Cornish Rex vs Sphynx

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First breed

Second breed

Category IV — Siamese and Oriental

Cornish Rex

The Cornish Rex arose in Cornwall, England, around 1950, when a kitten with a wavy coat was born. Its coat is short, soft and wavy because it is made up only of down hairs, without the outer guard hairs. The body is slender and long-legged, the head is narrow and the ears are large. Adults typically weigh around 2.5 to 4.5 kilograms. Because of the thin coat, it often seeks warmth. Little grooming is needed, and the coat is better stroked than brushed. Cornish Rex cats are usually energetic, playful and attached to people. Life expectancy is typically around 12 to 16 years.

Category IV — Siamese and Oriental

Sphynx

The Sphynx is a hairless cat from Canada, where a hairless kitten was born in Toronto in the 1960s. It is not entirely bare, since a fine down covers the skin, and the skin is wrinkled. The body is medium-sized and muscular, and the ears are large. Adults typically weigh around 3 to 6.5 kilograms. Because the skin produces oils, it needs regular wiping or bathing, and the cat tolerates cold poorly. Sphynxes are usually very friendly, playful and seek human warmth. The lack of hair is caused by a recessive gene. Life expectancy is typically around 9 to 14 years.

At a glance

	Cornish Rex	Sphynx
Weight (male)	3.0–4.5 kg	4.0–6.5 kg
Weight (female)	2.5–3.5 kg	3.0–5.0 kg
Life expectancy	12–16 yrs	9–14 yrs
Coat	wavy, short	hairless

Temperament & Family Life

	Cornish Rex	Sphynx
Family friendly
Good with children
Good with dogs
Friendly with strangers
Intelligence
Trainability

Activity & Living Space

	Cornish Rex	Sphynx
Energy level
Playfulness
Hunting instinct
Apartment friendly

Personality & Communication

	Cornish Rex	Sphynx
Affection
Independence
Vocality

Grooming & Shedding

	Cornish Rex	Sphynx
Shedding
Grooming need

Trait scores (1–5) are editorial estimates, not measurements — every cat is an individual.