While the Cornish Rex might have a regal, almost Egyptian-like appearance, it is a comparatively new breed when compared to cats such as the Egyptian Mau. The Cornish Rex first appeared in England in the 1950's.

A talkative, affectionate cat, the Cornish Rex makes a wonderful pet that enjoys being part of the family. The Cornish Rex is very active and often is willing to play games and is known to be an eternal "kitten". This cat is known to play fetch; they will play catch and at times, will toss objects with their paws. The Cornish Rex is also known for being a real "lap cat". All of these qualities make the Cornish Rex a great addition to a household who wants a cat that enjoys being part of the family's daily activities.

The appearance of the Cornish Rex is quite unique. The body of Cornish Rex is rather athletic looking, with a lean body, long legs and a deep chest. The body of the Cornish Rex has been likened to a greyhound in its appearance. The head of the Cornish Rex is egg-shaped and the eyes are oval and rather large. Perhaps the most distinctive characteristic of the Cornish Rex is the coat of the cat. The Cornish Rex has a very soft coat that has rippled appearance to it. Even the whiskers of the Cornish Rex are curly. This wavy coat is attributed to a lack of guard hairs and awn and down hairs that are bent and extremely short. The Cornish Rex can be seen in almost any color, however. One of the most appealing qualities of the coat of the Cornish Rex is that the fur is extremely soft to the touch, almost like velvet. Fortunately, the Cornish Rex enjoys to be petted and will often snuggle against his or her human companion for warmth. The Cornish Rex does not shed a lot, however, it does shed and therefore isn't considered hypoallergenic.

The first Cornish Rex appeared in Cornwall England in a natural mutation of kittens produced by a barn cat. Cat lovers and breeders were so fascinated with this characteristic that they began breeding this cat, first by inbreeding and than cross breeding in order to strengthen the bloodlines and increase color varieties.

Due to the cats "thin" coat, the Cornish Rex gets cold easily and should be an indoor cat only. Additionally, this cat can be prone to baldness, a disorder known as hypotrichosis. Finally, the Cornish Rex should not be brushed too roughly, as this can damage the hairs of the cat, and washing their face with a soft towel, is a good idea, as well.

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