If you’ve ever seen a cat that looks like it walked out of a plush toy aisle, it was probably a Selkirk Rex. They’re the only Rex breed with loose, plush curls instead of tight waves. Add a round face, big eyes, and a personality that’s basically “professional cuddler,” and you get why people fall for them fast. This guide covers everything that actually matters: where they came from, what living with one is like, how to care for those curls, and what health issues to watch for. No fluff. Just real info from breeders and vets.
Where Did the Selkirk Rex Come From?
The whole breed started with one kitten in 1987. A shelter in Montana had a litter, and one kitten was born with curly fur and curly whiskers. A Persian breeder named Jeri Newman adopted her and called her Miss DePesto, after a character from Moonlighting.
Newman bred Miss DePesto with a black Persian male. Out of 6 kittens, 3 had curls. That proved the curl was a dominant gene, which is rare. Most curly coat breeds like Cornish and Devon Rex have recessive genes.
She named the new breed “Selkirk” after her stepfather’s last name and the Selkirk Mountains. CFA recognized the breed in 1992. Today they’re accepted by all major registries. The goal was never to create a weird-looking cat. It was to get the coat texture of a sheep with the body and temperament of a Persian or British Shorthair.
What Do They Look Like?
Forget “sleek.” Selkirks are built like teddy bears.
- Body: Medium to large, 7-16 lbs. Broad chest, heavy bones, and a thick tail. Males are noticeably bigger than females.
- Head: Round with full cheeks and a short muzzle. Ears are medium and slightly rounded. Eyes are large, round, and expressive.
- Coat: This is the main event. Comes in 2 lengths: shorthair and longhair. Both can have loose waves or tight ringlets. The curls are in the guard hairs, undercoat, AND whiskers. The coat feels dense and plush, not silky.
- Colors: Literally all of them. Solid, tabby, bicolor, calico, pointed. White paws and chest are common.
The coat changes a lot in the first year. Kittens are often born with straight fur that curls at 8-10 months. Some adults also “blow coat” and go through a scruffy teenage phase.
Personality: What’s It Like Living With One?
If you want an independent cat that ignores you, this isn’t it. Selkirks were bred from breeds known for being people-oriented, and it shows.
Big traits:
- Velcro cats: They follow you room to room. Mine sits on the bathroom counter while I brush my teeth.
- Calm but playful: They get bursts of zoomies, then crash for a 3-hour nap on your lap. Not hyper like a Siamese.
- Dog-like: Many learn to fetch and come when called. They greet people at the door.
- Good with everyone: Because they come from Persian, Exotic, and British lines, they tend to be tolerant with kids, dogs, and other cats.
They don’t demand attention, but they do want to be near you. Think quiet companion, not attention hog. For first-time owners, check our guide on first-time cat mistakes — Selkirks are actually one of the easier breeds.
Grooming: How to Care for Those Curls
Good news: they don’t need professional grooming. Bad news: you can’t just ignore them either.
Brushing: 2-3 times per week with a wide-tooth metal comb. Brush gently. Brushing too hard breaks the curls and causes frizz. Never use a slicker brush on a dry coat.
Bathing: Only every 2-3 months. Too much bathing strips oils and makes curls stringy. Use a gentle, cat-safe shampoo and let them air dry. Scrunch the coat lightly while drying to encourage curl.
Other care:
Clean ears weekly—the curls can trap wax.
Trim nails every 2 weeks.
Brush teeth to prevent dental disease common in Persians.
Long hair will mat behind ears and on the pants if you skip a week. Short-haired are lower maintenance but still need regular combing to prevent hairballs.
Health and Lifespan
Selkirks are generally healthy and live 12-15 years. Because they were created from 3 breeds, there are 3 things responsible breeders test for:
- PKD – Polycystic Kidney Disease: From the Persian side. Reputable breeders DNA test parents.
- HCM—Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Heart disease found in British Shorthairs. VCA explains the symptoms.
- Patellar Luxation: Kneecap slipping. More common in heavier cats.
Other notes: Their thick coat means they overheat faster. Make sure they have cool spots in summer and fresh water. Watch weight—they gain easily, and extra pounds are hard on joints.
Annual vet checkups are enough if your cat seems fine. Pet insurance is worth it for this breed because of the potential heart/kidney issues.
Diet and Feeding
Selkirks are stocky and food-motivated. Portion control matters.
Feed a high-protein, moderate-fat diet. Wet food helps with hydration and urinary health. Many owners do 50/50 wet + dry. Avoid free-feeding dry food all day.
Treats are fine for training, but keep it under 10% of daily calories. Because of their round face, some struggle with flat food bowls. A shallow, wide dish helps with whisker fatigue.
Always have water available. A pet fountain often gets them to drink more.
Is a Selkirk Rex Right for You?
This breed works best if you:
- Want a calm, affectionate cat over a hyper one
- Don’t mind 10 minutes of brushing 3x a week
- Are home a lot—they get lonely
- Live in an apartment or house. They’re not climbers, so they do fine in small spaces.
They’re not great if you want a low-maintenance, aloof cat. They will be in your business.
Price: Expect $800 – $2,500 from a reputable breeder depending on coat length and pedigree. Always ask for health testing. Adoption is rare, but check breed rescues.
Final Thoughts
The Selkirk Rex is proof that you don’t have to choose between looks and personality. You get the unique curly coat that turns heads, plus a temperament that makes them one of the easiest purebreds to live with.
They started as a happy accident in a Montana shelter and turned into a breed known for being sweet, sturdy, and just a little bit scruffy. If you can commit to regular brushing and annual vet checks, you’ll have a companion that’s as soft on the inside as it is on the outside.
FAQs
1. Are Selkirk Rex cats hypoallergenic?
No. No cat is truly hypoallergenic. Their curly coat may trap dander, but they still produce the Fel d 1 protein that causes allergies.
2. Do they shed a lot?
Moderate. The curls trap loose hair, so you’ll see less fur on furniture but more in the brush. Regular combing keeps it under control.
3. Longhair vs. Shorthair: Which is better?
Shorthairs have tighter curls and need less grooming. Longhairs have bigger waves and a fluffier look but mat more easily. Personality is the same.
4. Are they good with other pets?
Yes. Their calm nature makes them one of the best breeds for multi-pet homes. Slow introductions still help.
5. How much exercise do they need?
15-20 minutes of play daily. Wand toys and puzzle feeders are perfect. They’re not big jumpers due to their build.