Ural Rex: description of the cat breed and character traits

Origin, description and appearance (colors)

The Ural Rex breed appeared recently and is distinguished by its non-standard origin - it is aboriginal, that is, it was created naturally and then was fixed.

The Ural Rex breed appeared recently

Even before World War II, there were cats with curly hair in the Urals. During the fighting, they practically disappeared, but then individual individuals appeared in the 60s.

The revival of the breed dates back to 1988 and it began in Zarechensk with the cat Vasily, who was born curly-haired. They began to study and improve it. In 2006, the Ural rex received recognition from the WCF General Assembly in Essen.

The main distinguishing feature of the Ural Rex is its curly coat. It has a curl characteristic of the breed, frequent and with elastic corrugation.

The requirements for the Ural Rex are:

• The average size. The torso is round in shape and of correct proportions. The chest is also round in shape and clearly visible.
• The head is characterized by the outline of a short wedge, the forehead is smoothed. When looking at the cat's face in profile, the chin is clearly visible.
• The ears are small, triangle-shaped, set high, straight. Their average size is allowed. The ears are slightly rounded at the ends.
• The eyes are slanted, widely spaced, almond-shaped. They can be any color.
• The paws are medium in length, not thick.
• The tail is tapering at the tip.
• Color restrictions - chocolate, cinnamon and any similar shades, Burmese and points are not allowed.

The color of the Ural rex is varied: brown, white, black, cream, gold, silver, red, blue, tortoiseshell.

The color of the Ural Rex is varied

Kittens are born grayish in color, and then the real color appears. Ural rexes of black color can change it to brown or golden due to oxidation of the coat.

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Standard

Rex is a compact, proportionally developed breed with pronounced sexual dimorphism (males are visually noticeably larger than females). The weight of cats is about 6 kg, cats - no more than 4.

Significant disadvantages of the breed:

• too stocky or thin body;
• saucer eyes;
• straight profile;
• large or small ears;
• long and narrow head.

If the Rex's fur is straight or the skin is visible through it, the animal is not allowed to compete.

It is better to buy a kitten not by hand, but through an officially recognized nursery (of course, if the breed is important to you).

Care and maintenance

By nature, the Ural Rex is balanced and non-aggressive, especially for cats.
The Ural Rex does not require much care, although the breed has its own characteristics. Curly wool requires minimal grooming.

Hygiene

The coat does not tangle, and regular brushing is necessary during the shedding season. Bathing the animal should be done rarely, because the skin of this breed is thin and quickly dries out. With frequent water treatments, hair may fall out.

Ural rex

All standard cat care procedures are applied to Ural Rexes - cleaning of ears and eyes, examination for wounds and parasites, and care of claws. If you buy a scratching post, your cat can handle claw hygiene on his own.

The Ural Rex is an active breed and is often walked on a harness.

In the house, the pet should have its own corner with multi-level climbing frames. It is recommended to install the bed on a raised platform. Animals show interest in toys until old age.

Diet and feeding

Cats of this breed have an excellent appetite, but are not prone to gaining excess weight due to their activity.

The Ural Rex loves a variety of foods. He needs to be offered several types of food. Usually you buy several bowls for dry, wet or natural food.

The main rule of feeding is balanced food. Twice a year it is recommended to consult a veterinarian and give vitamins.

If you decide to feed your animal natural food, then the following products are recommended:

• boiled beef or chicken;
• fruits and vegetables;
• cereals and cereals, excluding legumes and corn;
• fermented milk products with a small percentage of fat content;
• egg yolks;
• boiled sea fish (once a week).

It is not recommended to give:

• spicy, fried foods, foods with seasonings;
• sugar and sweets.

You cannot give animals food from the human table, this puts their life and health in danger. The kitten's feeding regimen should be close to that present in the nursery. A three-month-old pet eats 5 times a day.

Animals should not be given food from the human table.

From 6 months you can reduce it up to 4 times. Adolescents 9 months old are given food 3 times a day, one-year-old cats are already given an adult regimen - 2 times a day. Unhealthy pets are fed a little less, and cats expecting offspring are fed more.

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Education and training

Ural rexes are very dependent on their owner; if they are left alone for a long time, they begin to get bored. Cats calmly walk in nature and ride in cars. Ural rexes are able to understand individual phrases pronounced with the same intonation.

Life expectancy and typical diseases

Since the Ural Rex is not artificially bred, it is in good health. There are no genetic diseases in this breed. Cats can suffer from diseases characteristic of their species.

Ural rex

Pets are shown to the veterinarian approximately once every six months, and preventive measures are also taken against fleas and other parasites. Ural Rex cats live up to 17 years.

The character of the Ural Rex

Representatives of the Ural Rex breed are pleasant to communicate with; they have a chic character. They are affectionate, sociable and sensitive natures. They are often able to restore the owner’s bad mood and peace of mind. Ural rexes are loyal and gentle friends. The furry pet returns the love and care of its owner with interest.

The Ural Rex cat breed is unpretentious. Amazing pets are good and gentle friends for little children. They are also friendly towards other inhabitants of the apartment, they are patient, but at the same time very playful and active. They love to bask in the owner's bed, rest comfortably on the owner's lap, and even perch on the owner's neck. This way they show that they don't want to be alone for a minute. But they feel when the owner wants to be alone - they do not impose themselves, wanting to frolic.

The Rex's favorite place is the owner's bed; they love to sleep not only at the owner's feet, but also on his pillow, which indicates the pet's affection. It is difficult for them to endure loneliness; they part with suffering, even for several days. They are ready to give their warmth, and lovingly, they accept it in return. These are full-fledged members of the family, since they spend their entire lives in the little world of their owner and his family. Ural Rex cats will not wake up the owner early in the morning to ask for food. They are very patient and will wait until the owner gives it himself.

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Rexes protect their offspring and treat the kittens with attention, both the mother cat and the father cat. The animals have an easy-going nature; they allow themselves to be picked up and touched. They tend to quickly adapt to any living situation and can easily endure moving, but only with the owner.

Breeding

When breeding, only matings are carried out within the breed. There is a risk that the gene that makes the coat curly may not be expressed. Due to the small number of Ural Rexes, finding a partner can be difficult.

If the goal is simply to get beautiful kittens, then any partner will do, but for professional breeding he must be selected very carefully.

If the goal is simply to get beautiful kittens, then any partner will do

To ensure the purity of the breed, do the following when mating:

• contact the nursery where the kitten was adopted;
• based on recommendations, look for another nursery;
• contact independent experts who can help in selecting a partner.

Mating and partner selection

Puberty in the Ural Rex occurs at 9 months, but they try not to breed cats until they are one year old. The first mating can take a year and a half - this is normal. Cats are subjected to this procedure at a younger age - they do not have to strain their bodies by bearing offspring and giving birth.

The mating process takes about 5 days. The cat is brought to the cat.

When choosing a partner for mating, pay attention to the following signs:

• absence of traces of fleas and diseases on the body;
• mating experience;
• purity of the breed (presence of pedigree);
• attractive appearance.

It is better to choose a partner similar to a cat. If the parents have different colors, the color of the offspring can be unpredictable.

The mating process takes about 5 days

When mating, the phenotype of the line can be adjusted - a cat with short hair is mated with a cat with long hair. Then the owner takes such a long-haired kitten to the nursery to introduce fresh genes.

Pregnancy and childbirth

Pregnancy and childbirth in Ural Rexes occur without complications.

This is largely due to the natural origin of the breed. On average 2-4 kittens are born. Maternal instincts are clearly expressed, and in both male and female cats - the fathers of the family are actively involved in caring for the kittens.

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Education and physical activity

Urals are cats with fairly high intelligence. They try in every possible way to please their owners and easily learn the rules of behavior in the house. Curly-haired cats quickly get used to the litter box and are able to perform simple tricks.

The Urals are very fond of all kinds of toys and can play with them for hours. To maintain good physical shape, cats of this breed are provided with a special corner with numerous ladders and multi-level platforms.

Characteristics of this breed

The most important feature is the curly coat, short or semi-long.

The short-haired Ural Rex has a dense and silky coat. It looks like a wave with an elastic, clearly visible curl. By the age of two, the curl is completely formed.

In semi-longhaired cats, the wave is not so clear; there may be a small mane. The curl is a spiral. The hair on the tail is also elongated.

The longer the length, the less pronounced the color.

Shedding

This process is unusual in this breed. During the shedding season, lost hair accumulates only on the pet's brush or bed.

Allergy to wool

The Ural Rex's fur is hypoallergenic, making the breed suitable for people prone to allergies. Pets have no undercoat, and the outer coat is quite thin. These cats do not have a specific smell from their fur.

Choosing a kitten

The kitten must be purchased from a trusted nursery or from breeders with a good reputation. If necessary, contact one of the clubs - they can recommend a suitable seller.

When visiting in person, make sure the kittens are healthy and active. They should have clear, clean eyes, healthy skin and coat.

Before purchasing, make sure the kitten is healthy, active and friendly.

When purchasing a show-class animal, keep in mind that the appearance of the Ural Rex is finally formed only at 1.5–2 years, and at 3 months even the best expert can only make a preliminary assessment.

The breeder must provide:

• kitten's pedigree;
• vaccination certificate;
• contract of sale.

Responsible breeders also provide information support and advise new owners on all issues that arise.

Due to the peculiarities of their fur, Ural Rex cats provoke allergies to a much lesser extent than most other breeds. However, they cannot be called completely hypoallergenic, and such statements from the breeder are deceit, which should alert you when choosing a seller.

If for some reason you are not sure that this is a Ural Rex, pay attention to the following signs:

• The Cornish Rex has a graceful and slender body of the Oriental type. The Ural team has a denser and more athletic body.
• Devon Rexes differ in the size of their ears. Among the “Uralians” they are medium, but among the Devons, according to the CFA description, they are “strikingly large”, very wide at the base. In addition, the “Uralians” have almond-shaped eyes, and the Devons have oval eyes.
• The difference with the German Rex lies in the shape of the head - the “Germans” have it almost round, the “Urals” it is triangular.
• Selkirk Rexes are easily distinguished by their slightly flattened muzzle, which indicates their relationship with Persian cats.

Pet-class kittens with flaws that are not dangerous to health will cost 15–35 thousand rubles. Breed class is estimated at 25–45 thousand rubles. Finally, a show-class animal, potentially capable of winning titles, will cost 35–50 thousand rubles.

Where to buy and how much does a kitten cost?

The breed is not widespread. The largest selection in Yekaterinburg and the region. There are nurseries in different cities. In Germany, purebred kittens can be purchased in Dresden.

Ural rex kitten

What to pay attention to

It is recommended to purchase a kitten from a professional nursery to avoid deception. The Ural Rex's fur only curls at the age of one year, so unscrupulous sellers can sell a mongrel cat.

Price of the Ural Rex

Ural Rex kittens with excellent pedigree have a price from 15,000 to 50,000 rubles. Cats are cheaper than cats. A kitten with a faulty color can be purchased for around 10,000 rubles.

Defects of the Ural breed

Ural cats have excellent health; no specific diseases have been found in them. But any cat can get sick with ordinary cat disease, so you need to remember to prevent worms and fleas. You also need to remember about vaccination. The owner of a Ural cat must protect his pet from various risks, for example, drafts, cold or too frequent bathing. A properly cared for Ural cat will live up to 15 years.

The owner of the Rex may forget about some vaccinations, so you need to get into the habit of regular visits to the veterinarian. You can ask your veterinarian to schedule your vaccinations. The resulting memo should be stored, for example, in the cat’s first aid kit, as I did. You can also ask your veterinarian to remind you about preventive examinations.

Curly-haired Ural cats do not have congenital pathologies, so only a deviation from the standard can be called a defect in appearance:

• hair too straight;
• large or too small ears;
• wide base of the tail;
• long and thin or short and thick body;
• short legs, etc.

The same defects that are unacceptable for other cats can lead to disqualification at exhibitions and shows:

• incorrect number of toes;
• malocclusion;
• tail defects;
• deformation of the skull bones;
• blindness, etc.

Video: Ural rex at an exhibition in Voronezh

Pros and cons of the breed

The advantages and disadvantages are presented in the table:

The Ural Rex is perfect for those who have no experience in keeping animals, thanks to its ease of care. The cat will become a good friend for children and adults.

Castration and sterilization

Ordinary people often use the terms castration and sterilization in relation to the sex of an animal. We are accustomed to thinking that only males are castrated, and cats are sterilized. However, you need to know that using these concepts in this sense is incorrect. In medical practice, these two operations are not gender specific:

• castration is the removal of reproductive organs in animals: in males the testicles are removed, and in females castration can be partial - only the ovaries are removed or complete - the ovaries are removed along with the uterus;
• Sterilization is an operation that removes reproductive organs from female animals and removes testes from male animals.

There is no consensus regarding the best age for these operations. It is believed that the optimal time for the cessation of reproductive functions is the age of 7–8 months, that is, before the animal becomes sexually mature. Some veterinarians believe that it is better to perform these operations at an even earlier age.

It is better to carry out the operation before the animal reaches sexual maturity.

Characteristics

The main highlight is the wool. Research has shown that the curly hair gene of the Ural Shorthaired Rex differs from other rexes in that it does not carry associated genetic diseases and is quite resistant to mutations.

The fine waves of the coat keep their shape perfectly, and the silky structure of the hairs gives a characteristic soft shine.

Otherwise, she is a beautifully built, physically developed cat. The body is muscular, without a pronounced abdomen. The limbs are proportional to the torso, of medium length and well developed.

The silhouette of a wide muzzle in the shape of a short wedge is complemented by large, almond-shaped eyes.

Sexual dimorphism is clearly evident - males are much more massive than females.

How to choose a kitten

• Do not buy kittens from parents that are too young or too old. The optimal age of the female offspring, according to the club breeding rules, is from 1.5 to 5 years.
• Find out what kind of litter it is for the year. Estrus in cats can occur once every few months, but since frequent births undermine the health of the animal and can cause the appearance of non-viable offspring, experienced breeders adhere to the well-known club rule: no more than 3 births in 2 years.
• Before visiting the nursery, study photos of young Ural rexes on the Internet so that the pattern does not break - Ural kittens do not look as impressive as adults, and you will have to come to terms with this.
• Look for reviews about the nursery and its owner. A mandatory requirement is to register the nursery in one of the felinological systems.
• Since the breed is small in number, and there are many unscrupulous sellers offering kittens of dubious origin, be sure to study the pedigree of the litter. It is desirable that at least one of the producers be noted at the breed exhibition.