Prized for his unusual curly coat , the Selkirk rex true cat is one of only four breeds of cat with rippled pelt . This curly - haired computerized axial tomography has a tender , have it off disposition and come in both short- and prospicient - haired version .
If you ’ve always dream of owning a lively teddy bear , a Selkirk rex true cat may be for you . Theselarge , huggable kittieshave round heads , adult eyes , and a plush , curly coat that do in a host of colors and patterns ( even their beard are curled ! ) . you could line up tenacious - haired and short - haired Selkirk rex cats , and both are equally treasured by cat fanciers .
Thiscat breed is intelligent , loving , easygoing , and catch along well with multitude and other animals . Because the stock was just develop in the eighties , the Selkirk rex is not yet as usual as some other breeds , but their one - of - a - kind looks and personality are in spades deserving seeking out .
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Appearance
Selkirk rex cat have occasionally been call " the cat in sheep ’s clothing . " That ’s because their dense , curly coats could almost be mistaken for fleece — especiallyif they ’re whiteor ointment - colored .
As one of four curly - haired cat breeds ( the others are theDevon king , theCornish male monarch , and theLaPerm ) , some Selkirk male monarch cats have short whisker with tight curls and others have long , more wavy coats . You ’d suppose their coat take a mint of work to exert , but if you brush this curly cutie too often , you might make his fur frizzy , says Chyrle Bonk , DVM , veterinary writer withHepper . You do , however , have tocomb them at least once a weekto prevent any gym mat or felting from chance .
Selkirk male monarch computed axial tomography are intermediate to large in sizing — some can weigh as much as 16 pounds — and come in almost every color and design . Their rounded head , large eyes , and bespeak ears make these kitty-cat hard to defy .
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Temperament
Their curly coats are n’t the only affair that make the Selkirk king special . These fuzzy beauties are also esteem for their curious , pollyannaish , and well-disposed disposition .
" Selkirk king are typically a very loving kat with lots of personality , " Bonk says . " They are affectionate and sometimes needy , but not overly pushy . They sleep together to cuddle in your overlap but also have a playfulness - have it off side that may cause them to do some hilarious trick when the mood strikes . "
As an intelligent strain , Selkirk male monarch cat can get bore easy if they are n’t mentally stimulated . So as a pet parent , you require to check that your African tea has access toplenty of toysandquality act session . Their wavy coats make them extra huggable , but do n’t expect them to be lazy lap cats — these felid care to keep busy .
Living Needs
Because they are so easy , Selkirk rex cats are happy as clams wherever they live , whether it be a one - sleeping accommodation flat or a palatial estate of the realm . Their main requirement ? beloved and attention .
" To be well-chosen , a Selkirk rex involve masses , " Bonk say . " While they do n’t need changeless attention , they do love to be with their family , eitherfollowing them aroundor snuggle on the couch . Theydon’t like a plenty of alone time , particularly if they do n’t have anything to occupy their minds . "
Because of their friendly and affectionate nature , Selkirk king cats can make especially good pets for seniors and children . And withproper socialisation and introductions , these cats can get along well with other furred favorable members .
Like most cat breeds , a Selkirk rex will enjoya cat tree to climb onand at leastone trudge windowpane seatthey can use to look outside andchatter at birds . Other than that , a Selkirk rex will enjoy all the usual cat plaything : feel mice , charge card orb , interactive plot , and feather teasers .
Care
Along with giving your cat luck of love , regulargroomingis an authoritative part of handle for a Selkirk rex . " They are a wash - and - wear cat , " pronounce Mary Jones , Selkirk male monarch breeder and co - possessor ofNite Wind Cattery . But they need veritable combing . " I recommend combing at least once a hebdomad , " she says .
for keep this breed ’s pelage costless of tangles and mats , she recommends using a comb with longer tine for the organic structure and shorter tines for the face and leg . Keep in mind : This cat ’s strange curly pelage means that over - dressing may turn those gorgeous curls into a frizzy mess .
Other than a hebdomadary President Bush , a Selkirk rexneeds an occasional bathwhenever he ’s smell less than his good . And , like with every cat , you need tokeep his claws crop , histeeth brushed , andhis litter box clean .
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Health
Selkirk king cats have few health issues , but because , over time , the strain was interbreed withPersianandBritish shorthaircats , they can be susceptible to a few conditions , Bonk says .
They conduct the mental ability to developpolycystic kidney disease ( PKD)andhypertrophic cardiomyopathy ( HCM)later in life . But these matter are not particularly coarse , specially if you bribe your kitten or computed tomography from a reputable Selkirk male monarch stock breeder . Hip dysplasiais also possible .
Like other cats , the Selkirk male monarch requiresroutine vaccinationsand physical examination from your veterinary . These kitties should also bespayed and neuteredand kept indoors for condom . A glad , healthy Selkirk male monarch can live 10–15 geezerhood .
History
Unlike some of the more blue-blooded cat breed , the Selkirk rex did n’t start out padding around castles and monastery . Instead , this curly - haired hombre breed make out from humble beginnings — an animal shelter in Montana . Yes , that ’s right , an animal protection where a fuzzed little kitty was let on in 1987 . identify Miss DePesto , this slight furball was adopted by Jeri Newman and soon became the " female parent cat"of the Selkirk rex breed .
Over the years , other stock such as the Persian , alien shorthair , and British shorthair were incorporated into the factor syndicate to make the amazing strain we have now . Both long- and little - hairy version of Selkirk rex cats can retrace their ancestry back to Miss DePesto .
