Devon Rex FAQ
History
The
Devon Rex breed began with one cat. Kirlee was found by
Miss. Cox near a disused tin mine in Buckfastleigh,
Devonshire, England, in 1960. His dam was a tortie and
white queen, and his sire, a "curly" male seen
in the area around the mine.
Miss Cox had seen photos of Cornish Rex, and
contacted Brian Stirling-Webb of the Rex 'group' to see if
this cat might be valuable to the breeders working with Rex cats.
She was persuaded to let her pet go to Brian
Stirling-Webb, and repeated unsuccessful efforts were made to
capture his curly sire
Since
Devonshire is very close to Cornwall, site of the
mutation of the Cornish Rex, it was believed that Kirlee
would produce rexed kittens when bred to Cornish queens.
Unfortunately for the Cornish breeders, all the kittens
produced were normal coated, which showed that there were
two genetic mutations that caused rexing of the coat.
The
decision was made to develop both mutations as separate
breeds. Both Cornish and Devon Rex are controlled by
recessive genes.
For additional information, please see our
Devon Rex Breed History page
Characteristics
Devons
are medium framed cats, with the males averaging 8-10
lbs. and the females 5-8 lbs. They are moderately active
and quiet voiced. They tend to have hearty appetites, and
some can tend to put on too much weight if given
unlimited food.
Temperment
The
Devon is a cat with a very people oriented disposition.
They love to be with you, and to 'help' you do all sorts
of activities, from reading to cleaning the house. If you
are seated, you will generally have a Devon in your lap.
If you are standing, you may have one on your shoulder,
if you are lying down, you will generally have one
keeping you company.
Description
The two
most striking features of Devon Rex are their curly coats
and their pixie faces. Many people describe a Devon Rex
as looking like Yoda from "Star Wars" or one of
the Gremlins from the movies of that name. Their coats
sometimes are described as looking like a Persian lamb
coat, but also may look more like the tousled curls of
Little Orphan Annie.
Care and Training
Devons
are very easy to care for. Their wavy coats shed little,
and when bathed dry quickly. Their large ears do seem to
attract a bit more dirt than that of other breeds, so a
weekly cleaning with a cotton swab is helpful.
Many
Devons learn tricks! Lots of them will fetch toys and are
so obsessive about the game that you will tire before
they do. Many like to jump from the floor to your
shoulder and ride there.
Special Medical Problems
Devons
are generally very healthy cats. Genetic problems which
have been seen in the breed include: Cardiomyopathy,
luxating patella, hip dysplasia and spasticity.
Frequently Asked Questions
"What
colors do Devons come in?"
Devons come in all colors - every
color from black to white, and even more exotic colors
like pointed (si-rex)!
"Are
Devon Rex "hypo-allergenic"?"
While there is no truly
"hypo-allergenic" breed of cat, Devon Rex are
more easily tolerated by some people who are sensitive to
cat dander.
Recognition
The
Devon Rex breed is recognized in all associations
Finding a Devon Breeder
How can
you find a Devon Breeder? There are a number of different
ways to find a Devon Breeder.
Newsletters and Clubs
Cat related magazines (like: Cat Fancy and Cats)
Call the registration association near you - they may
refer you to a local breeder.
Please check our Breeeder listings and Getting a Kitten sections
for more ideas and online sources.
References
Rex,
Abyssinian and Turkish Cats, by Alison Ashford and
Grace Pond
The Book of the Cat, Michael Wright, ed.
