Cornish Rex

By 1000 Ventures · Last reviewed

A slender, greyhound-shaped cat with a coat of tight, soft waves and huge ears.

A Cornish Rex cat sitting, full body
Size
Small to medium
Weight
6 to 10 lb (2.7 to 4.5 kg)
Lifespan
11 to 15 years
Coat
Very short, tight waves
Colors
All colors and patterns
Origin
Cornwall, England, from a curly-coated kitten born in 1950
100% of the time, our scanner puts a Cornish Rex in its top three. It names it first 100% of the time. How we tested

What does a Cornish Rex look like?

The Cornish Rex has only the soft undercoat that other cats have below their guard hairs, and it grows in tight, even waves. The body is slim with an arched back and a tucked-up waist, like a greyhound, on long legs. The head is egg-shaped with very large, high-set ears and a Roman nose.

Cornish Rex personality

Cornish Rexes are lively, playful and very people-focused. Many play fetch and stay kitten-like for years.

How to care for a Cornish Rex

The fine coat needs only a gentle wipe with a soft cloth. These cats feel the cold, so give them warm places to sleep.

How do I know if my cat is a Cornish Rex?

A curly, wavy coat on a slim, arched body is the clue. A Devon Rex is similar but has a pixie face and an even shorter, looser coat. The Lykoi has a patchy coat rather than waves.

A photo can only tell you what your cat looks like. Pedigree papers from a breeder, or a cat DNA test, are the only ways to prove a breed. For a quick first answer, upload a photo to our free cat breed identifier. It compares your cat with 31 breeds and the ordinary house cat and shows the three closest matches.

Curious which breed your own cat looks like? Upload one photo to the free cat breed identifier and see the three closest matches in seconds.

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Breeds that look like the Cornish Rex

Sphynx SphynxThe famous hairless cat: wrinkled skin, huge ears and a warm, outgoing nature. Lykoi LykoiThe 'werewolf cat': a partly hairless coat of mixed black and white hairs and a bare mask around the eyes. Oriental Shorthair Oriental ShorthairA Siamese in every color but points: very slim, huge ears and a loud voice.

Or browse all 31 cat breeds side by side.

Frequently asked questions

Are Cornish Rex cats hypoallergenic?
No cat is truly hypoallergenic. A Cornish Rex sheds less hair, but it still makes the allergen that causes most cat allergies.
Why is the Cornish Rex coat curly?
A natural gene changes the hair. The cat has only the soft undercoat, which grows in tight waves.

What breed is your cat?

Upload one photo and the free cat breed identifier shows the three closest breeds in seconds, or tells you it is a classic house cat.

Identify my cat