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| Selkirk Rex |
The Selkirk Rex is an easy-going relaxed cat that resembles a soft, stuffed toy that you just want to pick up and hug. One of the rexed breeds, they have a tousled disarray to their dense coats that leads makes them look as though they are having a bad hair day! Sometimes called the cat in sheep's clothing, these gentle cats bring a smile to your face and a warmth to your heart just like that favorite toy did when you were young. These plush-coated, medium-sized cats with solid boning and bodies fill your arms when you pick them up for a quick hug and cuddle.
History Selkirk Rex
In 1987 a feral blue tortie & white cat in Montana had a strange looking kitten in a litter of 5. At 9 weeks she came to the attention of Persian breeder Jeri Newman who took the kitten and named her Miss DePesto because she was always pestering for attention. Jeri was able to find out that her mother had hair that was not completely normal either-it had a slight kink right at the end. Miss DePesto had curly whiskers, brillo hair in her ears and the coat on her body looked like a body wave. She had a narrow muzzle with a strong whisker break, prominent cheekbones, slanted eyes and a wide flat spot between her large ears. Like a Cornish Rex, her body was heavy but her boning was fine and her legs were long.
Jeri established that Miss Depesto's littermates all had normal coats and that there were no other curly cats in the area leading her to believe that Miss DePesto might be the source of a new mutant rex gene. At 14 months of age, Jeri bred Miss DePesto to her black Persian male Ch. Photo Finish of Deekay and eagerly awaited the kittens. On July 14 Miss DePesto had a litter of 6 kittens of which 3 were definitely curly. These results proved hat the gene was a dominant unlike that of the CR and DR
and that Miss DePesto carried longhair. TICA accepted the Selkirk Rex into the New Breed program in 1990 and recognized it for championship competition in February 1994.
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| Selkirk Rex |
Selkirk Rex Personality
These are loving, patient cats reflecting the temperaments of the breeds used to develop the
Selkirk Rex. The British Shorthair contributed the laid-back personality, the Persian added the cuddly nature while the Exotic Shorthair brought an impish playfulness to package. Visitors are always intrigued by the cats and want to touch their coats while owners have incredible urges to pick and hug their chargesfortunately the Selkirk Rex is a patient cat that accepts these human foibles with great tolerance.
Selkirk Rex Traits
Selkirk Rex come in both long and shorthair coats. The shorthairs have a dense, plush curl to the coat that emphasizes the density of the coat and a similarity to a teddy-bear; longhairs have an even more tousled look that emphasizes the similarity to a woolly sheep. And both hair lengths come in a rainbow of colors. Lucky pet owners will always have the best coats on their cats as coats are seen in their prime on mature altered males and spayed females. The curls are most prominent on the flanks, undersides and neck. The thick, plush coat is very soft and falls in loose curls.
They are a medium to large cat with strong, heavy boning giving them a substantial feel but take time to develop to their full maturity. The head is rounded with large round eyes and a sweet expression. The body is slightly rectangular and very muscular resulting in a firm feel under the soft coat.
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| Selkirk Rex |
Selkirk Rex Breed Srandard
Selkirk Rex HEAD:
Shape: Round, full-cheeked. Forehead round and broad. Ears: Medium-sized, rounded with pointed tip, set well apart. Eyes: Large and round, set well apart. Chin: Firm. Muzzle: Short, square, visible beyond the cheeks. curly whiskers. Profile: Rounded forehead, nose stop and firm chin. Neck: Short and thick. Curly fur prominent on neck.
BODY:
Torso: Chest full, muscular, semi-cobby. Rectangular with a slight rise toward the hindquarters.
Legs: Medium length, substantail boning. Feet: Large and round. Tail: Medium length, thick, tapering to rounded tip. Boning: Substantial. Musculature: Substantial.
COAT:
Length: In both coat lengths, the curls are most prominent on the neck and tail. The curliness of the coat on the saddle area of the back is variable due to climate, seasons and hormones, especially in females. (SR): Medium. (SL): Semi-long. Texture: Soft and plush. (SR): Double coat, with thick
undercoat and deep waves with curled ends. (SL) Loose individual curls. Pattern: All patterns acceptable. Color: Clear, intense colors preferred. Eye color independent of coat color.
OTHER:
Balance: Good proportions. Condition: Good muscle tone. Excellent health. Temperament: Sweet and
loving.
