The Devon Rex Cat

The Devon Rex Cat

The Devon Rex Cat

Devon Rex History

Brown Devon Rex Cat

The Devon Rex didn't settle into the unsuspecting laps of humans until 1960. The father of the Devon Rex breed, a feral, curly-coated tom, lived around an abandoned tin mine near Devonshire, England. He mated with a straight-coated calico female that produced a litter of kittens in the garden of cat fancier Beryl Cox. One of the kittens, a brownish-black male that Cox named Kirlee, had the same short, curly coat as his father. Breeders think that the calico female and the curly-coated male must have been related, since the Devon Rex gene that governs the curly coat is recessive and must be present in both parents to manifest in the offspring. At first, Kirlee was thought to be related to the Cornish Rex. Subsequent matings between Kirlee and the cats of Cornish Rex breeder, Brian Stirling-Webb, resulted in only straight-coated offspring and it became clear that although Kirlee had curly hair, a new Rex gene had been discovered. Cox and Webb concluded that the two breeds were unrelated. The name Devon Rex was adopted for the new breed, and a breeding program was established. To this day, Devon Rex breeders have maintained the original look of the Devon Rex; all Devon Rex should be able to trace their ancestry back to Kirlee, the first Devon Rex.

An Adult Devon Rex Cat

Appearance

The Devon Rex is a breed of unique appearance. Its large eyes, short muzzle, prominent cheekbones, curly whiskers and huge, low-set ears create a characteristic elfin look. The Devon Rex is a fine to medium build, small cat. Females weigh an average of 2-3 kilos when full grown, and males range from 3-4 kilos. Although it may look fragile, the Devon Rex is a sturdy, agile and very muscular breed. Another striking feature of the Devon Rex is its coat, which varies greatly between individuals. Devon Rex have a short, rippling coat, which is either fairly loose with a slight wave in the fur, or tight with a definite kink. The coat is velvety soft, being mainly "down" fur -although there are a few guard hairs, which break the smoothness (these guard hairs are also softer than those found in other cats). Devon Rex kitten coats usually thin out (moult) one or more times during kittenhood. Generally a Devon Rex kitten born with a nice, curly coat will maintain a curly coat as an adult.

A Devon Rex Cat Is Watching

Colors & Coat Patterns

The Devon Rex distinctive soft, wavy coat comes in a variety of patterns and in colours, including pointed (si-rex), solid, shaded, tortoiseshell, calico, bi-colour, harlequin and smoke colours as well as the tabby pattern. The Devon Rex is recognised and accepted for competition in all colours and patterns.

A Cute Adult Devon Rex Cat

Grooming

The Devon Rex is a low maintenance, wash-and-wear companion! Occasionally the Devon Rex's large ears require cleaning, but otherwise a quick shampoo and towel dry (or even a wipe-down with a damp cloth) and a nail-trim is all the grooming most Devon Rex require. Even though their body temperature is the same as other cats, many Devon Rex are surprisingly warm to the touch due to a lighter, less insulating coat. Not surprisingly, Devon Rex tend to be ‘heat seekers,’ so extra heat sources may be useful in winter. Due to their rarity and outgoing nature, Devon Rex are best kept indoors.

Four Cute Devon Rex Kittens

Personality

The character of the Devon Rex is remarkable! Devon Rex are alert and active, and shows a lively interest in their surroundings. They love to be with their humans, and enjoy playing fetch or other games. They are also extremely agile cats with an inquisitive nature and will explore every corner of their homes. Devons Rex like dogs, follow their humans from room to room, inviting themselves along for every activity - preferably perched on a shoulder, lap, or wherever they can be closest to their people. Never wishing to left-out of any activity, Devon Rex owners find the breed very intelligent, obsessively affectionate, loyal and fun-loving. The Devon Rex is a cat with attitude and purrsonality plus – a breed that is definitely not for the faint hearted!

The Chinchilla Cat

The Chinchilla Cat

The Chinchilla Cat

A Mature Chinchilla Cat

Chinchilla History

Chinchillas are a variety of the Persian cat. The Chinchilla is classed as a "silver" cat. Chinchillas of today have a quiet, gentle nature and would suitable for anyone with the exception of small children, the same applies to all Persians . They will need grooming daily in the cooler months or less frequently when not in full coat. Just a few minutes is all it takes. This could be done while you are watching TV. Of course the exotics (lazy mans Persian) need hardly any grooming at all which makes them a perfect choice for the busy, working person who still wishes to have a cat with the beauty of the chinchilla.

A Cute Chinchilla Kitten

Coat Colour

The Chinchilla undercoat should be pure white, the coat on the back, legs, flanks, head, ears and tail being tipped with black, this tipping evenly distributed giving the characteristic sparkling appearance. The face and legs may be very slightly shaded with the tipping but the chin , ear tufts, stomach and chest must be pure white. Any cream or brown tinge or tabby markings is considered a fault. Ideally the hocks should be unblemished.

Eye colour:

Emerald or blue/green.

Nose Leather:

Brick red, outlined with penciling of black.

Pads:

Black

An Adult Chinchilla Cat

Chinchilla Personality

Chinchillas are generally very placid, quiet cats, happy to lie around the home being decorative. They are affectionate, enjoy attention and can become quite attached to their owners. Chinchillas are ideally suited to flats or houses as many prefer to spend much of their day inside. The long white coat does shed a lot of hair which will become worse when the winter coat is dropping. While daily brushing will reduce the amount of hair shed, it will still cover clothes and furniture.

The Bengal Cat

The Bengal Cat

The Bengal Cat

Bengal Cat Personality

An Adult Bengal Cat

Bengals are extremely intelligent cats who form strong bonds with their owners. They love to interact with their humans and are always found at the center of any family activity. The Bengal's activity level is very high and they love to play, run and leap. They are great climbers and jumpers. They could at times be described as mischievous. Bengals are not a cat to be ignored. They sometimes demand a lot of attention but they will always keep you entertained with their antics. They are are extremely affectionate. Often described as having a 'dog like' personality they are easily trained. It is not difficult to train them to walk on a leash, fetch or even to shake hands. Many Bengals have a love of water and love to play with it. They may scoop their water dishes with their paws, play in puddles or follow their owners into the shower or bath tub. Bengals make fun, affectionate, wonderful pets and are great with children and dogs. Bengals are medium size and muscular cats.  Many Bengals also have or carry the glitter gene, which makes them shimmer in sun light. Bengals should retain the look of the wild but with the temperament of a well balanced domestic cat.

A Cute Bengal Kitten

Bengal Cats Colors

Below are some of the Bengal colours and patterns

Brown spotted tabby includes leopard spotted (black or dark brown spots and rosettes on beige, tan, or reddish background) Sorrel spotted (light brown spots or rosettes on light beige or tan background), and charcoal on grey. Classic brown tabby includes, black marble pattern and sorrel marble pattern on lighter background in two or more colours. Seal-lynx point includes blue-eyed snow leopards and snow marbles with medium grey or brown pattern on off-white background Silver spotted or Pearly white snows are black spotted on light silver or grey background, currently being developed.

The Bengal Cat Is Watching

Bengal Cat Patterns

The marbled pattern occurs nowhere else in nature. Patterns should be symmetrical on both sides of the body and the pattern should swirl and flow around the body, like the colours in a glass marble. Marbled Bengals also come in all three snow variations, the Seal Sepia, the Seal Mink and the Seal Lynx Point who also have deep blue eyes. All Bengals except the Seal Lynx Point Snow must have a black tipped tail and black paw pads. The Seal Lynx Point has a bitter chocolate coloured tail tip and can have a rose tinted nose and paw pads. Marbled kittens start with blackish grey coats with small streaks of lighter coloured fur scattered about their coat. The Blue and the Silver both come in Spotted or Marbled patterns, both are incredible in appearance. Regardless of colours and patterns, all Bengals should display the same conformation which is reminiscent of their ancestor the truly beautiful Asian Leopard Cat.

The Balinese Cat

The Balinese Cat

The Balinese Cat

Balinese History

An Adult Balinese Cat

The Balinese cat is relatively new to the cat world, beginning in the mid 1950s (although a long haired Siamese was registered in 1928). Although the occasional 'fluffy' popped up from time to time in pure Siamese lines, they were sold off as pets until a few breeders in the U.S decided they were so taken with them that they would start up a breeding program. Mrs Helen Smith (Prefix 'Merry Mews'), one of the pioneer breeders, came up with the name 'Balinese' because, as they walked, their tail gently waved from side to side and this reminded her of the exotic Balinese dancers.

A Mature Balinese Cat

Balinese Appearance

A Balinese should be the same as a Siamese in most respects, the main difference is a beautiful Semi-long haired coat. Some say that everything on a Balinese is slightly 'softer' than on a Siamese, the length of coat giving 'softness' to the lines of the cat and that the voice is a little quieter. The Balinese has a wedge head, in the shape of an equilateral triangle, with large flared ears positioned so as to continue the triangle. The eyes are rich brilliant sapphire blue and are oriental or almond in shape. A long slender neck leads into a refined, lengthy body, well muscled and tubular in shape, the legs are fine boned yet strong, with delicate oval paws. A soft silky coat lays close to the body and flows gently downward towards a magnificent plumed tail. Although long and refined, Balinese cats are also strong, muscular and powerful and could be called 'the ballet dancers' of the cat world.

A Cute Balinese Kitten

Balinese Grooming

Because the Balinese coat is Semi-long haired (a single coat with no downy or woolly undercoat), it does not mat or tangle which makes it extremely easy to manage, an occasional brush, lots of exercise, and a good diet including raw chicken wings and diced raw meat is all it should take to have the coat looking glossy and clean and keep a lean muscular body (A Balinese should never be flabby or fat). Show cats may be bathed prior to a show, and entire males may get 'stud tail' which will require bathing, but these two things will be rarely or never needed for a home neuter.

A Long Haired Adult Balinese Cat

Balinese Personality

Balinese are wonderful companions, you will always have your best friend close at hand if you live with one of these cats. Highly talkative, these cats can always find something to chat about and it is quite common to find people having conversations with their cats. Balinese are also very active, and like to keep themselves busy, usually by being with you, helping with the dinner, chewing the broom as you sweep, and keeping your newspaper warm as you read it. They are extremely affectionate and love to be in contact with their people, sitting on their lap or draped across their shoulders as they walk. A Balinese is a cat that will be noticed. They will be there with you in times of need, consoling you with their company, and they will be there in your times of joy, ready to play and join in the fun. Life with a Balinese is an adventure, always on the move and never dull. You will never be the same once your heart has been touched by these beautiful creatures.

The Abyssinian Cat

The Abyssinian Cat

The Abyssinian Cat

An Adult Abyssinian Cat

Abyssinian Cat History

Although many believe the Abyssinian to be direct descendent of the sacred cat of Egypt, the exact origin of the breed is obscure. Certainly, there is a strong resemblance between the modern Abyssinian and the cat depicted in ancient Egyptian bronzes, paintings and the agouti coated cats found buried in the tombs, with the lithe long body large ears and long tail. The Abyssinian shape and distinctive coat however also bears a striking similarly to the African Wild cats. The first registration of the breed appeared in English studbooks in 1896. The earliest identifiable Abyssinian can be found in the Leiden Museum in Holland. The label reads "domestica India", indicating the origin to the same area. More recent studies have indicated the coast of Indian Ocean between Singapore and Ceylon to be the "homeland" of the Abyssinian Tabby colour pattern - Abyssinians are one of the oldest breeds and they are possibly the closest to a natural breed of all the purebred cats in the world.

A Cute Abyssinian Kitten

Abyssinian Cat Appearance

The overall impression of the ideal Abyssinian would be of foreign build, not as extreme as the Siamese not as rounded as the Burmese but somewhere in between. The Abyssinian is an extremely beautiful and colourful cat with a distinct agouti ticked coat. It is this agouti ticking (flecking) that gives the Abyssinian this rather special "wild cat " look. It is of medium size, lithe, very regal in appearance, hard and muscular showing eager activity and lively interest in its surroundings. Watching an Abyssinian lope across the room invokes images of a wild hunting cat, swift and capable.

A Healthy Abyssinian Cat

Abyssinian Cat Personality

The Abyssinian is an affectionate intelligent cat, very people orientated, extremely active and a cat that thrives on interaction and play. They are not constant lap cats, rather, they need to know what you are doing; like to help you make a telephone call; read your newspaper or make your bed, in fact they insist on being included in all family activities as a right. Whatever it is, an Abyssinian has to be totally involved. Abyssinians are not always ideal for every one so if this higher level of activity will annoy you then a quieter breed should be sort.

A Abyssinian Is Watching

Abyssinian General Health.

Abyssinians are generally a healthy breed, and depending on their life style will live well into their teens. As with all cats they should be kept indoors in order for them to avoid many of the contagious and fatal diseases easily transmitted from the stray population. Vaccinations should always be kept up to date and routine checks should be made regularly. The first sign of any illness should be attended to promptly by a veterinarian.

Many felines are prone to gingivitis, as are some Abyssinians. Incorrect diet is often the main contributor, start by feeding kittens raw chicken wings and necks at a very early age. This will exercise the gums and prevent tartar from forming on the teeth.

The kidney disorder "Renal Amyloidosis:" has been associated with the Abyssinian cat and is thought to be genetic. This disorder often results in kidney failure and the cat's prognosis is often poor. This disease is also seen in many other breeds of cats but unfortunately, some veterinarians incorrectly label it as purely an Abyssinian disease. Only a few breeding lines are likely to produce kittens with Renal Amyloidosis, so this should not deter the public from buying an otherwise relatively sound breed. Responsible breeders will do their utmost to avoid perpetuating health problems, so it is important when purchasing a kitten to chose a reputable breeder and one with whom you can discuss all aspects of the Abyssinian including health matters.