Top 8 Curly Haired Cat Breeds
Cats can be quite annoying and overwhelming, but adorable creatures to be kept as pets. Just like dogs, there can be different preferences when it comes to selecting cat breeds. To own, some like small, some want bold, while some prefer one with a muscular body. But the ones holding striking appearances and looks, adorably cute, are curly haired cats.
These are the most unique cat breeds that carry a genetic mutation, resulting in wavy curls in hair. These curly-haired breeds look unusual, yet adorable, and make a lasting impression on viewers. Although they vary in terms of breed specifications but possess affectionate personalities. If you are curious about cats with curly hair, we’ve summed up some of the most popular curly coat cat breeds to ease your search for having cats as pets.
Before we move on to curly hair breeds, let’s get to know the reason behind cats having curly, wavy hair!
Why Do Some Cats Have Curly Hair?
“Rex mutation” is a rare genetic mutation that alters the hair structure, affecting its shape and cross-sections. Cats having curly hair can be due to a genetic mutation, which is not specific to only one breed. This genetic variation is exhibited in different breeds, including Cornish Rex, Devon Rex, and Selkirk Rex. The genetic mutation reaction in some cats results in tight curls and waves.
Some special enzymes have been identified (KRT71), that are specifically involved in the development of these curly hairs, affecting the hair follicle. For this breed, grooming will be needed from time to time. Curly hair is a recessive trait that results in a thick and plush coat. To continue this trait, breeders often select breeds with the Rex mutation.
8 Cats Breed With Curly Hair, Coats, Personalities, & More
A curly haired cat as a pet is unusually soft, ensuring an affectionate, social, playful, and furry companion around. This rare cat with curly hair is perfect for owners looking to have a unique breed to snap pictures and as well as perfect for cuddles. The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) recognizes some of these curly-haired kitten and cat breeds, and we are mentioning them to read up on.
01out of 081. Cornish Rex
With English countryside roots, curly hair cats are the most suitable choice for cat lovers. It has short and curly hair and the most popular blue, brown, black, red, smoke, cream, and chocolate colors. These (curly-haired cats suitable for apartments) are easygoing because of their short coat, and they won’t require much grooming. If you are an allergy sufferer, have it because it is one of the best hypoallergenic curly cats that won’t shed too much. Besides cat allergy friendliness, they are generally healthy and are not prone to many diseases. With a reputation for being sociable and active, they need plenty of exercise. Also, with an athletic build, they stand high on her legs and appear large until you hold them in your hand.
Breed Overview
| Features/ Characteristics | Specifications |
| Origin | Cornwall, UK |
| Group | Small to medium-sized shorthair cats |
| Height (Inches) | 8-12 Inches |
| Weight (Kg) | 2.3–4.5 kg |
| Personality/ Physical Characteristics | Fine and delicate bone structure, high-standing appearance, slender, long, flexible tail, and high legs |
| Temperament/ Behaviour | Intelligent, playful, energetic, affectionate, enjoys interaction, and has a clownish sense of humor |
| Energy Level | High, athletic, and active |
| Coat and Color | Short, extremely soft, and silky coat just like a rex rabbit. Colors and patterns vary, including blue, cream, red, black, and more |
| Life Span | 9-14 Years |
02out of 082. Devon Rex
Devon Rex might look like an alien and feral cat at first, but this curly haired cat breed has a unique appearance that is quite endearing. These cats have short, thin, wavy coat that varies in coat, patterns, and colors. They came into existence due to a curly haired stray tomcat and a female stray taken in by a woman in England. This breed is very owner-oriented, playful, energetic, and affectionate. It’s very hard for the owners to be upset with these adorable cats because the owners just laugh at their antics. These curly coated cats love to find unusual hiding spots and like to be wrapped around human shoulders. Also, they are perfect for pet owners looking for curly-haired cats with affectionate personalities.
Breed Overview
| Features/ Characteristics | Specifications |
| Origin | Buckfastleigh, England |
| Group | Domestic Shorthair |
| Height (Inches) | 10-14 Inches |
| Weight (Kg) | 2.5 – 5.5 kg |
| Personality/ Physical Characteristics | Large eyes and ears, high cheekbones, Pixie like look, slender, muscular body, triangular head, broad chest, and short muzzle |
| Temperament/ Behaviour | Curious, social, energetic, playful, and affectionate, love to jump |
| Energy Level | High, Needs Stimulation |
| Coat and Color | Short, curly, wavy, and soft coat having different calico, tabby, solid, and more |
| Life Span | 9-15 Years |
03out of 083. Selkirk Rex
The Selkirk Rex cat with curly fur texture is another best cat to be adopted due to their unique appearance. With a dense, curly, and plush coat, they appear adorable, and owners find the urge to hold them and cuddle with them. These cat breeds with curly hair are relaxed, easygoing, and love to play. If someone wants to touch their soft fur, they won’t mind it at all. It would be good if you stimulate your kitten or cat both physically and mentally, ensuring plenty of playtime. Have these best curly-haired cats for families and become a part of their engaging and playful activities. Like other cats, these are not very energetic.
Breed Overview
| Features/ Characteristics | Specifications |
| Origin | US-originated |
| Group | Domestic Shorthair/Longhair |
| Height (Inches) | 9-11 Inches |
| Weight (Kg) | 5-7kg Males, 2.5-5.5kg Females |
| Personality/Physical Characteristics | Plush, Dense, and curly short/long hairs, medium to large body with heavy bone structure, short muzzle, round head, big, round eyes, and curly whiskers |
| Temperament/ Behaviour | Gentle, friendly, affectionate, playful, silly, good with children, tolerant, and have the best cuddling and lap time. |
| Energy Level | Medium, not hyperactive |
| Coat and Color | Short and long hairs with curly texture have a lot of colors and patterns |
| Life Span | 15-20 Years |
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04out of 084. German Rex
German Rex is among the domestic, rare cat breeds with curly fur, which is officially recognized by the International Cat Federation. These cats are of a small size, but they appear to be large when they stand up high. This breed personality traits match strikingly with Cornish Rex. With little to no cat grooming needs, they require simple care. German Rex loves to form strong bonds with owners and, like affection, requires human interaction because they don’t like to be left alone. For this breed, a lot of colors and patterns are available. This breed gets along perfectly with children, other cats, and even dogs.
Breed Overview
| Features/ Characteristics | Specifications |
| Origin | Germany |
| Group | Small, short-haired cats |
| Height (Inches) | 10–12 Inches |
| Weight (Kg) | 3-5 kg in both males and females |
| Personality/ Physical Characteristics | A medium-sized, strong build with soft, short, can be called undercoat, eyes harmonizing with the coat color |
| Temperament/ Behaviour | Loyal, tolerant, friendly, form tight bonds with humans, family-oriented, and balanced |
| Energy Level | High, Lively, actively play fetch games |
| Coat and Color | Short, wavy, curly, and velvety texture, having little to no outercoat or guardhairs, all colors and patterns available. |
| Life Span | 12-15 Years |
05out of 085. Ural Rex
With a Russian origin, this medium-sized breed is known for its soft, curly, and wavy fur that is either short or long-haired. This breed of cat with curly hair is renowned for their unique appearance and has a slim, muscular body and medium long legs. When it comes to their nature, they are calm, kind, affectionate, and adaptable, ensuring the strongest bonds with their human family. Besides, they are famous for their excellent hunting instincts. and this trait is developed in them due to their ancestors, manifesting the desire for activity and play. Even after being domesticated, these predators hold on to their wild instincts. Also, this breed relies on its intelligence and strength to hunt food because they have a genetic history of living on the streets.
Breed Overview
| Features/ Characteristics | Specifications |
| Origin | Russia, specifically the Ural Mountains |
| Group | An aboriginal breed of curly-coated cats. |
| Height (Inches) | A medium sized cat |
| Weight (Pounds) | 3-6 kg |
| Personality/ Physical Appearance | A medium-sized build, soft, curly fur, and multiple color variations |
| Temperament/ Behaviour | Affectionate, intelligent, friendly, sociable, good with children, make excellent companions |
| Energy Level | Energetic |
| Coat and Color | Coat is curly and soft, colors are blue, grey, black, and white |
| Life Span | 12-16 Years |
06out of 086. LaPerm
The LaPerm cat breed is among the family-friendly and low-maintenance curly cats, which come with soft and curly coats. It is a muscular and medium-sized breed with long and short springy curls, available in all colors and patterns. These allergy-friendly curly cats are best for companionship and bonding with humans and children as well. Although they have a patient and gentle nature, they love enjoying interactive play, often found fetching toys. One thing about these Laperm hypoallergenic cat breeds is that they slowly grow because it takes them 3-4 years to mature. As they are low shedding cats, they don’t need excessive grooming for their fur to be curled.
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Breed Overview
| Features/ Characteristics | Specifications |
| Origin | United States (The Dalles, Oregon) |
| Group | Rex with curly coat |
| Height (Inches) | 6-10 Inches |
| Weight (Pounds) | 2.2-3.6 kg in Females and 3.2- 4.5kg in Males |
| Personality/ Physical Characteristics | Medium-sized cat curly hair athletic build body with long legs, almond-shaped eyes, wedge-shaped with rounded contours, and a broad muzzle. |
| Temperament/ Behaviour | Curious, Active, Friendly, Playful, Curious, and Affectionate |
| Energy Level | High, Love to play games |
| Coat and Color | Can be long or short with springy curls, curls tight on the throat, base, and belly. Comes in different colorpoints, tabbies, solids, and tortoiseshell |
| Life Span | 10-15 Years |
07out of 087. Tennessee Rex
Tennessee Rex is another cat breed popular due to its rare combination of a satin glittering coat and a rex-like hair coat, making them look distinctive. These cat breeds with curly hair are not very old, as it was discovered in Tennessee in 2004, famous for their gentle, affectionate, and people-loving personality. They like to be involved with their families, hence, best for the family pets. They have lustrous fur that appears like a shimmer in the light. In kittens, the curls are typically tight, which grow into long, corkscrew-like patterns when the cats mature. What makes Tannessee rex a unique and rare breed is its combination of an even rarer satin gene and curly rex mutation.
Breed Overview
| Features/ Characteristics | Specifications |
| Origin | Tennessee, United States |
| Group | Western |
| Height (Inches) | Medium to Large |
| Weight (Pounds) | 3.6-6.8kg |
| Personality/ Physical Characteristics | Large almond-shaped eyes, cupped ears, wedge-shaped head, muscular, athletic body, and curly whiskers |
| Temperament/ Behaviour | Quiet, gentle, affectionate, highly intelligent, and people-oriented |
| Energy Level | Medium, not overly active |
| Coat and Color | Common are red and white, and other patterns are available. |
| Life Span | 12-18 Years |
08out of 088. American Wirehair
Originating from upstate New York and characterized by their unique, wiry fur, they distinguish themselves from other breeds. It is another medium to large muscular cat that has easy easy-going, balanced, and intelligent personality. Although they require supervision with young kids but they are perfect as the family pets. This breed comes with a wide colors and patterns. Due to their wiry coat, they require moderate grooming, like combing hair weekly to avoid tangles. Their diet needs to be properly planned because this breed is prone to obesity. These urly-haired feline companions are adaptable, diligent hunters, smart, and can be trained easily for a few tricks.
Breed Overview
| Features/ Characteristics | Specifications |
| Origin | North America (specifically New York) |
| Group | American/Western |
| Height (Inches) | Medium to Large |
| Weight (Pounds) | 3.6-5.4 kg |
| Personality/ Physical Characteristics | Large and round eyes, medium-sized with rounded tips, thick and strong legs, a round head with prominent cheekbones, and a well-developed muzzle |
| Temperament/ Behaviour | Sweet, intelligent, affectionate, playful, active |
| Energy Level | High energy level |
| Coat and Color | Has a coarse, dense, wiry coat with medium length, comes in all patterns and colors |
| Life Span | 15-20 Years |
To Conclude
Curly hair cat with a genetic mutation in cat coats are most probably the most beautiful creatures that have a distinctive appearance due to their wired, shinier, and denser coats. Rex cat breeds are often found in different regions of the world. Some curly haired cat breeders are from the United States, and others are from European countries. No matter whether you are comparing Devon Rex vs Cornish Rex or German and LaPerm to have as your pet, they are the best, pet-friendly, and playful companions for every cat owner. Make sure to know about different breeds’ feline hair structure, coat types in cats, and cat grooming tips before owning one.
