HISTORY

The first Devon Rex Cat was a stray tom living wild in a disused tin mine near Buckfastleigh in Devon. It was hoped to breed from him, but despite many attempts to catch him, he always eluded capture. However; in 1960 he mated with a stray tortie-and-white female and she produced a litter of kittens. This female had been befriended by a Miss Beryl Co; who lived near the tin mine, and who had been observing the strange-looking tom for some time. The litter was born in a field at the bottom of her garden and, taking a close look at them, she was able to see that one of the kittens, a male, had the same curly coat as the wild torn. She took this kitten and reared it carefully in her home. Named 'Kirlee', it was to become the founding father of the Devon Rex breed. 

Miss Cox had seen photographs of the Cornish Rex 'Kallibunker', who had been discovered nearby ten years earlier, and contacted the group who were developing that breed, with a view to a mating. They took Kirlee and mated him with several of the female descendants of Kallibunker, but to their astonishment found that all the kittens born from these pairings were straight-haired. Despite repeated attempts, the Cornish X Devon Rex did not produce a single curly- haired Rex Cat. They were therefore forced to the surprising conclusion that, despite the geographical closeness, the wavy- haired gene in the Devon Rex was not the same as the one which was causing wavy hair in the Cornish Rex breed. 

The two recessive genes were therefore named: Gene 1 (Cornish) Rex, and Gene 2 (Devon) Rex (They have been given the gene symbols 'r' and 're' respectively. 

Because of this difference, the only way to establish the Devon Rex as a distinct breed was to in-breed from Kirlee. A similar in-breeding program had been successfully employed with Kallibunker. Kirlee was mated with his daughters and before long the Devon Rex Cat was safely established.

PERSONALITY

Terms that have been used to describe this breed include: friendly, lively, affectionate, playful, intelligent, mischievous, impish, enterprising, active, inquisitive, extrovert. It has been called 'a feline comedian' and 'a monkey in cat's clothing'. The breed is known to have several dog-like qualities: it retrieves; it follows its owner and wags its tail when pleased.

Devon's are happy, cheeky, outgoing, intelligent curly-coated balls of fun. They have elf-like faces, and big bat ears. I'm sure all cat owners say this, but they are like no other breed of cat. Their coats look like they've been permed with a curling iron, and are velvety soft to touch.

Devon's will follow you all over the house, wherever you are that's where they want to be.

They love to sit on your shoulder or lie across your neck. They may even try to sit on your lap while you're on the loo. Some will retrieve thrown toys almost endlessly. Rexes are great ‘Fetchers’ they learn very quickly how to chase and retrieve a rolled up piece of paper, and then drop it at your feet. They love going for a walk on a lead.

People, who are cat-allergic, are less likely to suffer with Devon's than with other breeds. This is because Devon's have very few guard hair compared with other cats. Allergens are usually spread around when a cat grooms and sheds guard hair. The best way to check if you are allergic is to have a play and pat session with a Devon and see if you have any reaction. Be sure to take any medication you may need with you, before you visit in case of emergency.