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. The breed is similar to another spontaneous mutation, the Cornish rex, which was discovered -- also in England -- about a decade earlier. At first glance the two breeds may appear identical, but there are actually several distinct differences: - Coat: The Cornish rex's coat is less fuzzy; the wave is more even, almost a marcel-type (figure A). The Devon rex's coat, which comes in all the colors of the cat rainbow, has a very short, soft, relaxed wave that feels like suede.
- Body: The Cornish rex has a longer and sleeker body than the Devon rex (figure B).
- Head: The Devon rex has a smaller, oval-shaped head.
The Devon rex has a number of traits that set it apart from many other breeds: - Intensely curious and anxious to explore everything
- Loving and affectionate to humans and other pets
- Charming and good-humored even into maturity
- Non-shedding (makes it a good choice for people with cat allergies)
- Active, easily trained (gives it a reputation for being dog-like)
- Warm to the touch (due to its slightly higher body temperature).
The Devon rex is generally a healthy breed, but it can suffer from a hereditary condition known as hereditary hypotrichosis (sparseness or total absence of hair). This condition shouldn't be confused with the normal sparse hair -- especially on the head and face -- of young Devon rex kittens, which normally get their full adult coat by 1 year of age. Because of their short hair and higher-than-normal temperature, Devon rex cats should always be indoor pets. To find a Devon rex kitten, seek out a reputable breeder, one whose knowledge of the breed is extensive and who can possibly provide references. Check to see that the cattery is clean and neat and that the cats are all healthy: no watery eyes, runny noses, coughing or sneezing. Also find out whether kittens have been inoculated for feline leukemia virus and feline immunodefiency virus, two deadly diseases. Remember that Devon rex cats are extremely social animals; more than probably any other breed, they can pick up on other creatures' emotions. They absolutely won't tolerate a bad mood and will demand attention if they feel their person isn't in a good enough mood. They also positively hate to be alone. In fact, they love company so much, they can become depressed if left alone too long. All things considered, in fact, it just might be a good idea to adopt two Devon rex kittens instead of just one! Web site resources for Devon Rex cats: Cat Fanciers Association Devon Rex Breed Profile
RESOURCES :
Devon Rex Cat
Model: 1562395807
Author: Stuart A. Kallen
Checkerboard Library
September 1998
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