Devon Rex

Like the Cornish Rex, the Devon Rex was a mutation, occurring about ten years after the appearance of the Cornish Rex. Beryl Cox took in a stray who was in kitten and one of the litter, a male, had a curly coat, which she retained and called Kirlee. Miss Cox had also seen a rex-coated tom living wild locally which suggests that the mutation may have been a more regular occurrence amongst feral cats.

Being aware of the Cornish Rex she assumed that the same gene was involved and Kirlee was bred to a Cornish Rex queen. However, the kittens were straight coated so it was obvious that a new gene had been identified. A breeding programme began, with Kirlee behind all of today’s Devon Rex.

Although there is a superficial similarity to the Cornish Rex, both breeds being classed as Foreign, the Devon Rex has a significantly shorter head with more width and high cheek bones and the ears are set low and wide apart. Similarly, the Devon’s eyes are set more to the side of the head than those of the Cornish Rex.

The Devon Rex is active, inquisitive and agile like their cousins in the adjacent county but tend to vocalise more, though quietly with soft chirruping sounds. The Devon coat does not tend towards curling like the Cornish but ripples, and also unlike the Cornish, guard hairs are permitted. All colours are allowed under the Breed Standard.

Although Devon Rex have no particular health problems, it makes good sense to insure your cats.  Many breeders sell their kittens with six weeks free insurance cover.  More and more owners are now insuring their pets as advances in veterinary medicine, plus the soaring costs of drugs can mean astronomical bills.

Devon Rex Breed Clubs & Rescue

• Cornish Rex Cat Society
• Rex Cat Association
• Rex Cat Club

Devon Rex Breeders

Cycada    Located on Cambridgeshire/Lincolnshire borders.  Visit website to check kitten availability.  Also breeding LaPerm and Sphynx

Contact the Breed Clubs who will have lists of Breeders and may have Kitten Lists.