You might think you’ve seen it all when it comes to cat breeds, but the Selkirk Rex is here to prove you wrong. Meet one of the most unique cat breeds in our Cat Breed Corner. Do you have a Selkirk Rex of your own? Whether you need a Pet Sitter in the Central Coast, Perth, or Adelaide, Mad Paws will oblige.
Quick Facts
Weight – 3 – 7kg
Lifespan – 10 – 15 years
Country of Origin: United States of America
Best breed for:
- Big families
- Active families
- Households with other pets
Selkirk Rex Breed History ♜
When we first saw this cat, we too had a lot of questions. Is that a real cat? Is it some kind of teddy bear? Did the owner give it a perm? Is this cat part sheep? Who created this breed, some kind of mad scientist? We just had to know more.
As it turns out, the Selkirk Rex history is pretty short and actually kind of ordinary. But there is a little bit of interesting science for all you genetics enthusiasts out there.
The Selkirk Rex is the most recent breed of curly haired cats – the first litter was born just over 30 years ago in 1987. And it was a complete accident. A Calico kitty happened to have a litter in a shelter in Montana in the U.S., and her caretakers were surprised to find that one of the kittens had curly hair.
Because of her unusual coat, she was adopted by the Persian breeder, Jeri Newman, and named Miss DePesto of Noface. If you’re curious about the name, suffice to know that it comes from a hit show starring Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepherd and some excellent 80’s hairstyles.
Miss DePesto of Noface was bred with another unusually named cat, Photo Finish of Deekay (there’s no background on that particular name choice, sorry to let you down.) The next litter had three curly coats, which gave Newman the opportunity to officially say that she had discovered a new breed. Plus, it gave her another chance to put her naming skills to good use. She chose “Selkirk” after her step-father, which made this breed the first and only cat breed named after a human.
It’s time for the science side of things, so get ready for a little genetics lesson. Rexoid cats come from what you would call a spontaneous mutation, meaning that something went astray in that little kitten’s genes. The amazing thing about rexoid cats is that their mutations are completely unique. The trait for the Cornish Rex is different from the Devon Rex is different from our star, the Selkirk Rex.
But there’s one thing that sets the Selkirk apart from their Cornish and Devon relatives: dominance. The trait for curly hair in the Selkirk Rex is a dominant gene, just like brown eyes and face freckles in humans. You can breed a Selkirk with non-curly haired cats and still have a good chance of curly haired kittens.
The Cornish Rex and Devon Rex, on the other hand, must be bred with other cats with the same recessive gene. And because every curly haired mutation is unique, even breeding a Cornish Rex with a Devon Rex is likely to give you all straight-haired cats. What that has meant for those cats is that inbreeding was necessary to build the breed. As a result, Cornish and Devons tend to be pretty uniform in build and coat length.
The Selkirk Rex is a much more variable breed. They come in both shorthair and longhair coat types, and a wide range of colours. You’ll also see just about any eye colour known to cats.
That’s not to say there wasn’t a period of standardisation for the Selkirk Rex. Early breeders introduced Persian, British Shorthair, Exotic Shorthair and American Shorthair cats to establish the breed, which has given us the Selkirk we have today. You can tell a Selkirk by their characteristic round face and eyes, dense build, and strange curly whiskers. And of course, that curly coat.
Selkirk Rex Personality Traits ★
There are plenty of pictures online of grumpy-looking Selkirks, looking like evil teddy bears. Yet, although their round eyes and strong brow may suggest world domination, the true personality of these cats is a much different story.
Selkirk Rex cats are loving, calm, intelligent, and affectionate. They’re just as likely to seek out playtime as they are to cuddle up at your side for a heart-melting snooze. Because of their social nature and friendly attitude, this breed is adaptable to any home.
The Selkirk Rex tends to get along with a variety of other animals, including doggos and humans of all ages. They’re not particularly chatty although they will seek out the attention of their beloved Owners and trusted Pet Sitters.
One thing that Selkirk Rex cats would want you to know before you adopt one is that they don’t particularly like to be held. You might come across the rare specimen who will curl up on your lap, but they much prefer to have all four feet on the ground.
Selkirk Rex Trainability and Training Tips
Perhaps the most important thing to consider with the Selkirk Rex is socialisation. This is a cat that is bound to get a lot of attention – from your neighbours, your friends, and even strangers on the street. Everyone wants to get a closer look at this unusual cat coat, and many people will touch without a second thought.
You can keep your cat safe and happy by making sure they’re well prepared for this kind of centre stage life. Luckily, Selkirks are naturally pretty easy-going and peace-loving. But it’s still a good idea to help them build positive connections with people to avoid stress and negative encounters.
When it comes to training, your Selkirk Rex will jump at the opportunity to learn basic commands and fun tricks. This is a cat breed with a lot of playful energy, and they’ll love learning how to play fetch and walk on a leash.
As with any cat breed, it’s best to follow your Selkirk’s lead. Use their favourite treats or toys during training and play sessions in order to keep their attention. And stay consistent. Selkirks may look more silly than serious, but they’re intelligent. Without proper mental stimulation, they’ve been known to teach themselves how to open doors and drawers to keep themselves entertained.
Living Conditions ⌂
Selkirk Rex cats are happy in almost any setting. But there are a few things to keep in mind.
First, these aren’t exactly small cats, which might make them feel a bit crowded in small apartments. In general, cats will adapt to small homes, but with a large boned cat running around and getting into mischief, don’t be surprised if they accidentally (or on purpose, those wily felines!) knock over some heavier objects like potted plants, candles or lamps.
The best solution is to provide them with spaces where they can play safely. You might set up an indoor obstacle course or play fun games of hide and seek with their favourite toys. That way, you can channel all that energy towards areas of the house without breakable items.
Selkirk Rex cats get along swimmingly with other cats – especially other Selkirks – so this is an ideal cat for families with other furry friends. Take a look at our recent article, Do Cats Make Friends with Other Cats?, to learn more about how your Selkirk will relate to new cat friends.
Selkirk Rex Health +
Selkirks are generally healthy cats with only a few issues to look out for.
Because of their unusual coat, they may be more at risk for hair loss. This tends to be more common when breeders cross two curly haired Selkirks instead of one straight haired Selkirk with a curly haired Selkirk. So, make sure that you get your feline friend from a trusted source.
Other common issues in this breed include heart disease, polycystic kidney disease and hip dysplasia. Because these cats are often bred for shorter and shorter snouts, they may also develop some breathing issues or brachycephalic airway syndrome.
Make sure that your Selkirk Rex takes regular trips to the vet to rule out any of these genetic disorders. If you have a long-haired Selkirk Rex, you should also take extra precautions to prevent weight gain. Long haired cats aren’t more prone to obesity that we know of, but it can be trickier to notice weight changes under all that fur. So, as with any cat, make sure that they’re getting good quality food and regular exercise to maintain a healthy weight.
Coat and Grooming Needs ✄
Finding the right grooming routine for your Selkirk Rex can be a tricky task. Too little grooming, and they can get knots and tangles. Too much, and you put them at risk for lifeless, frizzy curls. They’re also susceptible to greasy coats, which is an issue of a not-quite-right bathing routine.
Why are things so complicated? Well, sometimes that’s what you get with genetic mutation. If Selkirk Rex cats had bred in the wild, chances are the trait might not have survived. After all, having a coat that is difficult for a cat to maintain on its own is just not good evolution. However, breeders stepped in and kept that three-layered coat trait in the gene pool. Now, it’s on us as loving Selkirk Rex Owners to learn how to work with it.
But not to worry, the hard work should only be at the beginning as you iron out the wrinkles in your grooming routine. Here are a few tips to get you started:
- Comb twice per week with a wide tooth cat comb (more if you have a long-haired Selkirk.) The idea is simply to break up any tangles or mats. Throughout the week, cuddle sessions can easily become grooming sessions, as well. You don’t need any special equipment for this, just run your fingers through any knots or tangles to keep those curls beautiful. We don’t recommend using hard bristled brushes, which can lead to follicle damage and skin irritation for your Selkirk Rex.
- When your Selkirk Rex cat’s coat takes on a greasy look, it’s time for a bath. Always use shampoo specifically made for cats (even better if you can find Selkirk Rex cat shampoo) and rinse thoroughly.
And that’s pretty much it! You’ll find that over time, you’ll learn which products are best for your cat and how often you’ll need to bathe them. A good grooming regimen will provide your Selkirk Rex with a soft, beautiful coat with little to no shedding.
If you’re worried about your Selkirk Rex saying, “nope” to bath time, you can learn some valuable tips about introducing them to water in our article, Why Are Cats Afraid of Water?
Fun Fact ♥
We’ve shared so many interesting facts about the Selkirk Rex that it’s hard to keep track! Here are all of the quirky, strange, and fun facts that set this cat breed apart from the rest:
- The Selkirk Rex is the most recent natural breed
- The Selkirk Rex is the only cat in the world with a dominant curly haired gene
- The first Selkirk Rex was named Miss DePasto of Noface
- This is the only cat breed to take their name from a human
- Breeders can tell which cats in a Selkirk Rex litter will have curly hair thanks to their curly whiskers
- They have three coat layers
- Selkirks are one of the only cat breeds that require regular baths
Seeing all of those fun facts in one list really puts this unique breed into perspective!
Final Thoughts on the Selkirk Rex
Now that we’ve reached the end of this Cat Breed Corner, we’re still in shock that this is a real cat. The goofy, adorable teddy bear coat. The fun-loving and playful demeanour. The unusual grooming requirements. This cat is just plain strange.
But if you’re lucky enough to bring home a Selkirk Rex, you’ll never run out of affection for this wooly little feline. They’re experts at making their loving Owners smile and laugh, and they’re always up for a hilarious photoshoot.
