About Devons

The Devon rex cat of today is a descendant of a curly-haired kitten that turned up in a litter of strays in England’s Devonshire district, sometime around 1960. A rather odd looking brownish-black male kitten was born with curls over his body and the softest of coats. Delighted with the kitten’s elfin features and wavy curls, his owner, Mrs. Cox named him Kirlee. He later became known as the first Devon Rex on record and was the founding father of the unique and wonderful breed of cats we have today.

The breed is similar to another spontaneous mutation, the Cornish rex, which was discovered — also in England — about a decade earlier.about-devons

DESCRIPTION

Devon’s have been compared to pixies and aliens from space because of their huge bat like ears, large window-to-the soul eyes, and ethereal, otherworldly head and body type. This enchanting yet unusual cat sports soft velvet like wavy coat, and often curly eyebrows and whiskers to match. Muscular, yet dainty, the Devon Rex is hardy, agile and mischievously playful. These wavy haired wonders are one of the most versatile pets, and have personalities that can’t be beat!!

Some of its advocates say that in order to appreciate its appearance, “you must put aside all your preconceptions about what a cat should look like.”

Here are just a few Devon Rex qualities that make them good choices for the cat-obsessed:

  • Loving and affectionate to humans and other pets and known for their loyalty and devotion often following their owner from room to room. They are very human oriented and want to check out everything you are doing.
  • Devon’s are playful and animated, and born crowd pleasers! They are active, fearless and intelligent and can be easily trained (giving it a reputation for being dog-like). Devon’s are shoulder-perchers, lap-sitters, “tail-waggers”, and retrievers of tossed cat toys.
  • Devon’s are known for their unique “chatting”. They chat gaily in subdued chirps, chortles and trills particularly when they can see a bird or something of interest.
  • Devon’s are low maintenance, wash-and-wear companions, that need little grooming/brushing.
  • The Devon Rex is a good potential choice for people who are allergic to cats!!
  • Devon’s do shed less than cats with ordinary coats, which is great for keeping your favorite furniture free of hair. Because of the fine short coat, it often appears that Devon’s do not actually shed any hair at all…
  • One of the Devon’s most endearing qualities is its physical warmth, due to a less insulated coat and slightly higher body temperature. There is nothing in the world like a warm Devon on a cold night. And since Devon’s shed little, you can snuggle back without coming away covered with cat hair.

COAT

While an even, full coat of loose curls is ideal for the show ring, the Devon coat varies greatly between individuals, ranging from an almost shaggy mop of loose curls in some to a thin suede-like coat in others that may leave some areas nearly bare.

One can truly appreciate this unique coat once he has had an opportunity to feel the velvety soft texture. It is something you’ll not soon forget.about-devons-2

Devon’s have also gained a reputation as being “hypo-allergenic,” but this varies according to an individual’s personal allergies. No one seems to know exactly what causes some people to be allergic to cats. Many of those individuals with allergic problems can tolerate a rex while they cannot a normal coated cat. There may be some factors in the unusual coat quality of the Devon which allows this to be the case. More and more people with allergy problems are turning to the Devon Rex with great satisfaction.

Anyone with allergy issues should arrange to handle a Devon before considering acquiring one.

All colors and patterns are accepted including the color point (Siamese) pattern. However, since the breed is comparatively new, not all colors are available. Common patterns include solids (one colour), smokes, bicolours (with white), tabbies, tortoiseshells and pointed’s. Colours include black, blue, chocolate, lilac, red, cream, white etc…

OTHER NOTES ABOUT DEVON REX’S

  • Devon’s are great cats to bath, and dry quickly in winter due to their short fine coat
  • Devons are great cats to train to a harness, to take for walks in your garden
  • Devons get along well with other animals, and are happy living with more than one cat in the house.
  • Devons life span is the same as any other cat, averaging 10 – 15 years.
  • Although devons are very people oriented, devons are fine with being home alone with busy working owners etc..
  • Devons are fantastic with children and very suitable for family environments.
  • Devons are not aggressive cats, and are very adaptable and always in a friendly and laid back mood.about-devons-3about-devons-4