Compare
Devon Rex vs Maine Coon
A small, clinging, thin-coated clown against a large, shaggy, steady family cat that needs brushing and room to climb.
Verdict
Size, coat and attachment all differ. The Devon Rex is small at 6 to 9 lb, has a soft wavy coat and scores lowest for independence, so it wants a person near it all day. The Maine Coon is Large at 8 to 18 lb, has a shaggy double coat that needs brushing a few times a week, and rates top marks with children and other pets. The Maine Coon copes with more time alone. Choose the Devon for a small, warm home with someone present, and the Maine Coon for a family with space.
Choose the Devon Rex if
- You want a small cat that fits any home, a small flat included.
- You want minimal grooming.
- You are at home through the day.
- You will keep the house warm and plan for myopathy, skin and kneecap problems.
Choose the Maine Coon if
- You want a large, good-natured family cat.
- You have children or other pets.
- You will brush a thick coat and accept seasonal shedding.
- You will ask about heart disease, hip dysplasia and spinal muscular atrophy.
Where they are alike
Both are affectionate, playful and intelligent, and both are CFA championship breeds. Both live 12 to 15 years.
Side by side
| Devon Rex | Maine Coon | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Rex, hairless, fold and dwarf | Longhair and semi-longhair |
| Origin | Devon, England | Maine, United States |
| Size | Small | Large |
| Typical weight | 6-9 lb (2.7-4.1 kg); males are somewhat larger | 8-18 lb (3.6-8.2 kg); males are larger |
| Lifespan | 12-15 years | 12-15 years |
| Coat length | Short | Long |
| Coat | Soft, short, wavy coat with sparse, curled guard hairs; fragile whiskers | Shaggy, water-shedding double coat, longer on the ruff, belly and britches |
| Cat Fanciers' Association | Championship breed since 1983 | Championship breed since 1976 |
| How common | Common | Very common |
| Affection | 5 | 4 |
| Energy | 4 | 3 |
| Playfulness | 5 | 4 |
| Talkativeness | 3 | 2 |
| Grooming needed | 2 | 4 |
| Shedding | 2 | 4 |
| Good with children | 4 | 5 |
| Good with other pets | 4 | 5 |
| Happy alone | 1 | 3 |
| Trainability | 4 | 4 |
| Suits a small home | 5 | 3 |
| 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 Maine Coon's thick coat sheds seasonally, and people who react to cats usually react to this breed too. |
| Suits | A warm, busy home with someone around much of the day and a taste for a clinging, playful cat. | A family or a household with other pets that wants a large, sociable cat and will brush it a few times a week. |
| Less suited to | A cold house, a home left empty all day, or someone who wants a calm cat that keeps its distance. | A small flat with little room to climb, or anyone who wants a lap cat that stays small. |
| 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