The origins of the Devon Rex from a single domestic cat *"Kirlee" who was a known longhair carrier has always allowed the possibility of the recessive longhair gene remaining within the breed.  The efforts to establish a gene pool large enough to sustain a healthy breed based on a recessive rexing mutation has resulted in outcrossing to a variety of breeds, including domestics.

Most, if not all, Devon Rex lines have Persians among their forebears from both the time the breed was established and from other outcrosses in the 1970s and 80s. The use of British Shorthair and domestics as an outcross also had the potential to bring in the longhair gene.

 

Longhair kittens have appeared in Devon Rex litters over the years and sometimes are difficult to identify until adulthood which has contributed to them either being unacknowledged by breeders and/or incorrectly registered.

 

The Longhair Devon Rex is identical in type to the Devon Rex the only differences in the standard, which is currently being reviewed for Devon Rex in New Zealand would relate to coat length.

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The lenght of the Longhair Devon Rex coat can vary at different times of the year, usually being longer in the winter months. Some are just a little too long creating more of a wave then curl whereas others develop full streamers on the back of their ears, knickerbockers on the back of their legs and plumed, squirrel  tails.

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Devon Rex Longhair now have full champion status with New Zealand Cat Fancy having been approved in February 2021.  This is a world first and I am very proud to have successfully applied for this status in New Zealand.