Devon Rex
History
The Devon Rex is a relatively new breed of cat with a sparse, curly, very soft coat similar to that of the Cornish Rex. The first Devon was discovered in Buckfastleigh, Devon, UK in 1960 amongst a litter of Feral Kittens, initially thought to be linked with the Cornish Rex; however, test mating proved otherwise. Cats have three types of Hair; guard hair, awn hair, and down hair. The Cornish Rex's coat is unusual because there is no guard hair. In the Devon Rex, all types of hair are present but are abnormal in texture. More information on the layers is available under Cornish Rex. See also the Sphynx breed for more information on hair-deficient genetics in cats.
Appearance
The curl in Devon Rex fur is caused by a different mutation and gene than that of the Cornish Rex and German Rex, and breeding of a Devon to either of those cats results in cats without rexed (curled) fur. Devons, which are medium sized cats, are often called "pixie cats" or "alien cats" because of their unique appearance. Their uncommonly large ears are set low on the sides of their wide heads, their eyes are large, and their noses are slightly upturned. Their body type is distinctly lightly-built. Their long, sturdy legs are great for long leaps, and their toes are unusually large. Toe colour varies from fur colour to fur colour Devon Rex cats come in most colours.
Behaviour
The typical Devon is active, mischievous, playful, and very people-oriented. They have been described as a cross between a cat, a dog and a monkey. They are high-jumpers and will try to occupy any space large enough to admit them. With this trait, they are often found in odd nooks and crannies of a closet, shelf, or occasional laundry basket. They're relatively easy to take care of. Most Devons also have one central person who they devote their love to. This person is who they will most often lay upon and rub on. They like to playfully bite, and will bite strangers they do not recognize.
The Devon Rex has a coarser coat than the Cornish Rex, but is similar in build, being muscular yet dainty, but different in face. A firm, medium-sized cat with a long tail and huge ears.
- Coat. Very short, fine, wavy and soft, not shaggy, but coarser than that of the Cornish, due to the presence of minute guard hairs. Short curly whiskers and eyebrows, which tend to be brittle.
- Body. Medium in size, slender, hard and muscular. Broad in the chest; carried high on long, slim legs.
- Hind legs generally longer than forelegs.
- Feet small and oval.
- Tail. Long, fine and tapering, covered with short curly fur. No kinks.
- Head. A rounded wedge with a flat top, set on a slender neck. Rounded cheeks with a whisker break, and a definite nose break in profile. Ears set low on the head, very large, with or without ear muffs and tufts; wide at the base, rounded at the tips, and covered in very fine soft fur.
- Eyes. Wide-set, large, oval and slightly slanted.
Most colours and coat patterns are acceptable for competition, including the Himalayan coat pattern (Si-Rex). In the United Kingdom in the Cornish Rex any white markings should be symmetrical (except in Tortoiseshell-and-white), and in the Devon Rex any white markings are unacceptable (except in Tortoiseshell-and white), as are Bi colours at present, In the United States chocolate, lilac and Si-Rex are not acceptable at the present time, but most other colours and combinations of colours and patterns are currently recognized. Eye colour should be in keeping with the coat colour or pale green, yellow or gold. White Rex may be gold, blue or odd-eyed (one gold, one blue); Si-Rex must be blue.
See Also Rex Cat
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