The Devon Rex Standard


GENERAL: The Devon Rex is a breed of unique appearance. Its large eyes, sort muzzle, prominent cheekbones, and huge, low-set ears create a characteristic elfin look. A cat of medium fine frame, the Devon is well covered with soft, wavy fur; the fur is of a distinctive texture, as the mutation which causes its wavy coat is cultivated in no other breed. The Devon is alert and active and shows a lively interest in its surroundings.

HEAD: modified wedge. In the front view, the wedge is delineated by a narrowing series of three (3) distinct convex curves: outer edge of ears, cheek-bones, and whisker pads. Face to be fullcheeked with pronounced cheek bones and a whisker break. In profile, nose with a strongly marked stop; forehead curving back to a flat skull.

MUZZLE: short, well-developed. Prominent whisker pads.

CHIN: strong, well-developed.

EYES: large and wide set, oval in shape, and sloping towards outer edges of ears. Color should be clear, intense, and appropriate to coat color.

EARS: strikingly large and set very low, very wide at the base, so that the outside base of ear extends beyond the line of the wedge. Tapering to rounded tops and well covered with fine fur. With of without ear tufts and/or ear-tip tufts.

BODY: hard and muscular, slender, and of medium length. Broad in chest and medium fine in boning. with medium fine but sturdy legs. Carried high on the legs with the hind legs somewhat longer than the front. Allowance to be made for larger size in males, as long as good proportions are maintained.

LEGS and PAWS: legs long and slim. Paws small and oval, with five toes in front and four behind.

TAIL: long, fine, and tapering, well covered with short fur.

NECK: medium long and slender.

COAT: Density: the cat is well covered with fur, with the greatest density occurring on the back, sides, tail, legs, face, and ears. Slightly less density is permitted on the top of the head, neck, chest, and abdomen. Bare patches are a fault in kittens and a serious fault in adults; however the existence of down on the underparts of the body should not be misinterpreted as bareness. Sparse hair on the temples (forehead in front of the ears) is not a fault.Texture:the coat is soft, fine, full-bodied, and rexed (i.e., appearing to be without guard hairs).Length: the coat is short on the back, sides, upper legs, and tail. It is very short on the head, ears, neck, paws, chest, and abdomen.Waviness: a rippled wave effect should be apparent when the coat is smoothed with one`s hand. The wave is most evident where the coat is the longest, on the body and tail.

PENALIZE:narrow, long, or domestic-type short-hair head; small or high set ears; bushy tail; straight or shaggy coat; bare patches.

DISQUALIFY: extensive baldness, kinked or abnormal tail, incorrect number of toes, crossed eyes. weak hind legs. Any evidence of illness or poor health.

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