Selkirk Rex: Temperament, Size, Care & Health

Show judges often joke that the Selkirk Rex is the original "bad hair day" cat: their curls point in every direction, as if the cat just stepped out of the shower. The CFA even calls them the "cat in sheep's clothing." Unlike the slender Devon Rex and Cornish Rex, this is a large, sturdy, round-faced cat with a dense, curly coat. In this cat breed guide profile, you will discover where the Selkirk Rex came from, the unique traits of their coat, their personality, and how to care for them.

Origin	USA, Montana
Recognition	TICA in 1992; CFA registration in 1992, championship status in 2000; FIFe (longhair and shorthair)
Weight	Males around 12–15 lbs, females are smaller
Body	Medium to large, sturdy, heavy-boned
Coat	Short or long, dense, with loose curls
Inheritance	Dominant (KRT71 gene)
Colors	All colors, including pointed and bicolor
Eyes	Round, set wide apart
Temperament	Calm, affectionate, social

The Selkirk Rex Curls Are Caused by a Dominant Gene

In 1986–1987 in Montana, a rescued cat gave birth to a litter featuring one kitten with an unusual coat—a female with curly whiskers and hair that looked like it had a perm. She was taken in by Persian breeder Jeri Newman and named Miss DiPesto, after the curly-haired character from the TV show Moonlighting. When bred to a black Persian male, three out of her six kittens were born curly, proving that this new Rex gene was dominant. All modern Selkirk Rex cats trace their lineage back to Miss DiPesto. Newman named the breed after her stepfather, Selkirk—making it the only cat breed to this day named after a real person.

It was later discovered that the curls are caused by a variant of the KRT71 gene—the same gene whose other mutations cause the hairlessness of the Sphynx and the curls of the Devon Rex. The Selkirk Rex variant is dominant, so even a single copy produces a full, loosely curled coat. Cats that inherit two copies of the gene have tighter, softer curls resembling a Cornish Rex, tend to be more slender with larger ears and a less rounded head, and often have oilier coats.

Sturdy Build, Round Head, and Dense Curls

The Selkirk Rex is a medium to large cat with a solid, muscular body and heavy bones. Males weigh around 12–15 lbs, while females are slightly smaller. The head is round with full cheeks and no flat planes; prominent whisker pads give the muzzle a somewhat square appearance. The eyes are round and set wide apart, and the ears are medium-sized. Their whiskers are curly, brittle, and often break off.

They come in both shorthair and longhair varieties. Shorthairs have a coat of uniform length all over, while longhairs feature a longer ruff framing the face and a plumed tail. The curls are most prominent on the neck, tail, and belly. The coat is soft but dense, complete with an undercoat. All colors are permitted, including pointed, bicolor, cinnamon, silver, and chocolate. The abundance of curls can also be influenced by climate and hormonal changes.

Outcrossing with Persian and British Cats

To establish the breed's foundation, American Shorthair, Persian, Himalayan, Exotic Shorthair, and British Shorthair cats were used. This allowed the breed to maintain significant genetic diversity: the inbreeding coefficient of the Selkirk Rex is low, similar to that of mixed-breed cats. TICA recognized the breed in 1992, and the CFA registered it the same year, granting it championship status in 2000. Since 2020, the CFA no longer permits outcrossing with Persians, and starting in 2025, outcrossing with British Shorthairs and Exotic Shorthairs is also prohibited, meaning both parents of CFA-registered kittens must be Selkirk Rex. TICA still allows these outcrosses.

Temperament: Affectionate, Calm, and Lap-Loving

The CFA notes that the cat's namesake (spelled DePesto by the CFA) was known as a bit of a "pest" because she constantly demanded attention. Her descendants often inherit this same trait: they will politely ask for your attention, and if they do not get it, they might jump right onto your lap or back if you are bending over. Selkirk Rex cats are intelligent but also have a silly streak—for example, they might try to run up a wall while chasing a laser pointer.

The Selkirk Rex is more social than highly active. Their focus is on their humans, and their idea of paradise is a warm lap. They prefer to keep their paws on the floor, though they will chase a toy with enthusiasm. They are not overly vocal but will happily respond when spoken to. They get along great with children and other pets, provided children understand that the cat should be handled gently.

Health: Inherited Risks from Persians and British Shorthairs

There are no known diseases specific to the Selkirk Rex breed itself. However, like other Rex breeds, their curly hair can irritate the inside of their ears, leading to increased wax production. Cats with two copies of the gene tend to have oilier coats and may require more frequent bathing. Because the breed was developed using Persian and British cats, reputable breeders test for conditions known in those breeds:

• Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) – In many registries, all Selkirk Rex cats used for breeding must be genetically tested or come from two tested parents.
• Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) and Hip Dysplasia – The CFA lists these among the conditions breeders should screen for.
• Blood Type Incompatibility – Most breeders determine the blood type via a genetic test before mating to prevent neonatal isoerythrolysis.

Grooming: Fingers Instead of Combs

• Coat. The CFA advises simply tousling the curls with your fingers using a gentle scratching motion—the coat will look its best, and the cat will be happy. The coat does not mat easily, but it is worth brushing once or twice a month to remove dead hair. A wide-toothed comb is handy for longhairs.
• Ears. Inspect and clean them regularly, as the curly hair promotes wax buildup.
• Bathing. If the coat becomes greasy, give them an occasional bath.
• Weight. This large, calm cat can easily gain weight, so engage them in daily play.

Three Curly Breeds: Selkirk Rex, Devon Rex, and Cornish Rex

Trait	Selkirk Rex	Devon Rex	Cornish Rex
Coat	Dense, loose curls	Sparse, loose waves	Down hair only, tight waves
Inheritance	Dominant	Recessive	Recessive
Body	Large, sturdy	Small, muscular	Slender, arched back
Hypoallergenic	Not recommended	Not hypoallergenic	Not hypoallergenic

How to Choose a Selkirk Rex Kitten

When looking for a Selkirk Rex kitten, always ask the breeder for the parents' PKD test results, echocardiogram (for HCM), and blood type screening. Remember that a kitten's curls can disappear during their first year and return later, with the final coat fully developing around two years of age. If curls are not your top priority, the CFA suggests considering a straight-haired Selkirk Rex—they have the exact same sweet personality and generally cost less. Reputable breeders associated with organizations like the CFA or TICA will usually not let kittens go to their new homes before they are 12 to 14 weeks old. Be sure to check local ordinances, and as we covered at the beginning of our guide, having your vet microchip your new pet is highly recommended.

You can find other curly-haired breeds in our Devon Rex and Cornish Rex profiles, or if you are looking for a cat with a similarly sturdy build but a straight coat, check out the British Shorthair.