Introduction

The Devon Rex is a wavy haired cat, with a unique expression. It appeared spontaneously in 1960 in Devonshire, where Mrs Cox found a curly kitten that she named Kirlee, ancestor of the breed.

Head:

rather small in comparison to the body, the head, when facing, displays a series of three convex curves formed by the ear lobes, the prominent cheek bones and the muzzle. Viewed from the side, the flat skull is followed by a rounded forehead, then a well-defined stop at nose bridge, between the eyes.

Muzzle:

short and well-developed, the muzzle is defined by a strong pinch. The whisker pads are prominent, the chin, strong and well-developed. A well-aligned bite should be carefully watched.

Eyes:

large and wide open, the eyes are oval in shape. All colours are accepted, in relationship to coat colour.

Ears:

remarkably large and low set, the ears are very wide at base so that the ear lobe is detached. Rounded at tip, with or without lynx tips, they are covered with fine fur. Temples are often bald.

Neck:

slender and muscled, the head coming well off the shoulders.

Body:

semi cobby in type, the body is gracious, firm and muscular. The chest is broad and well-opened.

Legs:

long and high, the legs are rather finely boned compared to the body, yet powerfully muscled.

Feet:

oval and small.

Tail:

long and thin, the tail is covered with a short and wavy hair.

Coat and texture:

fine and soft, the coat is short with dense and untidy waves. Coat density varies according to the different areas of the body, the upper areas (face, ears, back, flanks, upper legs and tail) being more furnished than lower parts (throat, chest, abdomen and underside of legs). The fur covering skull and neck is often so short that it cannot be wavy. Totally bald areas are considered a fault in kittens and a serious fault in adult cats. Whiskers, rather rare, are short and curly.

Allowances

Kittens may have a very short coat sometimes resembling down. It should not be penalized, if it covers all body, without hairless areas.

Penalize

Narrow, long or round head, or head without enough angles.
Extremely short nose.
Small or high set ears.
Narrow chest.
Short, bald or bushy tail.
Straight, coarse or shaggy coat.
Limited hairless patches.

Withhold all awards

Large hairless areas.
Common domestic looking head.
Straight profile.
General show penalties and withholdings.