Devon Rex

The Devon Rex is a small cat with a soft, wavy coat, huge ears and a wide, elfin face — an unmistakable, impish-looking breed.

History

It began with a curly-coated kitten found in Devon, England, in 1960, whose distinctive coat came from a natural mutation — a different gene from the similar-looking Cornish Rex. The breed was developed from that founding cat.

Temperament

The breed is known for being playful, mischievous and intensely people-oriented — a cat that rides on shoulders, seeks out laps and stays busy well into adulthood. It craves warmth and company in equal measure.

Care

The fine, sparse coat needs gentle care rather than heavy brushing, and the large ears need regular cleaning. Because the thin coat insulates poorly, the cat seeks out warm spots and feels the cold.

Health

Known tendencies include a hereditary muscle weakness in some lines and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. These are patterns for the breed rather than a verdict on one cat; the measured facts and trait ratings are in the panels.