The Devon’s characteristic elfin look sets it apart not only from the other rex breeds but from all breeds in the cat fancy. Although they may look like they are only recent arrivals to the planet Earth, they were discovered in Devonshire, England in the late 1950s—not stepping out of their saucer, but in a litter a stray had in someone’s back garden. The curly kitten was named Kirlee; initially it was thought he could be a Cornish, but the gene was different and so Kirlee became the founding father for the Devon Rex. The Devon is playful and mischievous—a cross between a cat, dog, monkey, and Dennis the Menace, according to breeders! They are “velcro cats” and are best pleased when up in your business at any and all hours of the day. They are extremely sociable, not only with people but with other cats (they enjoy forming Devon Piles), dogs and even birds, ferrets and rabbits. They are also notorious food thieves, with unusual tastes—they will steal anything, whether it’s a burger and fries or asparagus tips, olives and grapes.
Type & judging remarks
It is a cat of a medium fine frame covered with soft, wavy fur. Their distinctive head type consists of a modified wedge with three distinct, convex curves: the shell of the ear, the cheekbones and the whisker pads. The skull appears flattened from the top, and when combined with large open eyes and lynx tipping on the ears, creates a mischievous, pixie-like look.