Devon Rex

Description / History     

In order to truly appreciate the unique appearance of the Devon Rex, you must first set aside your preconceptions of what a cat should look like. In 1960 in Devonshire, England, a spontaneous mutation caused British barn cats to conjure up their own version of the ultimate feline pixie. Low-set, oversize ears jut out and away from the side of an elfin cheeky face with a turned up nose. Large impish eyes suggest a madcap personality and a nimble mind. A deceptively muscular body is covered by a short coat of downy fur that curls and ripples. 

Devons sport a variety of coats that range from a full-rolling loose uneven wave through lessening degrees of density that support a tighter rippling effect all the way to a thin suede-like cover. Kitten coats usually thin out (molt) at about eight weeks of age. Although some kittens escape this molt phase, many juveniles sport a suede look until the adult coat begins to come in. Further molts are sometimes witnessed at about six months and ten months of age, although these tend to be less dramatic and of shorter duration. Selective breeding is required to produce the beautiful show Devon with its unique pixie face, bat-like ears, and a coat with just the right amount of density, length and texture to display a rippling wave when stroked with the hand. 

Devons, like puppy dogs, follow you from room to room and just like puppies, they wag their tails when happy or praised. They chat gaily in subdued chirps, chortles and trills but purring can drown out polite conversation. 

Devons bring another meaning to “wash and wear.” A quick shampoo, rinse, towel pat and hang over the shoulder to dry or place in a sunny window. Most Devons do not object to the Saturday night bath and some will join their human companions in their tub uninvited. This behavior reflects the Devon’s deep concern for their beloved person’s safety and comfort although many suspect it is also a measure of their refusal to be left out of ANYTHING. 

Happily, Devons shed their coats at a rate that is only barely perceptible to the human eye and nose. And as they are quickly and easily bathed, many people with allergies to cats discover they can live comfortably and intimately with a Devon Rex. The absence of cat hair in the air, on pillows and on furniture is a definite plus to the allergy sufferer and to the one who cleans the house. The ideal Devon coat is soft to the touch, for while the Devon has guard hair, it is mutated into a weakened form and vastly reduced in density relative to the soft down and awn hairs that make up the Devon coat. 

Devons love to play but their natural preference is to sit cozily in your lap. Devons are, above all else, people oriented. Their human companions are the focus of their boundless interest and love. 

Weight: 7-9 lbs.

Eyes: The Devon Rex eyes are large and oval in shape.  The color is appropriate to coat color.

Coat: Cat is well covered with fur with the greatest density occurring on the back, sides, tail, legs, face, and ears; bare patches a serious fault; however, down on the underparts should not be misinterpreted as bareness; texture soft, fine, full-bodied; length short to very short. A rippled wave effect should be apparent when coat is smoothed with the hand.

Associations: The Devon Rex is accepted by all major cat registries.

Cat toys for the Devon Rex:

• Play Balls for Cats by Toy Shoppe 

• Furry Mice -These are the ones that no cat can resist! 

• Cat Dancer -Spring wire with tightly rolled paper strips at the 
  end Drives cats nuts! 

• TurboScratcher Cat Toy -Give your cat an "approved" scratching surface that's also a great place to play! Includes catnip for added appeal.

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