Devon Rex

Coat and looks how to spot one

short, soft, wavy rex coat with few guard hairs

A slim but firmly muscled cat with a broad chest, long legs (the back pair a little longer than the front) and a long, tapering tail. The head is a short, wide wedge with high cheekbones, big oval eyes and very large ears that sit low and wide, which gives the breed its elfin look. The coat is short, fine and soft, forming loose ripples that show best where the fur is longest. Coat quality varies from cat to cat, from a full mop of curls to a thin, velvety covering, and it can change with the seasons. Whiskers and eyebrows are short and crinkled. The coat usually settles into its adult look from around 18 months.21345

Personality what they are like

A cheeky, sociable cat that wants to be part of whatever its people are doing. Devons tend to follow their owners from room to room, ride on shoulders, curl up on laps and slip under the bed covers at night. They are bright, can learn their names and simple tricks, and usually get along well with children, dogs and other cats. They are fairly quiet, using soft chirps and trills rather than loud calls, and often greet visitors with curiosity instead of hiding.23164

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Moderately to highly active and strong jumpers that like to explore high places. Provide climbing space, tall scratching posts, interactive and puzzle toys, and daily play. They are not suited to being left alone for long stretches; a bored Devon will find its own entertainment.3164

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Very little brushing needed; stroking a hand over the coat is often enough, and a soft touch matters because the hairs break easily. An occasional bath with a cat shampoo can help. Clean the large ears now and then as they collect waxy build-up, trim claws about weekly and brush teeth regularly. Because the thin coat holds less heat, give them warm resting spots.3164

Home where they are happiest

An indoor home with warm sleeping places, window perches, climbing trees and cat-proofed shelves, since they reach surprising heights. Company for most of the day, human or feline, suits them best.314

Food basics what goes in the bowl

A complete, good-quality cat food suited to life stage. Kittens do well on about three meals a day until six months, adults on two. Devons are keen eaters, so portion control helps; some self-regulate with dry food available. Keep fresh water available, ideally placed a little away from the food bowl.364

Company who they like around

Strongly bonded to people and happiest with plenty of company. They usually accept other cats and dogs as playmates, and FIFe notes they like having a feline friend, ideally another Devon.234

The story where it all began

The breed began with one kitten. On 15 July 1959 a stray female taken in by Beryl Cox in Buckfastleigh, Devon, had a litter that included a curly-coated, black smoke male she named Kirlee. The father was thought to be a curly-coated feral tom living around an old tin mine nearby. Because the Cornish Rex had appeared in the neighbouring county a few years earlier, breeders first assumed Kirlee carried the same mutation and mated him with Cornish Rex cats. All the kittens had ordinary straight coats, which proved the two curly coats came from different genes, later called Gene 1 (Cornish) and Gene 2 (Devon). A separate programme then fixed Kirlee's wavy coat by breeding him back to his own offspring and outcrossing to other cats, which is why the breed now comes in every colour. The GCCF and FIFe recognised the Devon Rex in 1967, cats reached the United States in 1968, ACFA accepted them in 1972 and CFA granted championship status in 1983. Kirlee died in 1970, and every Devon Rex traces back to him.13254

Recognised by the official bits

GCCF

Recognised in 19671

FIFe

Recognised in 1967; EMS code DRX; shorthair only4

ACFA

Recognised in 19721

CFA

Championship status granted in 19831

TICA

Recognised breed3

ACF, CCA-AFC

Listed as recognising the breed5