Quick Facts
- Weight: 11 – 16 pounds | male
6 – 12 pounds | female
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.
Traits
- Curly coat, in short- and long-haired varieties
- Mellow personality
- Affectionate & playful
- Loves companionship
Ideal Human Companion
- Families with children
- Singles with other pets
- Retired seniors
- First-time cat owners
What They Are Like to Live With
Selkirk Rexes are mellow cats that love to be with people. They are affectionate, and like to play. They also get along well with kids and other pets.
Things You Should Know
This cat 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.
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 breed 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).
