With his high cheekbones, big eyes, long legs, slender body, and unusual hairstyle, the Devon Rex looks like the feline incarnation of waiflike model Kate Moss. Like his cousin, the Cornish Rex, the Devon has a wavy coat, but his has a looser curl than that of the Cornish.
Did You Know the Devon Rex is Highly Intelligent and Active?
The Devon Rex is said to resemble a pixie — both in physical features and in temperament. He is a mischievous and playful cat.
The Devon Rex is often said to resemble a pixie, and if you know anything about folklore, you know that pixies are mischievous little troublemakers. The Devon is highly intelligent and highly active. Expect him to be perched on your shoulder, at your side, or in your lap, avidly supervising everything you do. He is capable of jumping to great heights — think the top of your tallest bookshelf — and loves learning tricks, including playing the piano. With his playful, outgoing nature, the Devon Rex is a good choice for families with older children, other pets, or frequent guests. He is a good traveler and makes an excellent therapy cat.
You may hear that the Devon Rex coat is hypoallergenic because of its texture, but that is not correct. Allergies are not caused by a particular coat type but by dander, the dead skin cells that are shed by all cats (and people, for that matter). There is no scientific evidence that any breed or crossbreed is more or less allergenic than any other cat. Some people with allergies react less severely to particular cats, but no reputable breeder will guarantee that her cats are hypoallergenic.
The Devon Rex is well suited to any home with people who will love him, play with him, and give him the attention he seeks. Keep him indoors to protect him from sunburn, cars, diseases spread by other cats, and attacks from other animals.
Other Quick Facts About the Devon Rex
The Devon Rex has huge ears that are wide at the base and set low on the head. They frame the cat’s face and give him an elfin expression. Some Devons have tufts of hair on the ears that resemble earmuffs.
The eyes of the Devon Rex can be any color, including blue, usually seen in colorpoints, and aqua, usually seen in mink-colored cats.
