The world of domestic cats is so diverse and beautiful that one can only be amazed at the beauty and uniqueness of purrs. Those that are unusual in their uniqueness deserve special admiration. curly cats
. To the eye of a person uninitiated in the issues of felinology, it seems that cats can only have a smooth coat. However, curly-haired pets are no longer a fiction - they have managed to prove their right to exist among other purebred animals.
The vast majority of cat breeds with curly hair are called "Rex". Translated from Latin it means “king”. But there is another meaning - “curly hair”, which is what formed the basis for the name of these unusual cats. Their appearance first became known in the 19th century. However, at that time there was no interest in such animals; moreover, they were considered sick and imperfect creatures. But still, curly-haired cuties have not disappeared from the face of the Earth. Thanks to spontaneous natural processes, kittens with wavy fur continued to be born periodically.
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Their new life and wave of popularity began in the second half of the twentieth century, when breeders paid attention to them. It turned out that fur curls are caused by a mutated gene. At the same time, different representatives in different regions have their own gene for curly hair. This explains the fact that when different lines of cats with curled fur are crossed, straight-haired kittens are born. Genetics of curly cat breeds
has not yet been fully clarified; experts have yet to learn about all the secrets of cats with permanent perms. Today, there are both recognized types of cats with wavy hair, and those that are only on the way to official success.
Cornish Rex
One of the oldest breeds of curly-haired cats appeared in 1950, and 17 years later, felinologists officially approved its standard and registered it. When breeding this variety, breeders used mating with Siamese and outbred pets, as a result of which they managed to achieve stable characteristics.
Cornish Rex cats have an elongated muzzle and large ears like a sphinx. The fur coat of these cats resembles astrakhan fur. These properties are due to the soft short undercoat and the almost complete absence of main hair.
Cute handsome men have an easy-going character and high intelligence. They love people very much and are ready to spend a lot of time in their arms. Curly-haired handsome men get along well in families where they are willing to pay a lot of attention. They are always obedient, easy to train and readily perform simple tricks.
Psychological picture
Selkirk Rex is a wonderful breed of companion cats, friendly and sociable, loving human company and fun outdoor games. They are very patient and gentle, treat all members of the family in which they live well, do not conflict with pets, and live peacefully. Selkirks value communication with their owner most of all, they cannot live without it, and they become very attached to the owner, therefore it is strongly recommended not to leave Selkirk Rexes alone during the long absence of the owner. These cats love to be the center of attention, they really love sitting in the arms of the owner, hugging and scratching behind the ear.
Devon Rex
The kitten that gave rise to this species was found in the English county of Devonshire in 1960. Outwardly, these pets resemble another breed of curly-haired cats - the Cornish Rex. However, they are distinguished by their characteristic features.
Devon Rex cats have a rather graceful body and an unusual flat head on which large ears are located. The look is completed by slightly slanted eyes and a slightly snub nose. Their fur is soft and pleasant to the touch, but it is worth noting that there are very few guard hairs. One of the positive features of this breed of Rex cats is their reduced allergenicity.
Little elves, as Devon Rexes are sometimes called, are very active and love to play. In addition, they are easy to train - these cats, like dogs, are able to carry out the owner’s commands.
Description of the breed
Standard
- Body: small, elongated, with developed muscles. The back is arched, forming an arch. The weight of a cat reaches 3.5 kg, a cat - 4 kg.
- Limbs: long and thin, paws small, oval in shape. The tail is also long and thin and flexible.
- Head: wedge-shaped, with pronounced contours and rounded cheekbones. The forehead is flat, the nose is hooked, the profile is slightly elongated, and the cheeks are full.
- Coat: short, soft and curly, with small curls, which is a characteristic of the Cornish. There is no guard cover. Color varies, with the most common being white, black, gray and red seals.
- Eyes: almond-shaped, elongated towards the edges. The color matches the coat. Color point cats only have blue eyes.
- Ears: large, set high, tapering and pointed towards the tips.
Important! Although the hair on the Cornish Rex is almost invisible, its complete or partial absence (bald spots) is a defect.
Health
The health of these cats cannot be called strong. These cats are susceptible to a number of complex diseases.
- Hypoglycemia. It is a developmental pathology, expressed in a lack of glucose in the blood.
- Progressive retinal atrophy. It is also a pathology. This term hides several symptoms that inevitably lead to the kitten’s blindness.
- Hypotrichosis. A congenital disease characterized by uncontrolled hair loss.
- Solar dermatosis. It can develop as a result of hypotrichosis and subsequently lead to more serious consequences, for example, skin cancer.
The first two diseases develop if both parents are carriers of a recessive gene. Sick kittens should be examined by a veterinarian. Animals with pathologies are not allowed to breed.
To prevent the development of solar dermatosis, the cat should not be exposed to the open sun.
In good conditions, the Cornish Rex will live about 15 years. Some cats can live up to 20.
Character of the Cornish Rex
Cornish Rexes are kind and affectionate cats. Breeders note that these cats do not know how to be alone. They need a lot of attention from their owner, since Cornish Rex cats are attached not to the house, but to the person. Left at home alone, they feel sad and try to find something to do that is not always approved by their household.
Cats of this breed are easy to train and follow some simple commands. They will happily bring a thrown ball to their owner or lie down at their feet.
Such cats are playful and inquisitive, and they retain these qualities throughout their lives. The Cornish Rex can even invent games on his own. In addition, they get along well with children and other pets.
Thus, the main character traits of the Cornish Rex are:
- Playfulness.
- Devotion.
- Curiosity.
- Friendliness.
- Attachment.
- Learning ability.
Possible problems
- The Cornish Rex's short fur will not save it from either frost or scorching sun.
- The cat’s health must be protected, because due to their structure they are very sensitive to anesthetics. During surgery, the Cornish Rex may simply not survive anesthesia.
- If you are a busy person, then the Cornish Rex is not for you. When you arrive home, you will see torn pillows and broken cups - victims of cat games, and next to it - the cat himself, offendedly staring at the floor.
- The Cornish Rex's paw pads are small, so they cannot remove their entire claws. Your cat will need a scratching post or regular nail trimming.
German Rex
The origin story of this curly cat began in East Prussia before World War II. It was there that an Angora cat and a blue cat gave birth to unusual kittens with curls. The German Rex breed standard was finally developed only in the 70s.
Today this is one of the most popular varieties. Its representatives are distinguished by a round head with a slightly protruding muzzle. The ears of German cats are of medium size and not as mobile as those of other cats. Short hair is very delicate and soft. The greatest number of curls is observed on the back of animals.
Once in the house, these purrs very quickly accept the rules of behavior in it and also quickly find a common language with all family members. Their sociability, activity and playfulness are organically combined with musicality. Pleasant talkativeness is one of the characteristics of the breed.
Oregon Rex
This extremely rare breed of Rex cat is considered almost extinct in the world. Appearing in the mid-twentieth century, more precisely in 1944, it was popular for some time in the United States of America. But individuals of this curly breed began to be mixed with cats of other Rex cats - Cornish and Devon. As a result, the Oregonian traits began to dissolve. The last purebred cat of this variety died in 1972. Today, cats with characteristics of the Oregon Rex breed exist, but their number is extremely small on the planet.
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The body of these cats is similar to the American Shorthair. But they are distinguished by the quality of their coat: it is shorter than that of their German counterpart or the Cornish Rex. The guard hairs are not very dense and are noticeably longer than the undercoat. The curly-haired Oregon cat breed also stands out for its gentle character. This cat is an affectionate and gentle friend, especially for kids.
Laperm
These unusual pets can be fully called magnificent. Standing out among other curly-haired cats due to their large size, Lapermas captivate with their beauty. Long-haired pets have wavy hair, and short-haired ones are decorated with curls - enticing hair. Behind the ears and on the chest, the hair curls into rings, and along the rest of the body the curl is random.
An interesting feature of this breed of astrakhan cat is that kittens can be born with straight hair or even without it at all. By about one year of age, cats acquire characteristic curls. Another pleasant feature is the hypoallergenic nature of wool.
Beautiful Laperm cats captivate with their disposition. They are so loving that they do not leave anyone unattended and affectionate, including guests in the house. They express their feelings through loud purring and the desire to climb into their arms.
Conditions of detention
Curly-haired pets do not require special living conditions from other cats. They need a litter box, a place to sleep, a nail clipper and toys.
Once a month you need to trim your cat's claws. If your pet leads an active lifestyle, then the procedure will not be necessary at all, because... the claws grind down by themselves.
These cats are very attached to their owners, so you need to give them enough attention. Pets need to be petted, hugged and played with often. It is important for them to receive love from their owners.
Curly cats are loving
Cats' nutrition should be balanced. You can feed them natural food or dry food. Boiled meat, porridge, cottage cheese and other fermented milk products can be given as natural food. If you choose dry food as food, then you need to buy premium, super-premium and holistic food. It is important to maintain water balance, especially if the animal eats dry food. You cannot mix natural food and store-bought products.
Important: if your pet is male, then you should give up fish in your diet. Seafood can lead to kidney stones and urinary tract problems.
Bohemian rex
According to one version, the Bohemian Rex breed originates from the Cornish Rex. But these gorgeous cats also have a touch of Persian in their blood. Rare kittens first appeared in Czechoslovakia in 1981, and from that time selection work on their breed began.
A distinctive feature of the Bohemian line is the curly coat of long or medium length. It is especially chic around the neck and on the “pants”. There is no curl only on the face and ears. What is memorable in the appearance of cat cats is their very large, expressive eyes, the color of their fur.
Bohemian curly cats, with their powerful physique, display a very calm character. Friendliness, goodwill and peacefulness make these pets desirable in families with children, as well as in houses where other animals already live.
Feeding
For feeding, you can use natural food or choose high-quality super premium dry food, preferably marked “hypoallergenic” or “for cats with sensitive digestion.” It is important to strictly follow the dosage indicated on the pack, since Cornish dogs have an excellent appetite and often overeat, as a result of which they quickly gain excess weight.
With natural feeding, you can give cats moderately high-calorie foods:
- lean dietary meat - rabbit, chicken breast, lamb, lamb, veal, beef, turkey, quail;
- offal – liver and lung;
- lean boiled fish once a week;
- boiled egg;
- kefir, cottage cheese, yogurt without additives;
- rice (as part of meat porridges);
- stewed and raw vegetables.
Natural feeding requires a multivitamin supplement with taurine and biotin, as well as chewable treats to keep plaque off the teeth. Clean water in a deep ceramic bowl should always be in direct access.
Selkirk rex
Not long ago in 1987, non-standard kittens were discovered in the offspring of a Persian and a Rex with short hair. They served as the starting point for the development of the curly-haired Selkirk Rex breed. Despite the fact that the coat of the Selkirk, like other Rex cats, is wavy, these cats are unique. Their fur consists of three types of hairs: absolutely straight, slightly wavy and distinctly curly.
In appearance, the Selkirk Rex resembles a small sheep, their coat is so long and curly. Nature has awarded these individuals with changeable curly hair. It has been noticed that kittens are born with curls, then the hair on their body straightens, but by about 8-10 months it again acquires a natural curl.
This curly breed of cats has given the world many true domestic friends. Cats are not only cute and loving, but also do not lose their mischief and activity in adulthood.
The history of cats with curly hair
Typical domestic cats have two types of hair:
- awn or cover hair. Hard, straight and relatively long guard hair with a conical tip. Covering hair is intended for protection, including from getting wet.
- Undercoat or down. Soft, short and thin hairs surround and support the guard hairs, so there are 10 times more of them. Downy hairs are thin and crimped and are responsible for thermoregulation.
But in curly-haired cats, during the course of the mutation, the texture of the coat has changed: there is practically no hair, and the downy hairs curl into curls with varying degrees of elasticity.
Skookum
Cute small cats were obtained by breeders as a result of mating laperms and munchkins. In addition to dwarfism, these curly-haired cats are distinguished by a beautiful collar. Some unique Skookums have short hair, some have long hair. In the latter case, the “permanent wave” is more pronounced. Looking at these babies, one cannot help but notice the wavy mustaches and eyebrows, which are mandatory according to the standard.
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Little curlies, as skookum is sometimes called, love to run, play and, unlike many other cats, swim in the water. Despite all their affection for their owners, they never make themselves known with a loud, intrusive voice. Skookum cats are unique among their furry cousins for another reason - they don't shed. Although, despite this, combing is a mandatory weekly procedure for them.
Ural rex
Aboriginal curly-haired cats were first recorded in the Urals in the 40s of the 20th century. Their appearance is associated exclusively with natural processes. Once in the hands of breeders, the new line of cats was only brought to perfection through intrabreeding. The genetics of animals is so stable that they do not have hereditary anomalies.
Muscular and slender, Ural Rex cats are distinguished from others by their silky medium-length coat, which curls in beautiful waves and curls throughout the body. All representatives of the breed are distinguished by a small mane and a tail covered with curls.
Cats of this breed are distinguished by a gentle character and a trusting attitude towards people. They readily go into the arms of even strangers and willingly join in the play with children.
