Although everything about its look is distinctive, this Devon Rex is best known for its soft, curly coat and elfin, pixie-ish face. The Devon Rex has much wider ears, smaller face and shorter nose than its Cornish counterpart, as well as a curly (as opposed to wavy) coat.

The Devoncoat varies greatly from one animal to the next, ranging from an almost shaggy mop of loose curls in some to a thin suede-like coat in others.

The Devon Rex has been described as part puppy, part monkey (it flies through the air with the greatest of ease!) and part merry prankster.

The Devon Rex is a shoulder-percher, lap-sitter, tail-wagger and retriever of tossed cat toys. A powerful jumper, very few spots in your home will go unexplored. ‘Cat proofing’ your home, much as you would for a toddler on the loose, is bound to save you some frustration and breakage in the long run.

This affectionate and intelligent Rex loves the company of humans, other cats and occasionally even dogs. Your Devon Rex craves attention, and if there’s none forthcoming, watch out! The Devon Rex is most ideal for families where there is always somebody around, but if your schedule keeps you away from home for more than a few hours each day, then your pet would enjoy having a pet of its own – another active cat will be fine company for your Devon Rex, and they can entertain each other while you’re away.A stimulating environment with plenty of toys, scratching posts and things to climb on will be much appreciated as well.

History and Origin

The furry founder of the Devon breed was discovered by a Miss Cox of Devonshire, England, who noticed an odd looking, curly-coated kitten in 1960 near an abandoned tin mine. Delighted with the kitten's elfin features and wavy curls, she named him Kirlee. At first she assumed Kirlee must be a member of the Cornish Rex breed - 'Rex' is the term used to indicate a curly or wavy mutation in the coat - but breeders soon concluded that the two breeds were genetically unrelated even though the coat mutations appeared to be similar. The Devon Rex was accepted as a distinct breed shortly after, with the first Devon imported to the United Statesin 1968.

Grooming requirements

The Devon Rex is a low maintenance, wash-and-wear kitty. Its oversized ears occasionally need a cleaning, but otherwise a wipedown with a damp cloth and a nail-trim is all the grooming most Devons require.

However, occasional firm stroking with the hand from head to tail will emphasize the “poodle” curl of the coat, and kitty is guaranteed to enjoy that sort of grooming session every bit as much as you do!

Although the Rex's coat is easy to care for, keep in mind that it doesn’t offer the same protection as a normal coat, so this cat always needs to be kept warm and dry. While not entirely shed-free, the Devon Rex will shed less on your clothes and upholstery than most other breeds of cat.

Health Ailments

Hybrid breeding programs have helped to eliminate health problems which once plagued this breed. The Devon Rex is now regarded as a generally sound and healthy cat, free from the kidney disease and heart defects which trouble so many purebred cats. However, dental problems are typical for the Devon Rex – a balanced diet and good dental hygiene are a must, to avoid potentially serious bacterial issues.

While no cat is truly hypoallergenic, the Devon Rex is sometimes – but not always - found not to aggravate existing cat allergies. Allergic people are encouraged to visit a breeder to determine their own reaction to the breed.

Selecting a qualified breeder or buying from a reputable pet store can help ensure that your Devon Rex will live a strong and healthy life. Maintaining your cat’s proper weight and grooming requirements will also help maintain its good health, along with regular checkups at the vet.

YourDevon Rex

Send us pictures and stories about your Devon Rex.

Devon Rex Discussion Group

Get tips from other Devon Rex lovers – and submit a few ideas of your own.