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Devon Rex 

   The first question people usually ask upon seeing a Devon Rex is, 

"Who shaved that cat?" The most distinguishing characteristic of the Devon Rex is its unusual coat which is short and wavy, giving the cat the appearance of having spent several hours at the hair salon. And that's just for starters ... the endearing physical characteristics of the Devon Rex compile a list of features that veer from one's expectations of the typical cat. 

The Better To Hear You With

    Contributing to the Devon Rex's impish appeal are its ear which are oversized and set low on the head, giving the impression that the cat is on the alert and ready for mischief. The eyes, which are large and expressive, contribute to the cat's pixie look. Closer inspection reveals curly eyebrows and whiskers. With its wide-eyed, kitten-like expression, it is impossible to look at a Devon Rex and not think it cute. The Devon Rex is a "hands-on" cat. You just have to pet it and hold it up to your face for a quick kiss and cuddle. And the Devon Rex will happily return the affection.

Adorable and Affectionate

    The Devon Rex is an extremely affectionate cat. It will happily wrap itself around your neck or sit on your lap for as long as you'll allow. Its body warmth, immediately apparent through the shorter coat, can be disarming at first. You've heard the expression, "one dog night," which arose when it was realized that a dog curled up in bed with you on a chilly night is a great adjunct to a wool blanket. Well, take a Devon Rex into bed with you on a cold evening and "Bowser" will be banished to the floor. (Actually, we believe there's room enough for all.) 

    And speaking of Bowser, you know the look he or she gives you - the one that says you're the most important and interesting person in the entire world. The Devon Rex is capable of making its owners feel the same way. The Devon Rex will train its eyes and ears on you, ride your shoulders and purr into your ear, letting you know that you are the center of its universe. 

Care Free Coats 

    Sofas, chairs, countertops, carpeting and your clothing are all magnets for cat fur, which, regardless of how short coated the cat is, keep vacuum cleaners 

humming in homes around the world. The Devon Rex, however, sheds less than other cats and is low maintenance also. They are easily  bathed and dry in a fraction of the time it takes their more hirsute relatives, making them ideal pets for cat lovers with cat allergies. 

The Divine Devon's History

    In 1960, in the county of Devon, England, a spontaneous mutation occurred that resulted in a curly-coated kitten. The owner of this kitten, having read a newspaper article about another curly-coated kitten - the Cornish Rex, which had been "discovered" a decade before - contacted the breeders of the Cornish Rex thinking they might be interested in her cat as well. Cornish Rex cat fanciers were excited about the possibility of a new bloodline for their breeding program and made arrangements to mate the newest curly cat 

with others in their program. The resulting litter produced only straight coated cats, proving that two distinct genes caused the curls in the Cornish coat and the Devon coat. When the second generation of Devon daughters were mated back to the original cat, about half of them produced the characteristic curls and the new breed was begun.  

Kittens and More 

    The average litter size for the Devon Rex is three to four kittens. Young Devon Rex cats often have very short, curly coats. They will grow into fairly small cats with the average size of a female at around seven pounds. The average adult male is about nine pounds. Some Devon Rex kittens molt their baby fur at around eight weeks of age and do not get their full curls until they are adults. 

        If you're looking to purchase a pure breed, get the name of a reputable breeder from your vet or a friend who has one, or contact the Cat Fanciers' Association.  Their website is:  www.cfainc.org.  There are also rescues that specialize in specific breeds. Check out www.petfinder.org for one near you.

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