Devon Rex

If you ever wanted a pet that is part cat, part dog, part monkey, and part alien, look no further than the Devon Rex. With their oversized ears, large eyes, and wavy coats, they look like woodland pixies—and they act like them too. They are intensely affectionate, hilarious, and never boring.

1. History and Origins: The Buckfastleigh Mystery

The Devon Rex is a relatively young breed.

Kirlee the Curl

It all started in 1960 in Devon, England. Beryl Cox found a feral tomcat with a curly coat living in a tin mine. One of the stray females he mated with produced a kitten with the same curly fur. Cox named him Kirlee.

A New Mutation

At first, breeders thought Kirlee was related to the Cornish Rex (another curly breed). However, test matings proved that the gene for the Devon’s coat was a completely different mutation. The breed was officially recognized in 1967.

2. Appearance: The Alien Cat

The Devon Rex is unlike any other cat.

The Head

They have a unique head shape described as a “modified wedge” with strong cheekbones, a short muzzle, and a “stop” (break) in the nose profile.

The Ears

Their ears are gigantic, set low on the head, and very wide at the base. They frame the face and give the cat an alert, elfin expression.

The Coat

The coat is soft, fine, and rippled (rexed). It is very short and lacks the stiff guard hairs of normal cats. Some Devons have very sparse hair on their bellies and necks.

• Whiskers: Even their whiskers and eyebrows are short and crinkled!

3. Personality: A Velcro Monkey

Devon Rex cats are not for people who want an aloof ornament. They want to be on you.

Shoulder Riders

They love high perches, and their favorite perch is often your shoulder. They will ride around the house with you, supervising your cooking and cleaning.

Insatiable Appetite

Despite their small, slender bodies, Devons are food-obsessed. They will steal food from your plate, your counters, and even your mouth if you aren’t careful.

Playful

They are tireless players. They fetch, learn tricks, and can open doors. They retain their kitten-like energy well into their senior years.

4. Care and Needs

Warmth

Because their coat is so thin, they get cold easily. They are heat-seeking missiles. Expect them to sleep under the covers with you, sit on top of your warm electronics, or sunbathe in the smallest ray of light.

Grooming

Their coat is very low maintenance. In fact, brushing can damage the delicate hairs. A gentle wipe with a cloth is usually enough. They do, however, have greasy skin (similar to the Sphynx) and may need occasional baths to prevent oil buildup.

Ear Cleaning

Their large ears can accumulate wax and dirt, so regular cleaning is necessary.

5. Health and Lifespan

Devon Rex cats are generally healthy but have a few breed-specific concerns.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)

Heart disease is a potential risk.

Patellar Luxation

Slipping kneecaps can occur in the breed.

Hereditary Myopathy (Devon Rex Myopathy)

A rare muscle disorder that causes muscle weakness and fatigue. It typically appears in kittens. DNA testing is available.

6. Is a Devon Rex Right for You?

Pros

• Personality: One of the most affectionate and funny breeds.
• Low Shedding: Sheds very little (though not truly hypoallergenic).
• Size: Compact and easy to handle.

Cons

• Clingy: Cannot be left alone; can suffer separation anxiety.
• Mischievous: Will steal food and get into trouble.
• Maintenance: Needs warmth and ear cleaning.

7. Living With a Devon Rex: Day-to-Day Reality

The Devon Rex is one of the most immersive cat-ownership experiences available. They do not settle for peripheral involvement in your life—they insert themselves fully into every moment of it.

The Food Thief

The Devon Rex’s relationship with food is legendary. They are not simply food-motivated—they are food-obsessed. They will steal from your plate the moment your attention wanders, hover over cooking pots with unnerving interest, and learn the sound of every crinkled wrapper in the house. Secure your food. Store things away. Never leave a plate unattended. Some Devon Rex owners have resorted to squirt bottles at the dinner table—with limited success.

The Shoulder Companion

Many Devon Rex cats have a preferred perch: your shoulder. They learn early that the highest point in the room is often the human shoulder, and they will scale your leg and torso to reach it. Once established, they will ride your shoulder like a parrot while you cook, type, answer the door, and even make phone calls. Most adapt to this quickly and find it charming.

The Separation Challenge

A Devon Rex left alone in an empty house is not a happy Devon Rex. They form extremely tight bonds with their humans and experience genuine distress during prolonged absences. If you work long hours away from home, a second cat—ideally another Devon Rex or a similarly social breed—is strongly recommended. Many owners also leave low-volume audio (radio, television) on during the day to provide ambient company.

Warmth-Seeking Behaviour

Because their coat provides so little insulation, Devon Rex cats are perpetual heat-seekers. They will locate and occupy the warmest available spot at all times—the sunniest window, a switched-on laptop, a just-used mug of tea, or directly against your skin under the duvet. In winter, heated cat beds are one of the best investments you can make for a Devon Rex.

8. Fascinating Facts About the Devon Rex

• A Different Gene from the Cornish: Despite both being curly-coated “Rex” breeds found in England within a decade of each other, the Devon Rex and Cornish Rex carry completely different genes. When the two breeds were experimentally crossed in the early 1960s, all offspring had straight hair—proving the mutations are genetically incompatible recessive genes.
• Crinkled Whiskers: Devon Rex cats have whiskers and eyebrows that are as short and curled as their coat. This is one of the most distinctive features of the breed and gives them their signature surprised, wide-eyed expression.
• The “Wash and Go” Coat: Because the Devon Rex coat is made almost entirely of fine down hairs without the coarser guard hairs of a normal cat, it has a completely different texture—softer, warmer, and far more fragile. Over-brushing can damage the hairs and cause bald patches, so gentle handling is essential.
• Kirlee’s Legacy: The single founding cat, Kirlee, was initially going to be used to strengthen the Cornish Rex gene pool. When test matings produced only straight-haired offspring, breeders realised they had something entirely new. Kirlee’s unique mutation—now known as the “re” gene—is the foundation of every Devon Rex alive today.
• The Clumsy Acrobat: Despite their energy and love of climbing, Devon Rex cats are famously accident-prone. Their enthusiasm consistently outpaces their coordination. Falls from cat trees, mistimed leaps, and spectacular tumbles are a regular feature of life with a Devon Rex—and they always get up and immediately try again.

9. Finding a Devon Rex: What to Look For

The Devon Rex is a popular breed, and demand consistently outpaces supply from responsible breeders.

The Myopathy Test

The most important health test specific to the Devon Rex is for Devon Rex Myopathy (also called Spasticity). This muscle disorder typically manifests in kittens. A DNA test is available and responsible breeders test every cat in their programme. This should be a non-negotiable requirement.

Coat Quality Assessment

A Devon Rex kitten’s coat should feel extraordinarily soft and lie in rippled waves close to the skin. Some areas—particularly the belly and behind the ears—naturally have sparser coverage. Completely bald patches across the body may indicate a health issue or extremely fragile genetics.

Ear and Skin Health

Given the breed’s tendencies toward oily skin and wax buildup in the ears, ask the breeder how they manage these issues in their kittens. A well-maintained Devon Rex from kittenhood will be far more accustomed to the ear cleaning and occasional bathing routine you will need to maintain.

Conclusion

The Devon Rex is a life-changer. They don’t just live in your house; they invade your personal space and your heart with irresistible, slightly chaotic affection. If you want a constant companion who will make you laugh every single day—while simultaneously stealing your dinner and riding your shoulder—the Devon Rex is the perfect little alien for you.