Two Mutations, Two Counties, No Relation
The wavy coat is where the resemblance starts and largely ends. The Cornish Rex first appeared in farm litters in Cornwall, and the Devon Rex turned up later in neighbouring Devon, but breeding trials showed the two curls came from different genes. Outcrossing a Devon to a Cornish produced straight-coated kittens, proof that these are separate breeds that happen to share a hairstyle.
That separate origin explains why everything under the wave — skull shape, ear placement, body type, even coat texture — diverges. Choosing between them is choosing between two distinct personalities wearing similar coats.
Faces, Ears, and Bodies
The Devon Rex has a short, broad, wedge-shaped head with prominent cheekbones, a short muzzle, and very large eyes that give it an elfin, surprised expression. The ears are enormous and set low on the sides of the head, wide at the base like a bat's. The body is medium-sized, hard, and muscular under the curls.
The Cornish Rex is the more refined silhouette: a narrow, egg-shaped head with high cheekbones, a long straight profile, and large ears set high on top of the head. The body is fine-boned yet surprisingly heavy and muscular, with long legs, a tucked-up waist, and an arched back reminiscent of a greyhound. Stand them side by side and the Devon reads as impish while the Cornish reads as elegant.
The Coats Themselves
A Cornish Rex lacks guard hairs entirely, so the coat is only soft down and awn hairs waved into tight, uniform marcel waves that ripple in rows across the body. It feels like warm silk or suede and needs almost no grooming. A Devon Rex has all three hair types but shortened and fragile, producing a looser, more open wave, a slightly coarser feel, and characteristically short, curled whiskers and eyebrows, where the Cornish whiskers are also wavy but the overall finish is neater.
Both breeds shed very little visibly, shed hairs being trapped in the wave, but neither is truly hypoallergenic, since allergens come mainly from skin and saliva rather than coat length.
Temperament in the Living Room
Devon Rex cats are renowned people-addicts, following their owners, perching on shoulders, and inserting themselves into books, laptops, and baths. They are playful, clownish, and known for a dog-like devotion, often greeting visitors rather than hiding. They feel the cold and actively seek laps, radiators, and sunbeams.
Cornish Rex cats are equally people-oriented but more athletic and airborne, leaping to high perches, racing through the house, and playing fetch with undiminished enthusiasm into their senior years. Both breeds suit indoor life and dislike being left alone for long stretches, so a household with someone home much of the day suits either, while the choice is really between the Devon's cuddly mischief and the Cornish's elegant, high-energy companionship.
Warmth, Skin, and Everyday Care
Because their coats are thin, both breeds need warmth in winter, and both can feel greasy if skin oils build up, since there is little coat to absorb them. Occasional gentle bathing and ear cleaning are part of Rex ownership, as the large ears collect wax. Fragile Devon hair can break or thin in patches if over-groomed, so a light hand matters.
KinsLe Transferrable Profiles attaches her bathing rhythm, ear-care routine, and favourite heated spots to her file, so those small comforts continue uninterrupted after the move.