Meet the Darling Devon Rex
The Devon Rex looks as if he sprang straight out of a
Japanese anime film. His triangular head, oversize ears and zany personality do
little to deny that this is one unusual cat.
He’s the fascinating result of a natural mutation one that
obviously included a gene for silliness. He likes to ride on shoulders, learn
(and do) tricks and chatter to you about his day. Clad in short, silky, fine
hair, the Devon has a coat that can feel like soft suede, or it can have a
whirled and curled appearance. This is a social and curious cat who loves the
company of his people. He’ll be unhappy if left to his own devices, so choose
this breed only if you’ll enjoy spending plenty of time in his company.
Living with a Devon Rex
The social and affectionate Devon Rex communicates in a
pleasant voice. Trills, coos and chirps supplement the meow and the purr
The Devon Rex enjoys being a lap cat and sleeping under the
covers at night. Think snuggling with an animated hot water bottle covered in
crinkly crushed velvet
This breed’s “wash-and-go” coat is easy to care for. Rub it
lightly with a chamois, or simply run your hand over it. Voila! He’s groomed.
However, his naturally waxy ears need frequent cleaning.
What you should know
The Devon Rex is a medium-size cat and typically weighs 6 to
9 pounds. His coat comes in a wide array of colors and patterns, including
shaded, smoke, tabby, bi-color and pointed.
This breed has a reputation for being hypoallergenic because
of his coat type, but that’s not really true of any cat or dog breed. It’s
dander (dead skin cells), saliva and urine that carry allergens, and all cats
produce those substances. It’s true that some people with cat allergies tolerate
this breed, but spend some time with one to make sure.
The Devon’s lightly furred body may need a sweater in winter
to help him stay warm.
The Devon Rex has certain disease predispositions, including
hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the most common form of heart disease in cats; an
orthopedic condition of the knees called medial patellar luxation; and hair
loss resulting in permanent baldness.
History
The founding, er, feline of the breed was a cat named what else? Kirlee. He was born to a stray cat in
Devonshire, England. The woman caring for the cat, Beryl Cox, was fascinated by
the kitten with the unusual coat. Over the years, several other kittens in the
area were born with “rexed” coats, referring to the genetic mutation that
results in soft, curly fu
Cat fanciers became interested in the new variety, which
turned out to be unrelated genetically to the Cornish Rex. Kirlee was acquired
for a breeding program. By 1967, the Devon had become a recognized breed in
Europe, and in 1968 a breeding program began in the United States. The American
Cat Fanciers Association was the first organization to recognize the cats as a
distinct breed, in 1972. The Cat Fanciers’ Association granted them full
recognition in 1983, and the breed was granted championship status in The
International Cat Association in 1979.
Fun Facts
Like a cat with a sense of humor? The fun-loving and playful
Devon has been described as combining the traits of a cat, a dog, a monkey and
Dennis the Menace. He has a reputation for loving kids and getting along with
all kinds of pets
The Devon’s coat molts as kittens mature. The coat may also
change seasonally. Cats shed, and the Devon is no exception, but his shedding
is less noticeable than that of many other cat breeds.
This is not the classic finicky feline. The Devon Rex loves
to nosh off your plate and will try exotic items such as olives, asparagus tips
or whatever else he can get his paws on. If you don’t offer food, he’ll try to
guilt you out of it with sad and hungry eyes. Guard your steak!
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