Devon Rex

The Devon Rex has a very short, soft fur, which is wavy or curly. The ears of the Devon Rex are actually oversized and set relatively low. Your body is of medium length and slender, but also muscular.

 

Breed Characteristics and Appearance

How does the curly coat of the Devon Rex come about?

The fur of Rex cats was created by the spontaneous mutation of a gene – namely the gene for keratin. This gene follows a recessive inheritance. This means that this gene is always inherited from a parent with curls, but the kittens only get curls if both parents also have curls.

Targeted breeding of these cats began in Great Britain in the 1950s. This is how the Devon Rex and the Cornish Rex came about. In Germany, the German Rex, in particular, has found its fans.
If the whiskers of the Devon Rex are curled, they are considered torture breeding in Germany in accordance with Section 11 of the German Animal Welfare Act. Because: The whiskers are important for orientation, for catching prey, and for establishing social contacts. It is believed that a cat with curly whiskers may be limited in this behavior.

Origin and History

Where does the Devon Rex come from?

The Devon Rex comes from England, from Buckfastleigh to be precise. According to one story, the coincidence gave Miss Beryl Cox a litter of kittens whose father had curly fur. Among them was the curly-haired kitten “Karlee”. The woman had previously seen cats with curly fur and combined that this unusual fur structure can be worked out through breeding. This was the beginning of the targeted breeding of these curly heads. It was recognized as early as 1968.

Are there any other species of the Devon Rex?

There are also the Cornish Rex and the German Rex.

Traits of Temperament

How does the Devon Rex tick?

The Devon Rex feels right at home as a pure indoor cat, because due to its thin fur it is very sensitive to cold anyway. The Devon Rex is also very stubborn and wants to be the master of the house. Nevertheless, she gets along brilliantly with children and adults, but also wants to be kept busy. She generally demands a lot of attention and is reluctant to be alone. However, they feel much more comfortable with a suitable companion.

Nursing, Health, and Diseases

What are the typical diseases of the breed in the Devon Rex?

While the life expectancy of the Devon Rex is sometimes up to 20 years, the average is closer to 15 years old. The robust cat tends to be overweight. This can be counteracted by feeding the feed using intelligence or hunting games. That way, the cat is also kept busy. Dental problems can also recur with this breed of cats. In addition, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy occurs frequently. In this disease, the heart muscle thickens and heart failure can occur.

Myasthenia also occurs again and again in the Devon Rex. This is a weakening of the muscles in the hind legs. This can be recognized by the fact that the Devon Rex then suddenly carries its head lower, has an abnormal gait and the shoulder blades protrude more than usual. In addition, it is then exhausted relatively quickly.
Unfortunately, a predisposition to skin problems cannot be ruled out in the Devon Rex.

How do you care for a Devon Rex?

The Devon Rex should be brushed regularly. However, this breed does not normally go through a classic coat change.
Their large ears should also be cleaned regularly as well.

Upbringing and Attitude

How much exercise does a Devon Rex need?

The Devon Rex is very playful and likes to move. She needs enough space within the apartment to run around and also a lot of variety with the help of different toys, clicker training, and intelligence games. This way the curly hair won’t get bored.

What food does a Devon Rex need?

The Devon Rex has slightly higher energy required to maintain its body heat, which is why the food should be adjusted accordingly. A species-appropriate diet with a high proportion of meat or fresh meat at all is important, as with all other cats.

Considerations before you buy

Where can you buy a Devon Rex?

With the Devon Rex you should definitely look for a reputable breeder, because: In the past, inbreeding was always an issue with this breed, which has led to problems with the breed to this day. The price of a Devon Rex is between € 800 and € 2600. This varies depending on the breed, pedigree, conformity with the breed standard, and much more.
It is important that you get a pedigree for a Devon Rex from a reputable breed. It should also be chipped and vaccinated when it is handed in.