These two cat breeds are fairly similar but they do have some differences.
The cat in the picture is a flame point Devon Rex.
Devon Rex cats as well as the Cornish Rex are very usual cat breeds. They are both fairly uncommon naturally-occurring cat breeds. When a cat breed is naturally occurring they weren't bred with other cats by man.
Both breeds are considered hypoallergenic. This doesn't mean that they are 100% hypoallergenic but less allergenic than the average cat.
Both breeds originated in the United Kingdom.
Both breeds also have a short, curly coat of fur. Because they have such as short coat, they should be kept indoors to keep them from getting sunburnt.
The Cornish Rex lives for about 9-15 years of age, and the Devon Rex about 10-15 years.
The Devon Rex as well as the Cornish Rex was named "Rex" after the Astrex rabbit; a breed of rabbit with a curly coat of fur.
HISTORY
Devon Rex
Devon rex cats originated in Devonshire, England, from the late 1950s to 1960, so they are a fairly new breed.
A stray in the care of a woman named Miss Cox, had given birth to a litter of kittens. One kitten, in particular, had a unique curly coat of fur that he inherited from his father; a stray with curly fur.
The kitten was named Kirlee.
Kirlee was then bred with Cornish Rex females because it was thought that the same gene that caused the Cornish Rex cats' curly-haired mutation but they only produced litters of kittens with straight fur. This meant that it was a totally different gene that caused Kirlee's mutation.
After the attempt to breed Kirlee with Cornish Rex females failed, a more successful attempt was made.
The first Devon Rex was imported to the US in 1968 then in 1979, they were registered with the CFA.
Cornish Rex
A litter of kittens were born on a farm in Cornwall, England in 1950. One of the kittens processed a curly coat of fur. The unusual kitten was named Kallibunker. Kallinbunker's owner then bred him with his mother. This resulted in a litter of three kittens, two of which were born with the same interesting curly coat as Kallinbunker. The two kittens were bred with the Siamese, the Burmese, and British shorthairs to further develop the Cornish Rex.
A pair of Cornish Rexes arrived in the US in 1957 and in 1964, the Cornish Rex was registered with the CFA.
APPEARANCE
Devon Rex
The Devon rex cat looks like what we'd picture an alien. The breed has a short, curly coat. They also have a wedge-shaped head, big triangular ears, a sleek body, high cheekbones, and big eyes.
They are small to medium, weighing between six and nine pounds.
The breed comes in various colors including black, white, blue, red, chocolate, lilac, cinnamon, cream, etc. As for patterns, they can be tabby, tortie, calico, bicolor, smoke, colorpoint, mink, etc.
This breed has guard hairs.
Their eye color varies.
Cornish Rex
The Cornish Rex has an egg-shaped head, triangular face, big triangular ears (bigger than the Devon Rex's), long muzzle, long limbs, big round eyes, and a sleek, slender body.
Their coat is short, curly, and has no guard hairs.
The breed can come in many different colors and patterns. Colors include black, white, red, blue, cream, sliver, lavender, cinnamon, and chocolate. Patterns include bicolor, colorpoint, tabby, tortoiseshell, smoke, shaded, and calico.
They are a medium-sized breed, with females weighing about six pounds and males about ten.
Their eye color also varies, unlike some breeds where only one eye color is accepted in judging such as the Bombay.
PERSONALITY
Devon Rex
These cats have a wonderful personality! They are playful, active, energetic, loyal, intelligent, friendly, social, and affectionate.
They do well with kids, adults, seniors, dogs, and other cats.
These cats love to play fetch and learn new tricks.
The Devon Rex is known to involve themselves in their owner's daily activities like perching on their owner's shoulder while washing the dishes or folding the laundry.
This breed is a little more docile, and less playful and energetic as the Cornish Rex.
Cornish Rex
The Cornish Rex is an athletic cat. They love to run, jump and play. They are also intelligent, sociable, friendly, affectionate, dog-like, very playful even as adults, and outgoing. They are easy to train and love attention. The breed loves to be held.
Cornish Rexes are natural entertainers due to their outgoing, clownish personality.
The breed is good with children and other pets.
I hope you all enjoyed reading about these two wonderful breeds! Thank you!
Works Cited
Braaksma, Hilary, “Devon Rex,” Daily Paws, https://www.dailypaws.com/cats-kittens/cat-breeds/devon-rex
“Cornish Rex,” Cattime, https://cattime.com/cat-breeds/cornish-rex-cats#/slide/1
“Cornish Rex,” Hill’s Pet, https://www.hillspet.com/cat-care/cat-breeds/cornish-rex
“Cornish Rex,” Pet Finder, https://www.petfinder.com/cat-breeds/cornish-rex/
“Cornish Rex,” Vet Street, http://www.vetstreet.com/cats/cornish-rex#history
“Cornish Rex,” Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornish_Rex#:~:text=The%20Cornish%20Rex%20is%20a,was%20the%20first%20Cornish%20Rex
“Devon Rex,” Cattime, https://cattime.com/cat-breeds/devon-rex-cats#/slide/1
“Devon Rex Cat Information and Personality Traits,” Hill’s Pet, https://www.hillspet.com/cat-care/cat-breeds/devon-rex
“Devon Rex,” Holly Ridge Veterinary Hospital, https://hollyridgevetcare.com/client-resources/breed-info/devon-rex/#:~:text=Devons%20are%20intelligent%2C%20playful%2C%20and,are%20known%20to%20play%20fetch
“Devon Rex,” Vet Street, http://www.vetstreet.com/cats/devon-rex#1_ugw20zmq
“Devon Rex,” Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devon_Rex
Jakob, Roland, “5 Types of Cornish Rex Cats: Colors, Breeds & Patterns (With Pictures),” Excited Cats, 18 May 2021, https://excitedcats.com/types-of-cornish-rex-cats/
Jakob, Roland, “Cornish Rex vs. Devon Rex: What’s the Difference? (With Pictures),” Excited Cats, 18 Jan 2021, https://excitedcats.com/cornish-rex-vs-devon-rex/
Kelley, JaneA, “Get to Know the Cornish Rex: A Pack of Personality in a Ballet Dancer’s Body,” 3 Feb 2015, Catster, https://www.catster.com/lifestyle/cat-breeds-cornish-rex-personality-ballet-dancer-body-pictures-photos#:~:text=Cornish%20Rexes%20are%20extremely%20intelligent,or%20with%20their%20favorite%20person
Puisis, Erica, “Cornish Rex: Cat Breed Profile,” The Spruce Pets, 25 July 2019, https://www.thesprucepets.com/learn-all-about-the-cornish-rex-cat-4694497
Puisis, Erica, “Devon Rex: Cat Breed Profile,” The Spruce Pets, 25 July 2019, https://www.thesprucepets.com/devon-rex-cat-breed-profile-4693660
Sharilyn, “Everything to Know About The Cornish Rex Cat,” Pretty Litter, 14 Aug 2018 https://www.prettylitter.com/blog/the-cornish-rex-cat-pretty-litter
Taylor, Chad, “Cornish Rex,” Daily Paws, 25 Aug 2020, https://www.dailypaws.com/cats-kittens/cat-breeds/cornish-rex
Thanks for sharing such an informative article. I really appreciate it.
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