Cornish Rex vs. Devon Rex: The Ultimate Curly Cat Comparison

Quick Comparison: Cornish Rex vs. Devon Rex

Origins and History

Cornish Rex History

The Cornish Rex got its start in Cornwall, England, in 1950. It all began with a cream-colored kitten named Kallibunker who sported a coat of tight, unusual curls. This look was thanks to a spontaneous genetic mutation that left him with only the soft undercoat — known as down hair — and none of the coarser guard hairs most cats have, according to the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA). After consulting her vet and a noted geneticist, Kallibunker's owner, Nina Ennismore, bred the kitten back to his mother to lock in the look. (She took the name from her experience with curly Rex rabbits.)

Breeders jumped at the chance to preserve this look, and the Cornish Rex was accepted for CFA registration in 1962 and achieved Championship status two years later (CFA). One weird fact: even though they both came from the same part of the world and have curly hair, the Cornish and Devon mutations are genetically distinct. The Cornish Rex mutation was identified in 2013 as a 4-base-pair deletion in the LPAR6 gene, which is essential for maintaining the structural integrity of the hair shaft (Gandolfi et al., PLoS ONE, 2013; also summarized at Wikipedia: Cornish Rex). The Devon Rex mutation, by contrast, shortens the guard hairs rather than eliminating them. The two are not complementary: breeding them together gives you straight-haired kittens, not curly ones.

Devon Rex History

The Devon Rex popped up about ten years later in — you guessed it — Devon, England. In 1959, a stray cat produced a curly-haired male named Kirlee in the garden of Beryl Cox, and he was offered to the Cornish Rex breeding program as a potential stud. Everyone assumed he was just another Cornish Rex, but test breedings proved otherwise — Kirlee's curls came from a completely separate genetic mutation.

While the Cornish Rex has no outer guard hairs in its coat, the Devon Rex has some guard hairs that are very sparse, short, and rexed, creating a looser, more open wave (CFA: Devon Rex). The breed took off in the UK during the 1960s and made its way across the pond to the United States a decade later.

Physical Appearance

Cornish Rex Appearance

If you've ever seen a greyhound, you've basically seen a Cornish Rex in cat form. The CFA breed standard describes the breed as "the racy elegance of a greyhound paired with the playful personality of a clown." They are built for speed and elegance.

• Build: Sleek, slender, and athletic with a distinctive arch to their back.
• Head: Egg-shaped with high cheekbones and an elegant "Roman" nose.
• Ears: Large and full from the base, erect and alert, set high on the head.
• Eyes: Medium to large ovals, slanting slightly upward, in any color.
• Coat: Short, extremely soft, silky, and completely free of guard hairs, in a tight marcel wave.
• Body: Fine-boned and surprisingly graceful.
• Tail: Long, slender, and tapering, extremely flexible.

Devon Rex Appearance

The Devon Rex looks like something out of a fairy tale — or maybe a sci-fi movie. The CFA calls their look "pixie-like" and describes the breed as "if you could cross a cat and an elf."

• Build: Sturdier and more muscular than they look; medium-fine frame with a surprising heft.
• Head: A short, broad modified wedge with pronounced cheekbones and full cheeks.
• Ears: Strikingly large, set very low on the sides of the head, with wide bases.
• Eyes: Large and wide-set ovals that slope toward the outer edges of the ears.
• Coat: Short, soft, and curls inwards in a loose, rippled wave; some areas may have bare patches.
• Body: Medium-sized, broad in the chest, with hind legs slightly longer than the front.
• Face: High cheekbones and a look that says they're definitely planning something.

Coat Differences: Texture and Care

Cornish Rex Coat Characteristics

• The Vibe: Think crushed velvet or silk. It's incredibly soft to the touch.
• The "No-Hair" Look: Since they lack guard hairs, they feel warmer than other cats (they're basically little radiators). The CFA breed standard describes the Cornish as "surprisingly heavy and warm to the touch."
• The Pattern: Very organized, uniform marcel waves.
• Shedding: Practically non-existent, though no cat is truly hypoallergenic — allergies are triggered by the Fel d 1 protein in saliva and skin, not fur length (Sparkes, Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 2022; see also Wikipedia: Cornish Rex).
• Pro Tip: Put the brush away. Use your hands or a soft cloth to groom them; their fur is delicate. The CFA also warns against blow-dryers, which will ruin the curl.

Devon Rex Coat Characteristics

• The Vibe: Soft, but the texture varies. Some feel like suede, others more like a soft wool sweater.
• The Shag: The curls are looser and more random, often with crinkled whiskers and eyebrows.
• Shedding: Very low, though they may have "bald" or "sueded" spots during seasonal changes, especially on the temples and belly.
• Ear Alert: Those massive ears are wax magnets. You'll need to clean them out weekly to avoid infections (CFA: Devon Rex).

Personality and Temperament

Cornish Rex: The High-Flying Athlete

A Cornish Rex doesn't just walk; they sprint and leap. In my own practice, I've seen several Cornish Rex patients who turn the exam room into a sprinting track — and then insist on being scooped up before they vanish under the cabinet.

• Non-stop Energy: They stay kitten-like for years. If you want a cat that just sits on the sofa, look elsewhere.
• Heat-Seeking Missiles: Because their coats are so thin, they will find the warmest spot in the house — often your neck or under the covers. The CFA notes they "are easily chilled in cold weather, so you may want to provide yours with a sweater."
• Brainy & Food-Motivated: They love food puzzles and can be taught to fetch. They are also notorious for trying to eat vegetables, fruits, and other edibles that most cats ignore — keep an eye on what's left on the counter.

Devon Rex: The Impish Shadow

If the Cornish is an athlete, the Devon is a clown. The CFA describes them as "part court jester, part soulmate."

• The Helper: A Devon Rex needs to be involved in whatever you're doing. Making dinner? They're on your shoulder. Typing? They're on the keyboard. Working from home with a Devon around means you're never really alone.
• Mischief Maker: They are notorious for opening cabinets and "borrowing" small items from your nightstand. One Devon Rex I fostered quickly figured out how to open the bathroom cabinet and steal hair ties — just to bat them under the fridge at 2 a.m.
• Dog-Like: They will follow you from room to room just to see what you're up to and will usually greet you at the door when you get home. They are also happy to walk on a leash and learn tricks.

Grooming and Maintenance Guide

Cornish Rex Grooming

Workload: Almost Zero You really don't need to do much here. A quick wipe-down with a chamois cloth once in a while is enough to keep them shiny. The CFA also points out that some Cornish Rex get greasy over time and benefit from an occasional bath — towel-dry only, never blow-dry.

Be careful in the summer — they can get sunburned because their thin fur (with no guard hairs) doesn't provide enough UV protection. The CFA cautions that "the lack of guard hairs makes the coat fragile and it may not provide sufficient protection from the sun (yes, cats can get sunburned)." For light-colored cats, the Cornell Feline Health Center recommends pet-safe sunscreen on the ear tips and nose to help prevent skin cancer.

Devon Rex Grooming

Workload: Low (but don't skip the ears) Their coat is sturdier than the Cornish, but still shouldn't be scrubbed. The big time-sink is those ears. Check them once a week for wax buildup to avoid infections, as recommended by the CFA.

Health and Lifespan

Cornish Rex Health

Most live a long, happy 12–16 years.

• The Cold: They have a tough time regulating heat. If you're cold, they are freezing.
• Heart Health: Like many breeds, they should be screened for HCM (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy). According to the Cornell Feline Health Center, HCM is the most common heart disease in cats and is more prevalent in certain breeds, with genetic mutations identified in some affected cats. Screening is done by echocardiography (ultrasound of the heart), ideally before breeding and as part of routine senior care.

Devon Rex Health

Usually stays healthy for 9–15 years.

• Muscle Weakness: There is a rare hereditary condition called Devon Rex myopathy (also called "spasticity") to watch out for. It is caused by a variant in the COLQ gene and typically appears between 3 and 23 weeks of age (Malik et al., Journal of Small Animal Practice, 1993; Gandolfi et al., Animal Genetics, 2015; see also Wikipedia: Devon Rex). Affected kittens can stabilize, but the condition often progresses — talk to your vet if you see gait abnormalities in a young Devon.
• Joints: They can occasionally suffer from luxating patellas (kneecaps that pop out of place). The American College of Veterinary Surgeons describes patellar luxation as a developmental condition in which the kneecap rides outside the femoral groove, and recommends that affected animals not be bred because the condition has a heritable component.
• Blood Type: Because type B is unusually common in the Devon Rex gene pool, the CFA recommends breeders perform genetic testing and watch for neonatal blood-type incompatibilities.

A Note on Veterinary Care

This guide is intended for general information only. Breed predispositions do not guarantee that any individual cat will develop a given condition, and many of the conditions above (HCM, myopathy, luxating patella) can only be diagnosed by a veterinarian. If you're considering a Cornish Rex or a Devon Rex, ask your breeder about the health screening they perform, and schedule a wellness exam with your own veterinarian soon after bringing a new cat home.

Which Curly Cat Wins?

Go with a Cornish Rex if:

• You love the look of a sleek, elegant athlete.
• You want a cat that will play hard and then snuggle under the blankets with you.
• You prefer a "tidy" wavy coat that feels like velvet.

Go with a Devon Rex if:

• You want a "dog-cat" that follows you everywhere.
• You have a sense of humor and don't mind a cat that steals your hair ties.
• You're a fan of that unique, big-eared "pixie" look.

Choosing between these two is really a "win-win." Both the Cornish and Devon Rex are total characters that will keep you entertained for years. It mostly comes down to the vibe you want: the athletic, velvet-coated grace of the Cornish, or the mischievous, big-eared curiosity of the Devon. Just be prepared—once you go Rex, a "normal" cat coat might never feel quite soft enough again. Which one is currently calling your name?