At a glance the quick version
CFA gives males 12-15 lb (about 5.4-6.8 kg) with females somewhat smaller; GCCF gives 9-16 lb (about 4.1-7.3 kg) for the breed. Female range here is the lower part of the GCCF range.
Coat and looks how to spot one
curly coat, in shorthair and longhair
A solid, well-muscled cat with heavy bone, a round full-cheeked head and big round eyes. Its trademark is a coat of loose, random curls that grow in clumps rather than neat waves, with curly whiskers too. Shorthairs look plush and teddy-like, while longhairs can grow long ringlets.123
Personality what they are like
Relaxed, loving and happy to be handled, with a goofy side that comes out in sudden bursts of play. Selkirks like to be near their people, mix well with children and other animals, and tend to stay on the ground rather than climb to the highest shelf.123
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Moderate. Enjoys daily games and toy chasing but is content to relax between sessions.1
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Care varies by coat. CFA says the curls need little more than a gentle finger fluff and occasional combing, and rarely tangle. GCCF advises that longhairs benefit from daily work with a wide-toothed comb, and some cats need an occasional bath if the coat gets oily. Avoid over-brushing, which can flatten the curls.123
Company who they like around
A people-oriented cat that enjoys company and usually accepts children and other household pets.12
The story where it all began
In Montana in the late 1980s, a rescued cat gave birth to a kitten with a permed-looking coat. Persian breeder Jeri Newman adopted her, named her Miss DePesto, and bred her to a black Persian; half the litter had curls, proving the gene was dominant. Crosses with Persians, Exotics and British Shorthairs built the breed, which was named after Newman's stepfather.123
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
It is the only cat breed named after a real person, Jeri Newman's stepfather.1
- 2
The foundation cat, Miss DePesto, was named after a curly-haired character in the TV series Moonlighting.3
- 3
Unlike Cornish and Devon Rex curls, the Selkirk's curl comes from a dominant gene, so one curly parent can produce curly kittens.3
- 4
The breed first reached the UK from Austria in 2002.2
Recognised by the official bits
- TICA
- Recognised 19923
- ACFA
- Recognised 19983
- CFA
- Accepted for registration 1992; championship status 20001
- GCCF
- Preliminary recognition 2004; championship status June 20092
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Selkirk Rex. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- BrushingA soft glove or cloth, the coat is delicateevery 2 weeks
- Nail trimevery 3 weeks
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- Litter scoopevery day
- Litter changeevery week
- PlayDaily playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 11every year
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Cornish Rex
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British Shorthair
PersianLike what we are building? Buy us a coffee.
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- CFA: Selkirk Rex cfa.orgused for history, recognition, body, weight, coat, colours, temperament, grooming
- GCCF: Selkirk Rex gccfcats.orgused for history, UK recognition, weight, lifespan, grooming, temperament
- Wikipedia: Selkirk Rex en.wikipedia.orgused for origin, recognition dates, genetics, fun facts
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.