What coat texture is the Devon Rex cat famous for?

The Devon Rex cat is famous for its curly coat texture.

Devon Rex cats have a short, soft, wavy or curly coat caused by a recessive mutation. Their whiskers and eyebrows are also often curled or fragile. The coat is usually sparse compared with that of many other breeds, giving the cats a distinctive, almost tousled appearance.

The breed began in Devon, England, in the late 1950s. A curly-coated male named Kirlee was found near an abandoned tin mine in Buckfastleigh. Breeders initially thought Kirlee might be related to the Cornish Rex, another curly-coated breed, but crosses showed that the mutations were different. Devon Rex and Cornish Rex therefore developed as separate breeds.

The Devon Rex’s large ears, high cheekbones, slender body, and short muzzle add to its unusual look. Despite popular claims, no cat breed is truly hypoallergenic: allergens are mainly produced in saliva and skin secretions, not simply by the length of the fur. Some people may nevertheless react less strongly to individual Devon Rex cats.