Longevity
Life expectancy
With a balanced diet, regular activity, appropriate vaccines and preventive veterinary follow-up, this cat generally lives between 10 and 15 years. Lifestyle, weight, oral health and the quality of care influence its individual longevity.
Build
A robust breed?
The breed shows good overall robustness and no characteristic hereditary condition is documented to date. This sturdiness does not exempt from annual check-ups, parasite prevention, or regular monitoring of the ears, eyes, teeth, and body condition.
Watch points
What to watch for
Vigilance focuses mainly on protection against the cold, prevention of feline infectious diseases and maintaining a stable weight. Any change in appetite, behavior, breathing, bowel movements or coat appearance warrants veterinary advice.
Sensitivity to extreme cold : The absence of guard hair reduces thermal protection and requires quick access to a warm space when temperatures drop sharply.
Feline infectious diseases : Like any cat, it must be protected according to its lifestyle against panleukopenia, cat flu, leukemia and, when necessary, rabies.
Climate
Cold and heat tolerance
Its short, wavy coat, lacking guard hairs, protects less effectively against very low temperatures. A warm bed, a temperate indoor environment and outings limited during severe cold are recommended. During periods of intense heat, it must have shade, fresh water and a ventilated space without prolonged exposure to the sun.
Weight
Tendency to gain weight
Its adult weight generally ranges between 3 and 7 kg depending on sex and body type. The ration must be adjusted to its age, its neutering and its activity, then monitored thanks to regular weighing and the evaluation of its silhouette. Hunting games and interactive feeders help preserve its musculature without encouraging snacking.
Daily life
Good habits to keep it healthy
- Schedule a veterinary check-up at least once a year.
- Adapt vaccines and antiparasitic treatments to the lifestyle.
- Regularly check the eyes, ears, and mouth.
- Protect the cat from going outside in very cold weather.
- Monitor weight and coat condition each month.
Vaccination
German Rex vaccines: vaccination schedule
Which vaccines for a German Rex? Like all dogs, the German Rex receives essential vaccines from 8 weeks old: CHPPi (core vaccine) and Leptospirosis. The puppy primary vaccination for German Rex is given in several injections 4 weeks apart, followed by a first booster at 1 year. Depending on its lifestyle (hunting, hiking, boarding, travel, region), your veterinarian may complete the protocol with vaccines against Rabies, Kennel cough, Piroplasmosis, Lyme disease and Leishmaniasis.
| Vaccine | Primary series | First booster | Then | Who for? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CHPPi (core vaccine)Core Distemper, Rubarth hepatitis, parvovirosis and parainfluenza | 8 weeks · 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | All pets |
LeptospirosisCore Leptospirosis (bacterium transmitted by rodent urine and stagnant water) | 8 weeks · 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | All pets |
RabiesLifestyle-based Rabies | 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | Mandatory for travel abroad, categorized dogs, most boarding kennels and shows |
Kennel coughLifestyle-based Bordetella bronchiseptica and parainfluenza | 8 weeks | 1 year | every year | Dogs attending boarding kennels, daycares, dog clubs and shows |
PiroplasmosisLifestyle-based Tick-borne babesiosis | 5 months · 6 months | 1 year | every year | Hunting dogs, dogs living in rural or wooded areas, dogs highly exposed to ticks |
Lyme diseaseLifestyle-based Tick-borne borreliosis | 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | Hiking dogs, hunting dogs, forest areas of the East and the Center |
LeishmaniasisLifestyle-based Leishmaniasis transmitted by sandflies | 6 months | 1 year and 6 months | every year | Dogs living or staying in the South of France, Corsica and the Mediterranean basin |
Adult German Rex vaccine boosters are annual for leptospirosis and rabies; for distemper, hepatitis, and parvovirus, a booster every three years is often sufficient after the first booster. Your veterinarian will adjust the schedule to your dog’s actual risk.
Which boosters for your German Rex?
Enter your companion’s age: we list the vaccines to do now and the next boosters.
Adopting well
Adopting a healthy German Rex
An annual veterinary examination is recommended, with monitoring of weight, mouth, heart, ears, eyes and coat. The vaccination and antiparasitic protocol must be personalized according to outdoor access, contact with other cats and travel. Before breeding, a clinical assessment of breeding cats and documented knowledge of bloodlines remain essential despite the absence of any known genetic disease.
This information is provided for guidance only and does not replace a veterinarian’s advice. If you have any concerns about your pet’s health, consult a professional.
