Cats are, generally, adorable creatures. Just when you think they can’t be cuter, you hear about curly-haired cats. What? Cats that resemble teddy bears, plush toys, and little lambs. Simply adorable!
Besides their unique appearance, some of these curly-hair cat breeds are known for their large ears, some for their feral cat parents. What’s more interesting is how they get this coat type.
Let’s learn which cat breeds can have a curly coat, how they get it, and how they originated.
Surprisingly, there are actually only four curly-hair cat breeds that are recognized and accepted by cat registries: the Devon Rex, Selkirk Rex, LaPerm cat, and Cornish Rex.
However, in addition to these four, there are six other curly-haired breeds that haven’t been officially recognized yet. Read on to learn more about them!
1. Devon Rex
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The origins of this unusual breed can be traced back to the 1950s, when a wavy-coated kitten was born in Devon, England. Beryl Cox, who also owned the stray cat mother, was the kitten’s owner.
This extraordinary breed’s father was a local stray cat with a curly coat. Kirlee was Cox’s kitten name. Cox approached the conservation program for the preservation of the Devon Rex’s coat.
During this process, it was discovered that Kirlee possessed a unique wavy-haired gene different to that of the Cornish rex — which led to the discovery of the Devon rex.
After this, breeders began working to preserve the Devon rex, and the breed was introduced to the US in the late 1960s.
The coat of a Devon Rex is especially wavy and comes in a wide range of patterns and colors. However, their distinct personality traits overshadow the Devon Rex’s appearance. These cats are known for being extremely playful, loving, sociable, and active.
2. Ural Rex
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The foundation cat was “Vasilij,” a curly bi-colored cat born in 1988 in Russia. He was bred to his mother, to help strengthen and continue the curly-haired feature.
The breeders continued inbreeding for another generation, and there have been no anomalies discovered in their program. The gene pool was expanded by outcrossing to the European Shorthair.
This is a relatively new breed that was accepted by the World Cat Federation (based in Germany) in 2006. It is distinguished by its soft, silky, lightly curled coat.
Even though the Ural Rex may seem similar to other Rex breeds, researchers confirm that it possesses a unique genetic variant not found in other curly-haired breeds. The Ural Rex’s large eyes and sweet personality have earned the breed many cat lover fans in its native Russia.
3. Skookum Cat
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This is an experimental cat breed that was developed in the 1990s in the United States. Breeder Roy Galusha was the first to cross the Munchkin cat, a dwarf breed, with the LaPerm, a cat known for its intriguing curly coat and intelligence.
As a result of this new adorable cat breed with curly hair and short legs, more breeders stepped in to continue its development.
Despite being recognized by TICA, most cat registries and organizations still believe that breeding Munchkins is unethical due to purposeful genetic mutations, health and mobility concerns.
4. German Rex
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Shortly after World War II ended, a stray female cat was rescued in East Berlin. Because the cat’s wavy black coat reminded the rescuer of a small black lamb, he named her Lammchen, which translates to Lambkin.
She was bred with one of her wavy-haired offspring in 1957, producing the first litter of German Rex kittens. Two German Rex females were brought to the US in 1960.
These females were soon joined by Columbus, a male German Rex cat. These three cats laid the groundwork for the breed’s spread across America.
The International Cat Federation has formally recognized the German Rex as a rare curly-haired cat breed. The German Rex is characterized by its wavy coat and short, curly whiskers, as well as its adorably oversized ears.
5. Selkirk Rex
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The origins of these fluffy cats can be traced back to 1987 and a feline named Miss DePesto. This gorgeous and distinctive kitty had three other brothers and sisters, none of whom had her distinguishing curly hair.
When Jeri Newman, a breeder, saw Miss DePesto, he decided to adopt her and begin breeding more curly-haired kittens. It was discovered that kittens from the same Selkirk Rex litter could have both curly and straight hair.
Their whiskers can be wavy or curly when their coat turns out curly. Their fur length and color vary as well. Most will have long hair, but you might stumble upon Selkirk Rex cats with shorter coats too. Selkirk Rex cats are ideal for families and kids.
Another important characteristic of these cats is that they are very patient and enjoy being around other people. So, if you frequently entertain guests and have socialized your cat from an early age, your Selkirk Rex will most probably love all the attention.
6. Cornish Rex
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Another curly-haired cat breed with roots in England is the Cornish Rex. A kitten named Kallibunker, as a curly kitten, stood out from his farmhouse cat siblings.
He was bred to produce wavy-haired kittens, who were then crossed with Siamese, Burmese, and British domestic shorthair cats. The end result? A fascinating new breed with bat-like ears and extremely soft, curly fur.
Cornish Rex cats have long tails, slim bodies, and big ears. Their appearance is made even cuter by curly whiskers. Their fur is wavy and comes in a variety of patterns and colors. It’s incredibly soft, thick, and surprisingly warm.
Also, despite being a small to a medium-sized cat, it is quite heavy when lifted. Cornish Rex cats love the attention of their humans, they’re highly active and love to be in the center of attention.
7. Tennessee Rex
The Tennessee Rex cat breed, which originated in the Tennessee Valley in 2004, was recently recognized by The International Cat Association.
These big cats have curly coats from the moment they’re born, and their fur seems like it shimmers in the light. These curly cats are medium-sized, and their personality is endearing.
They form strong bonds with their owners and might end up following them wherever they go, but they’ll never be boring.
8. Oregon Rex
The Oregon Rex is the only domestic cat breed that is believed to be extinct. It is sadly possible that it is no longer present. It does, however, merit an honorable mention. These lovely cats first appeared in Oregon in 1955.
The majority of sources claim that this breed became extinct in 1972 as a result of breeding with Cornish Rex cats. Oregon Rex cats were strong-willed, but they adored their owners.
Because of their stubborn personalities, some owners said they were difficult to keep as indoor pets. Perhaps this is another reason why the breeding process was halted. The curly coat lacked guard hairs, was short, and had tight curls.
These lovely cats ranged in size from small to medium, with athletic bodies. Their heads were small and round, with big ears and huge eyes.
9. Tasman Manx
The Tasman Manx is distinguished by two unusual characteristics: a curly coat and the lack of a tail. The Tasman Manx, which is recognized by New Zealand Cat Fancy, is native to New Zealand and gets its name from the Tasman Sea.
The Tasman, like all Manx cats, is either tailless – a trait breeders refer to as “rumpy” – or nearly tailless, aka “stumpy.”
The Tasman has kinked whiskers as well as a soft, rippled coat. Their temperament is lighthearted, but they are not excessively vocal or boring.
Tasman Rex cats can be difficult to find because they are an extremely rare breed. But if you do succeed at adopting one, you should know that these cats are never demanding, and they’re great with kids and other pets.
10. LaPerm
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The owner of an Oregon farm, noticed that a large number of barn cats had wavy hair in the 1980s. She began selectively breeding them, resulting in the LaPerm, a striking new curly cat breed.
Curls on LaPerm cats can range from soft and wavy to tight curls. The tails of longhair LaPerms are full and curled, whereas shorthair LaPerms have a “bottlebrush” tail.
The density and curl patterns of a LaPerm’s coat can change over time, and many LaPerms have unique “parts” down their back fur. These cats are easily identified by their permed hairstyle, which many owners fall in love with right away.
Surprisingly, all LaPerm cats are born hairless or with short hair that falls out shortly after they’re born. LaPerm cats have perms in the true sense of the word, with luxurious wavy hair or loose curls.
These furry friends have a variety of coat colors and patterns, with the three most common being tortie, tabby, and red.
11. British Shorthair
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The British Shorthair is known for its round face, stocky build, and plush coat, but did you know that some of them have a slight wave or curl to their fur? While not as curly as breeds like the Cornish Rex, the British Shorthair’s coat can have a unique, soft texture, especially in certain lines.
This curly coat is due to a genetic mutation, adding an extra layer of charm to this already adorable breed. Their coats come in a variety of colors and patterns, but the texture remains pleasantly dense and velvety.
British Shorthairs with curly coats still maintain their calm, independent nature, making them perfect companions for those who love cuddly yet low-maintenance pets. With a gentle personality and their soft, almost cushion-like fur, they are a true delight to pet!
12. Oriental Shorthair
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The Oriental Shorthair is a sleek, elegant cat with a unique charm, and while their coat is generally short, some may have a subtle wave to it, especially around the neck or tail. This slight curl adds an interesting texture to their otherwise smooth fur, giving them a distinctive look.
Their coat comes in a wide range of colors and patterns, from solid to tabby to bicolor, but the curl adds a playful twist to their appearance. Known for their high energy and affectionate nature, Oriental Shorthairs love being the center of attention and enjoy interacting with their human companions.
Despite the softness of their fur, they’re low-maintenance when it comes to grooming. With their gentle personality and intriguing coat, they are a perfect fit for active families or anyone seeking a loving, intelligent pet.