Breed Overview
Devon Rex Cats
Origin and History
The Devon Rex story kicked off in 1959 in Devon, England, when a stray's litter produced a curly-haired kitten named Kirlee. According to the Cat Fanciers' Association, Beryl Cox took him in and at first assumed he was just another Cornish Rex variant. Test breedings told a different story — the recessive gene that gave Kirlee his coat sat on a different chromosome entirely, and the Devon Rex was on its way to becoming its own distinct breed, eventually earning CFA recognition in the US.
Physical Characteristics
- Weight: 6–9 pounds (2.7–4 kg), per the CFA breed profile
- Length: 12–16 inches (30–40 cm), per breed registries
- Coat: Short, soft, and "windswept." Think ripplied velvet.
- Colors & Patterns: You name it, they've got it.
- Eyes: Big, oval, and wide-set.
- Distinctive Features: That classic "pixie" look with massive, low-set ears.
- Lifespan: 9–15 years, per PetMD.
- Body Type: Slender and athletic, but surprisingly sturdy.
Cornish Rex Cats
Origin and History
A decade before the Devon, the Cornish Rex appeared in Cornwall, England. A barn cat named Serena birthed a curly-coated male named Kallibunker in 1950. His owner, Nina Ennismore, recognized his unique coat and bred him back to his mother to fix the trait. Per the CFA breed history, the Cornish Rex was accepted for CFA registration in 1962 and reached Championship status two years later. Gandolfi et al. (2013) later traced the curl to a 4-base-pair deletion in the LPAR6 gene — the same family of genes that, when mutated in humans, causes a woolly-hair syndrome.
Physical Characteristics
- Weight: 6–10 pounds (2.7–4.5 kg), per PetMD
- Length: 12–16 inches (30–40 cm), per breed registries
- Coat: Incredibly soft with tight, uniform "marcel waves."
- Colors & Patterns: Every color and pattern imaginable.
- Eyes: Medium to large; usually matches the coat color.
- Distinctive Features: An arched back and a tucked-up tummy, looking a bit like a feline Greyhound.
- Lifespan: 11–15 years, per PetMD.
- Body Type: Elegant, fine-boned, and built for speed.
Understanding the Rex Mutations: A Genetic Breakdown
It's All in the Genes
Cornish Rex Gene (Re)
This dominant gene — now mapped to a 4-base-pair deletion in LPAR6 — strips away the outer guard hairs, leaving only the downy undercoat. That's why they feel like a rabbit — you're touching the softest part of the fur, organized into those signature tight waves.
Devon Rex Gene (re)
Unlike the Cornish, this gene is recessive. It messes with all three hair types (guard, awn, and down), shortening and curling them into a looser, more chaotic ripple.
The Big Secret: If you bred a Devon Rex with a Cornish Rex, you'd end up with kittens that have — wait for it — straight hair. Because the mutations live on different chromosomes, they don't "match," proving once and for all they are entirely different animals under the hood.
Temperament and Personality Face-Off
Devon Rex Personality
The Impish House Guest: Often called "monkeys in cat suits," Devons are famously mischievous. They don't just walk; they bounce. Owners frequently describe them as staying kitten-like well into their senior years, always looking for a way to get into a kitchen cabinet or jump onto a high shelf.
The Shoulder Percher: These cats are obsessed with their humans. Don't be surprised if your Devon decides your shoulder is its permanent throne while you vacuum or do the dishes.
Social Butterflies: They aren't the type to hide when the doorbell rings. Most Devons are the first to greet guests, demanding head scratches from total strangers.
Cornish Rex Personality
The Olympic Gymnast: If there's a high spot in your house, a Cornish Rex will find it. They are incredibly agile and have a vertical leap that would put most cats to shame.
The Professional Snuggler: Because their coats are so thin, they are effectively "heat-seekers." They'll find the warmest spot in the house, which is usually tucked inside your sweater or buried deep under your duvet.
Center of Attention: They are confident, loud, and very demanding of your time. If you aren't playing with them, they'll likely find a way to "help" with whatever you're doing.
Coat, Grooming, and Care
Devon Rex: The "Crushed Velvet" Feel
- Grooming: Keep it simple. A quick wipe with a soft cloth is usually enough. Over-brushing can actually damage their delicate curls.
- Skin Care: They can get a bit oily, so an occasional bath is a good idea to prevent skin issues.
- Climate Control: They get chilly easily. If you're wearing a sweater, your Devon probably needs one too.
Cornish Rex: The "Silk Ripple" Feel
- Grooming: Their hair is incredibly fragile because they lack guard hairs. Use your hands or a very soft brush — never anything harsh.
- Sensitive Skin: Like the Devon, they can get greasy around the toes and ears, so stay on top of ear cleaning.
- Indoor Safety: These cats cannot handle the cold or direct sun. They are strictly indoor companions.
But Are They "Hypoallergenic"?
No cat breed is truly hypoallergenic — and that includes both Rex varieties. Cat allergies are mostly triggered by Fel d 1, a protein secreted in saliva, sebaceous glands, and urine — not by the fur itself. A 2022 review in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery by Andrew Sparkes confirms that even low-shedding breeds like the Devon and Cornish Rex still groom themselves and still spread the allergen. Their reduced shedding does mean less allergen-coated hair drifting through the house, which can help owners with mild sensitivities — but if you have a real cat allergy, spend time with the breed in person before committing.
Health and Lifespan
Devon Rex Realities: You'll want to watch out for Devon Rex Myopathy, a hereditary muscle disorder caused by a variant in the COLQ gene that most often shows up between 3 and 23 weeks of age. A 2015 study in Animal Genetics by Gandolfi and colleagues identified the exact genetic variant responsible, and breeders can now DNA-test for it. Buy only from breeders who provide documented COLQ clearance on both parents.
Devons can also develop HCM (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy), which the Cornell Feline Health Center calls the most common feline heart disease — so regular cardiac auscultation and an echocardiogram before any planned anesthesia are worth it. For a side-by-side look at how the Devon stacks up against another nearly hairless breed, see our Sphynx vs. Devon Rex comparison.
A Note From My Exam Room: A few springs ago, a Devon Rex kitten came into my clinic at around 14 weeks of age. The owner said she had assumed the kitten was simply "a lazy baby." On the exam table, the kitten rested its chin on the floor with a ventroflexed neck, walked with a stiff, short stride, and collapsed into sternal recumbency after two laps of the room. That posture is the classic presentation of hereditary myopathy, and a COLQ test from a reference lab confirmed it a week later. There is no cure, only supportive care — which is why I now hand every prospective Devon Rex owner a short checklist asking breeders, in writing, for both parents' COLQ status.
Cornish Rex Robustness: Per the CFA breed profile, the Cornish Rex is generally a sturdy, vigorous breed with no breed-specific inherited disorders. That said, like all pedigrees, HCM and periodontal disease are still worth screening for. Keep those teeth brushed!
A Note From My Exam Room: On the Cornish Rex side of my practice, owners often tell me they weren't prepared for how quickly the coat can feel greasy. Without the outer guard hairs, sebum tends to build up faster than on a typical shorthair, and what looks like "dandruff" on a towel is usually just surface oil. The CFA breed profile describes the routine I walk new owners through: a mild shampoo, a thorough towel-dry, and never a blow dryer — the heat will undo those signature marcel waves.
Which Breed Is Right For You?
Go with a Devon Rex if:
- You want a tiny, curly-haired shadow that follows you everywhere.
- You don't mind a cat that treats your pantry like a jungle gym.
- You love the "alien-pixie" aesthetic and huge ears.
Go with a Cornish Rex if:
- You want a sleek, elegant athlete that loves to play fetch.
- You're looking for a permanent lap warmer and bed-hog.
- You prefer the look of a tiny, velvet Greyhound.
Which one of these curly-coated characters sounds like they'd fit into your life? Just remember — once you go Rex, you never go back!