Cat Breed · United States
Selkirk Rex
A curly-coated teddy-bear cat with a plush, springy coat.
By WARN Research & Conservation TeamLast updated
In brief
The Selkirk Rex is a sturdy, plush-bodied cat famous for its soft, randomly curled coat, which gives it a tousled, teddy-bear look. Patient, tolerant and notably cuddly, it is calmer than most rex breeds and fits easily into family life.
What are the key facts about a Selkirk Rex?
The Selkirk Rex is a cat breed from United States: medium (3–7 kg), patient, tolerant, cuddly. A curly-coated teddy-bear cat with a plush, springy coat.
| Origin | United States |
|---|---|
| Size | Medium (3–7 kg) |
| Weight | 3-7 kg (6.5-15 lb), with males markedly heavier than females |
| Lifespan | 13–17 years |
| Coat | Comes in both longhair and shorthair, with loose, soft curls that are most pronounced around the neck, belly and tail; even the whiskers may curl. The dense, slightly woolly coat sheds and benefits from gentle weekly combing rather than brushing, which can straighten the curls. Over-bathing or heavy grooming relaxes the curl, so a light touch keeps the texture. |
| Temperament | Patient, tolerant, cuddly |
| Good with | A great all-rounder for families, children, multi-pet homes and first-time owners thanks to its easy-going, affectionate temperament. Its moderate energy suits both flats and houses, and it is content to be a relaxed lap companion rather than a demanding athlete. Like all cats it appreciates play and climbing options, but its exercise needs are modest. |
Is a Selkirk Rex a good cat for you?
A Selkirk Rex is a good cat when your home matches a great all-rounder for families, children, multi-pet homes and first-time owners thanks to its easy-going, affectionate temperament. its moderate energy suits both flats and houses, and it is content to be a relaxed lap companion rather than a demanding athlete. like all cats it appreciates play and climbing options, but its exercise needs are modest.. It is a patient, tolerant, cuddly medium (3–7 kg) breed from United States.
A curly-coated teddy-bear cat with a plush, springy coat. That one-line pitch is not a care plan. Factor grooming (Comes in both longhair and shorthair, with loose, soft curls that are most pronounced around the neck, belly and tail; even the whiskers may curl. The dense, slightly woolly coat sheds and benefits from gentle weekly combing rather than brushing, which can straighten the curls. Over-bathing or heavy grooming relaxes the curl, so a light touch keeps the texture.), typical adult size (3-7 kg (6.5-15 lb), with males markedly heavier than females), and the health issues listed below before you pay a deposit.
Meet adults of the breed, not only puppies or kittens, and prefer rescue or health-screened homes. A Selkirk Rex that looks right in a photo can still be the wrong animal for a small flat, a full-time office job, or a household that wanted a low-energy companion.
What is a Selkirk Rex?
A curly-coated teddy-bear cat with a plush, springy coat. Origin is United States; coat or markings are described as Comes in both longhair and shorthair, with loose, soft curls that are most pronounced around the neck, belly and tail; even the whiskers may curl. The dense, slightly woolly coat sheds and benefits from gentle weekly combing rather than brushing, which can straighten the curls. Over-bathing or heavy grooming relaxes the curl, so a light touch keeps the texture..
Kennel and registry labels describe a type. Individual Selkirk Rexs still vary, and rescue animals may be mixes.
Where does the Selkirk Rex come from?
Selkirk Rexs come from United States. The Selkirk Rex began in 1987 in Montana, USA, when a curly-coated kitten appeared in a shelter litter and was given to Persian breeder Jeri Newman.
She named the breed after her stepfather, making it one of the few breeds named after a real person, and bred the kitten to establish the curl. Crosses with Persians, British Shorthairs and others gave the breed its solid bone and rounded shape. Its curl comes from a dominant gene, distinguishing it from the recessive Cornish and Devon Rex.
How much care does a Selkirk Rex need?
Plan 13–17 years of food, vet care, grooming and time. A Selkirk Rex is medium (3–7 kg) (3-7 kg (6.5-15 lb), with males markedly heavier than females) from United States, with coat care described as comes in both longhair and shorthair, with loose, soft curls that are most pronounced around the neck, belly and tail; even the whiskers may curl. the dense, slightly woolly coat sheds and benefits from gentle weekly combing rather than brushing, which can straighten the curls. over-bathing or heavy grooming relaxes the curl, so a light touch keeps the texture..
Match daily exercise to the patient, tolerant, cuddly temperament rather than to Instagram.
Grooming follows the coat, not a generic clip: Comes in both longhair and shorthair, with loose, soft curls that are most pronounced around the neck, belly and tail; even the whiskers may curl. The dense, slightly woolly coat sheds and benefits from gentle weekly combing rather than brushing, which can straighten the curls. Over-bathing or heavy grooming relaxes the curl, so a light touch keeps the texture.. Keep the animal lean; extra weight is a joint and heart tax, especially in a medium cat.
Budget for unexpected vet bills. The health section below is why “cheap to buy” is not the same as cheap to keep.
What surprises people about the Selkirk Rex?
A few details about the breed, alongside the practical care information in this guide.
- Its curl is caused by a dominant gene, unlike the recessive curls of the Cornish and Devon Rex, so a single curly parent can pass it on.
- It is nicknamed the 'cat in sheep's clothing' for its dense, woolly, lamb-like coat.
- Even the whiskers and eyebrows are curled, and they can be brittle, sometimes breaking more easily than straight whiskers.
- The breed is named after Jeri Newman's stepfather, Selkirk, making it one of very few cat breeds named for an actual person.
What health issues should you know about in a Selkirk Rex?
Health concerns to discuss with your vet, including changes to watch for and everyday care. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice — always speak to your vet.
Polycystic kidney disease
Polycystic kidney disease can occur in this breed and may need veterinary monitoring.
Care: Discuss prevention and treatment with your vet.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
Thickening of the heart muscle that may cause sudden illness or heart failure.
Care: Breeding cats should be screened; affected cats may need lifelong medication under veterinary care.
Dental disease
Plaque and tartar build-up leads to gum infection and tooth loss.
Care: Brush teeth regularly and schedule professional dental cleanings as your vet advises.
Who should skip a Selkirk Rex?
Skip a Selkirk Rex if you are homes that cannot match a patient, tolerant, cuddly medium (3–7 kg) cat from United States. This United States cat is medium (3–7 kg) and patient, tolerant, cuddly — the mismatch is usually lifestyle, not a missing accessory.
This page is allowed to say no. Skip if you are homes that cannot match a patient, tolerant, cuddly medium (3–7 kg) cat from United States.
A different cat breed on this site may fit. Wanting “a Selkirk Rex” after a film or a colour photo is not a reason to ignore the skip list.
What are the hidden catches with a Selkirk Rex?
The hidden cost of a Selkirk Rex is usually not the purchase price. It is years of care, the health list on this page, and the mismatch between a patient, tolerant, cuddly animal and a busy home.
The impulse-buy catch
A Selkirk Rex from United States is often sold on looks. Coat, colour and size are not a temperament test. Meet the adult animal, ask about health screening, and walk away from pressure sales.
The polycystic kidney disease catch
Polycystic kidney disease can occur in this breed and may need veterinary monitoring. Discuss prevention and treatment with your vet.
The hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (hcm) catch
Thickening of the heart muscle that may cause sudden illness or heart failure. Breeding cats should be screened; affected cats may need lifelong medication under veterinary care.
How does a Selkirk Rex compare with Somali and Bombay?
A Selkirk Rex is not interchangeable with Somali and Bombay. Compare origin, size, lifespan and temperament before you choose — those four lines prevent most regret.
| Cat fact | Selkirk Rex | Somali | Bombay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Origin | United States | United States | United States |
| Size | Medium (3–7 kg) | Medium (3–5 kg) | Medium (3–5 kg) |
| Lifespan | 13–17 years | 13–17 years | 13–17 years |
| Temperament | Patient, tolerant, cuddly | Active, curious, playful | Affectionate, social, velcro |
What is the verdict on the Selkirk Rex?
Choose a Selkirk Rex only if the care, skip-if and health sections still look like your life after a week of thinking. Otherwise pick a different cat or wait. Rescue is usually the better first door than a waiting-list puppy or kitten.
If the match is real, budget for 13–17 years of vet care and do not skip health screening. If it is not, walking away is the kind choice — for you and for the animal.
Every cat deserves a chance
Whatever breed you love, countless cats live without a home or care. A symbolic adoption or a gift to WARN funds community-cat welfare — neutering, vaccination and treatment for cats most people never see.
