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Devon Rex vs Tonkinese
Two playful, people-loving cats. The Tonkinese is larger, smooth-coated and top-rated with children and pets; the Devon is small with a rex coat.
Verdict
These two are close, and the one thing that decides it is coat and size. The Devon Rex is small, with a soft wavy coat and huge ears. The Tonkinese is a medium, muscular cat with a close, silky coat and a moderately talkative voice. It rates top marks with children and other pets. Both score top marks for affection and play, and both score lowest for independence. Choose the Devon for the rex look and a small cat, and the Tonkinese for a sociable all-round family cat.
Choose the Devon Rex if
- You want the wavy rex coat and huge ears.
- You want a smaller cat, at 6 to 9 lb.
- You live in a small home.
- You will ask about hereditary myopathy, atopic dermatitis and patellar luxation.
Choose the Tonkinese if
- You want a cat that rates top marks with children and other pets.
- You prefer a smooth coat.
- You want a muscular, medium-sized cat.
- You will ask your vet about gum disease, the one condition on its watch-list.
Where they are alike
Both have short coats that need little grooming and shed lightly. Both are clever, affectionate and suited to a household where someone is home through the day.
Side by side
| Devon Rex | Tonkinese | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Rex, hairless, fold and dwarf | Shorthair |
| Origin | Devon, England | Canada and the United States |
| 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 | Typically 12-16 years |
| Coat length | Short | Short |
| Coat | Soft, short, wavy coat with sparse, curled guard hairs; fragile whiskers | Medium-short, close-lying, fine, silky coat with a lustrous sheen |
| Cat Fanciers' Association | Championship breed since 1983 | Championship breed since 1984 |
| How common | Common | Uncommon |
| Affection | 5 | 5 |
| Energy | 4 | 4 |
| Playfulness | 5 | 5 |
| Talkativeness | 3 | 4 |
| Grooming needed | 2 | 1 |
| Shedding | 2 | 2 |
| Good with children | 4 | 5 |
| Good with other pets | 4 | 5 |
| 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 family or a person at home much of the day that wants a sociable, clever, moderately talkative cat. |
| 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 for long hours; the breed is prone to loneliness and boredom. |
| 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