Compare
Devon Rex vs Exotic Shorthair
A small, clownish, clinging rex against a calm, plush, flat-faced lap cat. Both suit small homes; the Exotic needs face care and the Devon needs company.
Verdict
Energy and attachment decide this. The Devon Rex is small, scores top marks for affection and play, and wants someone beside it all day. The Exotic Shorthair is a medium, plush cat that scores low for energy and voice, and it settles quietly on a lap. Both rate top marks for small homes. The Exotic's flat face brings breathing and eye problems, so it needs face cleaning and regular vet checks. Choose the Devon for a busy, clinging companion, and the Exotic for a calm one.
Choose the Devon Rex if
- You want a playful cat with huge ears and a clownish nature.
- You are home most of the day, because the Devon scores lowest for independence.
- You prefer a small cat of 6 to 9 lb with a thin, wavy coat.
- You will ask your vet about hereditary myopathy, atopic dermatitis and patellar luxation.
Choose the Exotic Shorthair if
- You want a quiet, placid lap cat.
- You will clean the face and pay for regular vet checks.
- You keep a cool home, since heat is hard on a flat-faced cat.
- You will plan for airway, kidney and eye conditions.
Where they are alike
Both rate well with children and other pets and suit a small home. Both are CFA championship breeds, and both are Common.
Side by side
| Devon Rex | Exotic Shorthair | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Rex, hairless, fold and dwarf | Shorthair |
| Origin | Devon, England | United States |
| Size | Small | Medium |
| Typical weight | 6-9 lb (2.7-4.1 kg); males are somewhat larger | 8-15 lb (3.6-6.8 kg); males are larger |
| Lifespan | 12-15 years | 12-15 years |
| Coat length | Short | Short |
| Coat | Soft, short, wavy coat with sparse, curled guard hairs; fragile whiskers | Dense, plush, soft coat that stands out from the body |
| Cat Fanciers' Association | Championship breed since 1983 | Championship breed since 1967 |
| How common | Common | Common |
| Affection | 5 | 4 |
| Energy | 4 | 2 |
| Playfulness | 5 | 3 |
| Talkativeness | 3 | 1 |
| Grooming needed | 2 | 3 |
| Shedding | 2 | 3 |
| Good with children | 4 | 4 |
| Good with other pets | 4 | 4 |
| Happy alone | 1 | 3 |
| Trainability | 4 | 3 |
| Suits a small home | 5 | 5 |
| Allergies | No breed is hypoallergenic. The Devon Rex sheds less hair than many cats, but allergens also come from saliva and skin. | No breed is hypoallergenic. The dense coat sheds steadily and people who react to cats are likely to react to this one. |
| Suits | A warm, busy home with someone around much of the day and a taste for a clinging, playful cat. | A calm indoor home that wants a quiet, affectionate lap cat and is ready to pay for regular vet checks. |
| Less suited to | A cold house, a home left empty all day, or someone who wants a calm cat that keeps its distance. | A hot or humid home, a household with no time for face cleaning, or anyone worried about flat-faced cat welfare. |
| Registries that recognise it |
|
|
| Health conditions to watch |
|
|
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