Cat Breed - Selkirk Rex
About the Selkirk Rex
Introduction: Selkirk Rex - A Comprehensive Guide
Brief Overview:
The Selkirk Rex is a striking breed known for its dense, curly coat, calm patient temperament, and plush stocky build. Often described as a “cat in sheep’s clothing,” this breed is affectionate, playful, and easygoing with both people and other pets. If you’re looking for a tolerant, mellow companion with a genuinely unique coat, the Selkirk Rex might be the perfect choice.
Looking for Selkirk Rex kittens for sale in Maryland or the Washington DC area? Luxury Only Kittens works with a curated network of ethical Selkirk Rex breeders across the United States.
Breed History
Origins:
The Selkirk Rex was developed in Montana, USA, in 1987 from a rescue kitten with an unusual curly coat born to a shorthair stray. That kitten, named Miss DePesto, was bred to a Persian, and the curly-coat trait proved to be a dominant gene. This makes the Selkirk Rex genetically distinct from the other Rex breeds – Devon Rex and Cornish Rex both carry recessive curl genes.
The breed was named after the founder’s stepfather, Selkirk, making it one of the few cat breeds named after a person. TICA accepted the Selkirk Rex for championship status in 2000, and CFA followed in 2013. Both shorthair and longhair varieties are recognized, and the breed continues to grow in popularity across North America.
Physical Characteristics
The Selkirk Rex is a medium-to-large, muscular cat with a plush curly coat and a round, expressive face.
Body:
- Medium to large, heavy-boned and muscular with a rounded, stocky build reminiscent of the British Shorthair.
- Weighs 8 to 15 pounds, with males typically larger and heavier than females.
- Rounded head, full cheeks, and prominent muzzle.
Coat:
- Dense, plush, and curly – the defining feature of the breed.
- Available in both shorthair and longhair varieties.
- Every color and pattern is accepted: solid, tabby, tortoiseshell, colorpoint, silver, and more.
- Kittens are born curly, lose most of their curl between 6-10 months, then re-develop the full curly coat by 8-10 months of age.
Eyes: Large, rounded, and set well apart. All eye colors are accepted, matching the coat color.
Personality and Temperament
General Disposition:
Selkirk Rex cats are known for their patient, mellow, and affectionate nature.
- Easygoing: Rarely startled or bothered, ideal for busy households.
- Family-Oriented: Get along well with children, dogs, and other cats.
- Playful but Not Hyperactive: Enjoy interactive play into adulthood without being demanding.
- Cuddly and Social: Love human company and often seek out laps and warm spots.
- Adaptable: Do well in apartments, houses, and multi-pet homes alike.
Their calm, tolerant temperament is one of the main reasons the breed has grown in popularity in the United States, especially with first-time cat owners and families with young children.
Health and Lifespan
Selkirk Rex cats are adaptable but prefer a warm, calm indoor environment where they can interact with their humans.
- Best suited for indoor living to protect their curly coat and maintain their health.
- They enjoy soft bedding, sunny windows, and cozy resting spots.
- They love interactive toys, cat trees, and puzzle feeders to stay engaged.
- They do well in multi-pet households, as long as introductions are done gradually.
Selkirk Rex cats are generally healthy and long-lived, with a typical lifespan of 14 to 16 years. Because the breed pool includes Persian and British Shorthair ancestry, responsible breeders screen for:
- Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) inherited from Persian ancestry.
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) – the most common heart condition in cats.
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) occasionally seen in the breed line.
Always ask any breeder for genetic test results and health records before purchase.
Breed Standards
The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) and The International Cat Association (TICA) recognize the Selkirk Rex as a pedigreed breed with specific standards.
Specific Standards for Selkirk Rex Cats:
- Body: Medium to large, heavy-boned, muscular, and well-proportioned.
- Coat: Dense, plush, and curly – either shorthair or longhair varieties.
- Head: Rounded, with full cheeks and a well-defined muzzle.
- Eyes: Large, rounded, and set well apart. Color matches the coat.
- Colors: Every color and pattern accepted, including tabby, solid, tortoiseshell, colorpoint, and silver.
- Straight-coat variety: Non-curly kittens from Selkirk Rex litters are recognized in TICA as “Selkirk Rex Straight” and can be shown.
Interesting Facts
How Much Does a Selkirk Rex Kitten Cost?
Selkirk Rex kittens from an ethical, TICA-registered breeder typically range from $2,000 to $3,500, depending on coat length (longhair costs more), color rarity, lineage, and whether the kitten is pet-quality or show-quality. At Luxury Only Kittens, all kittens come health-tested, hand-raised, and delivered with a written health guarantee. View available Selkirk Rex kittens →
- A Young but Growing Breed: The Selkirk Rex has only been recognized since 2000 by TICA, making it one of the youngest championship breeds.
- Nicknamed the “Cat in Sheep’s Clothing”: The plush, curly coat and calm demeanor gave the breed its charming nickname.
- Dominant Curl Gene: Unlike Devon Rex and Cornish Rex, the Selkirk Rex curl is a dominant trait, which means each litter can produce both curly and straight-coat kittens.
- Named After a Person: The breed’s founder named it after her stepfather, Selkirk, making the Selkirk Rex one of the very few cat breeds named for a person.
Other Pictures of Selkirk Rex Cats
Frequently Asked Questions About Selkirk Rex Kittens
Do your Selkirk Rex kittens come with registration papers?
Registration papers (TICA, CFA, WCF, or another registry) depend on the origin breeder and whether the kitten is placed as pet-quality or breeding-quality. Most families receive pet-quality kittens without formal registry papers, which is standard for ethical breeder-to-family placement. If registration matters to you for showing or breeding, tell us during inquiry and we will match you with a kitten from a registered line. Full lineage and parent details are shared with you before purchase.
What health testing do you perform on Selkirk Rex kittens?
All Selkirk Rex kittens receive age-appropriate FVRCP vaccinations, deworming, and negative FeLV/FIV screening before placement. Parent cats are DNA-tested for breed-specific hereditary conditions, and where applicable echocardiogram-screened for HCM. Written health guarantee included with every placement.
Do you deliver Selkirk Rex kittens nationwide?
Yes. Luxury Only Kittens offers personalized white-glove delivery across the United States, including Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, Miami, Houston, and Los Angeles. Delivery is either hand-delivered by our team or accompanied by a bonded flight nanny in-cabin, never as unattended cargo.
What age do Selkirk Rex kittens go home with new families?
Selkirk Rex kittens are placed between 12 and 16 weeks of age. This ensures full weaning, complete first-round vaccinations, and proper socialization with mother and littermates. We never place kittens earlier.
How long is the waitlist for a Selkirk Rex kitten?
It depends on availability. If a Selkirk Rex kitten matching what you want is already in our current litters, placement can happen within days. For a specific request such as a particular color, sex, or personality, typical timing is 2 to 8 weeks. For rare colors or highly specific pairings, expect 6 to 12 months. Contact Luxury Only Kittens with your preferences and we will tell you what is available now versus what needs a waitlist.
What is included with my Selkirk Rex kitten purchase?
Every placement includes complete veterinary records, age-appropriate vaccinations, deworming, negative FeLV/FIV screening, a written health guarantee, and a starter kit with food sample and blanket carrying mom scent. Lineage documentation and any registration papers vary by origin breeder and are shared with you before payment. Above all, Luxury Only Kittens is built on the match between family and kitten. We care equally that families receive a healthy, well-socialized kitten and that every kitten joins a family committed to caring for them for life.