Selkirk Rex Cat Breed Guide
Selkirk Rex: a Teddy Bear in a Curly Coat
A teddy bear in a plush curly coat, found in a Montana shelter in 1987. Calm, patient and tolerant, the Selkirk Rex accepts handling gracefully and settles into almost any home.
By Emily Carter · Reviewed by our vet team · Updated 21 October 2026 · 13 min read
Lifespan 10–15 yrs Weight 6–16 lb Curly & calm
The Selkirk Rex cat charms with a plush curly coat and a round teddy bear face. Calm, patient, and playful, it is a gentle friend for children and other pets.
At a Glance
Size and Weight
Built for cuddles, not for speed.
Most adults weigh between 6 and 16 pounds, which makes this one of the heavier breeds in its family. The body is sturdy and cobby, with broad shoulders, a deep chest, and a solid frame that feels substantial when you pick it up. Males tend to be noticeably bigger than females.
Despite the weight, these cats are not clumsy. They move with surprising grace and land well on their paws. The extra bulk is muscle and bone, wrapped in that famous curly coat, so they look even bigger than they are.
Coat and Colors
The coat is the whole story with this breed, and it deserves a long look.
A Selkirk Rex cat carries loose, plush curls across its entire body. The curls are caused by a dominant gene, which is unusual among curly coated breeds. Each hair shaft bends and loops rather than lying straight, so the coat looks soft, puffy, and slightly tousled, like a lamb that got a perm. Run your hand over it and the curls spring back under your fingers.
The curl shows up differently depending on coat length. In the shorthaired version, the curls sit closer to the body in tight, even waves with a plush, velvety feel. In the longhaired version, the curls are looser and more flowing, with long ringlets around the neck, belly, and tail that give the cat a wonderfully fluffy outline. Even the whiskers are curly, which adds to the breed’s cartoonish charm. Kittens are often born curly, go through a stage where the coat straightens out, and then develop their full curls again by around eight to ten months.
Color is a wide open field. Selkirk Rex cats come in virtually every color and pattern: solid black, white, blue, red, and cream; silver and golden tabbies; classic and mackerel tabby markings; tortoiseshell; calico and bicolor combinations; colorpoint; and shaded or smoke finishes. A solid black Selkirk Rex shows off its curls in high contrast, while a silver tabby lets the pattern ripple through the waves. Whatever the color, the curl is always the star.
History and Origins
This is one of the youngest cat breeds, with a story that started in a Montana animal shelter.
In 1987, a rescue kitten with an unusual curly coat was found in Montana. A local breeder took her in, fascinated by her wavy fur.
When the kitten was bred to a black Persian male, three of the six kittens inherited the curly coat — proof the curl came from a dominant gene, unusual among curly coated breeds.
Breeders developed the breed carefully, adding Persian, Exotic Shorthair, British Shorthair and American Shorthair lines to build the round head, cobby body and sweet expression.
In 1987, a rescue kitten with an unusual curly coat was found in Montana. She was taken in by a local breeder who was fascinated by her wavy fur. When the kitten was bred to a black Persian male, three of the six kittens inherited the curly coat, which confirmed that the curl was passed on by a dominant gene.
From that small beginning, breeders developed the Selkirk Rex carefully, adding Persian, Exotic Shorthair, British Shorthair, and American Shorthair lines to build the breed’s round head, cobby body, and sweet expression. The goal was a curly coated cat with a teddy bear face, and the result is exactly that. The breed is still relatively new, which is why you do not see Selkirk Rex cats everywhere yet.
Physical Characteristics
Think teddy bear, then add whiskers and a purr.
The Selkirk Rex cat has a round head with full cheeks, a short muzzle, and large round eyes that give it an open, sweet expression. The ears are medium sized and set well apart. The body is medium to large, heavy boned, and cobby, with a level back and a thick, medium length tail that is also curly.
Everything about this cat is round. Round head, round eyes, round body, round paws. The plush curly coat exaggerates the effect, so the whole cat looks like a stuffed animal come to life. Males are typically larger and more heavily boned than females, and both sexes take a while to reach full maturity.
Selkirk Rex Personality and Behavior
Want a cat that actually enjoys being held? Keep reading.
They love company and follow the household rhythm, but they are happy supervising from a window perch between cuddles.
Cautious with strangers, but they study you, approve of you, then love you with unusual intensity.
Meals, play and greetings at the door, on schedule. These cats notice routine, and notice when it slips.
- Calm, patient and tolerant
- Great with children and other pets
- Affectionate without being demanding
- Moderate shedding — comb weekly
- Can run heavy — measure portions
- Still uncommon — expect a waiting list
The Selkirk Rex cat is famously calm and patient. These cats are not the type to race around the house at midnight or demand attention with loud complaints. They are playful in a gentle way, happy with a feather wand or a crinkle ball, and they are content to settle into your lap when playtime ends.
What really sets them apart is their tolerance. Selkirk Rex cats are known for being wonderful with children and other pets. They accept handling gracefully, ride well in carriers, and adapt to new homes without much fuss. They are affectionate without being needy, and they tend to follow their people from room to room just to be nearby.
Care Essentials
A complete, balanced diet with high quality protein first. The breed can run heavy, so measure portions rather than free feeding and adjust with your vet.
Gentle combing with a wide toothed comb once or twice a week — never pull the curls straight. Air dry after the rare bath so curls bounce back.
Interactive play in short, happy bursts: feather wands, rolling balls, catnip toys and puzzle feeders for the quiet intelligence.
Indoor living with perches, scratching posts and a window seat. The curly coat protects less than a straight one, and these trusting cats are not built for outdoor hazards.
Low drama cats still need steady routines, so keep the basics consistent.
They need the same basics as any indoor cat: a clean litter box scooped daily, fresh water, scratching posts, and a safe warm place to sleep. Because they are so people oriented, they do best where someone is home for part of the day.
Keep their environment calm and predictable. These cats handle change well, but they are happiest with regular feeding times, familiar furniture, and a consistent daily rhythm. A window perch is a favorite, since they love watching the world go by.
Nutrition and Diet
A sturdy frame needs matching fuel.
Feed a complete and balanced diet made for your cat’s life stage. High quality protein should lead the ingredient list. Because this breed can run heavy, measure portions rather than free feeding, and adjust if your vet notices the waistline disappearing.
Wet food is a good addition to the diet since it adds moisture, which supports urinary health. Keep treats to a small part of daily calories, and always have fresh water available. If your cat is less active in winter, trim portions slightly to match.
Grooming
The curls are the point, so use a light touch.
A Selkirk Rex cat needs regular but gentle grooming. Use a wide toothed comb rather than a stiff brush, and work through the coat carefully to avoid pulling the curls straight. Combing once or twice a week is usually enough for the shorthaired version, while the longhaired version benefits from a few extra sessions to prevent tangles.
Bathing is rarely needed, and when you do bathe, let the coat air dry or dry it on a low, cool setting so the curls bounce back. Rough towel drying can frizz the coat. Check the ears and trim the nails as part of your normal routine, just as you would for any cat.
Exercise and Enrichment
Calm does not mean lazy.
They enjoy interactive play in short, happy bursts. Feather wands, rolling balls, and catnip toys all work well. Puzzle feeders are a great fit too, since they engage the breed’s quiet intelligence without requiring marathon energy.
Because they love company, the best enrichment is often just you. Sitting on the floor with a toy, or letting them supervise your daily routine, keeps them mentally satisfied. A cat tree near a window gives them a place to climb, scratch, and watch birds between naps.
Health
Generally hardy, with a couple of conditions worth screening for.
Responsible breeders screen for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and polycystic kidney disease (PKD), which can run in lines with Persian ancestry. Ask for screening results.
Keep vaccinations current, maintain parasite prevention and watch weight with age. Most live full, comfortable lives.
This is generally a healthy breed, but responsible breeders screen for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and polycystic kidney disease (PKD), which can run in lines with Persian ancestry. Keep up with regular vet checkups so any issue is caught early.
Beyond those screenings, standard care applies: keep vaccinations current, maintain parasite prevention, and watch weight as your cat ages. Most Selkirk Rex cats live full, comfortable lives with routine care.
Indoor and Outdoor Living
Made for the great indoors.
They should live indoors. The curly coat offers less protection than a straight coat, and these trusting cats are not well equipped for outdoor hazards. Indoors, they stay perfectly content with perches, toys, and company.
If you want to give your cat fresh air, a secure catio or harness walks in a quiet area can work. Supervise closely, since their friendly nature means they may wander up to strangers. A sunny windowsill remains the safest outdoor substitute.
Family Suitability
One of the best breeds for a busy household.
They are a natural fit for families with children. Their patience and tolerance are genuine breed traits, not just marketing talk. They handle gentle handling well, rarely scratch in annoyance, and often seek out kids for play and naps.
They also do well with other cats and with cat friendly dogs, especially when introductions are done slowly. For seniors or first time owners, the calm temperament and easy grooming make the Selkirk Rex a forgiving choice. The main requirement is companionship: this is not a cat that thrives when left alone for very long stretches.
Finding a Breeder or Rescue
A rare breed takes a little more searching.
Because they are still uncommon, you may need to join a waiting list with a reputable breeder. Look for breeders who raise kittens in the home, screen their breeding cats for HCM and PKD, and are happy to answer detailed questions about health and temperament. A good breeder will also ask you questions, which is a positive sign.
Breed specific rescues occasionally have Selkirk Rex cats or curly coated mixes available. If you are open to an adult cat, rescue can be a wonderful route. Either way, meet the cat in person when possible and trust your instincts about the home it comes from.
- Breeder screens breeding cats for HCM and PKD
- Kittens raised in the home; expect a waiting list
- Meet the cat in person when possible
- Check breed rescues — curly coated cats sometimes need homes
Quick Quiz: Is a Selkirk Rex Right for You?
Answer four questions. Tap yes or no.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Selkirk Rex cats hypoallergenic?
No cat is truly hypoallergenic. Shedding is moderate, and while some people with mild allergies do fine with this breed, there is no guarantee. Spend time with one before committing if allergies are a concern.
Do Selkirk Rex cats shed a lot?
Shedding is moderate. The curly coat holds onto loose hair better than a straight coat, so you may notice less hair on furniture, but regular combing is still needed to keep the coat healthy.
Are Selkirk Rex cats good with kids?
Yes. Their calm, patient nature makes them one of the better breeds for households with children, as long as kids handle cats gently.
How big do Selkirk Rex cats get?
Adults typically weigh 6 to 16 pounds, with males on the larger end. They are sturdy and cobby, and take time to reach full size.
Do the curls stay curly forever?
Mostly yes, with one quirk. Kittens are often born curly, lose some curl as youngsters, and then develop their full adult curls by around eight to ten months. Adult curls are generally permanent with gentle grooming.
Are Selkirk Rex cats lap cats?
Very much so. They love laps, love being held, and love following their people around. If you want an affectionate companion, this breed delivers.
The Selkirk Rex cat is a stuffed animal come to life: round, plush and endlessly tolerant. For families, seniors and first timers alike, its calm sweetness is hard to beat.
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