Official ICCF Breed Description
Brief Historical Background
The German Rex is a rare and unique cat breed that originated in Germany in the mid-20th century. The first mention of cats with the characteristic wavy coat dates back to 1946, when a domestic cat in Berlin produced a kitten with an unusually soft, curly coat. This kitten later became the foundation of the breed line that was named the German Rex. Further breeding involved crossing such cats with European Shorthairs to stabilize the gene responsible for the mutation. The breed gained recognition from several feline organizations, yet it remains rare to this day, preserving its status as part of Germany’s cultural feline heritage and an important genetic resource.
General Appearance
The German Rex is a medium-sized cat with a solid frame and a well-balanced, harmonious body. It combines elegance with soft, rounded lines and a distinctive coat type. The body is muscular but not coarse, with well-developed limbs. The head is rounded with full cheeks and smooth contours; the ears are medium in size, and the eyes are large, open, and expressive. The breed’s defining feature is its short, velvety, dense, and wavy coat that lies close to the body. Overall, the German Rex gives the impression of a balanced, graceful, yet sturdy cat with a bright, individual appearance.
Important Proportions
The German Rex’s proportions emphasize balance and harmony. The body length should slightly exceed the height at the shoulders, creating a refined, elongated silhouette. The head, seen in profile, is rounded with a smooth transition from forehead to nose and a moderately strong chin. The eyes are widely spaced, providing an open, friendly expression. Limbs are proportional, with firm, oval paws. The tail is medium in length, tapering towards the tip and harmoniously continuing the body line. The wavy coat evenly covers the entire body without bald patches. All body parts should be in proportion, avoiding any extremes or imbalance.
Behavior and Character
The German Rex has a friendly, affectionate, and balanced temperament. These cats are sociable, people-oriented, and easily get along with other pets. They are active but not overly restless, maintaining a playful curiosity at any age. Highly intelligent and adaptable, they learn quickly and form deep bonds with their owners. Their gentle voice and soft manners make them delightful companions. The overall temperament is calm and confident, without aggression, combining curiosity, affection, and dignity.
Head
The head of the German Rex is rounded and medium in size, with smooth, soft contours. The skull is slightly curved, the forehead broad but not convex, and the nose transition gentle and uninterrupted. The cheeks are full but not heavy, forming a harmonious oval. The muzzle is round, with noticeable cheekbones giving a soft expression. The chin is medium in strength, well-defined, forming a straight profile line with the nose. The overall appearance of the head should convey balance and roundness without heaviness or angularity.
Facial Features
The face of the German Rex is well-balanced and expressive. The nose is of medium length, straight, with a slight rounding at the tip and a narrow, neat bridge. The cheeks are softly contoured and blend smoothly into the chin line. The chin is firm but not coarse, aligning harmoniously with the profile. The face should reflect the breed’s gentle expression and proportional harmony without coarseness or sharp features.
Eyes
The eyes of the German Rex are large, round, slightly slanted, and widely set, giving the cat an open and friendly expression. Eye color is bright and vivid, corresponding to the coat color. The look is intelligent, warm, and kind, with a soft and attentive expression. The eyelids are fine and well-defined, and the slightly upward outer corners of the eyes enhance the breed’s characteristic gentle and lively look.
Ears
The ears are medium in size, broad at the base, tapering smoothly to rounded tips. They are set high but not vertically, with sufficient space between them to emphasize the rounded head shape. The inner surface is lightly covered with fine hair, without excessive tufting. The ears should appear neat, open, and balanced. Oversized, undersized, or narrowly spaced ears are considered faults, as are overly low or vertical placements.
Neck
The neck is of medium length, muscular yet elegant, proportionate to the body, and blending smoothly into the shoulders. It should be firm but not heavy, flexible, and graceful. The lines of the neck are clean and fluid, free of folds or thickening. When in motion, it should appear natural and well-balanced, complementing the overall harmony and elegance of the breed.
Body
The body of the German Rex is medium in size, strong, and muscular, with a well-developed chest. The back is straight and slightly elongated, with smooth transitions between body parts. The chest is rounded and sufficiently broad, and the abdomen is firm and slightly tucked. The hindquarters are proportionate and well-developed. The overall impression is one of balance, strength, and elegance — the body must be proportionate without coarseness or excessive length.
Tail
The tail of the German Rex is medium in length, flexible, and proportionate to the body. It is broad at the base, tapering gently to a fine, rounded tip. Covered with short, wavy hair that lies close to the skin, the tail should be smooth and supple in motion, continuing the line of the back naturally. Kinks, nodules, or excessive shortness are not permitted. The tail completes the breed’s elegant silhouette.
Forelimbs
The forelegs are of medium length, straight, and well-aligned, with firm bones and moderate musculature, ensuring balance and stability. Shoulders are smooth and well-angled, blending naturally into the body. The paws are round or slightly oval, compact, with elastic pads and neat toes. The forelegs should be straight and parallel in motion, emphasizing symmetry and grace.
Hind Limbs
The hind legs are slightly longer than the front ones, giving the back a gentle rise toward the rump. They are strong, well-muscled, with defined but not exaggerated angulation. Thighs are broad, knees strong, and joints flexible. The paws are compact, round or oval, with thick pads. The legs should appear powerful yet graceful, ensuring smooth, free movement.
Gait and Movement
The gait of the German Rex is smooth, confident, and elegant. Movements are fluid and flexible, with excellent coordination and rhythm. The cat moves with springy steps, demonstrating both power and agility. The gait must be light and balanced, without stiffness or angularity. Grace and balance are key features of the breed’s motion.
Coat
The coat of the German Rex is its defining feature. It is short, dense, velvety, and soft to the touch, forming uniform waves over the entire body. The curls should be even, without bald spots or thinning areas. The undercoat is moderate, making the fur plush yet lightweight. The ideal coat feels like plush or velvet, elastic and shiny, displaying health and vitality — the hallmark of the breed.
Accepted Colors
All traditional colors are permitted, including solid, tabby, bicolor, tricolor, and point variations. The color should be even and clear, conforming to breed standards. Solid shades such as black, white, blue, red, and cream are common, as well as patterned tabbies and color-points. White markings are allowed in any proportion, provided they are well-balanced with the primary coat color. Eye color must be vivid and harmonize with the coat.
Size
The German Rex is a medium-sized breed. Males are larger and more muscular, weighing between 4.5 and 6 kg, while females typically weigh 3–4.5 kg. The average shoulder height is 28–32 cm. The body is moderately elongated, strong, and well-muscled, maintaining balance between sturdiness and grace without extremes of heaviness or delicacy.
Faults
Faults include deviations from balance and type that affect harmony, health, or breed identity. Weak musculature, an excessively long or short body, or poor bone structure reduce quality. Narrow or angular heads, weak chins, small or deeply set eyes, and poorly positioned ears are undesirable. A coat lacking waves, too sparse, or brittle is a clear fault. Incorrect proportions of limbs or tail, lack of breed temperament, fearfulness, or aggression also reduce evaluation.
Disqualification
Disqualifying faults include congenital skeletal deformities, severe dental malocclusion, tail kinks, limb deformities, bald patches, absence of waves, or excessively harsh coat texture. Cats with heterochromia inconsistent with coat color, extreme timidity, or aggression are disqualified. Any evidence of surgical or cosmetic alteration, falsified documentation, or lack of ICCF certification automatically excludes the animal from breeding or show participation.
Important Notes
The primary breed feature — the evenly wavy coat — must be present across the entire body. Minor variation in wave density is allowed, but absence of curls is a serious defect. Eye color must complement coat tone and remain bright and clear. The temperament should be calm, affectionate, and well-balanced. Judges evaluate the overall impression — balance, harmony, and correct breed type — without overemphasis on small imperfections if the cat demonstrates ideal temperament and coat quality.
Conclusion
The German Rex is a rare and valuable breed that preserves the cultural heritage of German feline breeding. Its signature traits — rounded outlines, balanced proportions, friendly nature, and unique velvet-textured coat — make it a true gem among cat breeds. The ICCF standard emphasizes correct structure, temperament, and health, ensuring the preservation of type and exclusion of extremes. Participation in shows and breeding is permitted only for cats with official ICCF documentation confirming their lineage and conformity to standard. Through ICCF oversight, the breed’s quality, integrity, and unique characteristics are safeguarded for future generations.
