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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tennessee Rex Breed Description
2006: The Tennessee
Rex is a naturally occurring mutation that spontaneously appeared in the
Tennessee Valley in the summer of 2004. The cats are curly coated from birth
with a very soft consistency to the coat. The coat includes all types of hair
(guard, awn, down), however the guard hairs are softer and finer than usual.
The curly hair is most prominent on the neck, shoulders, chest, legs, and
tail. The soft textured coat has a definite satin sheen and does not tend to
mat. The fur glistens in the light with a rich satin appearance that
intensifies the color of the coat. The satin appearance is believed to be an
expression of the Tennessee Rex mutation in the hair shaft along with the
curly hair. The satin effect is caused by "air pockets" in the hair shaft. The
hair seems to be more fragile on the back feet and the hair may appear to
"molt" in that area. As kittens the fur in the temple area between the ear and
eyes may thin at about four months of age, but in general the cats do not
appear to have the tendency toward baldness seen in some of the other rex
mutations.
The Tennessee Rex is a medium to
large-sized cat, with a semi-cobby type body and a short and thick neck. The
ears are medium to moderately large with slightly rounded tips and wide at the
base. The eyes are medium large which are almond shape at rest and rounder
when alert. The eyes can be all colors. The nose should be straight with no
bump. The chest is full with fully rexed hair extending down the chest to the
stomach. The torso is large, long, and rectangular, but not slender, with very
curly hair starting at the base of the ears and becoming wavy as it extends
toward the hips. The curly hair follows the same pattern on the stomach as on
the back, starting small and curly on the chest at the base of the chin and
becoming long and wavy at the flanks. The body is muscular and athletic in
appearance. The back is straight, but higher in the hips. The legs have very
curly hair extending all the way and including the shoulders. The legs are in
proportion to the body, with large, rounded paws that are fully rexed. The
rear legs are very curly on the front edge, which turn into wavy fur on the
britches. The tail is wide at the base and tapering to the tip. The tail is
three-quarters to full length and fully rexed. The longhaired Tennessee Rex
will have a full plumed tail. The whiskers may be long or short, but will
always be slightly to extremely curly. The whiskers can also be fragile and
some breakage may occur. The coat can be all colors and patterns with eye
color being independent of the coat.
The temperament is gentle and loving. The Tennessee Rex will often follow its owner around and sit at their feet. The only allowable outcrosses will be domestic shorthair and domestic longhair and no recognized breed. Crosses to other rex mutations are to be discouraged. The Tennessee Rex appears to be a strong, solid, healthy cat and should make a fine addition to the cat fancy. The coat is unique and is quite distinctive in structure and appearance from the other known rex mutations. For More Information Contact: |
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