Living with Cornish Rexes over 50 years!

History was made one early summer morning in 1950. A young housecat gave birth to 5 kittens in an old farm house in Bodmin Moor, Cornwall. Having a closer look at the litter, Mrs Ennismoore was surprised. One red & white kitten had a close-lying, curly coat. The kitten was named Kallibunker, and due to the special appearance he was allowed to stay home. The breed was named Cornish Rex, as the rex rabbits were bred on the farm located in Cornwall.

Curly-coated cats had been born previously, but no special attention was paid to them. A scientist studying genetics, however, became interested in Kallibunker. The development of the new breed was started using the scientist’s instructions. The curly cat caught immediately the attention of American cat fanciers. Several kittens were shipped to America during the early stages of breeding. The breed was developed both in the Great Britain and in America; the European and American rexes thus differ in appearance. The first Cornish Rex arrived in Finland in 1967. There were, however, only a small number breeders until the 1980’s, when the breed started gaining popularity in Finland. Cornish Rex is nowadays very popular in Finland. The show successes are good indication of the high quality of the rexes bred in Finland.

Rio Vista Kismet is the first Rex imported to Great Britain. Breeder J. Jeffry, Canada; owner A. Ashford. Rio Vista Kismet can be found in the pedigree of many Finnish rexes.