Selkirk Rex Cat History: Origins and Unique Traits

The Selkirk Rex is a unique cat breed known for its distinctive curly coat, which was first discovered in 1987 in Montana, USA. Despite being relatively new in the cat fancy world, this breed has a rich and interesting history that captures the curiosity of cat enthusiasts.

The Origin of the Selkirk Rex

The foundation of the Selkirk Rex breed began with a curly-coated kitten named Miss DePesto, born in a litter from a stray or feral cat at an animal shelter in Sheridan, Montana. Unlike her siblings, Miss DePesto displayed random, curly waves in her fur and whiskers — a natural mutation that immediately drew attention.

Jeri Newman, a breeder of Persian and British Shorthair cats, adopted Miss DePesto and recognised the uniqueness of her coat. She bred Miss DePesto to a black Persian tomcat named Photo Finish of Deekay, resulting in kittens with both curly and straight coats. This confirmed that the curly coat gene was dominant, in contrast to other rex breeds like the Cornish Rex and Devon Rex, where the gene is recessive.

Moreover, genetic testing showed that the Selkirk Rex gene is an incomplete dominant, which means heterozygous cats have a plush, full coat preferred in shows, while homozygous cats have tighter curls but less volume. This curly coat mutation turned out to be a spontaneous new trait not related to the other Rex breeds.

Breed Recognition and Development

The Selkirk Rex’s sturdy, cobby body and plush coat set it apart. Jeri Newman named the breed after her stepfather, Selkirk, making it the only known cat breed named after a person. Although initially she mistakenly associated the breed name with the Selkirk mountains in Wyoming, the mountains are located in Idaho and British Columbia instead.

The International Cat Association (TICA) accepted the breed into its new breed program in 1990, granting championship status by 1994. The Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) recognised the breed in 2000. The breed's acceptance marked its solid status within international cat fancy circles.

The Selkirk Rex in Europe and the UK

The Selkirk Rex reached Europe early, with foundation cats imported into Switzerland and France by 1990. The breed quickly captured interest due to its charming appearance and friendly temperament.

In the UK, the breed was introduced in 2002 by breeder Christiana Aichner from Vienna, who sent Selkirk Rex kittens to dedicated foundation breeders. The breed gained preliminary status with the GCCF in 2004 and, through a growing network of breeders, achieved provisional status in 2007. By 2009, the Selkirk Rex was awarded championship status by the GCCF, cementing its place at UK cat shows.

Modern Selkirk Rex Cats

Today, Selkirk Rex cats thrive worldwide, celebrated for their playful and relaxed nature, reminiscent of both British Shorthairs and Persians. Their distinctive curly coat, plush texture, and variety of colours continue to win hearts at cat shows and within households.

While generally healthy, potential owners should be aware that permitted outcrosses with breeds such as the Persian and British Shorthair mean some familiar health concerns common to those breeds may occur. Responsible breeders carefully manage these risks through health screening and ethical practices.

If you are drawn to a cat with a unique look and gentle personality, consider exploring the Selkirk Rex cats for sale on Pets4Homes to find a reputable breeder or available kittens in the UK.