shorthair
Tennessee Rex
Origin: United States
A very new American breed defined by a rare combination of curly fur and a glittering satin sheen — a friendly, sociable cat still in the early stages of development and recognition.
- Origin
- United States
- Category
- shorthair
- Lifespan
- 12–18 yrs
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 3.5–6 kg
- Coat
- Short, curly coat with a distinctive satin sheen
- Colours
- Many colours and patterns, frequently red-and-white and tabby
😺 Temperament
🏡 Best suited to
📊 Personality ratings
📜 History & origin
The Tennessee Rex is one of the youngest cat breeds, traced to a litter of barn kittens found in Tennessee in 2004 whose coats carried both a curl and an unusual satin quality that catches the light. Breeders established that the trait was caused by a new, distinct recessive mutation — the 'satin' gene — not seen in other cats, and began a careful programme to develop it. The breed is still considered experimental by the major registries and exists in small numbers, with breeders working to expand the gene pool while preserving the signature shimmering coat.
🧼 Care & grooming
The short, curly coat is low-maintenance and rarely mats, needing only occasional gentle grooming; over-bathing should be avoided so as not to strip the natural oils that give the coat its shine. As a rex-type breed the Tennessee Rex carries a little less coat than an ordinary cat and enjoys warmth. The breed's real defining feature for owners is its sociable, affectionate nature — these are people-loving cats that thrive on interaction, do well in family homes and generally get on with other pets.
🩺 Health notes
Because the Tennessee Rex is so new and bred from a small founding population, breeders prioritise outcrossing and genetic diversity to keep the line healthy, and no breed-specific inherited diseases have been established. Prospective owners should buy only from breeders who health-test their cats. Standard preventive care — vaccination, parasite control, dental attention and good diet — keeps these cats in good condition.