Breed History:

The German Rex is one of the earliest recognised curly-coated cat breeds and originated in Germany during the 1950s. The breed began with a curly-coated female cat named Lämmchen, discovered by Dr. Rose Scheuer-Karpin near a hospital in East Berlin around 1951.

Lämmchen had a naturally occurring genetic mutation that gave her a soft, curly coat. She was bred with local cats, and her offspring inherited the unusual coat characteristic. Breeders eventually established the German Rex as a distinct breed.

The German Rex is genetically different from the Cornish Rex and Devon Rex, despite all three breeds having curly or wavy coats. The German Rex mutation affects the structure of the hair and produces a soft, velvety coat.

The breed became established in Germany during the 1950s and 1960s but remained relatively rare. Today, it is particularly associated with European cat breeding programs and is recognised by some international cat organisations.

Today, the German Rex is valued as an affectionate, intelligent, playful, and social companion known for its soft curly coat and friendly personality.

Gender	Height	Weight
Male	25 to 30 cm	3.5 to 5 kg
Female	20 to 25 cm	2.5 to 4 kg

Size: Small to Medium

Life Expectancy: 12 to 15 years

Breed Appearance:

The German Rex is a medium-sized, elegant, and muscular cat with a distinctive curly or wavy coat.

The breed commonly features:

• Rounded to slightly wedge-shaped head

• Full cheeks

• Medium-length muzzle

• Large, expressive eyes

• Medium to large ears with rounded tips

• Strong neck

• Well-developed chest

• Muscular but elegant body

• Medium-length legs

• Rounded paws

• Medium-length tail

The German Rex has a short, soft, curly or wavy coat with a velvety texture.

Its coat can vary from loose waves to more pronounced curls, depending on the individual cat.

Common colours and patterns include:

• White

• Black

• Blue

• Red

• Cream

• Chocolate

• Lilac

• Silver

• Golden

• Tabby

• Tortoiseshell

• Calico

• Smoke

• Bi-colour

• Colourpoint

Eye colour varies according to coat colour and may include:

• Green

• Gold

• Yellow

• Copper

• Blue

The breed's soft curls, expressive eyes, and balanced athletic build give it a distinctive and elegant appearance.

Breed Type – Companion / Family Cat:

The German Rex is an affectionate, intelligent, playful, and social companion breed.

It is known for being:

• Affectionate

• Intelligent

• Playful

• Social

• Curious

• Energetic

• Gentle

• People-oriented

The breed usually forms strong bonds with its family and enjoys regular human interaction.

German Rex cats are generally good with children and other pets when properly socialised. They tend to remain playful and active while also enjoying relaxed time with their owners.

Training:

The German Rex is intelligent and generally responds well to positive reinforcement.

Training should focus on:

• Early socialisation

• Positive reinforcement

• Basic handling

• Harness training

• Recall training

• Interactive games

• Mental enrichment

The breed can learn:

• Basic commands

• Tricks

• Fetch

• Harness walking

• Puzzle toys

• Interactive games

Short, varied, reward-based sessions help keep the German Rex mentally engaged.

Health & Care:

The German Rex is generally considered a healthy breed, although its relatively small population means responsible breeding is important to maintain genetic diversity.

Potential health concerns may include:

• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

• Dental disease

• Skin problems

• Obesity

• Joint problems

• Age-related health conditions

Regular veterinary examinations, responsible breeding, a balanced diet, regular dental care, appropriate exercise, and maintaining a healthy body weight help support long-term health.

Living Conditions:

The German Rex adapts well to indoor living.

Ideal environments include:

• Apartments

• Houses

• Urban or suburban homes

• Families with children

• Homes with other cats

• Homes with cat-friendly dogs

The breed enjoys climbing, exploring, and interactive play. Cat trees, scratching posts, tunnels, window perches, and puzzle toys are useful additions.

Because its curly coat can provide less insulation than a dense straight coat, it should have access to warm resting areas in colder weather.

Exercise:

The German Rex has moderate exercise requirements.

Recommended activities include:

• Interactive play

• Wand toys

• Chasing games

• Fetch

• Puzzle feeders

• Cat trees

• Climbing structures

• Short training sessions

Around 30 to 45 minutes of active play and exercise per day helps maintain physical fitness and mental stimulation.

Grooming:

The German Rex has relatively low grooming requirements.

• Gentle brushing once or twice per week

• More frequent brushing during seasonal shedding

• Occasional bathing when necessary

• Regular nail trimming

• Routine ear cleaning

• Regular dental care

The curly coat is delicate, so grooming should be gentle to avoid damaging the hair structure.

Advantages:

• Affectionate and people-oriented

• Intelligent and trainable

• Playful and social

• Distinctive curly coat

• Generally good with children and other pets

• Adaptable to apartment living

• Moderate grooming requirements

• Enjoys interactive play

• Generally hardy

Disadvantages:

• Relatively rare breed

• Responsible breeding is important because of its limited population

• Curly coat requires gentle grooming

• May become bored without sufficient interaction

• Can become lonely if left alone for long periods

• Some individuals may be prone to hereditary health conditions

• May be sensitive to cold temperatures

• Requires regular dental care