People usually land on German Rex pages when they’re trying to identify a curly-coated cat, check whether the breed is recognised, or work out what day-to-day care is really like.
The key details are simple but worth getting right: the German Rex is a medium-sized, friendly cat with a short, wavy coat that feels like velvet, and it has a specific modern origin story in Berlin that’s often muddled online.1
German Rex at a glance
Origin: Germany (modern breed traced to Berlin, early 1950s)1
Size: Medium1
Coat: Short, wavy/curly, very silky; typically little to no guard hair, giving a “velvet” feel1
Colours: A wide range of colours and patterns are accepted (standards vary by registry)1
Temperament: Often described as friendly, lively, playful, and quick to bond with people1
Life expectancy: Often around the low-to-mid teens with good care (as with most cats, individual variation is normal)2
Grooming: Light, gentle coat care; more focus on general cat hygiene (ears, nails, teeth)1
History and origin
The modern German Rex story begins in Berlin in the summer of 1951, when Dr Rose Scheuer-Karpin noticed a black, curly-coated cat around a hospital garden. Staff said the cat had been there since 1947. Dr Scheuer-Karpin took an interest in the coat, which turned out to be the result of a mutation, and the cat became a foundation animal for the breed.1
In FIFe (Fédération Internationale Féline), the German Rex has been recognised since 1982.1
Physical characteristics
At rest, a German Rex can look like an ordinary medium-sized cat—until the light catches the coat. The fur sits close to the body in soft waves, and it tends to feel unusually silky because the coat lacks the usual harsh guard hairs.1
Other features often mentioned include:
- Rounded head and well-developed cheeks (a softer, open expression).1
- Whiskers that may curl, though not always dramatically.3
Temperament and behaviour
Breed descriptions are always a guide rather than a guarantee, but German Rex cats are commonly characterised as people-oriented and bright. They tend to enjoy play, follow household activity, and settle quickly into routine once they feel secure.1
Family life: children and other animals
With calm introductions and sensible handling, many German Rex cats do well in busy homes. Like any cat, their comfort depends on having escape routes, quiet resting places, and the option to step away when play gets too intense.
Training and exercise
Think in short, regular bursts. A German Rex often responds well to gentle, reward-based training—coming when called, sitting for a treat, using a scratch post—especially when sessions stay brief and end before boredom arrives.
Daily enrichment usually looks like:
- Interactive play (wand toys, thrown soft toys, short “chase” games).
- Climbing and perching opportunities (cat trees, stable shelves, window seats).
- Food puzzles to slow eating and occupy the mind.
Health and lifespan
There isn’t a widely accepted list of “German Rex-only” diseases. In practice, their health profile overlaps with the usual concerns seen across pet cats: weight gain, dental disease, and the ordinary knocks of indoor life.
Preventive care makes the biggest difference to lifespan and comfort. Authoritative cat-care guidance emphasises regular veterinary checks and ongoing vaccination as part of that baseline.4
Vaccinations in Australia (quick orientation)
In Australia, core feline vaccination commonly covers feline panleukopenia (enteritis) and cat flu viruses (herpesvirus and calicivirus), often delivered as the “F3” vaccine.4 Adult booster timing varies with risk and the product used, so it’s best set with your vet.4
Grooming and maintenance
The coat is the headline feature, but it’s not a high-effort coat. A light, gentle brush can help remove loose hair without roughing up the curl. Over-bathing and harsh grooming can dry the skin, especially in cats with finer coats.
What matters more is the unglamorous routine:
- Regular nail trims.
- Ear checks (and cleaning only when needed, using cat-safe products).
- Dental care at home where possible, plus vet dental checks.
Diet and nutrition
Cats are obligate carnivores. A complete, balanced commercial cat food is the simplest way to meet nutritional needs, and “meat-only” or unbalanced homemade feeding can create serious problems over time.5
Foods to avoid
Some common human foods are genuinely dangerous for cats. Guidance from Australian animal welfare authorities and veterinary-aligned resources consistently flags items like onions (and other alliums) and chocolate, along with grapes/raisins and caffeinated products.6, 7
Fun facts (kept sensible)
The signature “rex” coat comes from a genetic mutation that changes hair structure. The result is a coat that lies in soft waves rather than the usual straight, guard-hair-and-undercoat arrangement.1
Final thoughts
A German Rex is, at heart, a companion cat wrapped in an unusual coat. If you’re drawn to the breed, focus less on the curl and more on the ordinary, steady things that keep any cat thriving: good food, a warm and interesting home, preventive vet care, and daily interaction on the cat’s terms.
References
- Fédération Internationale Féline (FIFe) – German Rex (breed information and standard notes)
- VIN (Veterinary Information Network) – Life stage care and longevity context for cats
- Wikipedia – German Rex (overview; use as supplementary background)
- RSPCA Australia – What you need to know about pet vaccinations (core cat vaccines/F3)
- RSPCA Knowledgebase – What should I feed my cat? (obligate carnivore and feeding guidance)
- RSPCA Pet Insurance – Foods to avoid for cats
- Agriculture Victoria – Human foods to avoid for cats and dogs
- RSPCA Knowledgebase – What vaccinations should my cat receive?
Veterinary Advisor, Veterinarian London Area, United Kingdom