rex is not as easy as it looks; the possible average life span of a Rex is between 12 years to 15 years. Taking proper care of the animals with regular vet checkups and a proper diet, most of these cats may survive even longer. Generally this breed is healthy but may develop obesity as well as skin disease and so maintaining a healthy way of living is necessary.
