18/10/2025
🧬 Let’s talk about Genetic Diversity!
I’ve been seeing a lot of posts about “diversity in lines” lately — which is great!
It’s needed… but only when it’s done correctly.
💡 So what’s the goal of genetic diversity?
Most of the time — it’s about health.
Sometimes — it’s to improve a specific trait.
Too much inbreeding or linebreeding can exaggerate health issues that might not have been a problem before (think: extreme noses or fragile immune systems).
Introducing new genes can dilute harmful carriers and strengthen a breed overall.
Sometimes it’s even used to refine a trait.
Example 👉 A Devon breeder once ran an outcross program to improve the chocolate coloring in Devons — aiming for a richer, more standard-correct tone.
🧾 What counts as “diversity”?
It can be as simple as adding a completely unrelated line to your program.
Or it can mean an approved outcross — crossing with another breed allowed by the registry.
For Devons, TICA allows outcrosses to:
🐾 American Shorthair
🐾 British Shorthair
🐾 European Shorthair
🐾 Burmese
🐾 Bombay
🐾 Sphynx
🐾 Siamese
Anything outside that (like a Devon × Cornish Rex) isn’t registerable — and in that case, there’s really no benefit to the Devon standard anyway.
🧩 Outcrossing ≠ Designer Breeding
This is where some confusion happens.
Outcrossing is for improving a breed, not creating a new one or chasing trends.
These programs take years of work — not “I want a Devon with short legs because it sells for more.”
It’s: “I want to strengthen the head shape and coat in my line — even if it takes generations to get there.”
These kittens usually stay within breeder circles, sometimes offered for less, because the goal isn’t profit — it’s progress.
👀 A little hint…
There’s a surprise coming soon 😉
I’m introducing a new cat with a rounder head, fuller coat, and better muzzle break — traits that also support a healthier structure.
💙 About DBE (Dominant Blue Eyes)
Recently the Dominant Blue Eye (DBE) gene has appeared in some Devon lines, often under the claim of “genetic diversity.”
While the idea may sound appealing, the ex*****on and outcomes are a growing concern.
Many breed clubs and registries worldwide are now raising red flags about the potential health implications of this gene. Some have even put to vote to make DBE an automatic disqualification in the show ring. Like TICA is currently.
What’s even more concerning is that, in pursuit of this eye color, some breeders are taking steps backward in the breed standard — compromising head shape, structure, and coat quality to favor a single aesthetic trait.
When type, health, and balance are sacrificed for a color of eye, the integrity of the breed begins to erode.
We’re also now seeing the aftermath of DBE in Maine C**n breeding populations, where health and structural issues are surfacing as a result of rushed or unresearched introductions.
Because of this, we have chosen not to participate in DBE programs.
Introducing a trait that is disqualified in the show ring contradicts the very goal of ethical breeding — to better the breed, not harm it.
Unless years of solid, peer-reviewed research one day prove the gene to be stable and safe, we will not incorporate DBE into our program.
And as always, our policy remains firm:
💰 We never charge more based on color, eye trait, or rarity.
🚫 We strongly discourage supporting breeders who inflate prices for DBE kittens — there is no ethical reason for this practice.
🧠 The Purpose of Responsible Breeding
True genetic diversity isn’t about chasing rare traits or trendy looks. It’s about building a healthier, stronger, and more stable future for the breed.
Every decision we make — from selecting pairings to choosing which kittens to keep — reflects that purpose.
Health comes before hype.
Structure comes before sparkle.
And ethics always come before profit.
🐾 Final Thoughts
Outcross programs, when done responsibly, can be one of the most valuable tools a breeder has to preserve and improve a breed. But they require knowledge, commitment, and a willingness to think long-term.
Our goal is — and will always be — to better the Devon Rex breed, ensuring it remains healthy, balanced, and true to standard for generations to come.
