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Devon Rex vs Siamese
Both are clinging, clever and affectionate. The Siamese is far more talkative; the Devon has the wavy coat and rates higher for small homes.
Verdict
These cats share a need for company, and the one thing that decides it is voice. The Siamese scores top marks for talkativeness and tells you about its day. The Devon Rex talks at a moderate level, wears a soft wavy coat and rates top marks for small homes. Both score lowest for independence, so neither suits a household that is empty all day. The Devon is small and clownish, and the Siamese is slender and elegant. Choose the Siamese for conversation, and the Devon for a quieter clinger.
Choose the Devon Rex if
- You want a quieter cat than the Siamese.
- You like the wavy coat and huge ears.
- You live in a small home.
- You will ask your vet about hereditary myopathy, atopic dermatitis and patellar luxation.
Choose the Siamese if
- You enjoy a cat that talks back.
- You want the classic blue-eyed pointed look.
- You want a breed recognised since 1906, with a named watch-list of retinal disease and amyloidosis.
- You want the highest intelligence rating.
Where they are alike
Both are Common, and both score top marks for affection. Both have thin short coats that need little grooming and shed lightly.
Side by side
| Devon Rex | Siamese | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Rex, hairless, fold and dwarf | Shorthair |
| Origin | Devon, England | Thailand (formerly Siam) |
| Size | Small | Medium |
| Typical weight | 6-9 lb (2.7-4.1 kg); males are somewhat larger | 6-12 lb (2.7-5.4 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 | Short, fine, glossy coat that lies close to the body, with no undercoat |
| Cat Fanciers' Association | Championship breed since 1983 | Championship breed since 1906 |
| How common | Common | Common |
| Affection | 5 | 5 |
| Energy | 4 | 4 |
| Playfulness | 5 | 4 |
| Talkativeness | 3 | 5 |
| Grooming needed | 2 | 1 |
| Shedding | 2 | 2 |
| Good with children | 4 | 4 |
| Good with other pets | 4 | 4 |
| Happy alone | 1 | 1 |
| Trainability | 4 | 5 |
| 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 person or family at home often who enjoys a cat that talks, follows them about and wants to be involved in everything. |
| Less suited to | A cold house, a home left empty all day, or someone who wants a calm cat that keeps its distance. | Anyone out all day, anyone who wants a quiet cat, or a household that cannot give a lot of attention. |
| 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