Official ICCF Breed Description
Brief Historical Background
The Tennessee Rex is a rare breed that originated in the United States in the late 20th century. The first kittens with unusual curly, shiny fur were discovered in a household litter in the state of Tennessee in 2004. Breeders soon noticed the unique coat mutation that combined a wavy texture with a distinct satin sheen. Selective breeding was initiated to fix the recessive gene responsible for the coat’s curl and silky texture. The breed remains rare and is recognized only by a limited number of feline organizations, yet it is valued for its striking appearance, gentle personality, and unique genetic makeup not found in other cats.
General Appearance
The Tennessee Rex is a medium-sized cat with a solid yet harmonious build. The body is elegant and slightly elongated, muscular but never coarse. The most distinctive feature of the breed is its coat—curly, soft, and light, with a unique satin sheen that defines the Tennessee Rex. The head is rounded-wedge shaped with gentle lines; the eyes are large, expressive, almond-shaped, and brightly colored, often green or gold. The ears are medium in size and set high. The tail is proportional, fluffy, and covered with wavy hair. The overall impression combines exotic elegance and balance, making the Tennessee Rex stand out among other rex-type breeds.
Important Proportions
The breed should exhibit balanced proportions with smooth lines and harmony between body, head, and limbs. The head is medium in size, wedge-shaped, slightly longer than wide. The nose is of medium length with a smooth transition from forehead to bridge. Ears are medium to slightly large, harmoniously blending with head shape. Eyes are large, wide-set, and almond-shaped. The body is of medium size, strong but not heavy, with a deep chest and straight back. Limbs are medium-length, paws oval. The tail is proportional to the body, neither short nor overly long. The coat—curly and satiny—is the defining feature and should accentuate the body’s graceful lines.
Behavior and Temperament
The Tennessee Rex is affectionate, friendly, and sociable. It adapts easily to new environments and gets along well with children and other pets. These cats love attention, enjoy interactive play, and remain calm and well-balanced. Their temperament is gentle, affectionate, and emotionally connected to humans. Intelligent and curious, they learn simple tricks with ease. They are moderately active and enjoy companionship without being overly demanding. The Tennessee Rex expresses a harmonious temperament, combining playfulness with gentleness and a strong social nature.
Head
The head is medium-sized and wedge-shaped with soft contours, less angular than in oriental breeds. The skull is slightly rounded and moderately broad across the cheekbones. The forehead is smooth and gently curved. The profile is harmonious, with a straight, medium-length nose and no pronounced stop. The chin is firm and well developed, forming a straight vertical line with the nose tip and ensuring a correct bite. The muzzle is of moderate width, neither short nor pointed, maintaining overall balance. Males tend to have more pronounced cheeks, while females show softer lines. The head should appear elegant and proportional without heaviness.
Facial Part
The face is well proportioned, with smooth, soft outlines. The muzzle is medium in length, neither square nor elongated. The nose is straight and blends naturally into the profile. Whisker pads are well defined but not prominent; whiskers are long, elastic, and slightly curved, enhancing the cat’s lively expression. Lips are tight and dry, forming clean lines. The overall expression is open and friendly, accentuated by the softness of the fur. White or colored facial markings are permissible when harmonious with the coat color, provided they maintain symmetry and balance.
Eyes
Eyes are large, almond-shaped, and slightly slanted, giving the cat a vivid, expressive look. They are wide-set, with the space between them equal to the width of the nose. The color is bright and saturated—commonly green, gold, or amber; blue eyes are accepted in colorpoint varieties. The gaze should be deep, lively, and affectionate, reflecting the breed’s friendly temperament. Eyelids are thin and closely fitting, emphasizing the almond shape. Pale, dull, asymmetrical, or overly round eyes are undesirable.
Ears
Ears are medium to slightly large, broad at the base, with rounded tips. They are set high and slightly tilted forward, giving an alert and elegant profile. Ears must harmonize with the head and should not appear oversized or too small. The inner surface is covered with fine hair; light furnishings or small tufts may appear. Ears highlight the expressiveness of the face and complete the wedge-shaped head. Faults include excessively low set, overly narrow or wide placement, sharp tips, or excessive length.
Neck
The neck is medium in length, firm, and elegant, smoothly joining the head and body. In males, it appears more muscular, while in females it is thinner and more refined, always maintaining harmony. The topline of the neck should be smooth, enhancing proportion and balance. The skin is elastic and free of folds. The neck must not be short and thick, nor overly long and thin, as both disrupt harmony. It should match the body and head in proportion, emphasizing the breed’s balanced elegance.
Body
The body is medium in size, slightly elongated yet balanced, with a strong skeleton and lean musculature. The chest is deep and broad; ribs are rounded. The back is straight, flowing smoothly into the croup. The abdomen is tucked, not sagging, and the overall body line is soft. The croup is rounded and well developed but not heavy. The cat should not appear overly massive or fragile. Males have stronger bodies; females are more graceful. The general type is that of an elegant cat with noble poise.
Tail
The tail is of medium length, flexible, and proportionate to the body. The base is of medium thickness and tapers evenly to a rounded tip. It is covered with curly fur consistent with the body texture, appearing fluffy yet neat. In motion, the tail moves freely and gracefully, continuing the line of the back. It should not be too short or excessively long. Kinks, knots, or deformities of the tail are serious faults and disqualify the cat from breeding.
Forelimbs
Forelegs are medium in length, straight, slender, and strong-boned. Elbows point backward and lie close to the body. Pasterns are firm and slightly slanted. Paws are compact and oval, with tight toes and resilient pads. Limbs must match the body in proportion, expressing strength and elegance. Faults include curvature, weak pasterns, or cow-hocked stance.
Hindlimbs
Hind legs are slightly longer than the forelegs, ensuring proper movement dynamics and springy propulsion. Thighs are muscular and rounded; hocks are strong and parallel. Paws match the forelegs—oval and compact. Correct hindlimb structure ensures smooth, elastic motion. Faults include incorrect joint angles, weakness, or hocks too close or turned outward.
Gait and Movement
The Tennessee Rex moves with fluid, elastic, and confident motion. The gait is light, with good stride length, without stiffness or angularity. The front legs step freely and firmly, while the hind legs provide propulsion; the back remains straight and stable. The breed is characterized by a smooth, silent step that emphasizes grace and balance. Short steps, stiffness, or awkward movements are undesirable. The gait must reflect the cat’s strength, elasticity, and refined harmony.
Coat
The coat is the breed’s defining feature. It is soft, silky, and curly over the entire body, forming either large curls or gentle waves. A distinctive satin sheen creates a shimmering effect unique to this breed. The fur lies close to the body yet retains light volume due to the curls. The undercoat is minimal or absent, making grooming easy. The coat length varies—both shorthaired and semi-longhaired types exist. Coarse, puffy, dull, or straight coats lacking the satin shine are undesirable.
Permitted Colors
All coat colors are accepted—solid, tabby, bicolor, colorpoint, and tortoiseshell. The key requirement is the preservation of the satin sheen and curly texture that define the breed. White patches are permissible if they blend harmoniously with the overall pattern. Regardless of color, the coat must display uniform curls and a glossy satin effect. Colors that appear dull or flat are undesirable.
Size
The Tennessee Rex is a medium-sized cat. Males are larger and more muscular, weighing between 4.5 and 6 kg, with deep chests and solid bodies. Females are more delicate, weighing 3 to 4.5 kg, with a lighter build. Height at the withers averages 28–32 cm. The tail is proportionate to the body. Excessive massiveness or miniaturization is undesirable. Sexual dimorphism should be visible but never disrupt overall balance.
Faults
Faults include coarse or overly narrow head, incorrect profile, weak chin, or facial asymmetry. Eyes that are too small, pale, or overly round; ears that are too large, too low, or too small; bodies that are too heavy or too fragile; narrow chest or sagging abdomen. Limb deformities, short or awkward gait, stiffness, or lack of elasticity are penalized. Coat faults include insufficient curl, loss of satin shine, coarse texture, or dull color. Poor contrast or asymmetrical markings are also considered faults.
Disqualifications
Disqualifying defects include straight or coarse fur with no curl, lack of satin sheen, tail deformities, bite irregularities such as undershot or overshot jaws, absence of breed-defining traits, eyes of disallowed color, incorrect head or body shape, skeletal deformities, lameness, or behavioral issues such as aggression or extreme fearfulness. Cats without official ICCF documentation or with serious hereditary disorders are excluded from breeding and show programs.
Important Notes
Breeding the Tennessee Rex requires preserving the rare recessive gene responsible for its curly, satin-textured coat. These traits define the breed’s uniqueness and must be strictly maintained. Curl and sheen in kittens develop gradually, so final evaluation occurs as they mature. Seasonal coat variations are acceptable. Outcrossing with non-rex breeds is forbidden, as it dilutes the defining traits. Breeders must monitor health, eliminate hereditary diseases, and maintain the balance between type and temperament. Only cats with official ICCF documentation confirming lineage and conformity may participate in breeding and shows.
Conclusion
The Tennessee Rex is a truly unique cat breed, distinguished by its curly, silky coat with a rare satin shine. Its harmonious body, expressive eyes, and friendly temperament make it a remarkable representative of the feline world. In the ICCF system, the Tennessee Rex is classified as a rare breed requiring careful preservation of its signature features. Participation in breeding and exhibitions is allowed only for cats that meet all standard requirements and possess official ICCF documentation. Disqualifying traits or lack of defining characteristics exclude a cat from breeding. The breeder’s primary goal is to preserve the Tennessee Rex’s health, beauty, and rare genetic identity, ensuring its recognition and continuity as a distinct and valuable international breed.
