Selkirk Rex

The breed began with a spontaneous mutation in a litter born in Montana, USA; CFA gives the year as 1986 and TICA as 1987 ^[1][2]. The foundation female, with curly whiskers and a coat that looked permed, was adopted by Persian breeder Jeri Newman and named Miss DePesto ^[1][2]. Bred to a black Persian male, she produced three curly kittens out of six, showing the new rex gene to be dominant ^[1]. TICA accepted the breed into its New Breed programme in 1990 and granted championship status in February 1994 ^[2]. CFA accepted it for registration in 1992 and for championship in 2000 ^[1]. TICA credits the British Shorthair, Persian and Exotic with shaping the breed's temperament ^[2].

• Coat: well-defined individual curls, short and slightly crisp or long and loose, unlike the Cornish Rex's tight marcel wave or the Devon's soft waves ^[1]. The curls are most prominent on the neck, tail, flanks and underside ^[2].
• Whiskers and eyebrows: curly and fragile ^[1][2].
• Head: round and full-cheeked, with prominent whisker pads that make the muzzle look square; round eyes set well apart ^[1].
• Body: medium to large, muscular and heavy-boned ^[1]. Adult males weigh 12–15 lb ^[1].
• Two coat lengths: shorthairs have the same length all over; longhairs have face-framing ruffs and plumy tails ^[1].

CFA notes that Miss DePesto earned her name by pestering for attention, and her descendants often do the same: politely asking for your time, then jumping into a lap if their needs aren't soon met ^[1]. Selkirks are more interactive than active, and their idea of heaven is a warm lap ^[1]. They're not especially vocal but will "talk" back if you start a conversation ^[1]. They do well with children and other animals, as long as children handle them gently ^[1][2]. TICA notes they are very social and dislike being left alone for long periods ^[2].

• Coat: CFA suggests combing once or twice a month ^[1]; TICA suggests a couple of times a week ^[2]. Fluff the curls with gentle finger-scratching ^[1][2].
• Bathing: rarely needed; let the coat air-dry somewhere warm, as blow-drying gives a poodle look ^[2].
• Basics: trim nails, clean ears and brush teeth regularly ^[2].

• Generally healthy: CFA says the breed has no breed-specific health concerns ^[1].
• Parent-breed conditions: breeders typically screen for polycystic kidney disease (PKD), hip dysplasia and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), because British Shorthairs and Exotics are allowable outcrosses ^[1].
• Blood type: incompatibility can occur, so breeders usually test blood type before mating ^[1].
• Lifespan: GCCF estimates about 15 years ^[3] and TICA 10–15+ years ^[2]. These are registry estimates; we found no breed-specific study.

Ask breeders for the parents' PKD and HCM screening results, and talk to your vet about any specific concern.

Don't confuse with…

• Devon Rex: soft waves and very large ears ^[5].
• Cornish Rex: a tight, close-lying wave on a slender body ^[6].
• LaPerm: also curly, but with a modified-wedge head ^[7].
• British Shorthair: a similarly sturdy build, but straight-coated ^[8].

• The Selkirk Rex is the only cat breed named after a person ^[1].
• The foundation cat, Miss DePesto, was named for pestering for attention ^[1][2].
• Kittens are born curly, then grow their adult curls ^[2].