Devon Rex

The Devon Rex cat breed is a happy accident. This is not the oldest cat breed, which means we know a lot about their history. These cats came to life when a feral tom cat, who lived in an abandoned tin mine in Devon, England, had an affair with a female owned by Beryl Cox. The first litter was born in 1960, and the owner immediately noticed curly-coated kittens. Since Cox was already familiar with the Cornish Rex, she believed her kittens had the same gene. Her vet ran some tests, and they were all pretty surprised to see that the curly mutation came from a different gene. Cox established a breeding program and is credited with the creation of this breed.

To become a distinctive breed, the Devon Rex had to have unique characteristics that set them apart from all other curly-coated breeds. These cats had longer legs and different eyes and ears, which clearly made them easily differentiated. Here are the characteristics we will focus on.

Coat

The first thing that will catch your eye about the Devon Rex is its curly coat. Unlike the Cornish Rex, this breed has looser curls. Their coat is short and very soft. That makes them ideal cuddling partners.

Coat color

One of the things that define a breed is its color. However, like many other cat breeds, the Devon Rex comes in nearly all available colors. Some of the most common ones are cinnamon, lilac, black, blue, chocolate, and white. These cats can also have different patterns, like calico, tabby, pointed, tortoiseshell, and shaded patterns.

Size

Another important thing future owners should know is the exact size of the cat they will get. The Devon Rex is considered a medium-sized cat. Most adults weigh between 6 - 9 pounds.

Temperament

While physical characteristics play a significant role in a breed, its temperament is what actually matters. Luckily, the Devon Rex has a wonderful temperament that makes them fantastic family pets. These cats are curious, playful, active, and people-oriented. In fact, they remain playful even in their adult years. The Devon Rex usually picks one person that will be “theirs.” Once they do that, they will playfully nip and follow that person everywhere. These cats love high spots, so don’t be surprised to find them in weird spaces like wardrobes or bookshelves.

Health

Unfortunately, even pureblooded cat breeds with all their selective breeding couldn’t completely eliminate potential breed-specific health issues. The Devon Rex, like all other cat breeds, is prone to specific health issues. That doesn’t mean the cat will develop them, but you and your vet should keep an eye on early signs. Here are some of those potential health conditions;

• Patellar luxation - A hereditary kneecap dislocation that can range from mild to severe.
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy - This is the most common heart condition in cats. The heart gets enlarged, and its functions are affected.
• Hereditary myopathy - This condition can only develop if the cat inherits two copies of the gene mutation, one from each parent. This condition will affect the cat’s muscle functions.

World Cat Finder Team