Cornish Rex.

Cornish Rex. Cornish Rex, breed of wavy-haired cat, the result of a natural mutation (change in breed characteristics that occurred naturally rather than through a selective breeding process). The first Cornish rex was a cream-colored male, born in a litter of five barn kittens in Cornwall, England, in 1950. The breed was named Cornish for the kitten's birthplace and rex for the rabbits the owner once had raised. The Cornish rex was discovered to be distinctive from the Devon rex cat when attempts to cross the two breeds failed to produce wavy-haired offspring. The Cornish rex is a small- to medium-sized, small-boned cat. The body, legs, and neck are long and slender, and the hips are muscular. Its back curves upward in a natural arch, and its stomach tucks up underneath. The breed's small head is narrow and egg-shaped, and the cheeks are lean and muscular. Adding to the angular look of this cat's face are the medium- to large-sized oval eyes, which slant slightly upward. Full, erect ears sit high on the head. The eyes of the Cornish rex are varying shades of green. Coat colors include black, blue, cream, red, and white, which appear in solid, bicolored, smoke, and multicolored patterns. The soft, wavy fur feels like crushed velvet. Even this cat's whiskers and eyebrows curl. Because the Cornish rex lacks the long protective hairs found in the fur of most cats, it sheds less often, making it a good pet for people with allergies. British cat associations first recognized the Cornish rex in 1963. All North American registries now accept this breed. Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.