Breed History:

The Selkirk Rex is a relatively modern cat breed that originated in the United States in 1987. The breed began when a curly-coated kitten was born in a Montana shelter. The kitten, named Miss DePesto, was adopted by Persian breeder Jeri Newman, who recognised that her unusual curly coat was different from the coat of other Rex breeds.

Miss DePesto was bred to a Persian male and produced kittens with both straight and curly coats, confirming that the curly coat resulted from a dominant genetic mutation. Breeders subsequently used Persians, British Shorthairs, Exotic Shorthairs, and other cats to develop the Selkirk Rex while maintaining its distinctive curly coat and sturdy body.

Unlike the Cornish Rex and Devon Rex, which have very fine coats, the Selkirk Rex has a thicker, plush coat with loose curls or waves. The breed can have either short or long hair.

The breed was named after the Selkirk Mountains near the location where the original kitten was discovered.

Today, the Selkirk Rex is valued as an affectionate, gentle, playful, and adaptable companion known for its plush curly coat and teddy-bear-like appearance.

Gender	Height	Weight
Male	23 to 28 cm	4.5 to 7 kg
Female	20 to 25 cm	3.5 to 5.5 kg

Size: Medium to Large

Life Expectancy: 12 to 15 years

Breed Appearance:

The Selkirk Rex has a substantial, muscular, and rounded appearance.

The breed commonly features:

• Broad, rounded head

• Full cheeks

• Short to medium muzzle

• Strong chin

• Large, round eyes

• Medium-sized ears

• Rounded ear tips

• Thick neck

• Broad chest

• Muscular body

• Strong legs

• Large, rounded paws

• Medium-length tail

The most distinctive feature of the breed is its curly or wavy coat.

The Selkirk Rex can have:

• Short hair

• Long hair

The coat is generally:

• Dense

• Plush

• Soft

• Thick

• Curly or wavy

The whiskers and eyebrows may also have a curled or wavy appearance.

The amount of curl can vary considerably between individual cats and may change with age, hormonal changes, and environmental conditions.

Selkirk Rex cats can occur in almost every recognised cat colour and pattern, including:

• White

• Black

• Blue

• Red

• Cream

• Chocolate

• Lilac

• Cinnamon

• Fawn

• Silver

• Golden

• Tabby

• Tortoiseshell

• Calico

• Smoke

• Shaded

• Bi-colour

• Colourpoint

Eye colours can include:

• Gold

• Copper

• Green

• Blue

• Hazel

The combination of the rounded body, full cheeks, plush coat, and curly whiskers gives the Selkirk Rex its distinctive teddy-bear-like appearance.

Breed Type – Companion / Family Cat:

The Selkirk Rex is affectionate, gentle, relaxed, and playful.

It is known for being:

• Affectionate

• Gentle

• Calm

• Playful

• Social

• Patient

• Adaptable

• People-oriented

Selkirk Rex cats generally form strong bonds with their families but are not usually as demanding as some highly active breeds.

They can be good with children and other pets when properly socialised.

They enjoy human companionship but are generally capable of entertaining themselves for periods of time.

Training:

The Selkirk Rex is intelligent and responds well to positive reinforcement.

Training should focus on:

• Early socialisation

• Positive reinforcement

• Basic obedience

• Litter training

• Harness training

• Mental enrichment

• Grooming desensitisation

The breed can learn:

• Basic commands

• Tricks

• Fetch

• Harness walking

• Puzzle toys

• Interactive games

Short, reward-based sessions are ideal.

Early introduction to brushing, nail trimming, bathing, and handling can make grooming considerably easier as the cat matures.

Health & Care:

The Selkirk Rex is generally healthy, but it can be predisposed to certain conditions associated with its Persian and British Shorthair ancestry.

Potential health concerns include:

• Polycystic kidney disease

• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

• Hip dysplasia

• Obesity

• Dental disease

• Ear problems

• Skin problems

Responsible breeders may use genetic testing and health screening, particularly for polycystic kidney disease and heart conditions.

Because of its dense coat, regular grooming and skin checks are also important.

Routine veterinary examinations, regular dental care, parasite prevention, a balanced diet, appropriate exercise, and maintaining a healthy body weight help support long-term health.

Living Conditions:

The Selkirk Rex adapts very well to indoor living.

Ideal environments include:

• Apartments

• Houses

• Urban or suburban homes

• Families with children

• Homes with other cats

• Homes with cat-friendly dogs

The breed generally enjoys a comfortable and peaceful home environment.

Useful enrichment includes:

• Cat trees

• Scratching posts

• Window perches

• Tunnels

• Puzzle toys

• Interactive toys

• Comfortable resting areas

The breed is adaptable and can thrive in both small and large homes when provided with sufficient enrichment and companionship.

Exercise:

The Selkirk Rex has moderate exercise requirements.

Recommended activities include:

• Interactive play

• Wand toys

• Chasing games

• Fetch

• Puzzle feeders

• Cat trees

• Climbing

• Indoor games

• Short training sessions

Around 30 to 45 minutes of active play per day helps maintain physical fitness and mental stimulation.

Regular activity is particularly important because the breed can have a relaxed temperament and may gain weight if inactive.

Grooming:

The Selkirk Rex has moderate to high grooming requirements, depending on coat length.

• Brushing two to three times per week

• More frequent brushing for long-haired individuals

• Increased grooming during seasonal shedding

• Gentle brushing to avoid damaging the curls

• Occasional bathing when necessary

• Regular nail trimming

• Routine ear cleaning

• Regular dental care

The coat should be groomed carefully because excessive brushing can loosen or disrupt the natural curls.

Long-haired Selkirk Rex cats require more frequent grooming to prevent tangles and mats.

Advantages:

• Affectionate and gentle

• Unique curly coat

• Calm but playful temperament

• Good with children and other pets

• Adaptable to indoor living

• Generally easy-going

• Available in many colours and patterns

• Distinctive teddy-bear-like appearance

• Strong bond with family

Disadvantages:

• Requires regular grooming

• Long-haired varieties require more grooming

• Coat can mat without proper care

• Potential risk of inherited kidney and heart conditions

• Can gain weight without sufficient exercise

• Coat texture can vary considerably

• Grooming requires care to preserve the natural curls

• May be harder to find than common cat breeds