Oregon Rex

The Oregon Rex was a Rassekatzenart and one of several Rex Cat types that occurred in the mid-20th century by random gene mutation.

After its discovery, recognized as a new breed Oregon Rex gained under breed cat breeders in the United States for a short time a certain popularity. Due to mixing with other Rex cats types in breeding the cats breed Oregon Rex seems, however, to be absorbed into the more familiar Rex breeds like Devon Rex or Cornish Rex.

History

According to some sources it is said to have given 1944 first litters of cats, the typical Oregon Rex Features supposed to have had. But is only documented the occurrence of Oregon Rex Cat 1959 in a house cat litter in the state of Oregon (USA). The kitten differed by the typical curly fur shape of the rest, not curly and litter from the mother, who also had smooth fur.

At the same time the first Cornish Rex from Great Britain were introduced in the U.S. and relatively soon crossed with the nascent Oregon Rex breed. Breeders in the United States established a purebred Oregon Rex breed, which was within a short time become one of the most famous Rex breeds in America. As in the context of breeding, however, all Rex - types, each having genetic differences were crossed with each other, the Oregon Rex seemed not to be able to establish itself as a separate breed. 1972 should then be passed the last homozygous Oregon Rex Cat.

Appearance

The typical ruffled fur was silky, short and close-fitting and showed no or only a greatly reduced coat on. The guard hairs were more pronounced than with German Rex or Cornish Rex and fully trained with the typical shape of the subapical swelling. And the number was normal. Due to the smaller curvature, the guard hairs were significantly longer than the undercoat. However, it lacked the guard hairs.

The head shape was wedge-shaped and had an elongated nose to. The ears were large, gently rounded at the tips and set high on the head, eyes medium in size and oval shaped.

The body of the Oregon Rex was elongated and of slender build. The tail was long and slender and pointed at the end. The legs of the Oregon Rex were long, graceful and slender with delicate, but not too small round paws.

Character

The Oregon Rex combined the essence of all Rex breeds. Affectionate and demanding, funny, playful, sometimes a little turbulent and a little arrogant. A dominant beings and thus a certain amount of complexity in handling her were also rumored.

Genetics

The emergence of the Oregon Rex cat breed is due to a mutation. Mutations of the typical hair form ( curl ) responsible gene or genes involved seems to occur more frequently. In addition to the better-known Rex cat breeds there are many other variants, of which the now vanished Oregon Rex is only one.

Intersections of cats with typical Oregon Rex features (genetic Description: roro ) with Cornish Rex ( rr ) and later with Devon Rex ( eral ) yielded offspring with normal, non- ruffled fur. Studies corroborated the fact that the Oregon Rex mutation is present as a recessive allele ( ro) of a separate gene with the dominant wild-type allele (Ro ) and that actually genetically different from the other types Rex.

Related breeds

• Cornish Rex
• Devon Rex
• German Rex