The Selkirk Rex is one of a small group of cat breeds with a naturally curly coat. The curl comes from a dominant gene, so a Selkirk litter can include both curly and straight-coated kittens. Combined with a stocky build and round, full-cheeked face, the overall look has earned the breed nicknames like “the cat in sheep’s clothing” and, more loosely, the “poodle cat” — though breeders avoid the latter since it implies hypoallergenic qualities the breed doesn’t have.
Behind the coat is a calm, affectionate cat with an easygoing disposition. Selkirks are social without being clingy, playful in short bursts, and one of the easier pedigreed breeds for first-time owners. Grooming has a few specific rules, and they don’t handle long stretches alone well.
Here’s what it’s actually like to live with a Selkirk Rex, from personality and daily habits to grooming, health, cost, and whether they’re the right fit for your home.
Quick Breed Facts
- Origin: United States (Montana)
- Breed registries: CFA, TICA, ACFA, FIFe
- Weight range: 6–16 lbs
- Lifespan: 14–15 years
- Coat: Short or long, soft and curly with clumped ringlets
- Colors and patterns: All colors and patterns accepted
- Eye color: All colors, round and set wide apart
- Grooming: Moderate, with specific technique
- Activity level: Moderate
- Affection level: High
- Vocality: Low to moderate
- Good with children: Yes
- Good with other pets: Yes
History & Origin of the Selkirk Rex
The Selkirk Rex traces back to a single kitten born in a Montana shelter litter in 1987. The mother was a mixed-breed shelter cat, and one of her kittens had a wavy coat and curly whiskers. A local Persian breeder named Jeri Newman adopted the kitten, called her Miss DePesto, and later bred her to a black Persian named “PhotoFinish of Deekay”.
Three of the resulting six kittens had curly coats, which confirmed the curl was caused by a dominant gene rather than a recessive one like the Cornish and Devon Rex. Because the gene is dominant, a kitten needs only one curly-gene parent to have a curly coat, but when both parents carry it the curl tends to be denser and more uniform.
Newman named the breed after her stepfather, Selkirk, making the Selkirk Rex the only cat breed named after a person. Early breeders outcrossed to Persians, British Shorthairs, and Exotic Shorthairs to broaden the gene pool, which accounts for the breed’s stocky, heavily boned build. CFA phased those outcrosses out gradually — Persian crosses ended in 2020, British Shorthair and Exotic in 2025 — meaning both parents must now be Selkirk Rex for CFA registration.
CFA accepted the Selkirk Rex for registration in 1992 and granted championship status in 2000. TICA recognized the breed for championship competition in 1994. The Selkirk Rex remains relatively rare.
Selkirk Rex Personality & Temperament
Selkirk Rex cats are calm and affectionate without being pushy about it. They like to be included and often show it by following you from room to room or settling nearby.
They warm up to visitors relatively quickly and tend to bond with the whole household rather than attaching to one person. That disposition traces back to the British Shorthair and Persian influences in their bloodline, and it has made the breed a natural fit for therapy work, where a calm, touchable cat that warms up quickly to strangers is exactly what’s needed.
Selkirks enjoy playing but prefer short sessions over sustained activity. They’ll chase a wand toy or work through a treat puzzle, then settle somewhere close by for a nap. They pick up household routines quickly and have been known to figure out how to open drawers where toys are kept.
What they don’t handle well is long stretches alone. If your schedule keeps you out of the house most of the day, a companion animal is worth considering for this breed.
Selkirk Rex Physical Characteristics
The Selkirk Rex is a medium to large cat with a stocky, muscular build and a sturdy frame. Males typically reach 12 to 15 pounds, with females closer to 6 to 10 pounds. The head is round and full-cheeked, the whisker pads are prominent, and the eyes are large, round, and set wide apart.
Selkirks come in both shorthair and longhair varieties, and both carry soft, plush curls, though the ringlets are more pronounced in longhaired cats. The curls form clumps rather than the tight ripples of the Cornish Rex or the fine waves of the Devon Rex, giving the coat a tousled, lambswool texture.
Kittens are born curly but lose most of that curl around six months as the kitten coat sheds out, then regrow it fully by eight to ten months — a gap that catches many new owners off guard. Coat color and pattern run the full range, from solids to tabbies to tortoiseshells. Whiskers are curly and tend to break off, leaving many Selkirks with shorter, irregular whisker growth.
Selkirk Rex Grooming & Shedding
The Selkirk coat needs a different approach than most. Over-brushing loosens the curls and leaves the coat looking frizzy or flat, so a slicker brush is not the right tool here. A wide-toothed comb does the job better. A quick comb-through a few times a week is enough to remove dead hair and prevent tangles without disturbing the curl. The curls hold their shape better with minimal handling.
That same curly texture also traps loose fur rather than releasing it, so shed hair tends to stay in the coat instead of falling onto your furniture. That keeps visible shedding low but raises the matting risk if grooming lapses. Occasional baths can help, but use a light shampoo that won’t weigh the coat down. Skip conditioner, and let the coat air dry to help preserve the curls.
Beyond coat care, the usual basics apply: nail trims every couple of weeks and regular ear and dental care.
Activity & Play
Selkirks are moderately playful. They enjoy feather wands, puzzle feeders, and short interactive sessions, but they’re not the kind of cat that needs an hour of structured play every day. A few short sessions plus some solo enrichment usually covers it, and most Selkirks will nap through the middle of the afternoon without complaint.
A cat tree is worth having. Selkirks like to perch and observe from a mid-level height, though they’re not driven climbers like Abyssinians or Bengals, so the tall, elaborate towers built for those breeds are overkill. A stable mid-sized tree with a few perches and a window view is enough, with a rotation of toys to prevent boredom setting in.
Selkirk Rex Health & Lifespan
Selkirk Rex cats typically live 14 to 15 years with good care. They’re generally a healthy breed, but they can inherit a few conditions associated with the breeds used in their development.
Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) comes from the Persian side and can lead to kidney failure over time. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a form of heart disease, appears in both Persian and British Shorthair lines. Hip dysplasia, also common in Persians, can affect larger, heavier Selkirks. Reputable breeders screen for all three and run blood-type testing before pairing to avoid neonatal isoerythrolysis, a condition that can be fatal to kittens when parents carry incompatible blood types.
Selkirks are naturally stocky and prone to weight gain, which raises the risk of diabetes and puts additional strain on their joints and heart. A high-protein, meat-based food with animal protein listed as the first ingredient, fed in measured portions rather than left out to graze, is the most practical way to keep weight in check.
Family Compatibility
Selkirks fit into busy households without much friction. They’re patient with children, get along with dogs when introductions are handled properly, and are comfortable around other cats. Their affection isn’t reserved for a single person, so they tend to bond with the whole family rather than picking one favorite.
They suit solo owners and quieter homes just as well, and their calm disposition makes them one of the more straightforward pedigreed breeds for first-time owners. What they don’t do well is being left alone for long stretches. A Selkirk without company through long workdays tends to get quiet and withdrawn over time, which is more of a welfare issue than a behavior problem. If your schedule keeps you out of the house most of the day, consider getting a second cat for company.
Recommended Supplies for a Selkirk Rex
Selkirks don’t need an elaborate setup. A few grooming basics, comfortable resting spots, and toys for moderate play are usually enough.
- Wide-toothed comb for coat maintenance
- Light shampoo without conditioner for occasional baths
- Mid-height cat tree with stable perches
- Interactive wand toys and puzzle feeders
- Roomy litter box, consistently cleaned
Selkirk Rex Cat Price
Selkirk Rex kittens from a reputable breeder typically run between $600 and $1,500. Straight-coated kittens are born in some litters and are often priced below their curly-coated siblings.
Adoption is possible, but Selkirk Rex cats are uncommon in shelters. Breed rescues occasionally have adults available if you’re open to an older cat.
Selkirk Rex FAQs
Are Selkirk Rex cats hypoallergenic?
No. Selkirks produce the same Fel d 1 protein that triggers most cat allergies, and their curly coat traps rather than eliminates dander. Some owners report fewer symptoms compared to shorthaired breeds because loose hair stays in the coat, but the breed is not a good match for anyone with significant cat allergies.
Do Selkirk Rex cats shed?
They shed moderately, but most of the loose hair gets caught in the curls rather than falling onto furniture. That keeps visible shedding low but makes regular combing important to prevent matting.
How big do Selkirk Rex cats get?
Selkirks are medium to large cats with a solid, muscular build. Males typically weigh 12 to 15 pounds, and females usually range from 6 to 10 pounds. They look bigger than they are because of the plush coat.
How long do Selkirk Rex cats live?
Most Selkirk Rex cats live 14 to 15 years with proper care. Regular vet checkups and screening for the breed’s hereditary conditions do the most to support a long, healthy life.
Are Selkirk Rex cats good with kids and other pets?
Yes. Selkirks are patient and adaptable, which makes them a good fit for families with children and households with other pets. They tend to get along with cat-friendly dogs and other cats when introductions are handled gradually.
Are Selkirk Rex cats good for first-time cat owners?
Yes. Their calm temperament and forgiving personality make them one of the easier pedigreed breeds for first-time owners. The one thing to plan for is company, since they don’t handle long solo stretches well.
Is the Selkirk Rex Right for You?
A Selkirk Rex is a good fit if you want an affectionate cat that enjoys being around people without demanding constant attention. They’re moderately playful, adaptable to most homes, and generally comfortable with children and other pets.
Two things to plan for: the coat needs regular gentle grooming and occasional baths, and Selkirks don’t do well spending most of the day alone.
Debbie Reid is the founder and chief editor of CatPedia.net, with over 25 years of hands-on experience in feline care, rescue, and behavior research. Inspired by her rescue cats Snickers and Bigboy, she collaborates with animal welfare resources and consults veterinary literature to turn complex feline health, nutrition, and behavior topics into clear, actionable guides.
