Selkirk Rex: With its curly fur, it’s the softest cat in the world
The Selkirk Rex certainly doesn’t go unnoticed: it is a relatively young cat breed known for its most striking feature—its curly, soft coat, which gives it an almost “shaggy” appearance.
A unique look that isn’t the result of complex laboratory experiments, but rather a true wonder of nature.
Origins and History of the Selkirk Rex
The history of the Selkirk Rex began in the United States in the late 1980s.
In 1987, in the state of Montana, a litter of domestic cats was born at a shelter.
Among the kittens was a particularly unusual female kitten: her coat had a very noticeable natural curl, unlike any other mutation observed in domestic cats up to that point.
The kitten was adopted by breeder Jeri Newman, a cat genetics enthusiast, who immediately recognized the potential of that mutation.
The animal was named Miss DePesto of Noface and became the founder of the new breed.
To determine whether the curly coat trait is genetically inherited, Miss DePesto was bred with a black Persian cat.
Several kittens were born from that litter, some of which had the same curly coat.
This result demonstrated that the mutation was dominant, unlike in other Rex breeds, where the responsible gene is recessive.
This genetic factor played a key role in the breed’s development: thanks to the gene’s dominance, it was possible to establish the curly coat trait within just a few generations.
Over the following years, selective breeding with other cat breeds was used to stabilize the physical characteristics and temperament of the Selkirk Rex, including:
- Persian
- Exotic Shorthair
- British Shorthair
The recognition of race
Jeri Newman decided to name the breed “Selkirk” in honor of her stepfather, making it one of the few cat breeds to be named after a person.
The term ” Rex,” on the other hand, is traditionally used to refer to breeds with curly coats.
The official recognition process took several years, during which time it was necessary to demonstrate the genetic and morphological stability of the Selkirk Rex.
In the 1990s, the breed began to be registered and shown at cat shows.
Today, the Selkirk Rex is recognized by numerous international cat breeding organizations and is bred in both long-haired and short-haired varieties.
The Selkirk Rex Cat’s Coat
The Selkirk Rex is a medium-sized or medium-to-large cat whose most distinctive feature is undoubtedly its curly coat.
Unlike other Rex breeds, where the coat is short and wavy, the Selkirk Rex has curlier, softer fur.
Whiskers and vibrissae can also have a curled or wavy shape.
The coat, which can have a soft and slightly tousled appearance, consists of three types of hair:
- topcoat
- undercoat
- guard hairs
From a grooming standpoint, the coat does not require excessive brushing: grooming it too often could actually reduce the definition of the curls.
The Selkirk Rex’s Personality
This beautiful curly-haired cat has a friendly, affectionate personality and forms very close bonds with its humans.
It tends to be very friendly and welcoming, even toward strangers, and does not display aggressive territorial behavior.
It doesn’t like being left alone for long periods of time and tends to seek out the company of humans and other pets.
This makes him a great companion for other cats and dogs.
Pathologies to pay attention to
Among the most commonly monitored health conditions in Selkirk Rex cats are:
– hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: This condition is characterized by thickening of the heart walls, which can impair heart function.
– polycystic kidney disease: is a genetic disorder that causes cysts to form in the kidneys. Over time, it can lead to kidney failure.
– skin problems: In some dogs, a particularly thick coat can lead to an accumulation of sebum or the formation of mats if not properly groomed.
It is essential to regularly monitor your cat’s overall health, paying attention to signs of illness such as changes in appetite or behavior.
To bring your Selkirk Rex in for a follow-up visit and periodic checkups, please contact the veterinarians on our staff, who are always available to assist you.
We would also like to remind you that Clinica La Veterinaria is always open h24 every day including holidays and with First Aid service from 8 pm to 8 am.
