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Random mutations are the genesis of some of the most interesting cat breeds, including the Selkirk Rex. There are several rex breeds, distinguished by their curly coats. The Selkirk Rex is sometimes called “the cat in sheep’s clothing” due to its particularly wooly appearance [6, 7]. This is a relatively new breed, and still uncommon [1-4], but they charm everyone they meet with their lovely curls and warm personalities.
Humble Origins
In 1987, a shelter cat in Montana, USA gave birth to a litter of kittens [1, 3, 4, 6, 7]. This would be an unremarkable event except that one of them had curly fur [1-4, 7]. The little blue-cream-and-white she-kitten came to the attention of a local Persian breeder named Jeri Newman, who got excited about the possibility of a new rexoid mutation [1-3, 6, 7]. Newman adopted the kitten and named her Miss DePesto because she was always pestering people for attention [7]! When Miss DePesto grew up, Newman bred her with one of the Persians, a black tom named PhotoFinish of Deekay [1-3, 7]. Three of their six kittens had curly hair [1-3, 7].
This showed that Miss DePesto’s mutation was a dominant trait–a cat would only need one copy of the mutation to have curly fur. The Devon Rex and Cornish Rex mutations are both recessive, requiring two copies, so Newman definitely had something new on her hands [3, 7]. She developed the Selkirk Rex breed from Miss Depesto’s bloodline, incorporating not only Persians but also British Shorthairs, American Shorthairs, and Exotic Shorthairs [1, 6]. The breed began to be recognized by cat fancy organizations in the early 1990s [4, 7].
Breed Characteristics
Appearance
The hair, of course, is the star attraction. Selkirk Rexes can occasionally be born with straight fur if they inherit a wild-type (non-mutant) allele from both parents, but this doesn’t happen often because the mutation has already become almost fixed in the population [5]. A trait becomes “fixed” in a population when all individuals have the same genetic makeup for it. So most Selkirk Rexes have curly coats, including curly whiskers, both of which are apparent at birth [1-7]. The coat texture can change somewhat during the first months of life and doesn’t reach it’s full potential until kittens are 8-10 months old, however [1]. Their adult coat is plush and has loose curls [1-4, 6, 7]. Unlike other rex breeds, Selkirk Rexes have a full coat with all three layers [4]. They may have short or long fur [1-4, 6, 7].
The mutation that causes Selkirk Rexes to have curls is in the KRT71 gene which is important for producing the protein keratin in the hair follicles [5]. Different mutations in this same gene cause the recessive rexoid mutation in Devon Rexes and the nearly-hairless condition of Sphynx cats [5].
Due to their ancestry among Persians and breeds with similar builds, Selkirk Rexes are stocky cats [1-4, 6, 7] with moderately shortened muzzles [1]. They come in all colors and patterns [1-4, 6, 7].
Personality
The Selkirk Rex is a friendly and affectionate cat that loves spending time with people [1, 2, 6, 7]. They are laid-back and relaxed, but they aren’t as like to be lap cats as Persians–these kitties like to play, too [2, 6, 7]! They are generally patient and tolerant, and they get along well with children, other pets, and strangers, as long as they are well-socialized [2, 6, 7]. These cats just want to be the life of the party! But a mellow party, please. Selkirk Rexes make good pets for families [2, 6]. They can get bored if left alone for very long or not played with regularly, so keep that in mind [6].
Selkirk Rex at Home
A Selkirk Rex doesn’t have too many special requirements, but that beautiful coat does need some attention. Loose hair can become caught in their curls and lead to mats [2]. However, too much grooming can make their coat frizzy [2, 6]. If you have curly or wavy hair of your own, you’ll be familiar with that problem. Combing their fur weekly with a wide-toothed comb is the best way to work out tangles and loose fur without making kitty’s hair stand on end [2, 6]. Some Selkirk Rexes need baths occasionally as [2, 6]. If this is the case for your cat, make sure you use a light shampoo that won’t weight down and flatten their curls [2, 3]. Ask a veterinarian, groomer, or breeder for recommendations. After a bath, towel dry your Selkirk Rex, then let their coat air dry [2].
Health Concerns
Selkirk Rexes are fairly healthy, like most breeds that originated with random-bred cats. However, there is a lot of Persian and other purebred cats in their ancestry, and they have inherited a propensity toward a few health problems from that side of the family [2, 6]. Selkirk Rexes are a bit prone to polycystic kidney disease (PKD), a genetic kidney disorder that kittens are born with which leads to kidney failure later in life [2, 6]. Fortunately, there is a screening test for PKD, and responsible breeders will make sure they do not breed cats who carry it [2].
The Selkirk Rex is also more likely to develop Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), the most common form of heart disease in cats [2, 6]. Hip dysplasia, which is common in Persians, can be a risk as well [2, 6].
Because Selkirk Rex is a new and still rare breed, they don’t often arrive in animal shelters, but it’s always better to adopt than shop. You might be surprised–lost and abandoned purebred cats go to shelters and rescues everyday. You can also look at places like Selkirk Rex Rescue & Retired Breeding Cats, where fanciers are trying to find good homes for their favorite breed.
Fun Facts
- The Selkirk Rex is the only breed named after a real person. Jeri Newman chose the name “Selkirk” in honor of her stepfather. [6]
- Sterilized mature Selkirk Rexes have the highest quality coats. [3, 7]
- The birthplace of the Selkirk Rex, in the form of Miss DePesto, was the Bozeman Humane Society [1]. The area is now served by Heart of the Valley Animal Shelter.
Works Cited
- Alderton, D. (1992). Cats: The visual guide to more than 250 types of cats from around the world. Dorling Kindersley: London.
- Brown, J. (2022, July 14). Selkirk Rex: Cat breed profile, characteristics & care. The Spruce Pets. https://www.thesprucepets.com/selkirk-rex-cat-breed-profile-4774250
- Cat Fanciers’ Association. (n.d.). About the Selkirk Rex. https://cfa.org/selkirk-rex/
- Edwards, A. (2006). The ultimate encyclopedia of cat, cat breeds, and cat care. Hermes House: London.
- Gandolfi, B., Alhaddad, H., Joslin, S. E. K., Khan, R., et al. (2013). A splice variant in KRT71 is associated with curly coat phenotype of Selkirk Rex cats. Scientific Reports, 3, 2000. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep02000
- Jimerson, G. and Guthrie, C. (2022, January 26). Selkirk Rex. The Daily Paws. https://www.dailypaws.com/cats-kittens/cat-breeds/selkirk-rex
- The International Cat Association. (2018, August 13). Selkirk Rex breed. https://www.tica.org/breeds/browse-all-breeds?view=article&id=875:selkirk-rex-breed&catid=79
Published January 8th, 2022
Updated June 14th, 2023
