Where was the Devon Rex discovered?
The Devon Rex was discovered in 1960 in Buckfastleigh, Devon, England, when Beryl Cox found a curly-coated kitten named Kirlee in a litter.
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The Devon Rex was discovered in 1960 in Buckfastleigh, Devon, England, when Beryl Cox found a curly-coated kitten named Kirlee in a litter.
The first Devon Rex, Kirlee, is believed to have been fathered by a curly-coated feral tomcat living near an abandoned tin mine in Devon, England.
Even though the Devon Rex and Cornish Rex both have curly coats, their curls come from different genes. When breeders crossed the two, the kittens had straight hair.
With huge ears, big eyes, and a short wedge-shaped face, the Devon Rex has an elfin, almost alien look that has earned it nicknames like "pixie cat."
Devon Rex cats are nicknamed "Velcro cats" because they stick close to their people. Many love perching on shoulders and getting involved in everything their owners do.
The Devon Rex has been the most popular shorthaired breed in the Cat Fanciers' Association rankings for five years running.
The Devon Rex sheds much less than most cats, but it isn't truly hypoallergenic, because the main cat allergen also comes from saliva and skin.
Devon Rex cats feel noticeably warm to the touch because their thin, wavy coat traps less air than a normal cat's fur, which is also why they love snuggling under blankets and near heaters.
The Cat Fanciers' Association recognized the Devon Rex in 1983.
Devon Rex cats are playful and smart enough to learn tricks like fetch and walking on a leash, which is a big part of their reputation as a "monkey in a cat suit."
The Sphynx's hairlessness comes from a mutation in the KRT71 gene, the same gene that causes the Devon Rex's curly coat, just a different version of it.