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Devon Rex vs Selkirk Rex
Two rex cats with different tempers. The Devon is a small, thin-coated, clinging clown; the Selkirk is a plush, placid, medium-sized cuddler.
Verdict
Pick by coat and pace. The Devon Rex has a soft, thin, wavy coat, weighs 6 to 9 lb and plays hard. The Selkirk Rex has a plush coat of loose random curls in short and long forms, is bigger, calmer and rates top marks with children. A rex coat does not mean low shedding on the Selkirk, and it needs regular combing. The Devon scores lowest for independence, so it needs company more. Choose the Devon for a playful shadow, and the Selkirk for a calm, cuddly family cat.
Choose the Devon Rex if
- You want a small, energetic, clownish cat.
- You prefer a thin coat that needs little grooming.
- You are at home most of the day.
- You will ask your vet about hereditary myopathy, atopic dermatitis and patellar luxation.
Choose the Selkirk Rex if
- You want a calm, cuddly cat for a family with children.
- You like a plush, curly coat and will comb it regularly.
- You want a sturdier cat, with males around 12 to 15 lb.
- You will ask about kidney disease, heart disease and hip dysplasia.
Where they are alike
Both have curly coats from a rex gene and both rate well with other pets. Both are affectionate and do best with company, and both are CFA championship breeds.
Side by side
| Devon Rex | Selkirk Rex | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Rex, hairless, fold and dwarf | Rex, hairless, fold and dwarf |
| Origin | Devon, England | Montana, United States |
| Size | Small | Medium |
| Typical weight | 6-9 lb (2.7-4.1 kg); males are somewhat larger | Males about 12-15 lb (5.4-6.8 kg); females are somewhat smaller |
| Lifespan | 12-15 years | 12-15 years |
| Coat length | Short | Medium |
| Coat | Soft, short, wavy coat with sparse, curled guard hairs; fragile whiskers | Plush, curly coat with loose random curls, in short and long varieties |
| Cat Fanciers' Association | Championship breed since 1983 | Championship breed since 2000 |
| How common | Common | Uncommon |
| Affection | 5 | 4 |
| Energy | 4 | 3 |
| Playfulness | 5 | 3 |
| Talkativeness | 3 | 2 |
| Grooming needed | 2 | 3 |
| Shedding | 2 | 3 |
| Good with children | 4 | 5 |
| Good with other pets | 4 | 4 |
| Happy alone | 1 | 2 |
| Trainability | 4 | 3 |
| Suits a small home | 5 | 4 |
| Allergies | No breed is hypoallergenic. The Devon Rex sheds less hair than many cats, but allergens also come from saliva and skin. | — |
| 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 that wants a calm, cuddly cat with an unusual coat and does not mind regular combing. |
| Less suited to | A cold house, a home left empty all day, or someone who wants a calm cat that keeps its distance. | Anyone who wants an energetic, athletic cat, or who expects a rex coat to mean low shedding. |
| 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