Devon Rex & Cornish Rex: All About the Breeds

The Cornish and the Devon Rex are indeed two breeds that are often mistaken for one another. First off, their names are nearly identical and both breeds belong to the same geographical region which is the UK. Secondly, they share a lot of physical traits such as slender, muscular bodies, large ears, and curly fur. Even though they have a lot in common, each breed has its own set of characteristics that make it unique.

One of the most obvious differences between the Devon Rex vs Cornish Rex is the extreme size of the former's extremely low-set ears, somewhat shorter whiskers, and a slightly shorter and stronger body. On the other hand, the Cornish boasts longer legs, a slimmer waist, a wider chest, and more luxurious fur as compared to the Devon.

Besides the aforementioned minor physical differences, there are major personality differences. We will take a closer look at each breed and their differences in this blog post.

Origin of Rex Breeds

Cornish Rex got its name relatable to its place of origin which is Cornwall, United Kingdom, where the breed was first discovered in the 1950s. They are characterized by their curly coats and long legs. The trait of curling in their coat is caused by a recessive gene, and the first curly-haired kitten underwent a cross-breeding process with British Shorthairs and Siamese among others in order to develop the feature. The Cornish Rex was formally recognized by the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) in 1964.

Devon Rex was another breed and it was also developed in the UK, however, it was 10 years later in its namesake Devonshire. A rare genetic mutation was responsible for their very short and wavy coat, and at first the breed was assumed to be genetically identical to the Cornish Rex, but later this was shown to be incorrect. The CFA officially recognized the Devon Rex in 1979, which was more than a decade after the Cornish.

Devon Rex Characteristics

The Devon Rex is a friendly cat that loves to be in your company. It is a common sight to see them right next to their owner, silently and subtly monitoring and even observing their activities. They are playful cats, and the good thing is that they are much more relaxed and chill than the Cornish breed.

The pet owners of Devon's say that one of the prominent characteristics of their cats is being very devoted, and the furry ones are fine as long as they are around their human family even if it means being in different activities like playing, lying on the sofa, or sharing a bed!

Devon Rexes are full of life and continue to act like kittens even in the late stage of their life, but not to the extent of their Cornish cousins. They keep on playing and amusing the kids with their funny acts but at the same time, they are very quiet and soft, loving the company of their people and the comfort of the couch.

Their outstanding intelligence is the reason why training becomes an easy task; they can very quickly get the commands, and there will be no difficulty in house training. They can learn even tricks easily and their fetching of toys is a common practice done without much supervision.

Cornish Rex Characteristics

The Cornish Rex is a delightful, majestic, intelligent, and self-assured feline that loves to be around people. Despite their small size, they are very friendly and tolerant toward children, thus making them perfect companions for families. The owners of the Cornish Rex cat often describe them as "dog-like" due to the fact that they are easily trained and like to play fetch with toys.

They are very active cats that still have the playful nature of a kitten even at an older age. Though not as noisy as some other breeds, such as Siamese, they are still very vocal and always express their opinions, hence, could never be described as mute!

A Cornish Rex is a really easy cat to train since it has the desire to please and interact with its owners along with its high intelligence. They are very active and playful, and they like climbing so a climbing tree for them is a good investment since they would enjoy looking down at their empire from the top.

None of the command training and puzzle toys would be a challenge for this clever cat, and you would be surprised at how quickly they would learn new puzzles and activities. They love playing and having fun for hours with a good-quality puzzle toy.

Key Differences

The Cornish Rex is a cat that is very suitable for families because it is very gentle and also very friendly to kids and will at the same time happily play games in a row for hours. Their short and soft coat and lack of a protective coat make them indoor cats. Still, they are active and content as long as they have the right activities.

The Devon Rex is a loving and devoted cat that would make a great family pet. They fit very well into a household with children and soon become close to other family pets. They are more mellow and calm than the Cornish Rex, which makes them not only pets for the elderly but also for those living in small apartments.

What is a “Rex” cat?

In addition to the Devon Rex vs Cornish Rex breeds, there are several distinct "Rex" breeds such as LaPerm, Selkirk Rex, and German Rex. The term "Rex" in these Rex cat breeds denotes a very uncommon genetic mutation with the fur being silky and curly. The genetic mutation has a similar look but is different for every breed, and the cats are not related. Usually, the coats are of very short length, and the outer coat is completely missing; moreover, the cats have very short, crimped whiskers.

Care and Health

coats of Rex cats seem to be low-maintenance but this is not the case all the time. Furfell of rats is produced from a faulty hair follicle which sometimes leads to breaking especially when brushing too often. Faulty hair follicles could be a sign of other skin disorders. So they might need more care like cleaning their ears to remove excess wax or cleaning the nail beds. 

Rex may get in rare cases bathing because of too much oil or dander. However, these cats are not considered to be especially hard to wash. A gentle cat wash should be used by owners to prevent skin irritation. Only the furniture fabric side should be used, not the rubber side. Some variations may not have rubber and use only fabric and velvet in the palm part instead.

Choosing the Right Rex Cat

Devon and Cornish Rex cats each provide a distinct blend of elegance, intelligence, and vitality to the home. The Devon Rex is friendly, loyal, and suitable for individuals looking for a docile, velcro-like companion, whereas the Cornish is athletic, curious, and thrives in active households with plenty of enrichment. Both Rex cat breeds require constant attention, from grooming and ear checks to cerebral stimulation, but they reward owners with lively antics, strong friendships, and a lifetime of amusement.

If you're ready to bring a Rex cat into your house, contact reputable breeders who value health, temperament, and ethical breeding procedures. Explore breeder networks to locate a Devon or Cornish Rex that suits your lifestyle and begin your search for a unique and loving feline friend.