HISTORY OF THE DEVON REX
The year was 1960 in Buckfastleigh, Devon, England. A brownish-black male kitten was born with curls over his body and the softest of coats. He was the only one in his litter with this unusual coat and his owner, Mrs. Cox, named him Kirlee. He later became known as the first Devon Rex on record.
When Kirlee's potential was realized, he and his offspring were bred to other cats to establish a strong gene pool. Color and physical appearance were standardized. The unique coat quality proved to be a recessive gene which continued to breed true. The GCCF soon recognized the mutation and Devon Rex was on its way. They have become extremely popular in Europe today. Austialia and New Zealand have begun breeding programs as have South Africa and Colombia.
The first breeding program in the United States began in 1968 in Texas. The Whites of Anglo-Tex Cattery imported the first Devon Rex from England. To this day they continue to work with the breed. The Devon Rex in our country owes a great deal to these loyal pioneer breeders.
The Devon has a soft, downy coats with waves as if he had just stepped out of a hair styling salon. There are no hard guard hairs, just velvety, short undercoat. It gives a most extraordinary appearance
The Devon's ears are astoundingly large. They are wide at the base and set low on the head. The head is short and wide. The entire picture is elfin or pixie-like.
All Info on the Devon Rex was found at
http://www.kotickee.com/devons/index.htmA Image of the Devon Rex can be found at the URL above.
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