Devon Rex Information

Character & Temperament

The Devon Rex is an amazing and playful cat. They are excellent companions for those seeking an action packed adventure. Devons are very inquisitive and demand constant attention from their owners. They love to be with their people and enjoy a game of fetch. These cats are said to be dog like, they even wag their tail. Devons are great with children and hate to be left alone for long periods of time. These excellent jumpers and climbers find no shelf or cupboard too high or off limits. Often they follow their owners around and like to chatter.

Type & Standard

The most defining features of the Devon Rex is their curly coat, unmistakable head shape with huge ears and curly whiskers. Their coat is very short and fine with wavy soft curls. They have very little guard hairs; this makes them ideal for asthma sufferers, as they do not shed their hair. The natural oils produced in these cats dispense down each hair shaft, which is what produces their lovely curls. Devon kittens can malt one or more times during kitten hood, their coat usually develops fully between 15-18 months of age. The Devon Rex comes in all colours possible in other breeds. They have a wedge shaped head with very full cheeks and pronounced cheekbones. A short muzzle with strong chin and defined whisker break. They have a definite nose stop, captivating big eyes and bat like ears, which makes them look like aliens. Due to their rarity and outgoing nature, Devons are best kept indoors. They feel the cold so extra heat sources may be useful in winter. Body is of medium size, slender, hard and muscular with tight abdomen, straight forelegs and small oval paws. The tail is long and fine, tapering and well furred. These things are what we look for when showing and breeding Devon Rex cats. This should not change your attitude towards picking a Devon as a pet unless you are serious about showing it. No matter what your cat looks like, as long as you love it and it is a wonderful companion, you will be happy together.

Devon Rex History

The Devon Rex's natural mutation occurred amongst non-pedigree cats in Devon. In 1960 the first Devon Rex was born, he was the only curly coated kitten in a litter born to a non-pedigree dam and his sire was unknown. But a Miss Beverly Cox who adopted this kitten had seen a similar black curly coated cat in the local tin mine. It was assumed that he was the father. Miss Cox named the kitten Kirlee. While reading an article about an up and coming kitten show, Miss Cox discovered a photo of a curly coated kitten (Cornish Rex) that was to be on exhibition. The caption stated that he was the breeder of the kitten, telling her she too had a curly coated kitten.

As Devon and Cornwall adjoin it was assumed that Kirlee was a result of the same mutation that occurred 9yrs earlier, which was responsible for producing the Cornish Rex. Mr Brian Stirling-Webb then purchased Kirlee from Miss Cox as a valuable addition to his limited breeding stock. He was a well-known judge and cat breeder who bought together a group of breeders in an attempt to establish the Rex breed.

It was only after a few test matings to Cornish Rex queens, that Kirlee was discovered to have a different mutant gene. The matings resulted in only normal shorthaired and semi-longhair kittens. It then become clear that although Kirlee had a curly coat, it was a new Rex gene. Many other test matings occurred but with the same results.

Kirlee was then mated to several British Shorthairs. His straight coated daughters where brought back for breeding and the results were 50% curly coated kittens. This proved the Rex gene to be recessive. This became the foundation for the Devon Rex breed.