DragonflyCats
What is a Devon Rex?
Sometime in the late 1950s, a curly-coated tomcat that frequented an abandoned tin mine in Devon sired a litter with a feral cat cared for by a Miss Cox.
One of the kittens in the litter had a curly coat and elfin features, captivating his owner, who named him Kirlee. This single kitten gave rise to the unique and wonderful breed of cats known today as the Devon Rex.
To develop a breed from one kitten, considerable outcrossing was required, and this continues today, usually with American and British Shorthairs, to enlarge and strengthen the gene pool.
Appearance of the DevonRex
The Devon Rex has been aptly described as a blend of a dog, a cat, and a monkey.
A very unique-looking cat with features similar to the Alien movie star E.T.
A relatively new arrival on the feline scene, he has a pixie-like face and an elfish, inquisitive nature to match. He is a mischievous and playful cat.
If you know anything about folklore, you know that pixies are mischievous little troublemakers, which perfectly describes a Devon Rex (DRX).
Devons are often described as having an elfin appearance, with large ears, high cheekbones, and striking eyes. Their outstanding characteristic, however, is their soft, wavy fur.
Their curvy body starts with their head, which is a modified wedge shape with convex curves forming the outer edge of the ear lobes, cheekbones, and whisker pads. Devon has large, wide-set, oval-shaped eyes and strikingly large ears set low on the head. Sometimes, the tips of the ears are tufted with fine fur.
They come in any genetically possible colour, pattern or combination of colours and patterns, including solid white, black, blue, chocolate, cinnamon, lilac and red; smoke patterns, which are a white undercoat deeply tipped with a specific colour; and various calico, tabby, tortoiseshell and pointed patterns.
Their bodies should feel firm and muscled. The legs are long and slender, supported by small, oval paws. A long, slender tail covered with short fur tapers to a fine point. Devon’s lifespan is 9 to 15 years.
Personality
The Devon Rex’s favorite spot is right at head level, comfortably perched on the shoulder of their preferred person.
They take a lively interest in everything that happens and refuse to miss any fun activity.
They are smart cats with a moderate activity level. They will play fetch as well as any retriever, learn tricks easily, and love the attention they receive from children who treat them politely and respectfully.
To ensure safety and friendliness, we always recommend introducing pets slowly and in controlled circumstances, never leaving them unattended.
At mealtime, the Devonrex will try to sit themselves at the dining room table with the rest of the family to make sure that the food you have prepared is just for them. They love to eat and can gain a few extra pounds if their diet is not carefully monitored.
They also love heat, so they cuddle anything warm and soft to fall asleep. They prefer to hide under the covers for a nap.
These cats are not for those who enjoy their own space. They will insist on sleeping with you, sitting on you, eating with you, working with you at home (mostly on top of your keyboard or paper you are writing on), avidly supervising everything you do and will follow you around the house like they are your new shadow.
These cats are the best companion animals. They always want your attention and never turn you down for a cuddle.
They have an outgoing nature and are excellent pets for families with children, good pals for other pets, and good travellers.
Thing to know
Many say that once you have a Devon Rex, you’ll never enjoy another breed of cat. These cats set such a high standard for companionship that they can spoil the experience with all other breeds.
They interact wonderfully with almost everyone, including families and other pets in the home. Devons possess a remarkable ability to make everyone and everything fall in love with them in no time at all.
Not surprisingly, they love warmth and are excellent bed warmers.
Allergies
Devon Rex cats, which are low to non-shedding, are often regarded as hypoallergenic for most individuals with cat allergies.
You may hear that the Devon Rex coat is hypoallergenic due to its texture, but that is not accurate. Allergies can be triggered by dander ( dead skin cells), saliva, hair, or the protein Feld1.
There is no scientific evidence that any breed or crossbreed is more or less allergenic than any other. Some people with allergies tend to react less to Devon Rex, but no reputable breeder can guarantee that their cats are hypoallergenic.
