Rex cat Small size 3-5 kg
Czech Rex
A rare, affectionate curly-coated cat that stays close to its people - low shedding but happiest with steady company.
Match with your household
See match detail → Quick overview
Small
Size
3-5 kg, 20-25 cm at the shoulder
Moderate
Activity
Playful in bursts, then settles
Low
Alone-time tolerance
People-oriented; dislikes long days alone
Moderate
Handling
Cooperative with a little patience
Low
Coat care
Fine wavy coat; gentle low-shedding care
Good
Fit with kids
Fine with considerate kids
Good
Other pets
Usually fine with cats and calm dogs
Moderate
Health burden
Obesity, Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
The Czech Rex typically weighs 3-5 kg, stands 20-25 cm, and lives 12-16 years.
Consider this breed if…
you want an affectionate indoor cat that follows you room to room,
someone is home most days, or a second pet keeps it company,
a low-shedding wavy coat with minimal brushing appeals to you,
you are genuinely prepared to wait - possibly years - for a kitten.
Do not consider this breed if…
you want a cat you can actually buy - the Czech Rex is close to nonexistent outside a handful of European catteries,
the home is empty ten hours a day with no other animals,
you assume a rex coat means hypoallergenic - it does not,
you want a documented, well-studied breed; health data here is thin.
A typical day with a Czech Rex
- 7:00 · MorningGreets you and supervises breakfast
- 9:30 · MidmorningPlay burst, then a warm nap spot
- 13:00 · NoonLong sleep, ideally near a person
- 17:00 · AfternoonWand-toy play, exploring shelves
- 19:30 · EveningLap time; seeks warmth and contact
- 22:30 · NightUsually sleeps on or beside the bed
Family and environment
Kids Good
Gentle and tolerant with kids who handle it kindly.
Other cats Good
A feline companion helps on workdays.
Dogs Good
Calm, cat-safe dogs are usually accepted.
Apartment Ideal
An indoor life suits this fine-coated cat.
Seniors Great fit
Affectionate, quiet and low-maintenance.
First cat Conditional
Easy to live with - nearly impossible to obtain.
Busy household Conditional
Needs company; long empty days wear on it.
Health data provided by RealVetCost Overall health burden Moderate
Detailed health data - inheritance, prevalence, course, and typical treatment costs - lives in a separate expert database. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice - confirm any decision with your vet.
View the full health profileTop health concerns
Obesity Indoor cats gain weight easily; watch portions
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) Most common feline heart disease; echo screening helps
Dental Disease Plaque and gum disease; routine dental care helps
Allergies and skin issues Skin sensitivity; fine or bare coats need care
Similar breeds - by reason
Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.
Another rare European rex, similar build
German Rex
A gentle, playful curly-coated cat with an even temper - easygoing and low-shedding, a good fit for calm households.
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Widely available wavy-coated alternative
Cornish Rex
A playful, warm-seeking cat with a soft wavy coat and low shedding - very people-focused and not fond of being left alone.
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Playful, people-glued rex you can find
Devon Rex
A mischievous, people-obsessed pixie of a cat with a soft wavy coat - endlessly playful but really dislikes being left alone.
View profile →Frequently asked questions
How much does a Czech Rex cost?
There is no real US market to quote a price from - the Czech Rex (Bohemian Rex) exists only in tiny numbers, mostly in Central Europe, and kittens appear rarely even there. Realistically you are looking at contacting European breed clubs, a long waitlist and import costs. Whatever the purchase price, plan on $10,000-$18,000 or more in food, litter and routine vet care over a 12-16 year life.
Is the Czech Rex hypoallergenic?
No. Like other rex cats it sheds less than a normal-coated cat, which some allergy sufferers find helpful, but cat allergies are triggered mainly by a protein in saliva and skin, not by hair itself. Spend time with a rex-coated cat before assuming you will tolerate one.
What is the difference between a Czech Rex and a Cornish or Devon Rex?
The Czech Rex arose from a separate curly-coat mutation in Persian-type cats in former Czechoslovakia, so it is stockier and longer-coated than the slender Cornish and Devon. It was never widely recognized or bred in volume, which is why the other two rexes are in pet homes worldwide and the Czech Rex is a rarity.
Can I actually get a Czech Rex kitten?
Honestly, probably not without serious effort. The breed hovers near extinction, with only occasional litters from a few dedicated European breeders. If a seller offers you a readily available "Czech Rex" kitten, be skeptical - it is most likely a mislabeled Cornish or Devon Rex mix. The Cornish, Devon or German Rex deliver a very similar cat you can really find.