Did You Know?
Devon Rex is believed to have born to a stray mother and roaming tom who was said to be living in a tin mine. In the UK, Kirlee, who was the progenitor of the breed, was the last rexed kitten.
Size
Devon Rex is an average-sized cat with a lightweight frame, weighing 8-10 pounds
Coat
Short, wavy
Color
Chocolate, White, Brown, Blue, Red, Black, Frost, Platinum, Cream, Cinnamon, Lavender
Life Span
9-13 years
A playful cat breed with dog-like qualities, Devon Rex is a “kitten at heart.” He will follow you around the house and want to be at your side all the time. He lives up to 9-13 years.
Physical Characteristics of Devon Rex
A fun-loving, eye-catching, and affectionate cat breed for working families, Devon Rex boasts a unique way of capturing attention. His large fox-like eyes and oversized cup deep ears are his defining characteristics that give him many names, such as alien or pixie-ish. A short muzzle, with high cheekbones, a slender neck, and lean body distinguish Devon Rex from many other cat breeds.
Another distinctive feature of the Devon Rex is his silky curls and wavy hair that give him the title of the poodle of the cat world. The irresistibly cute feline has three hair types, which includes down, guard, and awn. The guard coat is lighter than the denser awn and down coats, which are comparatively softer and close to the body.
The guard hair is short, scattered, and wiry. The fragile hairs are prone to breakage and may re-grow in seasonal periods. Their full whisker pads are like guard hair and accentuate their narrow chin and prominent cheekbones.
Devon Rex comes in an array of colors and patterns, including color pointing and calico. Eye color matches the color of the hair. Some Devons, especially the white-haired breed, come in a combination of colors. They have a triple-layered coat, which is light and close to the skin. Don’t be surprised to see your tabby purring atop electronics and appliances in bone-chilling winters.
Personality and Temperament of Devon Rex
Long legs, bowing slightly in the front with small feet, carry Devon Rex’s medium-sized and muscular body. This gives the Rex a vague boxer dog style of walk. Devon’s toes are relatively larger than normal. Some members of this cat breed can use their paws for picking up objects.
Despite his mischievous personality, Devon Rex is a true companion who is good at keeping everyone entertained. The people-centered tabby is naturally outgoing and loves to spend time with his pet parents, expecting a lot of cuddling, caressing, and petting.
Often dubbed as being dog-like, Devon is not a talkative cat, though he would follow you wherever you go. Your tabby may even want to hang out in the washroom as you bathe or around the dining table. Devon Rex has a quiet voice and will soon become the apple of your eyes. He will keep himself busy waiting for his people and will waste no opportunity to find his way back in your arms.
Unlike most other cat breeds, Rex does not indulge in tearing around the house and is the best companion for working families. Devons are food hounds and never turn down a meal.
Although not too talkative, Devon Rex has a playful nature and likes to learn tricks and to play fetch. They enjoy your company and will love to eat with you, play with you, dine with you, and perch on your shoulder to watch television.
Health and Care of Devon Rex
Devon Rex weighs around 5 and 10 pounds. Devon Rex is generally a healthy cat breed, who is not hypoallergenic. Their coat cover may vary over their lifetime, with some adults shedding coats seasonally and kittens dropping much of their coat during growth.
The low maintenance cat breed suffers from myopathy or spasticity, which is an inherited condition that causes generalized muscle weakness. Devon Rex has a fine coat, but there are many with less than a normal coat. These cats are considered hypotrichosis.
Some members of the cat breed may suffer from hip dysplasia, which is a condition of malformation of the hip socket. Devon Rex lives about 9-13 years.
History and Background of Devon Rex
It was in 1959 that the story of the Devon Rex began. A kitten named Kirlee with a wavy, curly coat was born in Devon in 1959, though not much is known about his ancestry. The kitten was the progenitor of a new breed, which was later named as the Devon Rex, taking his name from the place of his birth, Devonshire. His texture was similar to that of a rex rabbit.
The breed got full recognition in 1979.
