Devon Rex History: Origins, Traits, and How the Breed Came to Be

The History of the Traditional Devon Rex: From Kirlee to Today

The Origins

The Devon Rex breed originated in Buckfastleigh, Devonshire, England, and was discovered by Miss Beryl Cox. Miss Cox and others had previously noticed a curly-coated tomcat living in a deserted tin mine near her home.

In July 1959, a feral tortoiseshell-and-white female gave birth in a field near Miss Cox’s garden. Among her litter was a kitten unlike any other—covered in curls and with ringlets along his tail. Captivated by his charm, Miss Cox kept the kitten and named him Kirlee.

Kirlee’s mother was later determined to be the daughter of the curly-coated tomcat from the tin mine and had mated back to him, allowing the recessive gene for curly fur to appear in Kirlee. Beyond his unique coat, Kirlee impressed Miss Cox with his intelligence, playful personality, wagging tail when praised, and ability to learn tricks like walking a tightrope and fetching toys. Generations later, his descendants continue to delight cat lovers with these same traits.

Interestingly, ten years before Kirlee’s birth, another curly-coated kitten named Kallibunker had been found in Cornwall, England. Kallibunker’s descendants are now known as the Cornish Rex, or the original “Gene I” Rex cat.

When breeders learned of Kirlee, they were eager to include him in the Rex breeding programs. However, breeding Kirlee to Cornish Rex descendants produced only straight-coated kittens, proving that Kirlee carried a distinct genetic mutation. This led to the recognition of a new breed, the Devon Rex (originally called the “Gene II” Rex cat), with Kirlee as its foundation sire.

The Birth of a Breed

Miss Cox was captivated by Kirlee’s intelligence, warmth, and playful personality, but she had no intention of creating a new breed. Around the same time, Brian Sterling-Webb in Cornwall was developing the Classic Cornish Rex. Learning of Kirlee, Sterling-Webb and Agness Watts visited Devon to confirm Kirlee’s unique curly coat.

Encouraged by his uniqueness, Miss Cox sold Kirlee to Sterling-Webb for 25 English pounds, and he became a key figure in the emerging Devon Rex breeding program. Breeding experiments confirmed that the Devon Rex’s curly coat was caused by a distinct gene, separate from the Cornish Rex.

Early Breeding Milestones

Kirlee’s descendants were carefully bred using outcrosses to British Shorthairs, American Shorthairs, Burmese, Bombays, and Siamese to expand the gene pool while preserving his traits. These efforts established the Devon Rex’s pixie-like appearance, characterized by large ears, a short muzzle, and soft, wavy fur.

The first Devon Rex breeders based the breed standard of type and coat on Kirlee, and continue to do so today. Through careful outcrossing and health testing, breeders preserved Kirlee’s mutated coat gene and overall type while achieving genetic diversity, allowing Devons to appear in every color and pattern genetically possible.

The Devon Rex developed quickly in England, and in 1967, the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF), the oldest registry of its kind, granted separate breed standards for the Devon Rex and Cornish Rex for championship status, referencing Kirlee in the original standard. The Fédération Internationale Féline (FIFe) followed suit that same year.

In the United States, the American Cat Fanciers Association (ACFA) accepted the Devon Rex for championship status in 1972. When The International Cat Association (TICA) was organized in 1979, they accepted the Devon Rex for championship status in the same year, which was also when the names Devon Rex and Cornish Rex were officially adopted for the two mutations.

Initially, the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) did not recognize the Devon Rex as a separate breed, registering them under the existing Cornish Rex standard. This changed in February 1979, when the CFA granted the Devon Rex separate breed status, with provisional recognition effective May 1, 1981, and later Championship status on May 1, 1983. Around the same time, when The International Cat Association (TICA) was founded in 1979, the Devon Rex was accepted for championship status, marking its recognition as a distinct breed in both major American cat registries and helping establish the Devon Rex’s reputation worldwide.

The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) accepted the Devon Rex for Championship status, making it the 64th breed to receive this honor.

The first Devons arrived in the U.S. in 1968, brought by Marion White and her daughter Anita, marking the start of American breeding programs and the development of the Anglo-Tex Devon Rex line.

Physical Traits and Coat

The Traditional Devon Rex is notable for its soft, suede-like coat, which differs from the Cornish Rex. It contains all three hair types—guard, awn, and down—with the guard hairs sparse and curly, producing billowing waves and whorls rather than simple ripples. This coat feels warmer to the touch and is low-shedding, making Devons ideal companions for those sensitive to fur.

Grooming is simple: occasional ear cleaning, nail trimming, short shampoos, or a damp wipe-down is sufficient.

Personality

The Traditional Devon Rex is affectionate, playful, and people-oriented. Often compared to poodles in personality, they seek constant interaction, enjoy exploration, and are highly sociable. These cats are curious, intelligent, and mischievous, with a love of cuddles and attention. Many owners note that once you have a Devon, it’s hard to stop at just one!

Health and Genetic Considerations

While outcrossing helped preserve genetic diversity, early intensive inbreeding caused issues such as:

• Neurological conditions (muscle spasticity) unique to Devons

• Parental blood incompatibilities (Type A/Type B), which could endanger kittens

Today, breeders carefully blood-type cats and outcross responsibly, ensuring healthy kittens and preventing past issues. This approach highlights the importance of ethical breeding practices in maintaining the Devon Rex’s health and temperament.

Legacy of Kirlee

Kirlee, the foundation male, was neutered in 1964 and lived a long, happy life until 1970, continuing to preside at cat shows as the original Traditional Devon Rex. His descendants carry on his legacy today, celebrated for their playful nature, affectionate personalities, and charming pixie-like appearance.

The Devon Rex’s history is a testament to genetic uniqueness, careful breeding, and human devotion, making it one of the most beloved and distinctive cat breeds in the world.