Compare Cat Breeds

Compare up to three breeds across all 53 characteristics. Values are shown directly so the differences are easier to scan.

Characteristic	Devon Rex Breed forum
Body & development
Adult size	Medium
Adult weight	Females 2.3–3.2 kg (5.1–7.1 lb); Males 3.2–4.1 kg (7.1–9.0 lb) Females are typically about 2.3–3.2 kg (5–7 lb) and males about 3.2–4.1 kg (7–9 lb).
Build & distinguishing morphology	Muscular · large low set ears · short muzzle · high cheekbones Build: muscular; large low set ears; short muzzle; high cheekbones.
Maturation	12-18 months The relatively light Devon Rex generally reaches adult frame size within its first year and settles into mature musculature and body condition by roughly 12–18 months.
Coat & appearance
Coat length	Very short Very short, soft, wavy/curly coat.
Coat texture & undercoat	Short · wavy · velvety soft Coat: short; wavy; velvety soft.
Colors & patterns	All colors patterns; solid · tabby · tortie · pointed · bicolor · smoke Devon Rex cats occur in essentially all colours and patterns, including solids, tabbies, torties, pointed colours, bicolours and smoke/shaded combinations.
Eye colors	All eye colors; coat-dependent All usual feline eye colours occur, generally in harmony with coat colour; blue is common in pointed cats.
Coat & routine care
Shedding	Very low to low Very low to low shedding; the sparse, fragile wavy coat releases much less hair than a conventional double coat.
Seasonal coat changes	Minimal seasonal change The Devon Rex’s short, sparse waved coat usually shows little conventional seasonal change; coat density can fluctuate more by individual and body area than by a strong spring shed.
Brushing & combing	Minimal gentle The coat needs very little grooming; gentle hand grooming is often enough.
Tangle & matting tendency	Very low The short velvety waves rarely form conventional mats, though fragile hairs call for gentle handling.
Skin & bathing care	Bathing not routinely needed Routine bathing is generally unnecessary; bathe only when the coat is genuinely soiled or for a specific veterinary or grooming reason.
Distinctive routine care	Very light coat grooming The fragile curly coat generally needs little conventional brushing; gentle handling is preferable.
Allergy & allergen evidence	Not hypoallergenic · individual tolerance varies Devon Rex cats are not hypoallergenic. A sparse, low-shedding coat does not eliminate saliva- and skin-derived allergens, although individual allergy sufferers may react differently.
Activity & intelligence
Activity level	Very high Highly active and mischievous; boredom can become a problem when left without company or stimulation.
Playfulness	High
Climbing & jumping	Very high The light, springy Devon Rex is notably athletic and playful, often seeking shoulders, shelves and high perches; generous vertical space is valuable.
Enrichment demand	Very high Very high enrichment demand: its combination of activity, climbing drive and social curiosity calls for frequent games, vertical space and mental stimulation.
Learning & training	High Intelligent and quick to learn household routines and games.
Curiosity & exploration	High Devon Rex cats are famously involved, agile and inventive; they tend to investigate people, objects and elevated spaces readily and often turn novelty into play.
Hunting & chasing tendencies	High Strong chasing is likely: Devon Rex are highly playful, agile and interactive, and fast-moving toys provide a useful outlet for their energetic play.
Personality & social
Sociability with familiar people	Very high Devon Rex are strongly people-centered companions that typically seek frequent proximity and interaction.
Affection	Lap contact · shoulder contact · following · interactive playful Devons commonly seek lap/shoulder contact while actively participating in household life.
Lap & cuddling preference	Very high Close body contact is a prominent breed behavior.
Handling tolerance	Very high Devon Rex cats are unusually people-focused, tactile and warmth-seeking; many actively seek shoulders, laps and close contact and consequently tolerate routine handling very well.
Independence & social demand	Very high The breed seeks extensive companionship and interaction.
Vocalization	Low Not particularly talkative; tends to use occasional chirps when seeking attention.
Response to unfamiliar people	Very high Outgoing social behavior generally includes unfamiliar people.
Adaptability to change	Very high Highly social, curious, and playful, the Devon Rex usually embraces new people and environments quickly; maintaining warmth and companionship matters more than preserving an exact routine.
Noise & busy-environment sensitivity	Low Highly social, mischievous and involved with people, the Devon Rex usually manages a busy household well and often treats activity as something to investigate.
Defensive & conflict behaviour	Very low The Devon Rex is exceptionally social, playful and contact-seeking. Well-socialized individuals are generally low in defensive conflict, often attempting renewed interaction rather than holding distance or escalating disputes.
Household & environment
Living with children	Favorable tendency Generally very good with respectful children.
Living with other cats	Often workable Thrives on company and is reported to get along well with other family pets.
Living with dogs	Moderate Usually gets along well with compatible family pets, including dogs.
Living around small pets	Additional caution Devon Rex cats are energetic, acrobatic and intensely playful. Their curiosity and rapid pouncing responses make birds, rodents and similar pets vulnerable, warranting secure physical separation.
Indoor & home environment needs	Warm home · high social contact · interactive play Fine coat, close-contact behavior and high sociability favor warm, interactive indoor living.
Outdoor access considerations	Protected secure only Devon Rex cats are agile and curious but have a sparse coat that offers limited weather protection. A secure, supervised outdoor space can be enriching when temperatures are suitable; free roaming adds both environmental and general outdoor risks.
Heat, cold & sun considerations	Cold sensitive Sparse/fine coat increases cold sensitivity relative to normally coated breeds.
Caregiver time & experience	High High social demand plus coat/skin/ear considerations create above-average involvement.
Health & welfare
Documented health predispositions	Elevated known risks Devon Rex health concerns include hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, hereditary myopathy and patellar luxation. Their sparse coat can also predispose to skin and ear problems, making cardiac history and breed-specific genetic screening particularly relevant.
Screening & breeder questions	Ask about CMS genetic test status Ask for evidence of cardiac screening for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, DNA testing for hereditary myopathy where applicable, and information about patellar luxation and recurring skin disease in the family.
Conformation-related welfare	Moderate coat head concern Devon Rex cats have a light build, unusual head shape and sparse curly coat. Welfare selection should preserve muscular strength, healthy skin and whiskers, normal patellar stability and functional facial anatomy rather than intensifying delicacy or coat sparsity.
Nutrition & weight management	Lean high activity monitor Devon Rex cats are active, fine-boned and lightly coated. Feed a complete diet to maintain muscle and healthy body condition, but do not equate a naturally lean outline or warmth-seeking behavior with a need for unlimited food.
Longevity	12–16 years A Devon Rex commonly lives about 12–16 years; careful cardiac and general health management can materially influence where an individual falls within that range.
Cost & availability
Purchase cost	High: $800–$2,000 Devon Rex: a practical breeder-market estimate is $800–$2,000. This reflects that it is an popular specialist rex breed with established but limited breeders.
Adoption & rehoming cost	Uncommon in rescue: $100–$500 typical rescue/adoption fee Devon Rex: $100–$500 typical rescue/adoption fee. The breed does appear in rescue, but much less often than mixed-breed cats or the most numerous pedigrees.
Recurring ownership costs	Skin/ear/temperature management considerations The coat itself needs little equipment, but ear/skin care, warm resting options and dental attention add small recurring expenses. HCM surveillance in breeding lines and treatment of individual skin or orthopedic problems can make lifetime veterinary costs less predictable.
Availability, waits & import	Widely available Devon Rex have a substantial international breeder community. In many European and North American markets several breeders can be found, though responsible programs may maintain waiting lists rather than continuous kitten availability.
Identity & real-world context
Ownership & import restrictions	No known breed specific restrictions There are no known breed-specific ownership restrictions. Ordinary animal-welfare, identification, vaccination and cross-border import rules still apply where relevant.
Registry recognition	CFA: recognized breed/division · TICA: Championship-recognized / current breed identity · FIFe: fully recognized breed / mapped breed identity Currently recognized in all three registries tracked by the FSC core matrix: CFA, TICA and FIFe.
Similar breeds & identity distinctions	Cornish Rex Devon Rex and Cornish Rex both have curly coats, but Devon Rex have a broader, pixie-like head, very large low-set ears and a shorter, more irregular coat. Cornish Rex are more elongated and carry tight, even waves.
Reported characteristic quirks	Highly acrobatic and prone to inventing its own entertainment Devon Rex are clever, mischievous cats; if left bored for too long they readily invent their own games.