longhair
Bohemia Rex
Origin: Czech Republic
Essentially a curly-coated Persian — a rare Czech breed that pairs the sweet, placid temperament and cobby build of the Persian with a soft, wavy or curled coat produced by a spontaneous rex mutation.
- Origin
- Czech Republic
- Category
- longhair
- Lifespan
- 12–16 yrs
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 3.5–7 kg
- Coat
- Long, soft and curly or wavy, with curled whiskers
- Colours
- All Persian colours and patterns, including solids, tabbies and colourpoints
😺 Temperament
🏡 Best suited to
📊 Personality ratings
📜 History & origin
The Bohemia Rex arose in the 1980s in the former Czechoslovakia when a spontaneous rex (curl) mutation appeared within pedigree Persian lines. Rather than discard the unusual curly kittens, breeders in Bohemia chose to develop them into a distinct variety, fixing the wavy coat while retaining the classic Persian type. The breed is recognised by some European federations but remains very rare and little known outside central Europe, making it one of the more obscure curly-coated cats.
🧼 Care & grooming
As a long-haired, curly-coated cat with full Persian ancestry, the Bohemia Rex needs dedicated grooming: regular gentle combing several times a week keeps the soft, wavy coat from matting, and care must be taken not to over-brush and break the delicate curl. Like other flat-faced Persians, some individuals benefit from occasional eye cleaning. In temperament it is a quiet, undemanding cat that thrives as an indoor companion, happy to spend much of the day dozing on a lap.
🩺 Health notes
The Bohemia Rex shares the health considerations of its Persian foundation, so responsible breeders screen for polycystic kidney disease (PKD) and are mindful of the breathing and tear-duct issues associated with a very flat face; choosing lines with a moderate muzzle helps. The rex coat itself is not linked to health problems, but the sparse, curly fur offers less protection, so these cats are firmly indoor pets. Routine preventive care and a good diet keep them in good health.