Selkirk Rex Longhair Cat Breed

History

In 1987, a feral blue tortie and a white cat in Montana had an odd-looking kitten in their litter of five. When she was nine weeks old, a Persian cat breeder named Jeri Newman took the unique kitten and named her Miss DePesto.

Mr. Newman discovered that Miss DePesto’s mother had hair that wasn’t wholly normal either, as it had a small kink at the end. However, he observed that Miss DePesto had curly whiskers, brillo hair in her ears and a coat that is similar to a body wave. Her eyes were slanted, had a fine muzzle with a strong whisker break, a wide flat spot between her ears and eye-catching cheekbones. Like the Cornish Rex, Miss DePesto’s body was heavy and well-boned.

Mr. Newman noticed that all Miss DePesto’s littermates had normal coats. He also observed that there were no curly cats in the area where Miss DePesto was born. This made him believe that Miss DePesto may be the foundation of a new mutant rex gene. So, he decided to breed Miss DePesto when she was fourteen months old to his black Persian male.

On July 14, Miss DePesto had a litter of six kittens, of which three of them were curly. This outcome proved that this new mutant gene is dominant; unlike that of the Devon Rex and Cornish Rex. In addition, Miss DePesto carried the longhaired variety.

In order to preserve the genetic diversity and give the breed a more pleasing appearance, cat breeders outcrossed them not only to Persians but also to American Shorthair, British Shorthair and Exotic cats.

This curly cat breed was accepted by The International Cat Association in 1992. Then, in 1998, the American Cat Fanciers Association recognised the Selkirk Rex, closely followed by the Cat Fanciers Association in 2000. 

Personality

Because of their parent breeds, the Selkirk Rex has a personality that a lot of cat owners truly enjoy. They are affectionate, patient and tolerant. The Persian cats added their lovable nature; the Exotic Shorthair cats brought a dash playfulness to the package, while the British Shorthair cats added the relaxed personality.

The Selkirk Rex, fortunately, is a patient cat breed. They accept being touched by strangers with excellent tolerance. They love human affection and attention, which is why it is okay for them to be picked up and hugged by their owners.

This loving cat breed is known to be playful and enjoy snuggling with their human companion. They are not as active as the other cat breeds; thus, they will not wear you out or annoy you with their neediness. They won’t demand your attention but they will readily welcome anyone who wants to touch them and hug them. They are very sweet and attentive to the family. Due to this demeanour, they get along well with children and the elderly.

While you will frequently see a Selkirk Rex resting and relaxing, these cats are surprisingly smart. You can expect them to learn how to open cupboards, doors, or cabinets in search of treats or toys. It is recommended to challenge their cleverness by engaging them in learning new tricks, teaching them how to play a game of fetch or follow commands. In addition, provide plenty of interactive toys to keep them busy.

This cat’s affectionate nature makes them enjoy being a lap cat. They will also giddily “talk” to you in their soft, quiet voice. And don’t worry if you need to leave them alone for some time; they can entertain themselves for long periods of time.

This playful cat breed is also known to be adaptable in any environment. Selkirk Rex can thrive whether they are living in a one-bedroom apartment or in a large house, living as a single pet or part of a bigger pack. The only thing they need is your love and attention. Because of this, they make excellent pets for the elderly and families with children.

Like other breeds, the Selkirk Rex loves climbing a cat tower. They also love a window seat where they can watch the world go by. In addition, they appreciate having many toys such as felt mice, plastic balls, laser pointers, interactive games, and feather teasers. 

Coat & Care

Even with their luxurious, long and thick coat, this adorable cat breed needs only a little grooming. Twice weekly combing is sufficient to keep their silky waves healthy and matt free. But don’t use a brush and avoid over-combing their delicate coat as it could lead to frizziness.

Regular combing will keep your feline’s fur from piling up everywhere in your house since Selkirk Rex does shed moderately. They shed more during the summer season, so you might need to comb them a little more often during this time.

Create a grooming routine while they are young, using a comb that will gently smooth their soft curly fur. If they behave well, reward your Selkirk Rex with small treats and kibbles after every grooming session. As they grow into adulthood and get used to being groomed, advance your tools to a more age-appropriate comb for their coat needs.

Aside from combing, regular bathing can also be beneficial for this breed. However, don’t use a thick shampoo that doesn’t rinse well as it will make their fur fall flat.

Brushing their teeth every day is the best; but, weekly brushing works just fine in preventing tooth and gum diseases. To keep their nails clean, trim them twice a month or when needed. For their eyes, keep them clean and healthy by wiping the corners with a clean, soft, damp cloth.

For their ears, remove dirt, debris and wax weekly to keep infections away. You can use a clean cotton ball or a soft, damp cloth and a vet-approved ear cleanser to clean their ears. If there is a foul odour, it could signify an infection so go to your vet for care and treatment.

Like many other breeds, these cats are very particular about their bathroom hygiene. That’s why it is essential to keep their litter boxes clean all the time. Like most breeds, they tend to use other areas in the house to do their business if their litter box is always left unclean. 

Children & Other Pets

Because of their peaceful, laidback, gentle, and very loving nature, the Selkirk Rex are perfect for families with children and to the elderly. They are excellent for children as they are very playful and can play fetch and follow commands diligently. But as always, supervise any interaction with your Selkirk Rex and a child to prevent any accidents that might occur and hurt the cat.

Selkirk Rex cats are known to do well as a single pet or part of a pack. They can thrive pleasantly with cat-friendly dogs, other cats, and even other pets in the same household. Just be cautious when you let them meet for the first time. It is best to gradually introduce them in controlled environments to ensure that they will get along well.