A guide to the Devon Rex Cat

It is said that once you convert to a Devon Rex you will never go back. This unique looking breed loves nothing more than vocalising to get your attention and will constantly have you on your toes trying to keep up with them. Read our guide to the Devon Rex Cat!

A guide to the Devon Rex Cat

The Facts

• Temperament: Vocal, loyal and outgoing.
• Social/Attention Needs: high
• Average Life Span: 12 – 14 years
• Coat length: Very short
• Grooming required: Once weekly

The Look

Known for their distinctive bat-like ears and wide eyes, the Devon Rex has a very cheeky look. They have long slender figures and thin tails, their usual fur is soft and wavy with a wool-like texture. They also have unusual whiskers that are seen more like stubble as they rarely grow more than an inch. The most popular colour of Devon Rex is the original ‘black smoke’ however they are also available in tortoiseshell and tabby.

History

Unsurprisingly the Devon Rex was first born in Devon, due to a natural mutation in 1959, where a strange black, curly-coated kitten, named Kirlee, was born in a litter of moggies thought to be fathered by a large black cat with ringlets. This kitten was then bred to two Cornish Rex variant queens (as a result all Devon Rex have Cornish Rex ancestors), which produced normal shorthair and semi-longhair kittens, yet no curly kittens were produced. This led the breeder to believe that the Cornish and Devon Rex have two different curly hair genes and with a careful breeding programme, Kirlee became the founding Devon Rex.

The health of Devon Rex Cats

All have varying incidences of health problems that may be genetic. Problems that may affect the Devon Rex include the following:

• Patella Luxations
• Dietary intolerances

A Fun Fact about Devon Rex Cats 

Often described as hypoallergenic due to the short coat, the Devon Rex is actually not a hypoallergenic cat. That being said, they do not shed as much as many other breeds, which means they may spread fewer allergens around your home.

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