Selkirk rex cat. Description, features, care and price of the Selkirk Rex cat

Video

* We invite you to watch a video about the Selkirk Rex . In fact, in front of you is a playlist in which you can select and watch any of 20 videos about a given cat breed by simply clicking on the button in the upper right corner of the window. In addition, the material contains quite a lot of photos. By looking at them you can find out what a Selkirk Rex looks like.

Rate the material!

[Total votes: 2 Average: 5]

The Selkirk Rex is a charming creature with an original appearance. These cats either resemble Persians with Afro-style carvings or British cats dressed in sheepskin coats. A typical urban sofa breed, it does not shine with ingenuity and is not prone to noisy games.

Photo of Selkirk Rex

Read here Asian Tabby: 100 photos, videos of the breed, its description and care tips from owners

Help the site, share with friends

History of the origin of the Selkirk Rex

The Selkirk Rex is a breed from the so-called “Rex” group. It includes cats and other animals - carriers of a mutation that manifests itself as curly hair. Genetically the closest to this breed are Devon Rexes and Hairless Sphynxes, whose abnormal coats are caused by different alleles of the same mutated gene.

The first cat, the founder of the Selkirk Rex breed, was born in Montana (USA) in 1987 from an unnamed cat. Breeder Jeri Newman noticed the curly-haired offspring among the usual brothers and named the cat Miss Di Pesto in honor of the heroine of the television series Moonlight Detective Agency, who had similar hair. The promising cat was bred to a black Persian and gave birth to six kittens, half of which turned out to be the spitting image of their mother.

The result showed that the mutated gene is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner. That is, curly cats will consistently appear in any litter. Geri Newman christened the breed "Selkirk" in honor of her stepfather: this is the first and so far only breed named after a real person (and not a mountain, as in some versions).

This was followed by outcrosses with American Shorthairs, Persians, Himalayans, exotic KShs and British KShs to enrich and diversify the genotype, which made it possible to significantly increase the number without resorting to inbreeding. In this way, a healthy population with rich genetic potential can be created.

The breed was accepted by the International Cat Association (TICA) in 1992, the American Cat Fancier's Association (ACFA) in 1998 and the Cat Fancier's Association (CFA) in 2000, and is also recognized by the WCF. The Cat Fancier's Association (CFA) and Australia have stopped all outcrossing in 2020. FIFe does not recognize this breed.

Selkirk Rex cats are inferior in popularity to Devon Rex and Sphynx cats, not making it into the top ten. Selkirk Rex appeared in Russia at the end of perestroika. Now they are bred by about 20 nurseries in the country, usually together with the British and Scottish.

Features of the Selkirk Rex breed

Selkirk Rex cats are very sociable and love to spend time in the company of people. At the same time, they get along well with other pets, quickly becoming everyone's favorites. They are not overly intrusive when it comes to getting a share of attention, but they happily sit in the arms of their owners.

Cats of this breed are distinguished by their playful and mischievous character, which persists until adulthood. Combined with their plush, curly coat, their appearance is very attractive, which is what made these cats so popular.

Selkys Rex cats definitely cannot be classified as timid, and they are not afraid of the sounds of a running vacuum cleaner, the doorbell, or even fireworks outside the window. They are always welcome to have guests, and the Selkys Rex is perfect for families with small children.

There were virtually no cases where a cat of this breed harmed or severely scratched a baby. They need toys, as well as attention from their owners, so it is worth spending as much time as possible with the kittens playing and communicating in order for them to grow up to be an affectionate, sociable and friendly animal.

The Selkirk Rex is unlikely to sit in inaccessible places when guests arrive, preferring communication and all kinds of entertainment. Being very sociable, these cats get very used to all the inhabitants of the family, so loneliness is contraindicated for them.

In the USA and European countries, many people get two or more Selkirk Rex cats, since they say you can watch the constant bustle of animals, whose appearance resembles either sheep or small bear cubs, for an infinitely long time. Most breeders note that these cats have a distinct individual character, so they usually become full-fledged members of the family.

Selkirk Rex - description of the breed

According to the CFA standard, the Selkirk Rex breed is distinguished primarily by a soft, curly coat without a clear division into undercoat and guard hairs. Medium to large cats with strong bones give the impression of physical strength. Kitties are somewhat smaller than cats, but have the same strong build. The character is affectionate and balanced. There are two varieties of Selkirk Rex: longhair and shorthair.

More details:

• The head is round, with a wide face and pronounced cheeks. Well-developed whisker pads give the muzzle a somewhat angular appearance. The length of the muzzle is equal to half its width. In profile it can be seen that the chin and the tip of the nose lie on the same line;
• The nose curves somewhat, like a classic Persian, but without a sharp stop;
• Curled mustache and eyebrows;
• The ears are medium, with wide bases, set wide apart; fit into the circle of the facial contour. The fur in the ears is also curly;
• The eyes are round, large and spaced. Acceptable colors: green, yellow, copper, blue (for white solids, vans, colorpoints). With a white color, there may be different eyes;
• The body size is medium to large, it itself is foldable, rectangular, not long. The shoulders and pelvis are approximately the same width;
• The legs are strong and proportional. Paws are powerful, round;
• The tail is of medium length, thick at the base and rounded at the end.

The coat comes in two styles – long and short, which is especially clearly demonstrated by the tail and collar. Short-haired cats have fur 1-2 cm long. It is dense, like plush, of the same length on the tail, collar and body. The curls are compact, resembling random lumps.

Long-haired cats have fur that does not lie tightly. It is especially long on the tail and the collar surrounding the muzzle. The curls are messy, rings and lumps, like a zigzag curl. Particularly noticeable on long hair.

Popular Selkirk Rex colors

A variety of cats took part in the formation of the breed, including multicolored Persians.

All colors of the Selkirk Rex are acceptable:

• Color points are colors like Siamese cats, when the face, legs and tail are dark and the body is light. Depending on the colors and shades, there are about 20 varieties of this color. Seal point and blue point are especially popular. Or they are called by the names of the breeds, Burmese type, Siamese type, etc.;
• Solids are one-color. Any colors, including diluted ones: blue and cream. The lilac and chocolate colors inherited from the British are interesting. Lilac is a delicate color of varying intensity, from café au lait to a very pale shade;
• Bicolors are two-color colors that combine spots of any color, including white. Van is over 90% white, with spots only on the ears and a colored tail. The harlequin is similar, but has several colored spots on the back;
• Turtles have colorful coats, combining black and red or blue and cream, preferably a bright spot (light) on the face;
• Calico is a turtle with white. The so-called “tricolored” cats bring happiness. Or money, whoever understands happiness;
• Tabby - with spotted, striped (mackerel-shaped), marbled patterns of any color on any background. May be ticked, that is, hairs with dark ends;
• Chinchillas have hairs with dark tips, any color. The most common are silver and gold;
• Smoke - hairs are half dark, any colors, but mostly black, blue, chocolate, red.

Often different types of colors are combined on one small cat and then they are all listed. For example, the red tortoiseshell tabby van.

Character and habits of the Selkirk Rex

Selkirks produce a blissful, pastoral impression with their round, big-eyed face and sheep-like curls. You just want to caress them, scratch them and listen to how they continue their endless monotonous rumbling. A comforting animal to play with from the comfort of your couch.

The character of the Selkirk Rex combines the traits of all the breeds that created it. Here you can find the relaxed restraint of the British Shorthair, the gentle charm of the Persian nature, the good nature and accommodating nature of the American Shorthair and the playfulness of the Exotic Shorthair. These qualities create a great variety of combinations that give individuality to each representative of the breed.

Selkirk Rexes are cheerful, but balanced and not prone to unbridled fun; they do not have the need to rush around the house, demanding that those around them take part in the bacchanalia. They are affectionate and patient - valuable qualities when it comes to performing hygiene or medical procedures, such as cleaning their ears.

Pets of this breed are tolerable with other pets and children. They will not harm the kids and will become their playmates when they grow up. They get along well in large and large families. They are ideal companions for single people.

Selkirks are gentle and affectionate with their owner, they love to lie on their laps or in their arms, sit on the table, watching him work, and are always ready to cuddle. They can be cuddled and worn around the neck like a boa. Cats are patient enough to tolerate such familiarity. There really is something sheepish about them.

With the equanimity of a British butler, they greet strangers and express pleasure in making his acquaintance. They don't panic at unexpected noises and aren't even afraid of the vacuum cleaner! But innate character traits and temperament are one thing, upbringing is another. A calm, balanced pet will grow up only in a home where there is peace and smooth, friendly relationships.

Breed character and habits

Cats of this breed are considered excellent companions, as they have an easy-going and reserved disposition. Selkirk Rex are moderately playful, intelligent and inquisitive animals.

Be sure to read:

How many years do Persians live, how to extend life, interesting facts about the Persian cat

Cats of this breed are considered excellent companions.

They like to be close to humans. These cats are friendly and easily establish contact with children or other pets. They are very attached to their family and do not like loneliness.

Interesting facts about the Selkirk Rex

Let's see what interesting things you can learn about the Selkirk Rex:

1. The original type of coat in the Selkirk Rex is determined by a dominant mutation of the KRT71 gene, which encodes the formation of keratin (building material) of hair and epithelium. The Devon Rex had a mutation in the same gene, but it was recessive. The hairless sphinx was also the result of the KRT71 mutation. But in Cornish and German Rex, other parts of the chromosomes were mutated;
2. The rex mutation occurs in a variety of mammals: cats, dogs, humans, horses, rats and rabbits. Phenotypically, it is expressed in the appearance of curly hair with a soft texture and curled whiskers. The mutation occurs suddenly and affects different genes responsible for the properties of wool. Therefore, animals with the rex mutation can have different hair: long, short, thick or sparse, of varying thickness and curl pattern;
3. The first Rex cats were seen in England in Cornwall in 1950 and in Devon in 1960 and were named Cornish Rex and Devon Rex respectively. They appeared in litters of European KSH. Besides them and the Selkirk, only the Laperm breed is officially recognized by leading felinologists. Mutants appeared in different regions, among different breeds and among nobles. About a dozen rexes have been described, including the Ural rex. But they, with rare exceptions, did not become widespread and disappeared;
4. Among the breeds in the Rex group, the Selkirk Rex is one of the youngest. It stands out among others with its relatively dense body, round head and small ears. All other rexes are built more like oriental breeds - thin, graceful and with bat ears. It has been suggested that the Rex mutation is also responsible for the ears, since homozygous individuals will deviate into the eastern type.

Pros and cons of the Selkirk Rex

Representatives of the breed have enough advantages to confidently call them desirable pets. They are very attractive, but not with the cold beauty of the Siamese breed, but with the warm and cozy charm of a pillow that you just want to take to your lap.

Selkirk is very calm and balanced, and does not throw tantrums due to discomfort, for example, if he is not picked up the way he likes. These cats can tolerate quite rough treatment from children and dogs. Sanitation and medical procedures are accepted with understanding.

Cats of this breed do not shine with special intelligence, but they are smart enough to learn the rules of behavior in the house. Learn the prohibitions on visiting the table and acquire skills in using the tray. They seem to be created for city apartments, although their ancestor was a natural tramp.

Selkirks are cheerful and playful without fanaticism. They love to have fun with toys and their play sets, both alone and with the participation of the owner. They do not go into a frenzy during play, using their claws and teeth. They don’t pounce from around the corner to tear the slipper along with the foot. They are mostly silent, and if they meow, it is quietly and melodiously. As they say, “they won’t muddy the waters.”

One big disadvantage of the Selkirk Rex is not difficult to find - it is not used for catching mice. In any case, they only write that he plays with toy mice. Considering the cost of purebred individuals, it is somehow inconvenient to send them to the street for food.

Another feature of the cat that may not appeal to everyone is its affection and thirst for company. He feels bad being alone, which spoils even his angelic character. Selkirk should live in a large family or with a homebody owner.

Breeding Selkirk Rex

To breed a Selkirk Rex, it is important to know the laws of genetics at least within the limits of high school. There are three possible combinations involving the rex mutation. The breed standard refers to the appearance of a heterozygous cat, which has one mutant gene and one normal gene (produces straight hair). Such cats are the most beautiful, endowed with especially lush and thick hair. They dominate exhibitions.

Interesting fact: Heterozygotes produce different numbers of curly-haired kittens depending on the genotype of the partner. 50 x 50 will be obtained when mating them with straight-haired cats; more than half of the litter will be curly-haired in a union of two heterozygotes. In any case, a fairly high percentage of the desired phenotype is obtained.

Homozygous straight-haired cats (Selkirk Straights) carry only the original genes without mutation. They will not produce standard Selkirks when bred to each other or outcrossed. Such individuals are used in breeding programs because they retain all the steel characteristics of the breed, except for wool.

Homozygous cats with curly hair carry two mutated alleles. Mutations in this combination reinforce each other and their carriers are especially curly, short-haired and built like oriental breeds with their huge ears. They will produce curls in any situation, with any outcross.

Interestingly, such kittens are often born bald or go bald immediately after birth. They may have bald spots especially on the lower side of the body. It happens that they go bald at the age of 4 – 10 weeks. But in any case, babies grow overgrown by 16 - 20 weeks. It seems that such piggy banks of a valuable mutation are very useful, but they will not make a show career, and they are too similar to Devon Rex.

Characteristics of this breed

Selkirk Rex cats stand out for their curly, plush coat. Each representative of the breed is unique and differs in the length of the coat, the strength of the curl, the shape of the muzzle, and the size.

Curliness may increase or decrease depending on age, periods of life and climate. It is worth knowing that homozygous kittens (born from both curly-haired parents) may be born bald or lose hair in the first weeks of life. But then the hairline is completely restored.

Shedding

Curliness can increase or decrease depending on age, periods of life and climate.
Curly-haired cats shed just like other animals. During this period, it is necessary to comb the animal more often - 1-2 times a day. You can use a furminator if your cat doesn't like being brushed with a comb.

When licking, hair gets into the cat's digestive tract. You should purchase cat grass. Sprouted grains help remove hair from the body.

Allergy

The Selkirk Rex is not a hypoallergenic breed.

His saliva contains a protein that causes allergic reactions in humans. Many people believe that allergies are caused by animal fur; in fact, the allergen is spread by licking.

Be sure to read:

The Persian cat is a long-haired ancient breed with its own advantages.

Caring for Selkirk Rex

It is believed that the dense and curled coat of the Selkirk Rex does not require much care. But wool is different. It varies greatly in thickness and rigidity among different individuals. Ideally, the coat of a long-haired Selkirk should have very fine and soft hair, which easily mats and forms tangles.

Each pet needs an individual approach. Particularly lush, long-haired cats are scratched every day, but they develop another problem - the curl disappears. It is visible only if the fur is divided into separate strands, but as soon as you comb them, it disappears. To restore its beauty, the cat needs to be sprayed with a spray bottle and crushed! Well, isn't this an atrocity?

Short-haired Selkirk Rexes with a dense velvet coat are scratched less often - once every two to three weeks is enough. But you will have to comb it in any case, especially since the breed, in principle, sheds a lot. Before shows, cats are subjected to a variety of procedures (such as grooming) that the cats themselves do not need. But those who admire their unearthly beauty must take into account that they don’t always look like that.

Standard procedures:

• Cleaning ears as needed;
• Trimming of nails, if the pet does not grind them down himself;
• Providing a scratching post or upholstered furniture for sharpening claws;
• Cleaning and washing the tray and bowls;
• Providing water;
• Annual vaccination against at least major viral diseases.

We especially need to remind you about castration of pets that will not go into breeding. There is no need to torment animals with useless “wants”; fluctuations in hormonal levels are not beneficial for cats, especially females. Hormonal drugs do not solve the problem, or at least they do not contribute to long life.

Care

Caring for this cat breed is more difficult than some other breeds because brushing the Selkicra Rex's coat involves straightening its curly coat.

Short-haired Serkirk Rex cats only need to be brushed once a week and washed occasionally.

Long-haired Serkirk Rex cats are recommended to be brushed twice a week with a quality steel comb to prevent tangling and remove dead hair. It is enough to wash such cats once a month; after bathing, Serkirk Rex cats regain their naturally curly appearance.

Brushing should not be frequent to maintain curls in these cats.

Ask the breeder to show you how to properly brush these cats.

Selkirk Rex diet

You can feed Selkirks with natural food, ready-made food (dried and canned), or a mixture of both. You can alternate natural feeding and drying every other day or two. It’s better if the food doesn’t sit in the bowl; what’s not eaten in the evening is removed.

Kittens are fed several times a day and at first with what they are accustomed to at home. A sudden change in diet can result in indigestion. They get used to the new menu gradually, replacing part of the old one with it. The kitten is given no more than 30 - 40 ml of wet food (canned food or minced meat) at a time. You can calculate drying by following the instructions on the food bag.

The daily portion of super-premium dry food for an adult cat is 50 – 80 g or 2100-3400 kcal. Good food, both dried and canned, contains at least 50% meat. If the food is less rich in meat proteins (lower class), then more of it will have to be given, which reduces the cost savings.

Other food ingredients are no less important. It is advisable that the main sources of carbohydrates are not corn and wheat, but rice and other cereals. Such foods are less allergenic. In the end, you can immediately purchase hypoallergenic foods or those “for sensitive digestion.” Price doesn't matter. If the cat does not eat, it is impossible to force him. You'll have to buy a new one, better than another manufacturer.

Interesting fact: No matter how expensive the food is and no matter how high its rating, the main thing is that it is to your liking... that is, to your pet’s stomach. An indicator of the balance of the diet and its suitability for the cat’s body is the cat’s good health, playfulness, appetite, normal stool and vibrant, shiny fur.

Care and maintenance

The Selkirk's coat is thin and thick, mats easily and forms tangles. To care for cats you must have:

• crest;
• brush;
• scissors with blunt ends for tangles.

Long-haired animals need to be combed daily, representatives with shorter and coarser hair - once every few days. Basically, a rough comb is used for this; for areas behind the ears and armpits, a soft brush is used.

Sometimes pet owners lightly trim the ends of the fur - this reduces tangling and the formation of tangles.

Hygiene

Selkirk Rex practically do not need bathing, only when heavily soiled. If your pet still needs to be bathed, the water should be at a temperature of about 38 degrees Celsius. It is important not to wet your head and ears. The muzzle can be wiped with a damp washcloth.

Selkirk Rex cats require little to no bathing.

Ears should be cleaned once a week, wiping with a cotton pad.

If plaque appears on your teeth, they also need to be cleaned with a special tooth powder. If your eyes become sour, you can wipe them using natural antiseptics. From a young age, you need to accustom the animal to cutting its claws with special pliers. There should be a scratching post in the house.

Diet and feeding

Selkirk Rex cats are fed prepared food or natural food.

The food must be balanced, taking into account the characteristics of the animal. If the owners prefer natural nutrition, the basis of the diet should be dietary meat (veal, rabbit, turkey). The meat must be frozen first and served raw.

Additionally, the diet includes:

• offal;
• low-fat cottage cheese;
• vegetables;
• fruits (individually).

Taking vitamin-mineral complexes is mandatory with such a diet. An adult animal needs to be fed 2 times a day. The cat should not have constant free access to food: there is a possibility of overeating with a healthy appetite.

Taking vitamin-mineral complexes is mandatory with such a diet.

Education and training

Curly-haired cats are very smart and obedient; it is not difficult to teach them to carry out certain commands. They are sensitive to a person's mood and attitude. Cats are able to remember human words and pick up intonation.

To teach a cat certain tricks, you need to train regularly and be sure to reward the animal with a treat for completing a task.

Life expectancy and typical diseases

Selkirk Rexes are distinguished by good health and the absence of genetic abnormalities. Heart or kidney problems may occur. Cats are also prone to conjunctivitis.

Be sure to read:

Burmese sacred cat: appearance, character, price, care and maintenance of the breed

If visible signs of illness or expressed anxiety of the animal appear, you should contact a veterinary clinic to examine the pet’s health.

The average lifespan of cats is 15-18 years.

Diseases and health problems

There are no known health problems specific to the Selkirk Rex breed. Except that homozygous cats may have a tendency to have excessively oily fur and require more frequent bathing. Like other victims of the Rex mutation, Selkirks may have increased earwax secretion due to irritation of the insides of the ears by the curly fur. Otherwise, they are quite strong and healthy, even though they are mutants.

If diseases occur, they are introduced by the breeds with which outcrosses were carried out. But a number of them, such as polycystic kidney disease, inherited from the Persians, were eliminated from many purebred lines. From the Persians, the Selkirks also inherited a shortened muzzle, which in extreme cases leads to lacrimation and even dermatitis due to constant dampness.

What else happens:

• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, heritage of the British Shorthair;
• Inflammation of the bladder (cystitis). Causes: a cold or improper feeding;
• ICD is a disease of cats and, partly, cats. Caused by hereditary predisposition and sedentary lifestyle;
• Kidney failure is a dangerous disease of various nature. Can lead to intoxication of the body and painful death. There are special foods for cats suffering from this disease;
• Food allergies, often manifested in the form of atopic dermatitis, are caused by a predisposition. The most common allergens are beef, chicken, corn, and wheat. Eliminating these ingredients from the diet or switching to hypoallergenic food helps;
• Among viral infections, panleukopenia, also known as feline distemper, is especially dangerous. A very tenacious infection that affects the stomach and intestines and develops anemia. It can be treated, but not always. It is better to get vaccinated in advance.

Diseases

The Serkirk Rex has no genetic diseases associated with the breed. But since this breed was developed by crossing breeds that have certain genetic diseases, there is a possibility that these cats may inherit some of these diseases.

In particular, polycystic kidney disease, which can cause kidney failure, is known to exist in some lines of Persian, Himalayan and exotic shorthair cats.

In addition, some Persian and American Shorthair cats are prone to diseases such as hip dysplasia and the hereditary heart disease feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Careful breeding has helped rid the Selkirk Rex of these serious diseases, but it is best to adopt a cat from responsible breeders. Unfortunately, simply taking your kitten to the vet is not enough, as most of these diseases usually do not manifest themselves early in the animal's life, but appear over time.