Devon Rex vs Siamese

Compare two breeds

Pick two breeds to see them compared side by side.

First breed

Second breed

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.

Category IV — Siamese and Oriental

Siamese

The Siamese comes from Thailand, formerly called Siam, and spread through Europe in the late nineteenth century. It has a pale body with darker markings on the face, ears, legs and tail and vivid blue, almond-shaped eyes. The body is lean and long-legged, and the head is wedge-shaped. Adults typically weigh around 2.5 to 5.5 kilograms. The short, smooth coat needs little grooming. Siamese cats are known for being talkative, intelligent and strongly attached to people, and they need attention and interaction. Kittens are born almost white, and the darker markings develop over the first weeks. Life expectancy is typically around 12 to 16 years.

At a glance

	Devon Rex	Siamese
Weight (male)	3.0–4.5 kg	3.5–5.5 kg
Weight (female)	2.5–3.5 kg	2.5–4.5 kg
Life expectancy	12–16 yrs	12–16 yrs
Coat	wavy, short	smooth, short

Temperament & Family Life

	Devon Rex	Siamese
Family friendly
Good with children
Good with dogs
Friendly with strangers
Intelligence
Trainability

Activity & Living Space

	Devon Rex	Siamese
Energy level
Playfulness
Hunting instinct
Apartment friendly

Personality & Communication

	Devon Rex	Siamese
Affection
Independence
Vocality

Grooming & Shedding

	Devon Rex	Siamese
Shedding
Grooming need

Trait scores (1–5) are editorial estimates, not measurements — every cat is an individual.