What makes a purebred Devon Rex and what is a Devon Rex hybrid? Did you know that the pixie-like personality comes in a straight-coated package? This section will introduce you to the CFA hybrid program and explain how the breeders that use hybrids are working hard to promote good health and genetic diversity in the Devon Rex gene pool. A hybrid program is an investment in the future for those breeds that do not have any other source for new bloodlines. Those breeders that participate in a hybrid outcrossing do so unselfishly and often at a negative financial return as the average pet buyer is looking for a traditional curly Devon Rex and isn't interested in one that looks different.
The curly coat gene is recessive to the straight coat gene. When a straight-coat is bred to a curly-coat, all of the kittens will have a straight coat. These F1 (first generation) kittens with the best Devon type are then bred back to a curly coated Devon and statistically, 50% of those kittens will have a curly coat. This generation of kitten is called an F2 and if the coat is curly, they are called Devon Rex, not hybrids. The F2 kitten(s) with the best Devon type are once again bred back to a curly coated Devon.
In CFA (Cat Fanciers Association), the American Shorthair (ASH) and the British Shorthair (BSH) breeds are approved for outcross with the Devon Rex. These are not domestic cats or cats rescued from a shelter but purebred breed representatives that often have many Champions and Grand Champions in their pedigrees.
The hybrid program produces the best results when the kittens with the best type are chosen for the next generation. Unfortunately, those kittens do not always have a curly coat. Every time a litter comes from a Devon hybrid (regardless if it is first, second, third or other generation), 50% of the kittens will have straight coats. Not all of the straight-coated kittens will be used as breeding cats, and those kittens need to find a forever family, just like any other kitten.
A Devon hybrid is registered with CFA as a Devon Rex and often they have the unique Devon-like personality, especially as the percentage of the other breed diminishes. The hybrid coat is often softer than a "normal" cat and it often sheds less. These qualities also increase as the outcross blood is diminished. Because of the lack of demand for these straight-coated offspring, the pet buyer can often get one that has the larger ears, facial bone structure and mischievous personality of a typical Devon Rex for a fraction of the price.
What makes a purebred Devon Rex and what is a Devon Rex hybrid? Did you know that the pixie-like personality comes in a straight-coated package? This section will introduce you to the CFA hybrid program and explain how the breeders that use hybrids are working hard to promote good health and genetic diversity in the Devon Rex gene pool. A hybrid program is an investment in the future for those breeds that do not have any other source for new bloodlines. Those breeders that participate in a hybrid outcrossing do so unselfishly and often at a negative financial return as the average pet buyer is looking for a traditional curly Devon Rex and isn't interested in one that looks different.
The curly coat gene is recessive to the straight coat gene. When a straight-coat is bred to a curly-coat, all of the kittens will have a straight coat. These F1 (first generation) kittens with the best Devon type are then bred back to a curly coated Devon and statistically, 50% of those kittens will have a curly coat. This generation of kitten is called an F2 and if the coat is curly, they are called Devon Rex, not hybrids. The F2 kitten(s) with the best Devon type are once again bred back to a curly coated Devon.
The hybrid program produces the best results when the kittens with the best type are chosen for the next generation. Unfortunately, those kittens do not always have a curly coat. Every time a litter comes from a Devon hybrid (regardless if it is first, second, third or other generation), 50% of the kittens will have straight coats. Not all of the straight-coated kittens will be used as breeding cats, and those kittens need to find a forever family, just like any other kitten.
