The Devon Rex, the Pixie of the Cat Fancy, sports
oversized ears on an elfin face with large impish eyes. This
adorable combination only hints at the mad-cap personality
within – a cross, some say, between a cat, a dog, a monkey,
and Dennis the Menace. They are a fun and fun-loving breed
with a relaxed and social attitude rarely associated with cats.
Delightfully silly in both appearance and antics, Devons are
interested in everything and everyone around them. Their
playful nature means Devons easily learn tricks and are always
up for a game of hide-and-seek, tag, or fetch.
This unique breed possesses intensely loyal, human-loving,
dog-like qualities. A person must be prepared to be owned
by a Devon. A Devon will eat with you, sleep with you, and
perch cozily on your shoulder while you are on the computer
or reading. They will follow you around the house, sit at your
feet, or jump on your lap the minute you sit down. A Devon
will accompany you on your household chores, happily trilling,
cooing, and chirping as they look for ways to help. Children
and Devons are naturals as best friends and tireless playmates.
Family members will frequently find a Devon nestled in their
laps or cradled in their arms. You should not be surprised
to find a Devon tucked in bed with you or another family
member, snuggled underneath the covers or firmly settled
onto a pillow. Devons remain kittens at heart forever, and
their loving nature connects them deeply with every family
member.
The social nature of the Devon makes them unsuited to
spending long periods of time without companionship.
Devons do not discriminate in terms of the company they
keep. They do very well with people, other Devons (often
creating a “Devon pile”), cats, dogs, and even the occasional
bird, ferret, or rabbit.
Words of caution: Devons are food hounds. Whether it is the
traditional burger and fries or the more unusual asparagus
tips, grapes, or olives, be prepared to guard your dinner plate
from the fast and crafty Devon in the house. They never turn
down a meal and would be happy to assist you with yours.
Do not be taken in by the pleading or the heartbreakingly
pitiful expressions that would suggest they have not had a
meal in weeks.
The appearance of the Devon Rex is far from ordinary, given
their long skinny necks, oddly shaped heads, ridiculously big
ears, and coat that can range from wildly curly to a soft suedelike
down. They really are 100% feline, even if they seem
to be 99% personality and 1% cat. Adult Devons are midsized
cats, averaging six to nine pounds, with males heavier
than females. 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.
Devons are low maintenance, wash-and-wear companions.
Despite popular myth, Devons are not hypoallergenic. They
do shed, although their unique coat may make the shedding
hair less obtrusive than that of many cats. While some people
with animal allergies tolerate Devons very well, anyone
with allergy issues should arrange to handle a Devon before
considering acquiring one.
They may look like they have just arrived on Earth on an alien
spaceship, but they are a natural mutation. They originated
in Devonshire, England, in the late 1950s when a Miss Cox
found that a stray cat in her care had given birth to a rather
odd looking curly-haired kitten. Delighted with the kitten’s
elfin features and wavy curls, she named him Kirlee – the
founding father of this unique breed.
Mother Nature created the feline oddity, this lithe and
winsome pixie cat. Man had no hand in the mutation, but
man did step in and make it possible for the mutation to
survive and flourish, providing cat lovers around the globe the
opportunity to meet, love, and be loved by one of nature’s true
miracles – the Devon Rex cat. Colors include a wide array of
solid, shaded, smoke, tabby, bi-color, and pointed patterns.
When selecting your Devon Rex kitten or cat, it is important
you take the time to properly interview and get to know a
breeder, as this will be to your advantage when looking
for a Devon Rex to join your family. Breeders will usually
make kittens available between the ages of 14 to 16 weeks,
when they have had sufficient time with their mother and
littermates to be well socialized and old enough to have been
fully vaccinated. Keeping your Devon indoors, neutering or
spaying, and providing acceptable surfaces (e.g. scratching
posts) for the natural behavior of scratching (CFA disapproves
of declawing or tendonectomy surgery) are essential elements
for maintaining a healthy, long, and joyful life.
For more information, please send
inquiries to CFA at cfa@cfa.org.