Selkirk Rex

Origin & History

Developed in Montana beginning in 1987 from a curly-coated kitten found within a litter of otherwise standard rescue cats, bred selectively — including deliberate outcrossing to Persian, British Shorthair, and Exotic Shorthair specifically to help establish the desired body type — to create a genuinely distinct curly-coated breed, entirely unrelated genetically to either the Cornish Rex or Devon Rex curl mutations discussed elsewhere on this site. The founding cat, a curly-coated female named Miss DePesto, was found in a shelter and is the ancestor of every Selkirk Rex alive today, giving the breed a genuinely traceable, well-documented single-cat origin. The breed's curly coat is considered dominant enough that it can appear even after several generations of outcrossing to straight-coated breeds, a trait that aided its establishment as a distinct breed relatively quickly. The Selkirk Rex originated in Montana in 1987, when a curly-coated kitten was born in a litter of otherwise straight-coated shelter cats; breeder Jeri Newman adopted the kitten, named Miss DePesto, and began a breeding program crossing her with Persians to establish the curl as a stable trait alongside a plush, substantial body type. Unlike the Cornish Rex and Devon Rex, whose curl mutations produce a finer, less substantial coat texture, the Selkirk Rex mutation is dominant (rather than recessive like the other two Rex breeds) and produces a notably thicker, more plush, loosely-curled coat closer in overall volume to a normal-coated cat's fur than the more dramatically thin coats of its Rex-breed relatives. The breed gained recognition from major registries through the 1990s-2000s and has developed a following particularly among owners drawn to its distinctively "bedhead" tousled appearance combined with a generally sturdy, substantial body type. Because the Selkirk Rex curl gene is dominant, the breed's development proceeded somewhat more predictably than breeds working with recessive traits, though achieving the desired combination of substantial Persian-influenced body type with consistent, well-defined curl quality still took considerable selective breeding effort across multiple generations to stabilize reliably, similar to the general challenge many breed founders have faced when combining two or more distinct physical traits into a single stable, breeding-true standard.

Genetic Background

The loosely curled coat results from a dominant mutation, genuinely unlike the recessive mutations behind both the Cornish and Devon Rex coats — meaning a single copy of the Selkirk Rex gene is sufficient to produce the curly coat, and the breed can consequently produce both curly and straight-coated kittens within the very same litter depending on which parent contributed which allele. The Selkirk Rex curl gene is dominant, meaning a single copy produces the curly coat trait — this is genetically distinct from both the Cornish Rex's and Devon Rex's separate recessive curl mutations, making the Selkirk Rex the third independently-arisen curly-coat mutation discussed in this encyclopedia, each with its own distinct genetic mechanism despite superficial similarity in the general "curly cat" concept. Because the gene is dominant, Selkirk Rex cats can be bred with straight-coated cats and still produce curly-coated kittens in roughly half the resulting litter, a genuinely different and often more straightforward breeding dynamic than the recessive Rex mutations require. Breeders sometimes describe three distinct curl patterns within the breed depending on hair length and body region — a looser wave along the body, tighter ringlets around the neck ruff, and springy curls on the tail — with judges evaluating overall curl consistency and texture quality as part of assessing show conformity, though pet-quality cats showing more variable curl patterns are equally healthy and suitable companions regardless of how closely they match the strictest show standard.

Personality & Temperament

Patient, affectionate, and easygoing, often described in breed literature as genuinely tolerant and good-natured, directly reflecting the influence of the calmer breeds used in its development (Persian, British Shorthair, and Exotic Shorthair specifically). Selkirk Rex cats are generally described as easygoing, patient, and genuinely affectionate, often forming calm, steady bonds with their family — many owners describe a notably tolerant temperament, comfortable with handling and generally adaptable to household changes, consistent with the breed's partial Persian ancestry contributing some of that breed's characteristically placid disposition alongside a somewhat more playful energy level than a pure Persian typically displays. Many Selkirk Rex owners specifically describe their cat's temperament as a calming, steady presence in the household, less demonstrative than the more intensely people-seeking Devon Rex but genuinely affectionate on its own terms, often choosing to settle nearby rather than actively demanding attention the way some other breeds do.

Grooming Requirements

Both short and long-haired curly varieties exist within the breed; the curly coat actually benefits from genuinely LESS frequent, gentler brushing than a straight coat of comparable length would need, since over-brushing can loosen and gradually reduce the characteristic curl over time. Show-quality coat presentation actually benefits from being left alone between shows rather than frequent bathing, since natural oils help maintain the characteristic curl pattern. The curly coat requires more attention than a standard shorthair but generally less than a Persian's dense double coat — regular brushing (several times weekly) helps maintain the curl's texture and prevent matting, with the specific grooming approach varying somewhat by whether an individual cat has the shorthaired or longhaired coat variety, both of which exist within the breed standard.

Health Concerns & Predispositions

Given the breed's partial ancestry from Persian and Exotic Shorthair lines, polycystic kidney disease and brachycephalic-related issues are genuinely worth screening for in some specific lines. Given the Persian ancestry involved in the breed's founding, Selkirk Rex cats share some of that breed's documented health considerations, including polycystic kidney disease risk in lines without confirmed clear testing, making PKD screening a genuinely relevant consideration for this breed despite it not being purely a Persian derivative. Beyond the PKD consideration inherited from Persian ancestry, hip dysplasia has also been documented in some lines, making it a further reasonable point to discuss with a breeder alongside general cardiac screening as sound baseline practice.

Genetic Disorders Specific to This Breed

Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD1) screening is a reasonable precaution given the breed's partial Persian and Exotic Shorthair ancestry; genetic testing is available for interested breeders and owners. Ongoing monitoring of PKD1 prevalence within Selkirk Rex breeding lines continues as part of responsible breeding practices given the partial Persian and Exotic Shorthair ancestry involved. PKD DNA testing is relevant given the Persian ancestral contribution to this breed's founding, and responsible breeders test for this specific mutation; the curl gene itself is not associated with any documented health complication, unlike some other breed-founding mutations discussed in this encyclopedia.

Coat Colors & Patterns

Wide range of colors and patterns in both short and long curly coat lengths. Selkirk Rex cats are accepted in a very wide range of colors and patterns, since the curl gene is independent of coat color genetics, with the loosely-curled, plush texture presenting across the full spectrum of colors inherited partly from the breed's Persian ancestry. Kittens are sometimes born with a coat that looks quite different from their eventual adult curl pattern, with texture and curl definition often changing noticeably through kittenhood before settling into the more consistent, mature coat expected by adulthood.

Suitable Climate

Adaptable as an indoor cat in most climates.

Exercise Requirements

Moderate; playful and affectionate without being an unusually high-energy breed by any standard comparison. Moderately active, Selkirk Rex cats generally enjoy regular play without the more intensive energy level of the Cornish or Devon Rex, reflecting the breed's partial Persian-influenced, somewhat calmer overall temperament. Cat trees and moderate interactive play suit this breed's calmer, Persian-influenced energy level, without requiring the more intensive engagement some higher-energy Rex breeds specifically need. Gentle daily play sessions round out this breed's activity needs comfortably.

Nutrition Recommendations

A standard balanced diet; no unusual breed-specific dietary requirements documented in current literature beyond standard weight monitoring appropriate for any cat. Standard quality nutrition appropriate to life stage applies; given the Persian ancestry's influence on body type, weight management matters similarly to how it does for Persians specifically, supporting the breed's substantial but not overweight ideal body condition. Given the Persian ancestral contribution to body type, portion control matched to the breed's substantial but not overweight ideal condition supports long-term joint and overall health, similar to weight-management considerations relevant to Persians specifically.

Cost of Ownership

Moderate to premium pricing overall; a genuinely distinctive but not overly common breed within most markets. Selkirk Rex kittens from breeders testing for PKD given the Persian ancestral connection typically command a reasonable premium reflecting this testing investment; the breed remains moderately available though less numerous than the more established Cornish and Devon Rex breeds. Given the breed's comparatively smaller population relative to the Cornish and Devon Rex, prospective owners may need to search somewhat more broadly to find an available kitten from a breeder testing appropriately for PKD given the Persian ancestral connection.

Genetic Testing Available

PKD genetic test; general cardiac screening (echocardiogram) for HCM. PKD DNA testing is the most relevant breed-specific genetic test given the Persian ancestral contribution; general cardiac screening rounds out reasonable health-testing practice for this breed. As breed-specific health documentation continues developing over time, prospective owners should ask breeders directly about their specific testing practices for both PKD and hip evaluation given the Persian-ancestry-linked considerations relevant to this breed.

Cost of Ownership by Country