ABOUT OUR BREED
DEVON REX
The History
The Devon Rex is one of those breeds that feels almost magical—part pixie, part cat, and entirely unforgettable. With their oversized ears, wide eyes, and soft, rippling coat, they don’t just look different… they are different. And their story begins, quite simply, by accident.
In the late 1950s, near an old tin mine in Devon County, England, a colony of feral cats harboured an unusual and unforgettable curly-coated tomcat. In 1960, a local woman, Beryl Cox, noticed that one of the kittens she was fostering, had the same distinctive curly coat as that unusual tomcat .Recognising this was something very special, she kept that kitten and named him Kirlee—and he would go on to change the cat fancy forever.
At first, it was assumed Kirlee had the same gene as the already-known Cornish Rex. But when Kirlee was bred to Cornish queens, the resulting kittens were born with straight coats! These out-crosses proved Kirlee’s coat was from a completely different, unique, and recessive gene.
This discovery meant breeders had to readjust their thinking. Since Kirlee’s gene was separate to the Cornish gene, it meant there was a new breed at their fingertips. However, a recessive gene takes careful planning to develop and establish a new recognisable breed. Breeders carefully chose matings with Kirlee; outcrossing to other breeds, as well as domestics shorthairs and other strays. This helped to create a healthy, sustainable gene pool with Kirlee as the centrepiece.
So what does “rex” actually mean when we’re talking about cats—especially the Devon Rex? Put simply, “rex” refers to a curly coat. It’s the defining feature across all Rex breeds, but each one wears those curls a little differently.
The Cornish Rex, for example, has a very sleek, silky coat with a tight, uniform “Marcel wave,” and no guard hairs at all. The Selkirk Rex is almost the opposite—its coat is thicker, more tousled and “wild,” and can be either short or long. The Tennessee Rex is known not just for its curls, but for its soft, satin-like coat that almost sparkles.
Then there’s the Devon Rex. Officially, the standard describes it as having a “short curly coat,” but in reality, there’s a lot of variety. Some Devons have loose, open waves, others tighter curls, and some even have a soft, suede-like feel. Their coats can also vary in density and length, all while staying within that short-haired category. Compared to the Cornish Rex, the Devon’s coat is much less uniform and a bit more unpredictable.
As the breed developed through the 1960s and 70s, the physical traits became more defined: large, low-set ears, high cheekbones, a short muzzle, and that unmistakable “mischievous” expression.
By the late 1970s, Devon Rex had gained formal recognition. The Cat Fanciers’ Association granted championship status in 1979, and the Devon Rex quickly grew in popularity around the world.
Today, they are a well established breed internationally, and are a recognised, familiar (and often crowd-favourite) presence at cat shows, including here in Australia.
Devon Rex cats are famously people-focused. They don’t just like attention—they seek it out. They’ll perch on shoulders, follow you from room to room, and insert themselves into whatever you’re doing. Many owners describe them as dog-like, even a little cheeky. They’re also warm to the touch, making them perfect hot water bottles for their humans.
Looking back at early photos of Kirlee and the first Devon Rex cats, it’s easy to see why Beryl Cox recognised something special in him—something truly worth preserving and developing.
And that’s really the heart of the Devon Rex story. Every Devon today can be traced back to that one curly-coated, pixie-like cat discovered in Devonshire, who would go on to shape a breed now loved all over the world. It’s a journey built on curiosity, dedication, and a genuine appreciation for something a little bit different.
Because in the end, the Devon Rex isn’t just a breed—it’s a personality, a presence, and for many, a once-in-a-lifetime kind of cat.
The Standard
When a purebred cat is shown, it is judged against a standard. A standard is the rulebook used to assess how correctly a purebred cat presents. It defines the structure of a breed, and the features that separate it from other pure bred cats. It states how the head should look, the eyes, the tail, the coat, and for some breeds, even the colours allowed.
For Devon Rex, the two most important features a cat is evaluated on are its curly coat and it’s distinctive head.
In Australia, there are three governing bodies: The Co-ordinating Cat Council of Australia, The Australian Cat Federation, and Australian National Cats.
Lunafae is a registered member of NSW Cat Fanciers’ Association, which is affiliated with the CCCA. NSW CFA standards are those prescribed by the CCCA and are the standards to which I show and breed. The Devon Rex point scale is broken down into these specific categories:
Scale of Points
Head & neck – 25
Ears – 10
Eye shape & Set – 5
Total – 40
Body – 15
Legs & Paws – 5
Tail – 5
Total – 25
Coat wave, texture, coverage and length – 30
Condition –
Total – 35
Overall total – 100
I also refer to standards used by other associations around the world to understand the Devon Rex as a whole.
Below are the offical Devon Rex standards from organisations that are part of the World Cat Congress. While these standards are very similar, there are differences in detail in each, so it is beneficial for breeders to become familiar with them all.
