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Cornish Rex vs Devon Rex
Two small, playful rex cats. The Cornish has a down-only coat and more energy; the Devon is more common, clingier and rated best for small homes.
Verdict
These are close cousins, and the main difference is energy and coat. The Cornish Rex has a fine, waved coat of down hair only and scores top marks for energy. The Devon Rex has a wavy coat with a few curled guard hairs, fragile whiskers and a clinging nature. The Devon scores lowest for independence, so it suits the home with someone around nearly all day. Choose the Cornish for a sprinter, and the Devon for a shadow.
Choose the Cornish Rex if
- You want the highest energy level, with play that fills the day.
- You like the down-only coat with no guard hairs.
- You want a breed without a named health watch-list in its profile.
- You can keep the home warm.
Choose the Devon Rex if
- You want a cat that stays near you, since the Devon scores lowest for independence.
- You live in a small home, where the Devon rates best of all.
- You want an easier search, since the Devon Rex is Common and the Cornish is Uncommon.
- You will ask your vet about hereditary myopathy, atopic dermatitis and patellar luxation.
Where they are alike
Both weigh 6 to 9 lb, have thin short coats that need little grooming and shed lightly, and have large ears. Both want a warm house and company, and both score top marks for affection.
Side by side
| Cornish Rex | Devon Rex | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Rex, hairless, fold and dwarf | Rex, hairless, fold and dwarf |
| Origin | Cornwall, England | Devon, England |
| Size | Small | Small |
| Typical weight | 6-9 lb (2.7-4.1 kg); males are slightly larger | 6-9 lb (2.7-4.1 kg); males are somewhat larger |
| Lifespan | 12-15 years | 12-15 years |
| Coat length | Short | Short |
| Coat | Very fine, soft, tightly waved coat of down hair only, with no guard hairs | Soft, short, wavy coat with sparse, curled guard hairs; fragile whiskers |
| Cat Fanciers' Association | Championship breed since 1964 | Championship breed since 1983 |
| How common | Uncommon | Common |
| Affection | 5 | 5 |
| Energy | 5 | 4 |
| Playfulness | 5 | 5 |
| Talkativeness | 3 | 3 |
| Grooming needed | 2 | 2 |
| Shedding | 2 | 2 |
| Good with children | 4 | 4 |
| Good with other pets | 4 | 4 |
| Happy alone | 2 | 1 |
| Trainability | 4 | 4 |
| Suits a small home | 4 | 5 |
| Allergies | No breed is hypoallergenic. The thin coat sheds less hair than most, but allergens come from saliva and skin as well as fur. | No breed is hypoallergenic. The Devon Rex sheds less hair than many cats, but allergens also come from saliva and skin. |
| Suits | An active household that wants a playful, people-loving cat and can keep the home warm. | A warm, busy home with someone around much of the day and a taste for a clinging, playful cat. |
| Less suited to | A cold house, a home that is empty all day, or anyone who wants a calm lap cat. | A cold house, a home left empty all day, or someone who wants a calm cat that keeps its distance. |
| Registries that recognise it |
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| Health conditions to watch | — |
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Facts come from each breed's profile. Scores run from 1 (low) to 5 (high) and describe a breed in general. Every cat is an individual, so meet the cat before you decide.
Last reviewed November 7, 2026