Cornish Rex vs Devon Rex
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Category IV — Siamese and Oriental
Cornish Rex
The Cornish Rex arose in Cornwall, England, around 1950, when a kitten with a wavy coat was born. Its coat is short, soft and wavy because it is made up only of down hairs, without the outer guard hairs. The body is slender and long-legged, the head is narrow and the ears are large. Adults typically weigh around 2.5 to 4.5 kilograms. Because of the thin coat, it often seeks warmth. Little grooming is needed, and the coat is better stroked than brushed. Cornish Rex cats are usually energetic, playful and attached to people. Life expectancy is typically around 12 to 16 years.
Category IV — Siamese and Oriental
Devon Rex
The Devon Rex arose in Devon, England, around 1960 and has a wavy coat, but the cause is a different gene from the Cornish Rex's, which is why the two are separate breeds. The coat is short, soft and sparse, and the head, with wide-set large ears and big eyes, has an elfin look. Adults typically weigh around 2.5 to 4.5 kilograms. The coat is not thick, so the cat can feel the cold and seek warmth. Grooming is simple, and stroking suits it better than brushing. Devon Rex cats are usually sociable, playful and like to be close to their owner. Life expectancy is typically around 12 to 16 years.
At a glance
| Cornish Rex | Devon Rex | |
|---|---|---|
| Weight (male) | 3.0–4.5 kg | 3.0–4.5 kg |
| Weight (female) | 2.5–3.5 kg | 2.5–3.5 kg |
| Life expectancy | 12–16 yrs | 12–16 yrs |
| Coat | wavy, short | wavy, short |
Temperament & Family Life
| Cornish Rex | Devon Rex | |
|---|---|---|
| Family friendly | ||
| Good with children | ||
| Good with dogs | ||
| Friendly with strangers | ||
| Intelligence | ||
| Trainability |
Activity & Living Space
| Cornish Rex | Devon Rex | |
|---|---|---|
| Energy level | ||
| Playfulness | ||
| Hunting instinct | ||
| Apartment friendly |
Personality & Communication
| Cornish Rex | Devon Rex | |
|---|---|---|
| Affection | ||
| Independence | ||
| Vocality |
Grooming & Shedding
| Cornish Rex | Devon Rex | |
|---|---|---|
| Shedding | ||
| Grooming need |
Trait scores (1–5) are editorial estimates, not measurements — every cat is an individual.