The first Devon Rex was discovered In Devonshire, England (hence the name of the breed : Devon Rex). It`s rather a “young” breed that was formed by a self-existent genetic formation. In 1960, a Miss Cox of Devonshire found that a stray cat in her care had given birth to a rather odd looking curly-haired kitten. Delighted with the kitten`s elfin features and wavy curls she named him “Kirlee” – the founding father of the unique and wonderful breed of cats known today as the Devon Rex.
As a result of selection and breeding work the Devon`s features were stabilized being acknowledged in 1967 by GCCF (The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy) as a separate breed.