Things You Should Know

The Selkirk Rex should not be groomed too often since frequent brushing relaxes the curls.

These very social cats do not do well if left alone for long periods of time.

The Selkirk Rex is not hypoallergenic, as some people believe.

Selkirk Rex History

The Selkirk Rex started in Montana with a Persian breeder named Jeri Newman. Newman bred a curly haired kitten from a local shelter to one of her Persian males, and three curly-coated kittens resulted. She added British Shorthair, American Shorthair and Exotic Shorthair to the bloodlines and ended up with a cat with consistently curly hair.

The Selkirk Rex was first accepted by The International Cat Association (TICA) in 1992. Since then, the breed has been recognized by the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) and the American Cat Fanciers Association (ACFA).

The Look of a Selkirk Rex

The Selkirk Rex is distinguished by its soft, curly coat. The breed comes in shorthaired and longhaired varieties, each with a distinct curl to its hair.

The body of the Selkirk Rex is muscular and semi-cobby. The head is round and broad. The breed comes in all colors and patterns.