Sphynx vs Devon Rex
Sphynx or Devon Rex? A side-by-side comparison of size, lifespan, temperament, care needs and observed prices, from our Animal Library.
At a glance
| Sphynx | Devon Rex | |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Ontario, Canada | Devon, England, 1960 |
| Size | Medium · 6–12 lb | Small · 5–9 lb |
| Lifespan | 8–14 years | 9–15 years |
| Coat | Hairless or fine peach fuzz | Short, soft, loosely curled |
| Temperament | Clingy, outgoing, playful | Playful, clingy, clever |
| Best fit | Homes with company all day | Homes with company |
| Energy | ●●●●● Playful and acrobatic | ●●●●● Playful into old age |
| Affection | ●●●●● Sleeps under your covers | ●●●●● Shoulder-rider |
| Grooming load | ●●●●● Weekly baths, ear cleaning | ●●●●● Gentle wipe, ear cleaning |
| Beginner fit | ●●●●● Friendly but high-care | ●●●●● Friendly and trainable |
| Observed price | $1,200 median (21 prices) | Not enough prices yet |
How they differ
- Energy: about the same (4 of 5 each).
- Affection: about the same (5 of 5 each).
- Grooming load: the Sphynx rates higher than the Devon Rex (4 of 5 vs 2).
- Beginner fit: the Devon Rex rates higher than the Sphynx (4 of 5 vs 3).
The Sphynx
A hairless breed developed in Canada from a natural mutation in the 1960s. Warm to the touch and relentlessly social, a Sphynx swaps brushing for regular bathing and needs its owners around most of the day.
Skin oils build up without a coat, so baths, ear and nail-bed cleaning are routine. Sphynx get cold, can sunburn, and carry a high breed risk of heart disease.
The Devon Rex
A small, curly-coated cat from Devon, England, with huge ears and a pixie face. Devons are clownish, clingy and quick to learn tricks, and their thin coat means they seek warm laps and warm people.
A Devon feels the cold, dislikes being alone and follows you everywhere. Its fragile coat can’t take hard brushing, and its large ears build up wax quickly.
Questions
Is a Sphynx or a Devon Rex better for a beginner?
The Devon Rex rates higher for beginners (4 of 5 vs 3). Sphynx: Friendly but high-care. Devon Rex: Friendly and trainable.
What is the main difference between a Sphynx and a Devon Rex?
Skin oils build up without a coat, so baths, ear and nail-bed cleaning are routine. Sphynx get cold, can sunburn, and carry a high breed risk of heart disease. By contrast, a Devon feels the cold, dislikes being alone and follows you everywhere. Its fragile coat can’t take hard brushing, and its large ears build up wax quickly.