Furriq

Cat Breed Guide

Selkirk Rex

Medium to Large · United States (Montana, 1987)

A heavily boned, round-faced cat with a dense curly coat that feels like sheepskin — the result of a spontaneous mutation in a Montana shelter cat in 1987. Selkirk Rex cats are calm, patient, and tolerant, with a laid-back personality that sets them apart from the more high-strung Rex breeds. The coat is plush with loose individual curls, not the tight uniform wave of the Cornish Rex.

Quick Facts

Size
Medium to Large
Weight
6–16 lbs (2.7–7.3 kg)
Lifespan
12–15 years
Origin
United States (Montana, 1987)

Key Visual Markers

  • Dense, plush curly coat with loose individual curls — the curls are most prominent on the neck, belly, and tail; the coat is thick and plush like sheepskin, covering the entire body including the belly; whiskers are thick, crinkled, and curly
  • Round, wide head with full cheeks, a short blunt muzzle, and prominent whisker pads — the CFA calls it "round and full with a distinct whisker break"; the muzzle is broad and square, giving the face a sweet, open expression
  • Large, round eyes set wide apart in gold, copper, blue-green, or odd-eyed — the large, round eye shape contributes to the breed's soft, gentle expression; eye color depends on coat color
  • Medium-sized, wide-set ears with rounded tips — set near the top and sides of the round head, following the round contours; moderate furnishings inside the ear
  • Heavy-boned, muscular, rectangular body — the CFA standard says "large and heavy with substantial bone structure"; the body feels solid and dense, with a broad chest and medium-length, thick legs
  • Medium-to-thick tapering tail with the same loose curls as the body — proportionally medium in length, carried at back level or slightly lowered

Temperament & Traits

  • Calm, patient, and laid-back — the most easygoing of all the Rex breeds; not as hyperactive or demanding as Devon or Cornish Rex
  • Affectionate and tolerant — enjoys being held and handled; the breed is famously patient with children and gentle with other pets
  • Playful but not demanding — enjoys interactive play sessions but is equally happy lounging on a lap or nearby
  • Quiet voice — communicates with soft meows and chirps; not a demanding vocalizer
  • Adaptable — adjusts well to new environments, visitors, and changes in routine
  • Moderate energy — needs daily play but settles quickly into lap time and naps

Health Notes

  • Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) — reported in the breed; regular echocardiogram screening recommended for breeding cats
  • Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) — inherited from historical Persian outcrossing in the breed's development; DNA testing available and recommended before breeding
  • Patellar luxation — kneecap dislocation seen in some Selkirk Rex lines; ranges from occasional skipping to lameness requiring surgical correction
  • Cherry eye (prolapsed nictitating membrane) — reported more often in Selkirk Rex than in many other breeds; requires veterinary treatment to prevent chronic irritation
  • Obesity — the breed's laid-back nature and love of food make weight management a priority throughout life
  • Seborrhea and skin infections — the dense curly coat can trap oils; regular gentle bathing helps prevent greasy buildup and skin irritation

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult a veterinarian for health advice specific to your cat.

Similar Breeds

Selkirk Rex is often confused with these breeds. Here's how to tell them apart:

Devon Rex

Devon Rex have a much shorter, finer wavy coat, a heart-shaped "pixie" head with oversized bat-like ears set wide and low, and a slender, arched body. Selkirk Rex have a rounder, heavier body, a full thick curly coat, a round head with pronounced whisker pads, and a much more laid-back, calm temperament.

Cornish Rex

Cornish Rex have a short, tight uniform marcel wave across the entire body, an egg-shaped head with a Roman nose, high-set ears, and a slender whippet-like body with an arched back. Selkirk Rex have loose individual curls (not tight uniform waves), a round head with a short muzzle, a heavy-boned rectangular body, and a much more easygoing temperament.

Explore Other Breeds

Not sure this is the right breed for you? Check out other popular cat breeds below.

Norwegian Forest Cat

A large, sturdy cat built for cold northern winters — thick water-repellent double coat, triangular head, friendly but independent. Originally working farm cats in Norway, they climb, hunt, and remain deeply loyal to their families without being fussy about it.

Abyssinian

One of the oldest cat breeds, the Abyssinian wears a uniquely ticked coat — each hair striped with alternating bands of color. Slim, muscular, and endlessly curious, these cats stay kittenish well into old age. They bond deeply with their people and hate being left alone.

Russian Blue

A blue-gray short-hair with a shimmering silver sheen and vivid green eyes. Russian Blues are reserved with strangers but deeply affectionate with their own people — quiet, gentle, and sensitive. The breed’s double coat stands up from the body, giving the cat a plush, velvety feel that cat breeders call "the smile under the hand."

Scottish Fold

A sweet-faced cat with ears folded forward and down, giving the head a round, owl-like silhouette. Calm, adaptable, and teddy-bear soft — Scottish Folds live up to their appearance. The folded ears trace back to a natural dominant mutation first found in a barn cat in Scotland in 1961.

Persian

The quintessential lap cat — famous for its luxurious long coat, large round eyes, and sweet, placid temperament. Persians are the most popular pedigreed cat breed worldwide, prized for their serene, gentle nature and unmistakable flat-faced (brachycephalic) profile.

British Shorthair

A sturdy, round-faced cat with a dense plush coat and a calm, undemanding personality. The British Blue — a solid blue-gray coat with copper eyes — is the breed’s most recognized look, but British Shorthairs come in many colors and patterns.