While Abyssinian comes from Southeast Asia, Devon Rex has United Kingdom origin.

But honestly, breeds' origin doesn't reveal a lot about it, so please keep reading to learn more about these interesting breeds.

Although both breeds are very intelligent, it's important to consider their differences as well.

Here is some basic information about these breeds:

Abyssinian vs Devon Rex Appearance

Devon Rexs are longer.

Devon Rexs have an average length of 15 to 18 inches and a weight of 5 to 10 pounds.

On the other side Abyssinians, have a typical length of 12 to 16 inches and an average weight of 6 to 10 pounds.

Temperament

No doubt, each cat has its own temperament, but we'll try to make some generalizations and help you choose the breed that will fit

Affectionate with Family

Looking for a perfect family cat?

Well, we'd strongly advise to choose Devon Rex over Abyssinian.

Devon Rexs love their people, and being a part of a family is something that helps them thrive.

Abyssinians, on the other hand, are more of an independent type, that will prefer to stay silent in the corner, or their spot and monitor closely what is happening around them.

This doesn’t mean that there is no love toward humans but instead means that they prefer moments of solitude. You can still expect Abyssinians to come to you for cuddles - at their own pace.

Kid-Friendly

Owning a feline and having a kid can be challenging but also so much rewarding. This is especially true if you get a Abyssinian or a Devon Rex because you will enjoy watching your kid growing with them together.

These breeds are major kids lovers, and describing them only as kid-friendly isn't enough.

Both breeds will monitor kids closely whenever you leave the room.

With so kid-friendly breeds around, your kid can easily learn how to behave around cats, and even how to train them. Treats can do wonders, even with cats.

Friendly Toward Strangers

Surprisingly, some cats are more than fond of strangers. They may not show their affection toward strangers like dogs do, but they have their share of showing friendliness toward strangers.

Cats will respond well to strangers when they feel safe. Both breeds will be polite, calm, and friendly toward strangers who treat them right.

In practice, this means that strangers who approach either Abyssinians or Devon Rexs may expect a friendly greeting.

If you don't mind having a cat who isn't scared of people, you may welcome these breeds into your home.

Just a word of caution: cats that are friendly with strangers and live in indoors on a terrace should have a safe area covered with a cat net. If you are a social butterfly with frequent visitors, both breeds will value the crowd.

Pet Friendly

Cats are known for being independent creatures. They love being around people, but on their terms.

If there could be a towering safe place for them to overlook everyone and everything, they would claim it as theirs. Although they are independent, they still need affection and love, which is why some are extremely friendly.

Not only that they are friendly and affectionate toward people, but they are highly affectionate toward other pets as well, including dogs. These breeds are ultra-friendly, and they will enjoy multi-pet households.

If your home is blessed with multi-pets and you want a feline or another pet, you should focus on getting a friendly cat.

Bear in mind that some cats are more friendly than others are, but if you choose Abyssinians or Devon Rexs you won't make a mistake, and you will definitely get a polite and friendly furry pet toward other pets.

Potential for Playfulness

Some cats are naturally more playful than others.

In human terms, some cats are social, while others are very independent creatures that prefer to be left alone. If you want a feline that is playful and always ready to chase that ball, you cannot go wrong with choosing Abyssinian or Devon Rex.

If you get one of these breeds be ready to invest some time in playtime, or your feline will get bored and eventually become destructive.

Once you get a playful breed be ready to organize your living space to accommodate your cat’s playful side. Cats need space where they can explore, jump, and rest. Think in terms of cat furniture and durable cat toys.

General Health

Unless you are ready to cover high veterinarian costs you should stay away from both Abyssinian and Devon Rex, as they are considered to be cats of poor health.

If you want Abyssinian or Devon Rex be ready to do throughout research on finding the best breeders possible, and finding the best veterinarian so your feline can have the best care possible.

Know that cats are prone to eye problems, and lower urinary tract diseases (FLUTD), including infections and bladder stones, in most cases, but not limited.

Once you find a responsible breeder, check for medical records of the breed and take your new pet to your veterinarian.

Grooming

Cats are natural groomers. They may love to hide, get into small holes, and explore different scents, but they will do their best to clean themself afterward.

Owning a Abyssinian will be more demanding than owning a Devon Rex as they require more grooming.

But don't let this fret you. Each breed requires grooming (brushing, trimming nails, hair trimming and combining, shaving mats, etc), it's just a matter of how frequently you should groom them.

Shedding

Nobody enjoys the facts cats shed, but if you hate that, you should probably stick to Devon Rexs, as they shed less than Abyssinians.

However, don't forget that all cats need regular brushing, but how often depends on the breed.

Cats are not too fond of being handled, so invest in high-quality (and proper) grooming tools to make the brushing process easier and short.

Tendency to Vocalize

There are two types of cats: talkative, and silent.

But there are also two types of people: people who like talkative cats, and people who don't.

Therefore, you should consider this characteristic when you're choosing the perfect cat breed.

With Abyssinian, you will probably deal with a breed with a high tendency to be vocal, while Devon Rexs are often described as a breed with a medium tendency to vocalize.

Intelligence

It's a well-known fact that cats are among the most intelligent creatures alive. They are smart to react instinctively, fast to hunt, and smart to hide in a matter of seconds.

Intelligence is a factor to consider when getting a cat. If you want a super smart cat that can be trained but is also independent enough to learn on its own, both breeds are great to have around.

Did you know that cat intelligence is ranked on their sociability and willingness to interact with their owners?

These breeds are fast to interact, communicate, and demand a lot of your time and playtime to thrive.

The Final Word

We hope our Abyssinians vs Devon Rexs comparison helped you to choose the right breed for you.

You can use the tool below to make a new comparison.