Official ICCF Breed Description
Brief Historical Background
The Devon Rex breed originated in the county of Devon, United Kingdom, during the 1960s. The first cat with an unusual wavy coat and large ears was found among stray animals and caught the attention of breeders. It differed from the previously known Cornish Rex, which was confirmed through breeding experiments. Systematic work then began to fix the distinctive traits—primarily the curly coat, unique head shape, and graceful body. The Devon Rex quickly gained popularity thanks to its striking appearance and friendly personality. Today, the breed is recognized by international organizations and is valued for its distinctive look as well as its affectionate, playful, and sociable temperament, making these cats ideal family companions.
General Appearance
The Devon Rex is an elegant, graceful, medium-sized cat with a distinctive appearance that sets it apart from all other breeds. The body is slender, muscular, with a fine bone structure and long limbs. The head is wedge-shaped, with prominent cheekbones and a clearly defined stop. The ears are large and widely set, giving the breed its characteristic “elf-like” expression. Eyes are large, oval, and widely spaced, with a lively and expressive look. The coat is short, soft, wavy, and close-lying, giving a plush texture. The overall impression is one of harmony, balance, grace, agility, and a unique charm typical of the Devon Rex.
Important Proportions
The Devon Rex has distinctive proportions defining its breed type. The head is short and wedge-shaped, with the distance from forehead to nose tip shorter than in most breeds. The ears occupy a large part of the head and appear disproportionately large. The eyes are wide-set, their width approximately equal to the distance between them. The body is slim and elongated, with the limbs forming a significant portion of the cat’s height. The tail is long and thin, in proportion with the body’s elegance. The coat is uniformly short and wavy, covering the entire body without bald patches. All proportions should emphasize the breed’s elegance and refinement.
Behavior and Character
The Devon Rex is highly social and affectionate. These cats are exceptionally active, love to play, and seek close contact with people. They form strong bonds with their owners, often following them around the house and participating in daily activities. Devon Rexes are true companion cats—good with children, dogs, and other pets. Intelligent and curious, they easily learn simple commands and sometimes display dog-like behaviors, such as fetching toys. They are gentle, inquisitive, and dislike solitude, requiring constant interaction. Aggression is not characteristic of the breed.
Head
The Devon Rex’s head is short and wedge-shaped with smooth lines, combining elegance with expressiveness. The skull is flat and moderately wide with a slightly rounded forehead. The transition from forehead to nose is clearly marked, forming the characteristic stop. Cheekbones are prominent, accentuating the cat’s exotic look. The chin is firm but not heavy, symmetrical, and proportionate to the head. The overall facial expression is open and unique, making the breed instantly recognizable.
Facial Part
The facial area is short, neat, and compact with smooth contours. The nose is short with a noticeable stop, and the tip slightly upturned. The pronounced cheekbones highlight the head’s unusual shape, giving a soft yet expressive appearance. The chin is moderate and should not be weak or protruding. The face combines smooth yet distinct lines, contributing to the breed’s signature “elfin” look.
Eyes
The eyes are large, oval, and wide-set, giving an open and expressive look. Their placement conveys attentiveness and curiosity. Eye color should be rich, deep, and harmonize with the coat—ranging from bright green and gold to copper or blue. The Devon Rex’s gaze often appears curious and slightly surprised, emphasizing its lively expression. Eyes are among the breed’s most striking features.
Ears
The ears are very large, broad at the base, and set low and wide. They form a defining feature of the breed, giving it its mythical appearance. The tips are slightly rounded, and fine tufts may appear along the edges. Their position should enhance the head’s width and balance. Ears must be significantly larger than average, harmonizing with the eyes and overall facial expression.
Neck
The neck is of medium length, appearing slender and flexible. It connects smoothly with the body, emphasizing the cat’s refinement. Musculature is well-developed yet delicate in line. The neck should not appear short or thick; rather, its elegant outline enhances the cat’s graceful impression. During movement, the neck contributes to the breed’s noble and fluid appearance.
Body
The body is medium-sized, elongated, and slender, with a light but strong bone structure. The chest is moderately broad, the back straight and flexible, reflecting the cat’s athleticism. The body must be well-proportioned, with clearly defined musculature providing strength and endurance. Despite its delicate look, the Devon Rex is robust and well-built. The overall impression is one of lightness, agility, and contained energy.
Tail
The tail is long, thin, and tapering toward the tip, fully covered in short wavy fur, harmonizing with the overall silhouette. The tail is highly flexible and aids balance during jumping and movement. It must match the body’s proportions—not short or thick—and completes the elegant outline of the Devon Rex.
Forelimbs
The forelegs are long, slender, and fine-boned yet strong. Elbows are directed straight back, ensuring correct stance. Paws are oval, neat, and well-defined. The limbs look delicate but are muscular, giving the cat confident and fluid movement. Their balance with the body emphasizes the Devon Rex’s elegance and breed type.
Hind Limbs
The hind legs are slightly longer than the forelegs, giving the body a characteristic tilt and dynamic appearance. The thighs are strong and muscular, providing excellent jumping power and flexibility. Paws are oval and proportional to the front ones. The hind limbs must be symmetrical, harmonizing with the body and highlighting the breed’s athletic, active character.
Gait and Movement
The Devon Rex moves lightly and springily, with smooth, fast, and elegant motion. Its gait reflects agility and flexibility, with well-balanced, energetic steps. The breed’s natural liveliness and jumping ability should be evident in its movement. The overall gait exudes balance, grace, and confidence.
Coat
The coat is short, soft, and velvety with clearly defined waves. It should cover the entire body evenly, without bald spots, and feel resilient to the touch. The waves are most visible on the back, chest, and tail. Slight variations in texture are allowed, but the coat should always appear plush and even. The undercoat is minimal.
Permitted Colors
All colors and patterns are allowed—solid, tabby, bicolor, pointed, and with white markings. Both warm and cool tones are acceptable, provided they are evenly distributed and harmonious. The coat color should enhance the expressiveness of the eyes and body lines. Eye color must match the coat and be rich and clear. There are no restrictions on coat pattern, making the Devon Rex a diverse and visually unique breed.
Size
The Devon Rex is a medium-sized breed. Males are usually slightly larger, weighing 3.5–4.5 kg, with more muscle and stronger build but retaining elegance. Females are smaller, weighing 2.5–3.5 kg, with slimmer bodies and even lighter, more agile movement. Average height at the withers is 25–30 cm. All dimensions must maintain balance and harmony; overly large or small individuals are considered deviations.
Faults
Faults include all deviations from the standard that do not critically affect health but diminish breed type: weak chin, excessively long or straight nose, poorly defined stop, small or high-set ears, narrow or close-set eyes, insufficient musculature, or coarse bone structure. Coat issues such as lack of waves, bald patches, or overly harsh texture are also faults. Dull or mismatched eye color is undesirable. Minor faults are acceptable if overall harmony is preserved, but they affect show evaluation.
Disqualification
Disqualifying faults include serious deviations from the standard that make the cat unsuitable for shows or breeding: incorrect bite, facial asymmetry, excessively long or coarse head, complete absence of coat waviness, severe bald areas, tail kinks, limb deformities, or signs of rickets. Crossed, tiny, or heterochromatic eyes are not allowed. Aggressive or abnormal behavior in the show ring is grounds for disqualification. Any congenital or acquired defect affecting health or breed type excludes the animal from breeding programs.
Important Notes
When breeding Devon Rex cats, it is crucial to consider their specific needs. Their fine, delicate coat requires gentle care and regular attention. Due to their affectionate and active nature, they do not tolerate loneliness well and need constant interaction and play. Breeders must ensure responsible pairing to preserve coat texture and typical proportions. Crossbreeding with breeds of different coat types or body structures is not allowed, to prevent loss of unique traits. All cats must be shown and bred only with official ICCF documentation verifying their pedigree and standard conformity.
Conclusion
The Devon Rex is a truly unique breed combining an extraordinary appearance with a vivid, affectionate personality. It is admired for its elegance, liveliness, and loving temperament, making it a perfect companion. According to ICCF standards, representatives of this breed must display balanced proportions, a distinctive head, large ears, oval eyes, and a wavy coat fully covering the body. Their temperament should remain friendly and stable. Participation in shows and breeding is permitted only with official ICCF documents confirming pure lineage and compliance with the standard. This ensures preservation of the breed’s distinctive qualities and maintains the high standards of health and type essential to the Devon Rex.
