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Devon Rex Breed Profile
Dr David Richardson March 2005 Contact Australian Devon Rex Breeders ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The history of the Devon Rex dates back only to 1959 when a litter of kittens in Devonshire England, contained an odd looking boy with outlandishly large ears, upturned nose, large staring eyes and a curly coat.
Miss Cox, the owner, named this cat Kirlee and all Devons date back to him.
Devons are a mid size, curly coated cat with large low slung ears, high cheekbones and a pixie like expression.
When judging a Devon Rex it is important to remember that most of the points count towards the head and the coat. (90/100). Thirty points are given to the head, plus ten for the years, five for the eyes and unusually five for the eyebrows and whiskers. These should be curly. Thus 50 points count towards the head. In addition 40 points may be given for the coat.
The coat should be tight and close and wavy, with a velvety or even Suede feel to it. Kittens may have bald patches or may molt and lose what seemed a promising coat. This often occurs at about eight weeks but can occur later on in the first year of the kitten. Bare patches in adults should be penalized.
The neck is long and wrinkly, often described as “tortoise like”.
The Devon Rex is a medium sized cat should have a muscular body and relatively long fine legs. The legs may look as though and they are “stuck to the outside of the body”, giving the cat a slightly bowed legged appearance at times. The tail should be medium and length and tapering to a pointed tip.
Devons are active and playful and make wonderful pets. They can be mischievous, and getting into anything that is around. They are inquisitive and good climbers. Because of their distinctive short code, Devons often feel warm to the touch, warmer than other breeds. However there distended body temperature is exactly the same as for other cat breeds.
All colours and patterns of Devons are permitted. Devons with a Himalayan pattern are often known as the Si-rex.
Withholding faults are:
Straight or shaggy coat Bare patches in adults Narrow, long or round head Straight profile Small or high set ears
Faults are:
Bare patches it kittens Cobby body Lack of firm muscle, Short bare or bushy tail.
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The
Devon Rex head should be broader than it is tall, have high
cheekbones, full cheeks and upturned nose with a dip or break. The
eyes should be widely spaced, large, very forward looking and oval
to round in shape. There should be a flat plane between the
enormous broad-based, forward facing ears. The ears should have
around keep and the best ones have a flair or a lateral projection
as they leave the line of the side of the head.