Devon Rex

Nicely "mid-sized" cats, adult Devons average six to nine pounds, with males heavier than females. While an even, full coat of loose curls is ideal for the show ring, the Devon coat varies greatly between individuals, ranging from an almost shaggy mop of loose curls in some to a thin suede-like coat in others that may leave some areas nearly bare. The coat may vary over the life of the cat, with some kittens dropping much of their coat ("molting") during their development, and some adult coats changing seasonally. Even though their body temperature is the same as other cats, many Devons are surprisingly warm to the touch due to a lighter, less insulating coat. Not surprisingly, Devons tend to be "heat seekers," and are often found lounging on televisions, computer monitors and heater vents. On chilly nights, Devons make superb bed warmers, often sneaking under the covers to stay warm and share body heat with their favorite people.

History

The Devon didn't settle into the unsuspecting laps of us humans until 1960. The father of the Devon breed, a feral, curly-coated tom, lived around an abandoned tin mine near Devonshire, England. He mated with a straight-coated calico female that produced a litter of kittens in the garden of cat fancier Beryl Cox. One of the kittens, a brownish-black male that Cox named Kirlee, had the same short, curly coat as his father. Breeders think that the calico female and the curly-coated male must have been related, since the Devon Rex gene that governs the curly coat is recessive and must be present in both parents to manifest in the offspring.

At first, Kirlee was thought to be related to the Cornish Rex. Subsequent matings between Kirlee and the cats of Cornish breeder Brian Stirling-Webb resulted in only straight-coated offspring, from which Cox and Webb concluded that the two breeds were unrelated. The name Devon Rex was adopted for the new breed, and a breeding program established.

The first Devon was imported to the United States in 1968. In 1972 ACFA became the first United States association to accept the Devon for Championship. The Devon was accepted by TICA in 1979 (the year TICA formed). The CFA recognized the Devon for Championship in 1983.

Through careful outcrossing, breeders have expanded the Devon Rex gene pool while retaining the integrity of the breed. While it has never quite caught up to the Cornish Rex in popularity, the Devon has made great strides and is seen more and more frequently in the show halls and judging rings.

It is thought that the gene responsible for the Devon's curly coat resulted from a spontaneous mutation in the domestic cat gene pool, but exactly when and where this occurred is unknown. The father of the Devon breed as we know it was a feral, curly-coated tom that lived around an abandoned tin mine near Buckfastleigh, Devon, England. He mated with a straight-coated calico female who in 1960 produced a litter of kittens in the garden of cat lover Beryl Cox. One of these kittens, a brownish-black male that Cox named Kirlee, had his father's short, curly coat.

At first, Kirlee was thought to be a member of the Cornish rex breed, which had been discovered in Cornwall, England, 10 years before, and so was sent to Cornish breeder Brian Sterling-Webb. However, after Kirlee mated with nine separate Cornish queens and produced only straight-coated offspring, breeders concluded that the two breeds were unrelated. The name Devon rex was adopted for the breed's place of origin, and a breeding program was established. Test matings determined that the gene responsible for the curly coat was recessive. Breeders think that Kirlee's parents must have been related, since a recessive gene must be inherited from both parents to manifest in offspring. To keep the breed healthy and expand the gene pool, Devon rex cats were crossed with Burmese and British and American shorthairs.

The first Devon was imported to the United States in 1968. In 1972, ACFA granted the Devon championship status, and TICA followed in 1979. The CFA awarded championship in 1983. Today, all associations except TCA recognize the breed. While never quite as popular as the Cornish rex, the Devon has made great strides and has a steadily growing fan club. Since the gene pool is still small, American and British shorthairs will be used in Devon breeding programs until May 1, 2003, to keep the breed healthy.

Appearance

The Devon's body is slender and medium long with fine boning, and is carried high on long slim legs. But don't let that fool you - under that curly coat are strong, hard muscles. The hind legs are somewhat longer than the front.

The Devon's head shape is unique as well; the head is a modified wedge shape with a flat skull, a short, well-developed muzzle, pronounced cheekbones, and prominent whisker pads with a whisker break. The ears are strikingly large, wide at the base, rounded at the tips, and set low on the head rather than upright. The oval eyes are large and wide set and slope toward outer edges of ears.

The Devon's wavy coat, of course, is the most celebrated feature. The coat is short on the back, sides, upper legs and tail, and very short on the head, ears, neck, paws, chest and abdomen. The soft, fine, wavy hair is eminently petable, and you don't come away with a handful of hair afterwards.

Unlike the Cornish rex coat that lacks guard hairs, the Devon's coat has all three hair types: guard, awn and down. However, the guard hairs are fragile and stunted, and the whiskers are often missing altogether. The hairs break easily and therefore this breed can develop bald patches that remain until the next hair growth cycle, typically spring and fall.

All colors and patterns are accepted including the colorpoint (Siamese) pattern. However, since the breed is comparatively rare, not all colors are available. Common colors and patterns include bicolor, black smoke, tortoiseshell, tabbies in silver, red, and brown, solid black, solid blue, and solid white with gold, blue, or odd eyes (one of each color).

Personality

Devons have been compared to pixies, elves, and, of course, space aliens for their jumbo-sized satellite-dish ears, large, mischievous "window-to-the-soul" eyes, and ethereal appearance. Fanciers laud the "poodle cat" (as the breed is affectionately called), as people-oriented snugglers that love nothing better than to cuddle up with you at night and wake you in the morning with hugs, kisses and purrs of affection. And since the Devon sheds less than other breeds, you can snuggle back without fear of covering yourself in cat hair.

But there's lots of other reasons to acquire a Devon besides their coats: their loyalty, devotion, playfulness, courage, and intelligence, just to name a few of the qualities that make them a good choice for the cat-obsessed. Devons are shoulder perchers, lap sitters, tail waggers, and retrievers of tossed cat toys. They have a well-developed sense of curiosity and want to be involved in whatever you're doing, whether it's peeling potatoes for dinner or showering for a Saturday night date.

The Devon personality has been aptly described as a cross between a cat, a monkey, and "Dennis the Menace." Devons are highly active, playful and involved with everything. Powerful jumpers, very few spots large enough to hold them will not be explored and occupied. Devons have been found climbing brick fireplaces and perching on top of doors.

Although little escapes a Devon's interest, Devons are very people-oriented. Most Devons invite themselves along for every activity -- preferably perched on a shoulder, lap, or wherever they can be closest to their people. They are accomplished food mooches, with "anything they aren't supposed to be into" only slightly less appealing than "anything you are eating." Many a bag of snack food left unattended for an eyeblink has suddenly sprouted two legs and a tail, with a Devon contentedly grazing inside.

Devons are low maintenance, wash-and-wear companions. Their large ears occasionally require cleaning, but otherwise a quick shampoo and towel dry (or even a wipedown with a damp cloth) and a nail-trim is all the grooming most Devons require. Despite popular myth, Devons do shed (as does anything with hair), although their unique coat may make the shed hair less obtrusive than that of many cats. Devons have also gained a dubious reputation as being "hypo-allergenic," but this varies according to an individual's personal allergies. While some people with animal allergies tolerate Devons very well, anyone with allergy issues should arrange to handle a Devon before considering acquiring one.

Devons may look like pixies but they are completely catlike in character. They love nothing better than to cuddle with you all night and wake you in the morning with forehead kisses and purrs of affection. And since Devons shed little, you can snuggle back without coming away covered with cat hair.

Devons are loyal, devoted, playful, fearless and intelligent, just to name a few of the qualities that make them good choices for the cat-obsessed. Devons are shoulder-perchers, lap-sitters, tail-waggers, and retrievers of tossed cat toys. They have a well-developed sense of curiosity, too. Never far from your side, Devons involve themselves in every activity, whether it's preparing dinner, surfing the Internet, or lounging in front of the TV. Reserved? Independent? Aloof? No one here by that description.

Conformation

While the Cornish's coat lacks guard hairs, the Devon's coat contains all three hair types (guard, awn, and down), but the guard hairs are typically fragile and stunted, and the whisker hairs are often missing altogether. The hairs break easily and therefore this breed can develop bald patches that remain until the next hair growth cycle (typically fall and spring). Devons need very little grooming; their favorite grooming tool is your hand, applied on their heads and down their backs.