Devon Rex Cat Breed Description

Active: The Devon Rex is highly active and often described as "mischievous."

Size: The Devon Rex has a fascinating face and a slim and athletic body. Small to medium in size, the Devon Rex averages a weight of 6 to 9 pounds.

Characteristics: The Devon Rex cat breed has a sweet and unique appearance, coupled with a lovely personality and a fun-loving disposition. They are often referred to as "the pixie of the cat fancy" because of their large ears and prominent cheeks. They appear to have an elf or even alien-like face with big, endearing eyes that draw you in. Additionally, these sweet little elf-like creatures often have no whiskers at all. They have eyes that protrude off of their face and are accented by their larger than normal ears. You may think these cats, that look as though they are a breed from another planet, are high maintenance.

Temperament: If you are looking for a constant companion and a new best friend, the Devon Rex breed is the perfect breed for you. They are incredibly loyal and just want to be wherever you are. Meal time isn't even off limits for the Devon Rex. They will happily join right in with you, and will want to eat what you are eating. And these little impish creatures might even snag a bite or two off your plate without permission when you aren't looking. But, the Devon Rex is not only interested in cuddling. They use their athletic bodies to climb to great heights and explore their surroundings. They love to play, and they use their high level of intelligence to learn new tricks and many can even be taught to walk on a leash. Because of their high level of energy and loving nature, they make wonderful companions for families with children and are sure to entertain the family for hours with their antics. The Devon Rex will draw you in with its beautifully prominent eyes and endearing large ears. Their cuteness may be what first attracts you but they are a fun, silly, entertaining and sweet companion that will be loved by all in your family.

Care: Maintenance and grooming of the Devon Rex is relatively minimal. Their coat does not shed much, which makes taking care of your cuddly companion much easier and frequently, people with allergies can tolerate the Devon Rex breed because of their reduced shedding. They are the perfect companion for curling up with, and they will be sure to remind you of this. Before you even have time to get settled, their warm and soft bodies will be wiggling their way onto your lap.

Coat: They are known for their curly coat but their coat can range from quite curly to soft and suede-like. The Devon Rex has a coat that contains three kinds of guard hairs (unlike the Cornish Rex, who has none). The guard hairs (guard, awn and down) are typically quite delicate and stunted. If you are looking for a hypoallergenic cat then the Devon Rex cat is a great candidate. They produce less of the Fel D1 protein which is the true cause for your allergic reaction. There is no cat that is 100% allergy free so increasing the frequency of grooming and bathing your furry friend will also help.

Origin: The Devon Rex breed originated in Buckfastleigh, Devon, United Kingdom. The Devon Rex is a happy accident that resulted in a wonderful breed of cat. In 1960, a curly-coated feral tomcat lived near an abandoned tin mine and bred with a barn cat. This barn cat was a straight-coated calico female and the two produced a litter of kittens. Cat fancier Beryl Cox found the kittens in her garden. One of the kittens had a brownish-black curly coat and Cox named her Kirlee.

Initially, Cox thought Kirlee was a Cornish Rex but Kirlee was discovered to have different genes than a Cornish Rex after she was mated and produced straight-coated offspring. Once it was discovered that Kirlee was from a new breed, the cat breed Devon Rex was established.