Selkirk Rex cat breed: also known as the cat in sheep’s clothing

It is unique not only because of its fur, but also because it is the only cat breed named after a person.

One of the newest natural breeds is originated form a domestic cat, Miss DePesto of Noface, who was found in a Montana shelter. She was given to a Persian cat breeder, Jeri Newman of Montana, who mated her to the black Persian Deekay PhotoFinish. Three out of six kittens were born with curly coats – proving that, unlike the Devon rex and Cornish Rex, the gene is dominant. So curly kittens can be born in a litter with straight-haired kittens.

History

Because of its woolly-looking curls and thick fur, the Selkirk Rex is sometimes called the cat in sheep’s clothing. Like its curly-haired cousins, the Devon and Cornish Rexes, the Selkirk is the result of a natural genetic mutation, but its thick fur and strong body give it a very different appearance.

The Selkirk originated in Montana, where the first cat of its kind was born in 1987, one of the six kittens in a litter. The others had the typical straight coat of a short-haired domestic cat, but the curly-haired female was so unusual that she caught the attention of a local Persian cat breeder, Jeri Newman, who adopted her. Newman named her Miss DePesto and, out of curiosity, had her mated as an adult with a black Persian.

Of the six kittens that Miss DePesto had, three had curly hairs, indicating that the trait gene is dominant. This was not the case with the Cornish or Devon Rexes, which have wavy coats due to a recessive gene. DePesto carried both long hair and straight hair genes, and both traits appeared in its descendants.

Newman named the new breed Selkirk Rex after his stepfather. This made it unique among cats as the only breed named after a single individual. He added rex, indicating that his coat is curly.

To preserve genetic diversity and make the cats more appealing, Newman and other breeders crossed them not only with Persians, but also with Exotic Shorthairs, American Shorthairs and British Shorthairs. The cats were recognised by the International Cat Association and the American Cat Fanciers Association in the 1990s and by the Cat Fanciers’ Association in 2000.

Breed standard

The Selkirk Rex is a medium-sized cat, strong, slightly stocky, with heavy bone structure. It has a rounded head, large round eyes and a kindly look. The ears are moderately large, set apart, with rounded tips. The body is slightly rectangular and very muscular, giving a firm feel under the soft coat. Its legs of medium length, muscular, paws are large and rounded. The tail is thick, rounded at the tip.

Its coat may be short or long, but in all cases it is double layered. The coat of the short-haired ones has a dense, plush curl that accentuates the density of it. The long-haired ones have an even more tousled appearance. This emphasises the resemblance to a woolly lamb; the curls are most prominent on the sides, tail and neck. Its thick coat consists of very soft and loose curls that do not tangle, the whiskers are also curly. The coat reaches its final appearance by the age of 2. It can be of almost any colour and pattern. Its life expectancy is approximately 14 years.

Character

The Selkirk is the calmest of the rexes. Its Persian and British Shorthair ancestors gave it a calm, cuddly nature, but it is somewhat more active than these species and likes to play. People who live with tehm describe them as sweet and lovable, with a bit of a clownish streak.

True to its ancestry, the Selkirk is a patient, loving and tolerant pet. It is playful and likes to snuggle up to its owner, but it is not so active or attention-seeking as to be a nuisance. Fortunately, it is an open cat, which is a great quality as everyone it meets wants to touch its unusual fur. This is a sweet cat who is attentive to its family.

The Selkirk Rex is also smart. Don’t be surprised when it learns to open doors or drawers in search of treats or toys. Challenge its wits and keep its curiosity and interest alive by teaching it tricks and giving it puzzles.

Ideal environment

The tolerant and affectionate Selkirk is not always happy to rest on its owner’s lap, but it loves people and other animals. Due to its sociable nature, it finds it difficult to tolerate being left alone for long periods. Entertain this amusing cat with a game of fishing or the glow of a torch and it will be very excited. It won’t hesitate, it’ll call for attention in a low voice if it feels it is not getting it. It gets on well with children who treat it with respect and with cat-friendly dogs as well.

Care

The Selkirk Rex has a dense coat that needs to be combed once a week to prevent or remove tangles. Excessive brushing can ruin beautiful curls. The Selkirk sheds, especially in summer.Because of this regular brushing will also remove dead hairs that would otherwise be deposited on clothing or furniture. Gently running your fingers over its coat will help to fluff up the curls, which is the easiest way to shape the coat of a Selkirk.

Bathing is rarely necessary. If it gets dirty, use a moisturising shampoo and leave it to air dry for a few hours in a warm, draught-free place. If you use a hair dryer, it will have a poodle-like appearance.

You should brush its teeth regularly. Every day, wipe the corners of its eyes with a soft, damp cloth to remove secretions. Use a separate area of cloth for each eye to avoid the possibility of spreading infection. Check its ears weekly. If they look dirty, wipe them with a cotton pad or soft damp cloth moistened with a 50-50 mixture of apple cider vinegar and warm water. Avoid using an ear cleaning stick as this can damage the inside of the ear.

Keep the litter box spotlessly clean. Like all cats, the Selkirk Rex pays particular attention to bathroom hygiene.

Common health problems

The Selkirk Rex is generally healthy, but due to its Persian, Exotic Shorthair and British Shhorthair ancestors, their typical diseases may also occur in the Selkirk. These include polycystic kidney disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and hip joint dysplasia.

(Literature used: Jean-Luc Renck: The Cat)