German Rex vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison

German Rex vs American Wirehair - Breed ComparisonAmerican Wirehair is originated from United States but German Rex is originated from Germany. Both American Wirehair and German Rex are having almost same weight. Both American Wirehair and German Rex has almost same life span. Both American Wirehair and German Rex has same litter size. Both American Wirehair and German Rex requires Low Maintenance.

Basic Information

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United States
Germany
Weight Male:
5 - 7 kg
11 - 16 pounds
3 - 6 kg
6 - 14 pounds
Weight Female:
5 - 7 kg
11 - 16 pounds
3 - 6 kg
6 - 14 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 16 Years
12 - 17 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 6
2 - 6
Other Names:
None
The Rex
Colors Available:
Any color or pattern
All colors
Coat:
springy, coarse and wiry
Short, dense, silky and curly
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

american wirehairThe American Wirehair started as a spontaneous mutation so that somewhere along the line, an unusual litter with this unique wiry type of fur was born.

The cat hails from New York and it was in 1966 that a couple of barn cats had a litter of kittens, some of which were born with this peculiar wiry hair. Only one kitten survived – a male – and later it was discovered that the gene responsible for the wirehair coat was dominant so that only one parent required the gene to produce Wirehair offspring.

Today, all American Wirehairs are descendants of this one surviving male kitten. Today the breed is still fairly rare. It is, however, recognized by the four largest North American cat associations.

german rexThe cat originates from Germany and was developed in about the 1950s. Dr. Rose Scheuer-Karpin found a frizzy-haired black and white cat and chose to breed her.

So as to fix the frizzy hair gene, it was decided to mate the cat further and this was the start of the German Rex.

It was later crossed with the Cornish Rex. The cats were recognized by the International Feline Foundation, but the Cat Fanciers' Association still associates the breed with the Cornish Rex.

Description

american wirehair kitten - descriptionThe American Wirehair is a medium-sized cat, strong and powerful, and can weight 5, 6 or 7 kg.

The head is in proportion to the body and the cat has a strong muzzle and chin. The ears are medium-sized and are rounded at the tips while the eyes are large, round, and set well apart.

It’s the coat that draws attention as unlike a regular cat’s silky fur, the fur of this cat is springy, coarse and wiry to the touch. The coat can be any color or pattern. It is the cat’s very coat that distinguishes it from all other breeds.

With this coat, the less grooming the better. Brushing or combing can damage it, so unless he is shedding heavily, leave it alone.

The only other care he needs really is nail trimming, to check inside his mouth for bad teeth and to also check inside his ears for redness. Both the teeth and the ears can be a source of pain for your pet.

Temperament:

The American Wirehair may have a harsh coat but there is nothing harsh about his personality at all. He is amicable and loving, getting on well with all members of his human family.

He is an independent cat and while he loves spending time with his family, he is quite capable of spending time on his own as well.

The American Wirehair is a playful cat so you want to give him some toys to entertain himself for when you’re not around.

german rex kitten - descriptionThis is a medium-sized, muscular domestic cat with a well-developed chest. The cat can weigh between 3 and 6kg.

The legs are fairly long and slender but strong and the tail is thick and furry with a rounded tip. The head is round and the ears are large. The eye colors are always related to the coat color. The coat is short and silky and in many colors and it has a tendency to curl.

Temperament:

These are friendly cats that form a strong bond with their human owners, although they are friendly towards strangers too.

They’re intelligent, lively, and playful too and will fit in well to homes with children.

Because of their playful nature, you want to ensure you provide them with lots of entertaining, stimulating toys.

They’ve got balanced personalities and are known for being sociable, adapting to the lifestyles they find themselves in. They will also get on well with other pets in the home, and enjoy being both indoors and outside.

Characteristics

american wirehair cat - characteristicsThe American Wirehair makes a splendid pet, and while he isn’t the best breed for children, he can make a good pet with those children who have been taught kindness, gentleness and respect for animals.

He is calm, quiet, dependent, and sociable and by providing him with a good home, he’ll prove to be a wonderful pet and companion.

german rex cat - characteristicsYour German Rex is everything you want in a pet. He is a cat that loves his human family and is prepared to offer loyalty and love in exchange for the same.

He is adaptable and undemanding. Before you invest in such a cat, understand that interaction from you is highly important, so if you don’t have time for an adult pet, it would be kinder not to get this particular cat breed as they crave lots of attention,

Health Problems

american wirehair kittens - health problemsThe American Wirehair is a healthy type of cat but any cat can develop health issues.

Be aware of Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy – a common form of heart disease in cats where there is the thickening of the heart muscle.

Be careful of overfeeding your cat as obesity is a major contributory disease to many illnesses that a cat gets. Excess weight can contribute to diabetes and arthritis and put pressure on your cat’s joints. Certainly, carrying extra weight can shorten your cat’s life. Make sure your cat gets smaller, healthier meals and that he is active and exercised.

german rex kittens - health problemsWith excellent care and lots of love and attention, your German Rex can reach up to 17 years of age. They aren’t prone to any particular diseases, but diet plays a massive role in their health.

Remember that obesity is a major disease and it in itself can contribute to a host of other illnesses in cats and shorten its life. Excess weight contributes towards arthritis and diabetes and just losing a bit of weight can contribute towards increased mobility.

Dental disease is a common, chronic problem and you need to ensure your pet’s diet promotes dental health. It can be extremely stressful for your cat to have his teeth brushed, but in the case of chronic dental infection, get your pet to a vet.

Caring The Pet

General:

american wirehair cats - caringBrush the cat gently once a week. Your cat will love the connection you and he has. While you brush him, make a point of checking inside his ears and inside his mouth as well. It is also time to trim his nails. If you are hesitant to do this, ask you vet for suggestions or you can make use of a pet groomer too.

Make sure your pet cat is free from parasites such as fleas, ticks and heartworm. Your vet can recommend a treatment and it is also a good idea to talk to your vet about vaccines for your cat.

No unwanted kittens:

Have your American Wirehair spayed or neutered to prevent unwanted kittens and to promote better health for your cat.

Diet:

Always choose healthy food for your pet, bearing in mind that cats are carnivores, which means that you need to choose cat-food for your pet that has fish and meat in it. It can be difficult making good homemade food for your cat but there are excellent commercially prepared cat foods to ensure your cat gets the correct balance of nutrients and calories. Bear in mind that your cat's nutritional requirements change through their different stages of life.

german rex cats - caringThe German Rex is a shorthaired breed so a gentle brush once a week will be quite adequate.

As you groom your German Rex, feel for any unusual lumps and make sure there are no signs of sores or rashes on your cat.

Check inside his ears for wax and dirt buildup and signs of redness for infection. If you don’t like to clean the inside of your cat’s ears, there are professional cat groomers and your local vet who will do this for you.

Make sure you feed your Rex the best cat food there is. When you look at the commercially cat manufactured foods there are, you’ll notice that there is dry kibble for cats as well as wet-type foods.

Through trial and error, you’ll learn what your cat likes, but your vet can offer valuable information on what is essential in a cat’s diet. Cats are carnivores so that means their diets have to be high in meat – protein – and low in carbohydrates.

Check out the best cat foods there are – the ones that have all the vitamins and minerals your cat requires to remain healthy.

Provide fresh, cool water for your cat around the clock.

Provide your cat with a litter box and keep it meticulously clean, scooping out the cat droppings every day and changing the actual sand or grit regularly.

Provide your cat with a warm bed, food and water bowls, toys, collar, and tag, climbing tree and scratching post.

Have your pet neutered or spayed to avoid unwanted kittens.

Your kitten must start their first vaccines between 8 and 12 weeks of age. Your kitten will also be dewormed.

Take your cat to the vet when he is sick.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. American Wirehair vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  2. American Wirehair vs Aegean - Breed Comparison
  3. American Wirehair vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  4. American Wirehair vs Chausie - Breed Comparison
  5. American Wirehair vs American Bobtail - Breed Comparison
  6. American Wirehair vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  7. American Wirehair vs American Keuda - Breed Comparison
  8. American Wirehair vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  9. American Wirehair vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  10. American Wirehair vs American Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  11. Applehead Siamese vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  12. Ashera vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  13. Asian vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  14. Asian Semi-Longhair vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  15. Australian Mist vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  16. Balinese vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  17. Bengal vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  18. Bicolor vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  19. Birman vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  20. Blue Russian vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  21. Bombay vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  22. Brazilian Shorthair vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  23. Bristol vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  24. British Longhair vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  25. British Shorthair vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  26. German Rex vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  27. German Rex vs Aegean - Breed Comparison
  28. German Rex vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  29. German Rex vs Chausie - Breed Comparison
  30. German Rex vs American Bobtail - Breed Comparison
  31. German Rex vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  32. German Rex vs American Keuda - Breed Comparison
  33. German Rex vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  34. German Rex vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  35. German Rex vs American Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  36. German Rex vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  37. German Rex vs Applehead Siamese - Breed Comparison
  38. German Rex vs Ashera - Breed Comparison
  39. German Rex vs Asian - Breed Comparison
  40. German Rex vs Asian Semi-Longhair - Breed Comparison
  41. German Rex vs Australian Mist - Breed Comparison
  42. German Rex vs Balinese - Breed Comparison
  43. German Rex vs Bengal - Breed Comparison
  44. German Rex vs Bicolor - Breed Comparison
  45. German Rex vs Birman - Breed Comparison
  46. German Rex vs Blue Russian - Breed Comparison
  47. German Rex vs Bombay - Breed Comparison
  48. German Rex vs Brazilian Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  49. German Rex vs Bristol - Breed Comparison
  50. German Rex vs British Longhair - Breed Comparison