We’ve loved sharing cat breeds recently with the latest
breed on the block, the Keetso, and the impressive stripy Toyger, we thought we’d
continue the theme with a new breed featured on the blog each month. Today we are
inviting you to fall in love with the Devon Rex.
The Devon Rex is from the UK, as the name suggests. Cornish Rex was a breed that was attracting a
lot of attention in English Cat shows, resulting in Beryl Cox seeing the photos
and noticing the curly coat of the Cornish Rex. She knew of a local colony of
curly hair cats that had made a home at a disused tin mine not far from her home
in Devon. A curly haired kitten was born to one of her straight-haired barn
cats and Cox assumed the father must have been from the tin mine colony. The kitten
was named Kirlee and he is the start of the Devon Rex bloodline.
These small cats weigh under 3 kg on average when fully grown
and they have a life expectancy of just 9 to 13 years. The distinctive features
include a short, delicate fur that is curly and requires no brushing. A simple
wipe down with a soft cloth is all that is required. The low shedding rate and strict
no brushing rule make them useful for those with slight allergies to cats.
The Look of Love
The Devon Rex comes in all sorts of colours, from black to Lavender
and have a variety of patterns including tortoiseshell, calico, tabby or simply
solid colours. The size of the head is quite large in comparison to the body
and their chest is broad and strong. The larger, triangular head give the Devon
Rex a rather unique appearance. The eyes and ears are large, and they are often
described as being pixie or elf like.
Star of the Show
These bundles or curly fur have fantastic, energetic
personalities. They love to jump up high and are massive fans of tree climbing
and spending time high on activity centres and cat shelves. It’s a good idea to
protect the garden with quality cat fencing that is designed to retain even the
most ambitious climbers.
Playtime is always a great show and all the family can enjoy
helping the Devon Rex to show off their natural skills. When playtime is over,
you will be spoiled with lots of purrs and flooded with affection to thank you
for your time and attention.
Time in the Sunshine
Expect to find your Devon Rex soaking up the sun during periods
of rest. They love to sunbathe and will appreciate a cosy, warm spot in the
house during the colder months. Cat fencing or cat enclosures will allow your
sun baby to get outside to climb and play before spending a few hours laying
flat and enjoying the glorious spring and summer sunshine.
Do you have a Devon Rex in your family? Come and share your
photos and stories of their personalities and behaviours with us over on our Facebook page.
