Selkirk Rex

The Selkirk Rex is the curly cat, a medium to large breed with a dense, plush coat that sits in soft waves and ringlets. Most people find their way to this breed after meeting one and wanting to touch the fur. Beyond the coat, it tends to be a steady, affectionate companion that settles into home life without demanding the spotlight. It is not a no-fuss cat, though. The curls need the right kind of grooming, and the breed's mixed ancestry means responsible breeders screen for a few inherited conditions.^{1, 2}

• Size: Medium to large
• Adult weight: Often around 4 to 7 kg, varying by sex and build
• Coat: Dense, plush, curly or wavy, in shorthaired and longhaired varieties
• Colours: Wide range of colours and patterns
• Typical lifespan: Around 10 to 15 years or more
• Temperament: Usually gentle, affectionate and playful, often described as easy-going
• Activity level: Moderate
• Grooming needs: Regular combing to prevent mats, without over-grooming which can flatten the curl
• Key health considerations: Not issue-free; watch for inherited risks such as PKD and HCM in some lines

History and Origin

The Selkirk Rex began in Montana in the United States in 1987, when a curly-coated kitten turned up in a litter of domestic cats. Breeding programs grew out of that single spontaneous mutation, and the Rex coat became the breed's defining feature.^{2, 3}

Over time, outcrossing with other breeds helped establish the Selkirk's type and temperament. That history still matters today, because the breeds used along the way also shape which inherited health risks careful breeders screen for.²

Appearance and Physical Characteristics

Under the coat, the Selkirk Rex is a substantial cat with a solid, muscular feel rather than a fine-boned one. The head tends to be rounded with large round eyes and a soft expression.^{1, 4}

The coat comes in short and long versions, but the impression is the same either way: dense, plush hair that falls in curls or waves. Curliness can shift with age, season, hormones and climate, which is one reason a kitten's coat does not always predict the adult look.²

Temperament and Personality

In most homes the Selkirk Rex is a calm presence, interested in people and content to join whatever is happening without needing constant motion. It is usually tolerant of gentle handling.^{1, 2}

As with any cat, temperament varies by individual and upbringing. Early socialisation, predictable routines, and a household that respects a cat's need for a quiet retreat tend to bring out the best in this breed's naturally steady style.²

Is a Selkirk Rex Right for You?

This breed suits people who are happy to make coat care part of the relationship. If a weekly combing routine and the occasional bath sound like a fair trade for a plush, curly, affectionate cat, the Selkirk Rex fits well. If you want a cat you can largely leave to groom itself, a smooth-coated breed is the easier match. The temperament is low-drama and family-friendly, so the real question is whether you will keep up with the coat.^{1, 2}

Training and Exercise

Selkirk Rex cats are moderately active, more play-in-bursts than perpetual motion. Short daily play sessions, food puzzles, and a few climbing and scratching options usually suit them, keeping muscles working and minds occupied without tipping into overstimulation.^{1, 2}

Training can be simple and low-pressure. Many cats respond well to routine, rewards and short sessions. Focus on useful behaviours such as coming when called, calmly entering a carrier, and accepting nail trims, rather than tricks for their own sake.²

Health and Lifespan

The Selkirk Rex should not be described as having no breed-specific health issues. Many live long, healthy lives of 10 to 15 years or more, but some lines can carry inherited risks linked to the breeds used to establish the Selkirk Rex, particularly the following.

• Polycystic kidney disease (PKD): A known inherited condition in Persian-derived lines. Responsible breeders commonly use DNA testing to reduce the chance of affected kittens.^{2, 7}
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM): A heart condition seen across cats, with concern in some lines that include British Shorthair ancestry. Screening is best discussed with a vet and breeder, and may include cardiac ultrasound in breeding cats.²

If you are choosing a kitten, ask what the breeder tests for and request written results where they apply, especially for PKD. For adult cats of unknown background, your vet can advise what screening makes sense based on age and any symptoms.^{2, 7}

Every Selkirk still needs the same foundations as any other cat: vaccination appropriate to risk, parasite prevention for fleas and worms, regular grooming checks, and routine vet examinations to catch problems early.^{5, 6}

Grooming and Care

The Selkirk Rex coat is plush enough to tangle, especially in longer coats and at friction points such as behind the ears, along the collar line, the armpits and the belly. Regular grooming prevents mats, but heavy brushing can pull out hair and soften the curl pattern, so the technique matters as much as the frequency.^{2, 4}

• Comb rather than fluff-brush: Use a wide-toothed comb a few times a week, more often for longhair, to lift loose hair and catch knots early.^{2, 4}
• Go gently: Over-grooming can reduce the curl and leave the coat looking flat.²
• Bath only when needed: Some Selkirks can develop a slightly greasy feel, and occasional bathing with a cat-appropriate shampoo may help.^{2, 4}
• Do not forget ears and nails: Regular ear checks and cleaning, plus nail trims, are part of routine care for any breed.²

A Few Things Worth Knowing

The curl comes down to genetics, and it is worth understanding if you are looking at kittens or thinking about breeding.

• The Selkirk Rex coat is caused by a genetic variant that behaves as an incomplete dominant trait.³
• Cats with one copy can show a wavy or curly coat, while two copies tend to produce a tighter curl and can be associated with differences in body type. Many breeding programs prefer heterozygous cats to keep the more traditional, sturdy Selkirk look.³
• DNA testing is available for the Selkirk Rex coat variant, which helps breeders plan matings and predict coat outcomes more reliably.³

The Bottom Line

The Selkirk Rex is a plush, curly-coated cat with a calm, affectionate nature that fits family life. The coat is the trade-off: it needs gentle, regular combing and the occasional bath, and it does best when you resist the urge to over-brush. Choose a breeder who tests for PKD and can talk sensibly about HCM screening, keep up the routine vet and grooming care, and you have a steady companion for well over a decade.^{1, 2}

References

1. The International Cat Association (TICA), Selkirk Rex
2. Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF), Selkirk Rex
3. UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, Selkirk Rex coat test (genetics and inheritance)
4. WebMD, Selkirk Rex characteristics and health considerations
5. Agriculture Victoria, Routine health care for cats
6. RSPCA Knowledgebase, What vaccinations should my cat receive?
7. PetMD, Selkirk Rex health and care