Because of their unique and large ears, these cats are often regarded as ‘pixie cats’. These felines have a
unique appearance with large elf-like ears and large and expressive eyes. These cats have a lot of other
unique appearance traits also.
These include high cheekbones, long legs, slender and fine-boned bodies, and an unusual and unique
hairstyle.
Their hair is curly but it is unlike that of a Cornish Rex. As per the folklore, these cats have pixie-like
personalities also. Pixies are known to be quite naughty and these cats are no different. They are highly
intelligent.
However, when adopting a cat, get one from a reputable breeder only.
They are highly active and very intelligent also. They love to be around you and once you bring one of
these fellows home, expect him to be everywhere around you.
These cats make excellent pets and emotional support animals and you can also check other cat breeds to see which one would make an ideal match
for your household.
Read the blog to know more about this unique and mischievous cat.
Origins - How Did these Cats Originate and Come into Being?
Their history is quite similar to that of their distant relative, the Cornish Rex, as, like them, they came
into being as a ‘natural accident’. It all goes back to 1960; a feral tom used to live near an abandoned tin
mine near Buckfastleigh, which is a small town in Devon, England.
The county is situated in southwest England.
The curly-coated tom mated with a straight coated cat, resulting in the uniquely curly-coated kittens.
These kittens were born in the garden of Beryl Cox, who was an avid cat lover. Of the litter, a kitten named
Kirlee was a curly coat and haired kitten.
Kirlee was a brownish-black tom and he had the same wavy coat as his father.
The place where all this happened was nearby Cornwall, which is the birthplace of Cornish Rex cat. Due to
this, at first, Cox thought that Kirlee is a Cornish Rex and, to breed the Devon Rex, she tried to breed
Kirlee with Cornish Rex cats to get the same kind of litter.
However, it did not work and each time, the result was litters of straight hair.
Upon seeing this, Cox and other breeders concluded that since the Devon Rex gene is a recessive gene, the
kittens must have it from both of their parents. To put it simply, Kirlee’s feral father was also the father
of Kirlee’s mother. The name of the breed was adopted.
The name was decided based on Kirlee’s birthplace, Devonshire, and a hint to the rex rabbit who has the
same kind of curly coat.
The first ever Devon Rex cat came to the United States in 1968 and in 1972, AFCA was the first organization
to accept these cats for the championship. The Cat Fanciers’ Association welcomed the feline in 1983. Today,
all the cat organizations accept Devon Rex cats for the championship.
Size and Physical Attributes of a Devon Rex Cat
The cat has a unique appearance and large eyes, huge ears, set low on the head, high cheekbones, and a
short muzzle give an elfin-like look to the breed. These cats are medium in size and their frame and
structure are also medium and finely made.
The cat is covered with fine-textured, soft, and wavy fur. They have down and guard hair, which gives them
a distinctly loosely curled coat.
The fur is quite unique and it is unlike that of Cornish Rex. It is a result of a natural mutation and no other breed has such a coat.
You can learn more about the Cornish Rex cat in a detailed breed profile and guide.
These cats are very curious and lively, and they like to know what is happening around them.
The point score for the breed is given below.
HEAD (40) |
Size and shape
....................................................................... 12 |
Muzzle...................................................................................... 5 |
Profile and Chin
....................................................................... 6 |
Eyes
......................................................................................... 5 |
Ears
........................................................................................ 12 |
BODY (25) |
Torso and Tail
......................................................................... 10 |
Legs and Paws
...................................................................... 10 |
Neck......................................................................................... 5 |
COAT (30) |
Density
.................................................................................... 10 |
Texture and length
................................................................. 10 |
Waviness
............................................................................... 10 |
COLOR (5) |
(credit: CFA)
According to the Cat Fanciers’ Association, below is the accepted breed standard.
-
Head - the head has a modified wedge shape, which is delineated with prominent three
convex curves. The head is broad but its length is slightly more than its breadth. The face has full
cheeks and a prominent whisker break.
The nose has a strong stop and the forehead curves back to a flat skull.
-
Muzzle - the muzzle is short and well developed. Besides, it also has well-pronounced
whisker pads.
-
Chin - the chin is strong and well-developed. The chin should be vertically in line
with the nose and must not be undershot or overshot.
-
Eyes - the eyes are large and wide-set. They have an oval shape and they slope
slightly to the outer edges of the ears. These cats could have eyes of any color as there are no eye
colors that are specific to this breed.
-
Ears - their ears are one of their distinct features as they are relatively large in
size and set at a very low level. They are quite wide at the base, which makes the outsides of the ears’
base go beyond the line of the wedge.
They taper to the rounded tips and are covered with finely-textured fur. The ears could have earmuffs
but it is not necessary.
-
Body - the body is hard and well-muscled. It is medium in length and is quite lithe
and sleek in appearance. The chest is broad and the bones are finely structured and developed. The legs
are quite sturdy and the body is carried high on them.
-
Legs - the hind legs are longer than the forelegs. They are slim and the paws are
small and oval in shape. The paws have five toes in the front and four toes behind.
-
Tail - the tail is long, tapering, and finely structured. It is covered with short and
fine fur.
-
Neck - the neck is medium in length and slender in structure.
The whiskers and eyebrows of these cats also curl and sometimes, they are entirely missing.
For a complete breed standard and to know more about the cat’s variations of color, visit and check the
Cat Fanciers’ Association’s Devon Rex breed standard.
Personality - What is the Personality of the Devon Rex Cat?
Devon Rex is an active, alert, curious, and energetic breed. Just like their appearance, elf-like, they
have the same elf-like personality also. They are very funny and having one at home means that there will be
no dull moment.
Due to their large ears and eyes, these cats are often compared with elves, pixies, and aliens.
They are also known as ‘poodle cats’ and the people having them at home know how playful and cheerful these
felines are. Unlike the usual cat-like personality, these felines love to be around people as following
their favorite person around the house is their favorite activity.
Having short fur, these cats make ideal snuggle partners, and they do not mind the hugs at all.
Something that sets these cats apart from other breeds is their loyalty, devotion, courageous personality,
intelligence, and playful nature. These cats love to perch on their owners’ shoulders and sit in their laps.
They are more like lap-cats and like dogs, they also like to play fetch and retrieve tossed away balls and
toys.
They are very curious and they want to know everything about what you are doing. They do not like to run
around a lot but they love to learn new tricks, play with interactive toys, and be by your side all the
time.
They love to sample everything you cook in the house and being a foodie, he could put on weight really
quick. However, to make sure that he stays healthy and with you for a longer time, keep an eye on his food
intake and do not let him snack every now and then.
He likes to sleep in warm places, under the covers, preferably, and would welcome you every day from work.
Health Concerns - How Healthy is a Devon Rex Cat?
All cat breeds are prone to health issues and diseases. This includes both pedigreed and mixed-breed cats.
Devon Rex cats are also usually healthy but they are prone to a number of diseases.
This does not mean that you Devon Rex will get all or any of these diseases for sure but knowing about them
will help you decide whether you want one of these felines or not.
Below are some of such diseases.
- Congenital Hypotrichosis - this is also known as hereditary baldness, which is a result
of the recessive gene. These cats usually have a very fine and smooth coat but if any of these cats have
less hair than usual, then those are considered to be hypotricotic.
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy - it is a kind of heart condition that could be inherited
in some cats. Maine Coon is one of such breeds but the hereditary factor is yet to be confirmed for the
Devon Rex cats.
- Malassezia Dermatitis - it is a single-celled yeast that is responsible for several ear
infections, itchiness, and greasy skin in cats. The condition could be treated with antifungal medication
and treatment.
- Hip Dysplasia - the condition happens when the hind leg of the cat does not fit
properly with the hip joint and causes movement issues in him. It is a painful condition and in many cats,
it could be rectified through surgery.
- Urticaria Pigmentosa - it is a skin-related problem in which the body is covered with
sores that are crusty and painful. It could be treated with fatty acids and medication like prednisolone.
- Devon Rex Myopathy - it is also known as spasticity and it is an inherited condition
that is visible once the cat is between 3 weeks and 6 months of age. Due to the condition, the cat gets
tired easily and his muscles are weak. There is no treatment for the condition yet.
Keeping a close check on your cat’s health will be helpful in bettering his overall health condition and
keeping him out of trouble.
Care and Grooming - How to Care for Your Devon Rex Cat?
The Devon Rex’s curly and short coat is easy to manage and handle. When grooming, be gentle as the hair is
soft and could break easily. Many times, you will not need a brush, you can just finger brush your cat’s fur
and this is all that it needs.
These cats do not shed a lot and even when they do, you will not see much of the fur sitting on your
clothes, bedding, and furniture. These cats need occasional baths and unless your cat is white in color,
they do not get dirty easily and quickly.
After the bath, their coat dries rather quickly. To bathe him, get a high-quality cat shampoo, and do not
use your own shampoo for it.
Brush your cat’s teeth every week to prevent periodontal disease. If possible, brush your cat’s teeth daily
but the weekly sessions will also work just fine. Clean the eyes of your cat daily with a damp cloth and use
a separate cloth, or the separate side of the cloth, to clean each eye.
Check the ears carefully and make sure that they are clean and free from any kind of redness, bad odor, and
infection. If dirty, clean them with a cotton ball and a mixture of 50:50 warm water and apple cider
vinegar. Do not use cotton swabs as they could damage the cat’s inside ears.
Like all cats, these felines are also very particular about their bathroom hygiene. Clean the litter box
regularly and keep it clean and free from any bad smell.
Blame it on their short fur, these cats are nearly always cold. Buy him a nice cat sweater or keep him
warped in a blanket when it is cold outside. Do not let your feline roam around in the neighborhood and
mingle with stray cats.
This will keep him protected against diseases, fights, and possible theft. Build him a nice and big house
so that he could sunbathe outdoors with the entire family.
Other than being unique and unusual, these cats are very affectionate and they make great emotional support cat. They do really well with
kids and cat-friendly dogs. Similarly, they make a great choice for emotional support animals also.
To bring one home as your ESA, fill the online questionnaire
and get a valid ESA letter first.
Liked the Devon Rex cat? Read about other cats also.
Calico Cat
Tortoiseshell Cat
Tuxedo Cat
Tabby Cat
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Devon Rex cat cost?
Between $600 to $1,000. These cats are quite unique and this is why they
cost relatively higher than other cats.
What is the life expectancy of a Devon Rex cat?
Between 10 to 15 years. Some of these cats could even reach 20 years of age. It depends on
the cat’s health conditions also and healthy cats tend to have quite a long lifespan.
Is the Devon Rex hypoallergenic?
No, these cats are not hypoallergenic. Devon Rex has a soft, curly, and short coat and because of this,
people consider these cats to be hypoallergenic. They do shed less but they are not hypoallergenic.
Are Devon Rex cats good pets?
Yes, these felines make excellent pets and emotional support animals. They are great for families with
older kids, multi-pet households, and families who like to have guests around. They are very smart and they
make great therapy animals.
Can Devon Rex be left alone?
No, these cats love to have people and company and could not be left alone for long. They are very
mischievous and if left alone for long, they could make the whole place rather messy.
What is the difference between a Devon Rex and a Cornish Rex?
The main difference between the two cats is the type of their coat. Cornish Rex has tighter curls than
Devon Rex and when seeing both of them together, the difference is quite obvious and visible.
Do Devon Rex cats get along with dogs?
Yes, if introduced in the right way, they get along very well with friendly dogs. Due to their open,
friendly, and outgoing personality, they make excellent house animals for families with kids and other pets.
However, it is important that you introduce them properly.