Difference Between Devon rex and Cornish rex- A detailed Comparison
Cornish Rex and Devon Rex are often mistaken for one another. The breeds share a common ancestor in the United Kingdom, which explains why their names sound similar. Both cats have slim, muscular builds, big ears, and wavy fur, so they’re easy to confuse. Even though they have these things in common, there is an obvious difference between Devon Rex and Cornish Rex Cat.
The Devon Rex can be distinguished from the Cornish Rex by its huge, droopy ears, short whiskers, and shorter muscular legs. Compared to the Devon Rex, the Cornish Rex has longer legs, a smaller waist, a broader chest, and a better coat.
Besides these small physical differences, there are also clear personality differences. Here, we’ll compare and contrast the two breeds to highlight their key differences.
Devon rex vs Cornish rex
Overview of the Breeds
Cornish Rex
The Cornish Rex got its name from the part of the United Kingdom called Cornwall, where the breed originated in the 1950s. The breed was created after a unique kitten with curly hair and long legs were found. A recessive gene was responsible for this coat, and the kitten was bred with other cats such as British Shorthairs and Siamese Cats to bring out this characteristic. In 1964, the Cat Fancier’s Association (CFA) gave the Cornish Rex its official name.
Devon Rex
The Devon Rex, like its Cornish kin, may trace their ancestry back to Devonshire in the United Kingdom, albeit some ten years later. It was first believed that the breed was genetically identical to the Cornish Rex because of its short, wavy coat. The cat is also the result of a genetic mutation. Over a decade after the Cornish Rex, in 1979, the CFA officially recognized this breed.
Cornish rex Devon rex Difference in Personalities
Cornish rex Personality
The Cornish Rex is a confident, clever, and charismatic cat that enjoys being in the company of its human companions. This cute cat is a great pet because they enjoy being held by everyone, including young children. Owners of Cornish Rex cats often use the term “dog-like” to describe their pets because of the ease with which they can be trained and the toys they can fetch.
They are noted for being playful cats who keep their fun spirit even after reaching adulthood. Even though they don’t talk as much as some other breeds, like Siamese, these cats aren’t afraid to say what they think and are far from quiet.
Devon Rex Personality
Devon Rex
A Devon Rex is a loving pet that always wants to be near you. They tend to stay close to their master and watch everything they do in a quiet and graceful way. Spending time with this feline is a lot of fun because it is much more relaxed and mellow than its Cornish cousins.
There is a common belief that Devon rex cats are exceptionally devoted to their human family. Their owners say that their cats are happiest when they are near them, whether they are playing, cuddling, or sleeping.
Cornish rex Devon rex Difference in Training and Exercise
Training and Exercise for Cornish rex
It’s easy to train a Cornish Rex because they like to talk to their owners and want to please them. They are highly intelligent cats as well. A climbing tree is a good thing to buy for these active, agile cats because they love to climb it and like to sit on top of it to look over their territory. You’ll be shocked at how quickly this cat learns new games and tasks because to its high intelligence, which makes it a natural at playing tasks and puzzles toys. These cats may pass hours playing with mentally stimulating toys like puzzles.
Training and Exercise for Devon Rexes
Even as adults, Devon Rexes are still playful and act like kittens, though not as much as their Cornish cousins. Although they are playful and will keep kids amused for hours, they are more likely to be seen cuddled up on the couch with their family than doing anything else.
Because of their excellent intelligence, they pick up commands and house manners with ease. They learn new skills quickly and are taught to fetch objects.
Difference Between Devon rex and Cornish rex
Devon Rex versus Cornish Rex: Size
Devon Rexes are a little bit taller but usually weigh less than Cornish Rexes.
The size of these two exceptional cats is the primary distinction between them. Cornish Rexes can grow to be up to 10 pounds in size, whereas Devon Rexes top out at 9 pounds. Devon Rex, however, stand an average of an inch taller than their mainland counterparts. The shoulder height of a Devon Rex is 10 to 12 inches, while a Cornish Rex is 8 to 12 inches.
Devon Rex vs. Cornish Rex: Coats
Their distinct fur is a distinguishing feature of both species of cat. Cornish Rexes and Devon Rexes are both short-haired, curly cats; however, the Cornish Rexes have a considerably better coat. According to the breed standard, Devon Rexes should have a wavy coat with hair that curls loosely. However, their hair is very delicate, so they often go entirely hairless in places where they lick themselves frequently. It also breaks off their whiskers, making them a lot shorter compared to those of Cornish Rexes.
Cornish Rexes also have curly hair, but it is considerably finer because it is made up of only the soft undercoat and not the tough guard hairs. Compared to Devon Rexes, it usually looks softer and shorter. Cornish Rexes are also easily recognized by their curly whiskers.
Cornish Rex vs Devon Rex: Appearance
The short, curly coats of Cornish rex cats are easy to care for.
The most obvious difference between Devon and Cornish Rexes is still their appearance. Large triangular ears (also called “bat-ears”) and an egg-shaped head with prominent cheekbones are two distinguishing features of the Cornish Rexes’ appearance. The Cornish Rexes stand out from other Rex species because of their slim build, long necks, and short, stocky rear legs.
A Devon rex is known for her big ears, big eyes, high cheekbones, and wavy coat.
Devon Rexes, on the other hand, are elfin in appearance because of their peculiar, wedge-shaped heads. Large, rounded ears that sit low on the heads of Devon Rexes are a distinguishing feature of this species. They have a more muscular build, especially in the chest area, and shorter hind legs.
Devon Rex vs. Cornish Rex: Their Behavior
Devon rex cats are friendly and affectionate. They don’t like being alone.
Both cats are very sweet and loving, yet their personalities differ in subtle ways. Due to their high levels of activity and enthusiasm, Devon Rexes have often been dubbed the class clowns. They know how to keep your attention by being exceedingly loud and clever when they play. They love to play hide-and-seek with you by hiding in dark places and meowing for you to come to find them.
They are extremely gratified by human attention and will sit purring quietly for hours if they are praised. But they also like to sit up high and look for the warmest spots around the house. They prioritize convenience and ease of movement.
Cornish rexes make great family cats because they are friendly and like to play.
In addition to being highly intelligent and amusing, Cornish Rexes are also very playful. When it comes to human company, a Cornish Rex cat may seem demanding due to its high sociability. They are so great around kids and these cats, like dogs, are highly trainable and can be entertained for hours on end by playing with and fetching toys. Active and nimble, they have a penchant for climbing, and their curious nature means that they will likely explore just about anything.
Devon Rex vs. Cornish Rex: Grooming and Maintenance
The Devon rex has a straightforward and quick maintenance routine. They need frequent washings because their thin coats easily accumulate grease. They might both look and feel better with a gentle shampoo and warm water. They also need their nails trimmed and their ears and eyes cleaned regularly to avoid infection. To avoid plaque buildup, they would need to brush their teeth twice a week.
Because of their thin coat, they are also sensitive to cold temperatures and conditions. This also renders them vulnerable to sunburn if left in the sunlight for too long, so try to limit their exposure to the sun.
The Cornish Rex cat requires little upkeep. Because of its fine coat and the risk of causing harm to the skin and hair if too much time is spent grooming it, minimal upkeep is required. But they’ll need routines for nail clipping, ear cleaning, and tooth brushing.
Devon Rex vs. Cornish Rex: Suitability
The Cornish Rex makes a great family pet because it gets along well with kids of all ages and wants to play for a long time. Because of their short coat and absence of a protective topcoat, they thrive indoors and will be comfortable there as long as they get a lot of activity . These felines thrive in households where their humans are present most of the time. These social kitties get along great with both feline and canine companions.
Cat lovers can find a wonderful companion in the Devon Rex. They’re great for households with kids and can quickly become fast friends with other pets. They are less hyper and more mellow than Cornish Rex, making them great apartment pets and friends for elderly people.
What Does a “Rex” Cat Mean?
Another Rax cat Breed
The cats with curly coats are called “Rex” cats, and there are several different breeds in this group. So why do they all get called Rex cats? It turns out that “Rex” refers to the group of genetic changes that cause the wavy or curly coats in different breeds. Each breed has a different genetic mutation that controls whether the coats are wavy or curly. Because of this, when Rex cats are crossed with other breeds, most of the kittens have straight coats.
Here, we ‘have looked at two of the most well-known types of Rex cats. There are several more “Rex” breeds besides the Devon and Cornish Rex. These include the LaPerm, Selkirk Rex, and German Rex.
The “Rex” in their names comes from the fact that these breeds have a unique mutation in their genes that makes their fur soft and curly. This genetic mutation makes the cats look similar, but each breed has its unique look, so they are not related at all. Cats of this type typically have short, crinkly whiskers and short, wavy, or crimped coats.
