German Rex

Origin story

The first kitten with curly fur was born in Königsberg, a town in East Prussia.
It contains the blood of Russian Blue and Angora breeds. The baby was named Munch. His owners did not see anything special in their kitten, and the kitten could have continued to carelessly chase sparrows around the yard if one day an experienced breeder had not noticed him. He thought the baby looked strange and bought him from his owners. Initially, the Koenigsberg nursery took up breeding; after a while, other breeders became interested in the business. After the war, when the occupation of Germany ended, many soldiers took home curly-haired cats and cats. This is how the breed came to Europe.

In the 1970s, the breed standard was approved and it was recognized by many large felinological organizations (WCF, FIFe). The only one left out was the CFA. Members of the association considered curly-haired cats to be close relatives of the Devon Rex and refused to recognize them as a separate breed. But in the end they changed their minds.

According to another version, the ancestor of the breed was picked up on the streets of East Berlin in 1951, and her children began to participate in official breeding.

Story

The German Rex breed appeared by chance in the 1930s: in a Prussian village, a male Russian Blue was courting an Angora cat—as it turned out, quite successfully.
As a result, unusually attractive kittens with curly fur were born. But the owners of the cats didn’t notice anything special about them. Fortunately, they caught the eye of one breeder, who immediately realized that the kittens were unique. He took two and thus marked the beginning of the birth of a new breed. At first, only one Königsberg nursery was involved in breeding German rexes, but later several breeders got involved in this business. And the breed developed successfully.

After the surrender and occupation of Germany, soldiers of the allied forces, returning home, brought cats of this breed as a trophy. So it spread throughout Europe and became more and more famous every day, attracting the interest of not only ordinary people, but also felinological organizations.

The breed standard was approved in the 1970s, and the German Rex was recognized by all influential organizations - FIFe, WCF, etc., except for the CFA, which did not consider the German Rex a separate breed and considered it as one of the varieties of the Devon Rex.

Today, the German Rex is widespread throughout the world; the best representatives of the breed participate in exhibitions. Now in Russia, several nurseries have begun to breed this cute and cute cat.

Standards

The German Rex is a cat of medium size and light weight: 3.5-5 kg.

Serious disadvantages of the breed:

• Bald spots on the body.
• Crooked paws.
• Close-set ears.

The curly gene is a recessive gene. Out of ignorance, cats were crossed for a long time with animals possessing other dominant genes, which is why the breed almost became extinct.

Description of the breed

A set of qualities and characteristics of the breed has been approved that German Rex cats must comply with: the head is round in shape, the muzzle protrudes forward, and has clearly defined features. The ears are widely spaced and have the same width along their entire length; they are characterized by low mobility in comparison with other cats. These are medium-sized cats, weighing on average 4 kg. Well-developed muscles, dense physique. The paws are of medium length, with the hind legs being slightly longer than the front ones, so when walking the cat’s croup is raised. The eyes, also widely spaced, have different color options, but the color of the eyes should be pure and uniform, without impurities, deep. Blue, yellow and almond eye colors are common. The coat has pleasant curls, which are especially visible on the back, the fur is soft, delicate, and pleasant to the touch. Coat color also has a lot of options.

Colors

According to the standard, different colors are allowed, including red, white, black in various variations. Cats with cinnamon, fawn, chocolate colors are not allowed to compete - i.e. colors obtained as a result of hybridization. This group also includes tabby, tricolor and bicolor.

In the photo there are cats of the German Rex breed of popular colors: red, white, black

Character and behavior

The German Rex will quickly join your family and become your favorite forever. It couldn’t be any other way: these friendly and sweet cats quickly drive away the blues with their purring and cope with sadness and despondency. Their high intelligence allows them to quickly recognize the mood of the people around him, and if you are in a positive mood, the cat will invite you to play a ball with him, rolling the ball right under your feet, and if you are bored and lonely, he will climb into your arms and look sympathetically in your eyes. When rexes are happy, they express it in a way unusual for cats: by wagging their tail.

Their activity alternates with passivity and absolute relaxation. In the morning, having had a hearty breakfast, the cat is not averse to chasing around the apartment, climbing in his playground or garden trees, rustling with bags and teasing the dog on the chain.

And after lunch, lie down languidly on the windowsill and look at the sparrows dashingly jumping on the other side of the glass.

Clean and tidy kids who take care not only of themselves, but also of the order in their things. Rexes hide their toys and guard them like dogs, do not scatter the contents of the tray or food from the bowl, and wash themselves thoroughly and for a long time.

They have a pleasant melodic voice. They like to hum something under their breath, but do not shout in vain.

They love to be the center of attention and participate in all significant events in the house: be it a holiday, renovation or baking. If the whole family sits down to watch a movie on TV, they sit side by side and pretend that they are also watching. Human contact is vital for them.

Name the cat who always wanted to live together

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They love children and are always happy to play with them, but they can stand up for themselves. If a child hurts a cat, the latter will definitely let him know what he shouldn’t do, he will swing or snort, and if there is no reaction, he may even give in with his paw. Therefore, immediately explain to children that a cat is not a toy, but a living creature, and should be treated accordingly.

They quickly get accustomed to the tray and scratching post, as well as to their bed. They do not tolerate changes in conditions or surroundings well; they value tranquility and their own comfort more. Playfulness is retained until old age.

The German Rex gets along well with other pets only if it has grown up with them since childhood. In other cases, the process of addiction is long and difficult, even leading to fights and aggressive behavior.

A pet class animal costs approximately 6,000 rubles, a breed class animal costs about 8,000. The price for an exhibition animal can exceed 30 thousand rubles. In Russia, a German Rex kitten can only be purchased from private breeders (as well as in Belarus and Ukraine). Or ask for help from Devon Rex nursery owners.

Features of behavior

They will be a devoted friend to the family and create comfort in the home. German rexes are very beautiful and interesting animals that have high intelligence and need constant communication with their owners.

An unusually active breed, simply a perpetual motion machine - they are always on the move, playing, rushing around the apartment, checking if everything is in order; It seems that even during sleep they move their paws. They love to play, and in the absence of a playing partner, they will occupy themselves.

Very organized cats, they like everything to be in its place. They clean up their toys after playing and, like dogs, guard them. Another dog habit: when everything is very good, they wag their tail.

German Rexes are very positive and are never sad or apathetic. They have a fountain of energy and an abundance of great mood.

The German Rex is very melodious, always purring something under his breath and communicating with his beloved owner with the same sweet purr. Loves to be the center of attention, participate in all family activities, entertainment and relaxation, and will definitely join the family watching TV shows. The German Rex needs constant contact with its owners.

He gets along well with children and treats them very well, but only if the kids also treat him well. If the children hurt him, they will definitely get back.

Other pets must also respect the German Rex, otherwise they will not be happy - and a serious quarrel may arise. True, this applies to “new people”; he has wonderful relationships with old friends. He is suspicious of strangers who come into the house.

Care instructions

The absence of undercoat is only beneficial for the owner. This makes care easier, since there is no need to frequently comb the cat, sort out tangles and buy a variety of brushes. You only need one – with natural bristles. Brush your pet once a week gently and gently, moving from head to tail.

Bathing

Problems often arise with bathing: rexes do not like water procedures. Therefore, if your pet is very dirty and is not able to wash himself with his tongue, prepare in advance.

Buy a special cat shampoo (human shampoo is not suitable: they cause allergies and intestinal dysfunction), lay a thick diaper on the bottom of the bath (so that the cat, feeling the emphasis under its paws, clings to it with its claws and is not so afraid) and call one of the household members can I help you.

During the procedure, water and soap should not get into the cat’s ears, so put a bathing cap on him or cover the ear canals with cotton swabs. If the house is warm, you can let the cat dry on its own. If not, use a hairdryer or dry the cat with a towel.

Ears

Rex cats' ears are examined weekly, and excess wax is removed with cotton pads soaked in ear lotion or boiled water.

Teeth

Teeth also require regular care. In the wild, animals clean them on their own, but at home they need your help. Buy cat toothpaste and a brush at the pet store (instead of a special cat brush, you can use a regular baby brush, shortening its bristles). Popular companies: Trixie, Beaphar Toothpaste, Hartz.

Expert opinion

Dusheba Vera Ivanovna

In 2010, she graduated from the Moscow State Academy of Veterinary Medicine named after K.I. Scriabin with honors, specializing in veterinary medicine. I regularly attend veterinary conferences, congresses, and webinars.

It happens that a cat categorically refuses to brush his teeth, bites, spits and kicks. From fear, he can scratch you severely and even bite your hands. In this case, you can use liquid cleaning gels that are added to drinking water, as well as dry pads to remove plaque. In this case, you will have to take the animal to the veterinary clinic once a year for cleaning under anesthesia.

Claws

The Rex's claws are sharpened on their own, and if you don't want your furniture or walls to be damaged, buy your cat a comfortable scratching post: made of natural, well-treated wood, or thick cardboard, covered with rope, carpet or sisal fabric. The scratching post should be the size of your pet or slightly larger. It is advisable to buy several pieces and install them in different rooms.

Catering

The special structure of the kidneys allows cats to drink less than humans. But the water in their drinking bowl should also be clean and fresh. You cannot pour water from the tap: it contains many undesirable elements that are safe for humans, but dangerous for animals. Therefore, use special filters to purify moisture, or leave it in an open jar for at least 12 hours. You can also buy bottled water.

Natural products

The food on your table is not suitable for your cat. She is not allowed much. Sweet, salty, pickled, smoked, fried, baked, flour, food with seasonings and sauces - the list is long! Products containing cocoa beans do not decompose in the animal’s body, but accumulate in the liver and lead to poisoning.

The same applies to beer and other alcoholic drinks. Tea (both black and green) cause disturbances in the cardiovascular system, potatoes and tomatoes - the gastrointestinal tract, onions and garlic cause anemia, avocados, grapes, raisins and eggplants - vomiting and diarrhea, boiled bones can injure the intestines , pierce it.

Some foods are not prohibited, but are undesirable. These are legumes (cause fermentation), sunflower seeds, pasta, baked goods, condensed milk, pork, sea fish, whole cow's milk, chicken protein, raw eggs, goose and duck meat, raw liver, dog food and human vitamins.

The diet should include:

• Fresh meat: beef, rabbit, veal, turkey and lamb. It is cut into small pieces (grinding into minced meat is only permissible for children and animals without teeth) and scalded with boiling water.
• Chicken and beef by-products: kidneys, liver, hearts. They are boiled or stewed.
• Sea fish: hake, trout, salmon, halibut. You can give boiled shrimp and squid once a week. You should not give fish more than once a week, otherwise your cat will develop kidney problems as she ages.
• Dairy products: cheese (unsalted hard varieties), kefir, yogurt, fermented baked milk, cottage cheese. Natural yogurt is also allowed, which does not contain chemical preservatives, flavor enhancers or dyes.
• Vegetable oil: olive, sunflower, flaxseed, butter. Add half a teaspoon to the porridge daily.
• Boiled chicken protein, quail eggs.
• Porridges cooked in water: rice, corn, millet, buckwheat, oatmeal, millet. You can also add vegetables there: green beans, cauliflower, carrots, pumpkin, zucchini, greens (spinach, dill, parsley, green salad).
• Cats can be given apples, melons, pears, and corn as treats.

Vitamin complexes won't hurt either. Choose high-quality multivitamins, as well as supplements containing phosphorus, calcium and other beneficial microelements.

Recommended food

From ready-made food, both breeders and veterinarians advise giving animals holistic food: Acana, Farmina N&D, Wildcat. For their production, good quality products are used, and the composition speaks for itself: a sufficient amount of meat, fish, dried berries and vegetables, vitamin and mineral supplements, natural preservatives.

In economy and premium food, the only advantage is the low price. The composition raises many questions. Firstly, the packaging does not indicate specific meat, but “meat waste”. What is hidden behind this phrase is unknown. Plant ingredients - specifically corn gluten - often cause allergic reactions. There are very few vitamins and minerals, but there are enough dyes and preservatives of artificial origin, which has an extremely negative impact on the health of animals.

Below are the recommended holistic and super-premium foods. Links with the names of the food are clickable, on them you can, within our website, get acquainted with the descriptions of the food and read reviews from owners of German Rex cats.

Diseases

The German Rex is destined for a long life. With good care, he will easily overcome the bar of 15, or even 18 years. But some specific features are also inherent in this breed.

1. Since the Rex has no undercoat, it is dangerous to leave it in drafts and walk it in low temperatures. Children and elderly people catch colds especially often. After bathing, you should thoroughly dry the animal, and for walks in the cold season, dress the cat in blouses that fit (by the way, such clothes can be easily bought at any pet store). The bed should not be installed near doors and windows.
2. The tendency to overeat is another scourge of the German Rex. They will “give their souls” for a tasty piece, which means that from childhood they should be taught a certain diet. Snacking between meals is prohibited!
3. These cats will not drink cloudy water: even if there is only one speck of dust floating on the surface, the cat will see it and will either look for another source or tolerate it. And lack of water is a prerequisite for the development of urolithiasis.

Naturally, vaccinations and deworming are mandatory, even if your cat does not go outside at all. Viral diseases can enter your home through other means than personal contact, so follow a schedule of procedures.

Character

The character of cats is active, playful, restless. Many owners of German Rex cats confirm that these pets do not sit still and are constantly moving. Cats are often in a great mood, they always find interesting activities for themselves, they love to talk and communicate with their owner, they try to tell something, tell something, share their impressions with their purring. These are sociable cats, they are always somewhere nearby, enjoy watching TV with everyone in the house, feel like part of the family and are always happy to be the center of attention. They get along with children, but if they are hurt, they can stand up for themselves and fight back against the children’s pranks. They are wary of strangers, and they also have difficult relationships with other pets, unless everyone grew up together and lived in the house from the very beginning.