Selkirk Rex
The Selkirk Rex is the youngest and most recently discovered of the four Rex cat breeds, originating from a natural curly-coated mutation discovered in a shelter kitten in Wyoming in 1987.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Origin
United States
Lifespan
14–15 years
Weight
3–7 kg (6.5–15 lbs)
Height
25–30 cm (10–12 in)
Exercise
10 to 20 min/day
Diet
Obligate carnivore — high-quality wet and dry food. Monitor weight.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Felidae
Genus
Felis
The Story
The Selkirk Rex is the youngest and most recently discovered of the four Rex cat breeds, originating from a natural curly-coated mutation discovered in a shelter kitten in Wyoming in 1987. Unlike the Devon Rex and Cornish Rex (both recessive curl genes), the Selkirk Rex curl gene is dominant — one copy of the gene produces a curly coat. The Selkirk Rex is unique in having been developed with a Persian outcross, giving it a heavier, rounder body than other Rex breeds and the most dramatic, plush curls of any Rex — loose, individual ringlets that give the cat a distinctly sheep-like or poodle-like appearance.
Also Known As
Quick Facts
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Physical Profile
Source: wikimedia
The Selkirk Rex has a distinctively round, chubby appearance — a large, well-muscled body, rounded head, full cheeks, and large round eyes inherited from its Persian influence. The coat is the defining feature: long or short, it forms loose, soft, random ringlets or waves throughout the coat. The curl affects the whiskers too — they are often wavy or bent. The texture is soft and plush. Both shorthaired and longhaired varieties are recognised.
Grooming
Moderate
Shedding
Moderate
Coat Length
short
Coat Type
curly
Brushing
1-2x-Weekly
Bathing
Rarely
Coat Colors
Recognized By
Source: wikimedia
Temperament & Personality
Selkirk Rex are patient, tolerant, and gentle — they have a notably relaxed temperament that makes them excellent with children and other pets. They are playful and sociable without being demanding. They enjoy human company and are affectionate without being clingy.
Personality Scores
Adaptability
5/5Attention Need
3/5Friendliness
5/5Playfulness
3/5Protectiveness
1/5Living Profile
Ideal Space
Apartment
Daily Exercise
10 to 20 min/day
Ideal Weather
5°C to 25°C
Indoor/Outdoor
Indoor-Preferred
Cognitive Benchmarks
Adaptability
50%
Attention
30%
Playfulness
30%
Communication Style
Vocal Profile
quiet
Stress Signals
hiding, appetite changes, over-grooming, withdrawal
Care & Wellness
Professional Care Protocol
- •The curly coat requires gentle handling — brushing should be done carefully with wide-toothed tools to preserve the curl pattern. Combing too vigorously will separate the curls into a frizz. The coat needs brushing 1–2 times weekly. Avoid bathing too frequently as this disrupts curl pattern.
Nutrition Notes
PKD (Persian heritage). HCM. Obesity-prone. Curly coat — different gene from Devon/Cornish Rex. All colours/patterns.
Vaccination Schedule
Vaccination Schedule
Senior Care
PKD. HCM. Obesity. Named after Selkirk Mountains, Montana. Three different Rex genes — Selkirk (Se), Devon (re), Cornish (r) are all different. Curly whiskers. 15-20 years.
Wellbeing Activities
Nutrition & Sustenance
Daily Calories (Adult)
400 kcal
Daily Calories (Young)
280 kcal
Recommended Foods
Foods to Avoid
Health Overview
Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) from Persian lineage — DNA test available. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Hip dysplasia. Generally a healthy breed.
Common Conditions
Price Estimates
Pricing Guide
Average estimates as of 2025
Third Rex gene (different from Devon/Cornish). Curly whiskers. India: moderate climate fit.
Purchase Price
$600 to $2,000
Adoption Fee
$75 to $350
Data from 2025
Fun Facts
The Selkirk Rex is named after the Selkirk Mountains in Wyoming, near where the founding kitten was discovered — not after the famous Scottish Selkirk (unlike the Selkirk sheep breed).
The Selkirk Rex curl gene is dominant — unlike the Devon and Cornish Rex genes which are recessive. This means a single copy of the gene is sufficient to produce a curly coat, and Selkirk Rex cats bred to straight-coated cats will produce approximately 50% curly-coated offspring.
The founding cat — a blue-cream tortoiseshell kitten named Miss DePesto of Noface — was discovered in a Montana rescue and bred to a black Persian named Photo Finish of Deekay, establishing the breed.
