Selkirk Rex at a glance
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 4.5–7 kg
- Life expectancy
- 10–15 years
Typical for the breed, not a promise about any one cat. Not assessed yet: Coat.
Is the Selkirk Rex right for you?
Like every breed, the Selkirk Rex is not the right fit for every home. Based on the breed’s typical traits:
May suit you if…
- This would be your first cat and you are ready to learn.
- You have, or would like, another cat.
- You have a calm, cat-friendly dog and can introduce them slowly.
- You would like a cat that tends to be quiet.
Consider another breed if…
- The cat would regularly be alone for long working days.
- You cannot offer any safe outdoor space.
- You have young children at home.
- You cannot commit to daily grooming.
How would the Selkirk Rex fit your lifestyle?
Choose a few details for a general, non-guaranteed view.
About the Selkirk Rex
The Selkirk Rex is a plush-coated, solidly boned cat whose dense coat has a soft curl or wave, giving it a tousled look that is sometimes likened to a teddy bear or "a cat in sheep's clothing". It is the largest of the rex-coated breeds and is usually easy-going, affectionate and fond of a cuddle.
Key characteristics
General breed tendencies, not a prediction for an individual cat.
- Size
Medium
A mid-sized cat.
- Coat length
Not assessed yet
Our sources do not say enough yet.
- Activity level
Moderate
Moderately active, with bursts of play.
- Grooming
Daily
The coat usually needs combing every day to prevent mats.
- Shedding
High
Tends to shed a lot, so expect hair around the home.
- Vocal
Tends to be quiet
Usually a fairly quiet cat.
- Good with children
Older children
Usually better with older, calmer children.
- Good with other cats
Usually sociable
Usually enjoys the company of other cats.
- Good with dogs
Often fine
Often gets on with a cat-friendly dog.
- Suits first-time owners
Often
Often suits first-time cat owners.
- Time alone
Prefers company
Prefers company and is best not left alone for long.
- Indoors and outdoors
Some outdoor space
Benefits from some safe outdoor space, such as a cat-proofed garden.
Unlike many breeds, its beginnings are well documented. In 1987 a curly-coated kitten later named Miss DePesto was born in a litter of six in Sheridan, Montana, in the United States. She came to Persian breeder Jeri Newman, who mated her to a black Persian. The resulting litter included three curly and three straight-coated kittens, showing that the curly coat was caused by a dominant gene, different from the genes behind the Cornish and Devon Rex. Further crosses with Persians, Exotic Shorthairs and British Shorthairs produced the foundation cats. According to the GCCF, the breed takes its name from the family name of Jeri Newman's stepfather; Purina links it to the Selkirk Mountains.
The breed was accepted by TICA in 1992 and the CFA in 2000. The first Selkirk Rex arrived in the UK from Austria in 2002, and the breed gained Championship status with the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) in 2009.
Selkirk Rex temperament
Selkirk Rex are typically mellow, loving and patient, reflecting their British Shorthair, Persian and Exotic ancestry. They are also affectionate, playful, alert and intelligent, loyal and devoted to their family, and usually friendly with visitors. They enjoy human company and make pleasant, not too demanding house cats.
Size and appearance
This is a medium to large cat with heavy boning that gives it surprising weight and a powerful look. Adults typically weigh around 4.5 to 7 kg, and females tend to be smaller than males. The head is round and broad with full cheeks, the eyes are large and round, and the body is cobby, with medium-length legs.
The breed has a semi-longhair and a shorthair version. The longhair has a tousled coat with a curly ruff and a plumed tail, while the shorthair coat is plush and fairly even in length. How curly the coat is varies with age, sex, climate, season and hormones. Kittens are curly at birth, may lose the curl, then start to regrow it at about 8 to 10 months; the coat keeps developing until about two years of age. All colours, patterns and eye colours are allowed.
How active is the Selkirk Rex?
Beneath the fluffy coat, the Selkirk Rex is an active, playful cat that enjoys games, but it is not wildly demanding and will not tear your home apart if you are busy. Climbing trees and games with toys on strings are usually welcome, and much of the time your company and a lap will be enough.
Selkirk Rex grooming
The coat is fairly high maintenance, especially in the longhair. Selkirk Rex do shed, and both versions need daily combing with a wide-toothed comb to remove loose hair and stop tangles, plus a more thorough weekly groom for longhairs. Take care not to over-groom, as this can reduce the curl. Some cats are prone to a greasy coat and need an occasional bath, and ears should be cleaned weekly. The breed is sometimes said to be hypoallergenic, but this is not correct.
Indoors and outdoors
The Selkirk Rex is not well equipped for outdoor life and is a theft risk. A built-in cat run or fully secure garden, with branches to climb and sunny platforms, can give it outdoor time safely. This breed does not cope well with being left alone for long periods and suits people who are home for some of the day and each night.
Living with a Selkirk Rex
Selkirk Rex usually make good family cats: relaxed and cuddly much of the time and up for games when offered. They are typically tolerant with respectful children. Their soft, teddy-bear look can make it hard for very young children to understand that they need space, so they are often best with older children and teenagers. Whatever the breed, young children should be supervised around cats and shown how to stroke them gently and let them walk away.
Children
Usually better with older, calmer children.
Other cats
Usually enjoys the company of other cats.
Dogs
Often gets on with a cat-friendly dog.
Indoors and outdoors
Benefits from some safe outdoor space.
Being left alone
Prefers company and is best not left alone for long.
First-time owners
Often suits first-time cat owners.
Other cats and pets
Selkirk Rex are usually sociable with other cats, provided their people are home for reasonable amounts of time, and are typically tolerant of other family pets, including dogs.
Selkirk Rex health
Not yet reviewed by a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice: speak to your vet about your own cat’s health.
Purina describes the Selkirk Rex as generally healthy. Some health problems may be inherited from the breeds used to develop it, and responsible breeders screen their breeding cats.
Greasy coat
Some Selkirk Rex, like other rex breeds, tend to have an excessively greasy coat that needs more frequent bathing.
Polycystic kidney disease (PKD)
An inherited condition, linked to the Persian outcross, in which cysts form in the kidneys and can eventually lead to kidney failure. A DNA test is available. In the UK, all Selkirk Rex registered with the GCCF for breeding are DNA tested for PKD or come from two tested parents.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
A heart condition that may be inherited from the British Shorthair outcross. Responsible breeders screen their breeding cats for it.
Hypotrichosis
A condition in which areas of fur do not grow, which can lead to skin infections, particularly yeast infections.
What health checks should you ask about?
Responsible breeders and rescues are happy to talk about health, and any pressure to decide quickly is a reason to walk away. Before taking a Selkirk Rex home, it is reasonable to ask about:
- Health testing of the parents. Ask which health tests the parents have had for conditions known in the breed, and to see the results.
- Veterinary and vaccination records. Kittens should have had a first vaccination and a vet check, with records you can take home.
- Microchip information. In England, cats must be microchipped and registered by 20 weeks old. Ask who the chip is registered to and how the transfer works.
- Registration paperwork. Registration papers, where they apply, record pedigree. They do not by themselves prove health or how a kitten was raised.
How much does a Selkirk Rex cost to own?
There are two costs: bringing a Selkirk Rex home, and looking after one well. Kitten prices depend on the breeder, health testing and demand; the adverts below show what sellers are asking today.
Ongoing costs are the ones new owners most often underestimate: food, insurance (which usually rises with age), routine vet care, vaccinations and parasite treatment, dental care, grooming, litter, scratching posts and toys, and a cattery or a sitter for holidays. Budget for the whole of the cat’s life, typically 10–15 years, not just the first year.
Buying a Selkirk Rex
If you have decided the Selkirk Rex suits your life, take the same care choosing where your cat comes from. Meet the kitten in person, see it with its mother, and look at how the litter is raised.
- Check who you are dealing with: every Mypetzilla advert shows the seller type and what we have checked.
- Ask about health testing, vaccinations and the microchip before you commit.
- Take your time. Do not be rushed by deposits or "last one left" stories.
- Meet in person before paying anything, and keep conversations on Mypetzilla.
Adopting a Selkirk Rex
Selkirk Rexs do come up for adoption, through rescue organisations, breed rescues and private rehoming, often because an owner’s circumstances have changed rather than any fault of the cat. An adult cat arrives as a known quantity: its size, coat and character are already on show.
Rescues will usually talk you through the cat’s history, any medical care, and the home it needs, including children, other animals and time alone. Be honest about your circumstances: a good rescue would rather place a cat once, well.
Selkirk Rexs looking for homes
Live from Mypetzilla, updated as pets are listed.
There are no Selkirk Rex adverts at the moment.
Find Selkirk Rex adverts for sale and for adoption on Mypetzilla now.
Similar breeds you may want to consider
British Longhair
Patient, tolerant, relaxed, calm, easygoing, affectionate, quiet and sensitive.
View breed guideAmerican Wirehair
Playful, gentle, intelligent, easygoing, loving, curious, independent and quiet.
View breed guide
Selkirk Rex FAQs
Is the Selkirk Rex good with children?
Usually better with older, calmer children. Individual cats vary with breeding, upbringing and health, so ask about the cat you are considering.
Can the Selkirk Rex be an indoor cat?
Benefits from some safe outdoor space. Indoor cats need daily play, places to climb and scratch, and a window to watch from.
How active is the Selkirk Rex?
Moderately active, with bursts of play. Short play sessions every day help any cat stay fit and settled.
Does the Selkirk Rex shed?
Tends to shed a lot.
How much grooming does the Selkirk Rex need?
Typically: daily.
Can the Selkirk Rex be left alone?
Prefers company and is best not left alone for long. Every cat needs company, play and someone to check on it each day.
Is the Selkirk Rex a talkative cat?
Tends to be quiet. Individual cats vary with breeding, upbringing and health, so ask about the cat you are considering.
Does the Selkirk Rex get on with other cats?
Usually enjoys the company of other cats. Introduce cats slowly, with separate food, water, litter trays and resting places.
Is the Selkirk Rex good with dogs?
Often gets on with a cat-friendly dog. Individual cats vary with breeding, upbringing and health, so ask about the cat you are considering.
How long does the Selkirk Rex live?
Typically 10–15 years. Lifespan varies with genetics, weight, care and luck.
How big does the Selkirk Rex get?
Adults typically weigh 4.5–7 kg.