The Selkirk Rex Cat Breed

The Selkirk Rex originated in Montana in the US in 1987.

The Selkirk Rex cat is unique in that it has very curly hair, including its whiskers.






 There is a long coat variety and a short coat variety. Their body is solid and muscular and they are of medium build. Besides being curly, this cat breed's coat is very thick, soft, and plush. The head of the Selkirk Rex is round, with large round eyes and medium ears.

One of the newest natural breeds, this naturally curly cat originated from a housecat, “Miss DePesto of Noface” also called “Pest” who was found in a shelter in Montana.

She was given to a breeder of Persian cats (Jeri Newman of Montana) who bred her to “PhotoFinish of Deekay”, a black Persian. "Pest" produced three curly kittens out of six – proving that unlike the Devon Rex and Cornish Rex, Pest's mutation was dominant. Because the gene is dominant, curly kittens can be born in the same litter with straight haired kittens.

These cats have a very thick coat which is likely to shed regularly, so frequent grooming is necessary. Other Rex Cat breeds have reduced amounts of hair, but the Selkirk Rex does not and is not recommended for people with cat allergies.

The personality of this cat breed is similar to the cat breeds from which it derived. It is very playful like an Exotic Shorthair cat. They are also very laid-back and reserved like the British Shorthair. They are loving, affectionate, and cuddly and very patient. This breed gets along with children and other pets.

The Selkirk Rex is being developed as a large, heavy boned cat rather like the British Shorthair in conformation. The head is round with no flat planes. The curl is plush and loosely curled, showing up more dramatically on the longhair.

The Selkirk Rex cat breed is generally healthy and robust. A good cat owner will need to be fully prepared for the addition of a new Selkirk Rex to the family.

With its curly coat, the Selkirk Rex can experience irritation inside of the ear and wax build-up due to the curly fur. Some Selkirk Rex cats may be prone to polycystic kidney disease, a condition in which cysts form in the kidneys and may lead to kidney failure. They may also be prone to cardiomyopathy, a heart condition in which the muscle becomes enlarged and results in a deficiency of blood circulation.