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> Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://www.pedibase.com/llms.txt)
+6
Cats
# The Selkirk Rex: temperament, price, health, and breeders
United States
A curly-haired, affectionate and calm cat that deeply loves family life.
Size MediumLife expectancy 15–20 yearsBudget ≈ €65/monthKitten €600 – €1,000
[Find a breeder 17](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-selkirk-rex) [ Compare with other breeds](https://www.pedibase.com/en/compare-cat-breeds?races=selkirk-rex)
The right choice?
## Is this breed right for you?
[Which cat is right for you?](https://www.pedibase.com/en/choose-your-cat)
Families and children Very good
Daily exercise needs Moderate
Apartment living Excellent
First-time owners Very good
Other pets Very good
Tolerance of being alone Fair
Vocalization Quiet
Strengths and weaknesses
- Gentle nature: The Selkirk Rex is generally patient, affectionate, and pleasant to live with on a daily basis.
- Good sociability: It often gets along well with children, visitors, and other animals when properly introduced.
- Moderate grooming: Its distinctive coat requires gentle care but not intensive grooming if it is well maintained.
- Difficult solitude: He copes poorly with prolonged absences and seeks a regular presence.
- Tendency to be overweight: His calm temperament requires monitoring activity and portions.
- Health vigilance: The choice of breeder is important due to certain hereditary predispositions.
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- Calm families: Its gentle and balanced temperament is well suited to a peaceful home life.
- Apartment living: It readily adapts to indoor life if the environment is stimulating and there is sufficient human presence.
- Households with other animals: Its tolerance often makes gradual, well-supervised cohabitation easier.
Not recommended for
- People who are often absent: He needs social connection and copes less well with long days alone.
- Adopters looking for a very independent cat: The Selkirk Rex likes closeness and attention more than a distant lifestyle.
- Households that pay little attention to diet: Imprecise portion management quickly promotes weight gain.
Meet the breed
## What does it look like?
1,75 mHuman
27 cmSelkirk Rex
- Height at the withers
- 23–30 cm
- Weight
- 3–7 kg
- Coat
- Short or semi-long, curly
- Origin
- United States
- Grooming
- Easy to care for
## Photos and videos
See the Selkirk Rex in photos and videos: coat colors, size, and distinctive expressions.
Origins
## Where does it come from?
The Selkirk Rex is a recent breed born in the United States in 1987. Its history begins in Montana with a cat with a naturally curly coat, taken in and then entrusted to breeder Jeri Newman. Crosses with the Persian, the Exotic Shorthair, the American Shorthair and the British Shorthair then made it possible to establish this very particular mutation. Its name would refer either to the breeder's stepfather, or to the Selkirk Mountains near the breed's place of origin.
Appearance
## What does it look like?
The Selkirk Rex is a medium-sized cat, solid and muscular, with a pronounced bone structure and rounded lines. Its head is broad and round, its large, open eyes express gentleness, and its ears are medium-sized. Its signature is its wavy or curly coat, present in the guard hair as well as in the undercoat. The breed exists in a short-haired variety and in a semi-long-haired variety, with curls that are more or less dense depending on texture and age.
Temperament
## Temperament and personality
The Selkirk Rex is an affectionate, patient, and sociable cat. It combines a calm temperament with a real taste for play and human closeness. Gentle with children, generally tolerant with other animals and not easily stressed by visitors, it seeks a stable and caring family atmosphere. It enjoys petting, the presence of its loved ones, and willingly takes part in household life.
Affectionate Intelligent Sociable
Living together
## Living with children and other pets
On a daily basis, the Selkirk Rex readily alternates between playtime and long periods of rest. It can live very comfortably in an apartment if its environment is enriched, but it also appreciates secure access to the outdoors. It is not a very noisy cat, but it does not cope well with prolonged absences and requires a regular presence. Its placid nature makes it an easy companion to live with in a calm household.
Training
## Training and socialization
The education of the Selkirk Rex relies mainly on early socialization, gentleness and consistency. It responds well to routines, positive interactions and games that stimulate its curiosity without rushing it. Learning care handling, the carrier and the scratching post is generally done without difficulty if you proceed gradually. As it is close to its human, it benefits well from short and repeated sessions.
Budget
## Price and budget for the Selkirk Rex
The Selkirk Rex remains a relatively rare breed, which influences its purchase price. The cost depends mainly on the seriousness of the breeding, the quality of the bloodlines, the health tests carried out and the kitten's conformity to the desired standard.
[See cost breakdown](https://www.pedibase.com/en/cat-breed/selkirk-rex/price)
Health
## Health at a glance
The Selkirk Rex generally enjoys fairly good health, but its development involved breeds known for certain hereditary predispositions. A serious selection of breeding cats is therefore important. With an appropriate diet, a well-monitored weight and regular veterinary follow-up, many individuals lead a long and comfortable life.
[Prevention and things to watch for](https://www.pedibase.com/en/cat-breed/selkirk-rex/health)
Nutrition
## Feeding your pet well
The Selkirk Rex is satisfied with a good-quality diet, complete and suited to its age, its body condition and its activity level. Its calm profile mainly requires not overfeeding and keeping a stable feeding routine.
[Our feeding advice](https://www.pedibase.com/en/cat-breed/selkirk-rex/food)
Did you know?
## Fun facts and popularity
The Selkirk Rex is sometimes nicknamed the sheep-cat because of its very recognizable curls. Unlike other rex breeds, its coat gives a denser and fluffier impression. Its original appearance does not prevent it from keeping a balanced temperament, which explains the growing interest of pet cat lovers in its gentle character.
FAQ
## Frequently asked questions about the Selkirk Rex
Answers to common questions from future owners before their new companion arrives.
### Is the Selkirk Rex suited to apartment living?
Yes, it generally adapts very well to apartment living provided it receives attention, play, and an enriched environment with cat trees, hiding places, and scratching posts.
### Does the Selkirk Rex shed a lot?
Its shedding is often moderate to low, but it varies depending on the coat variety and the season. Gentle, non-excessive brushing helps remove dead hair without breaking the curls.
### Is the Selkirk Rex a hypoallergenic cat?
No, the Selkirk Rex is not considered hypoallergenic. Its distinctive coat does not eliminate the production of the usual cat allergens.
## Find a Selkirk Rex breeder
The areas where Pedibase lists the most Selkirk Rex breeders, along with their litters and typical prices.
[Selkirk Rex breeders in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes5](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-selkirk-rex/auvergne-rhone-alpes) [Selkirk Rex breeders in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté4](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-selkirk-rex/bourgogne-franche-comte)
### Selkirk Rex breeders by country
[42 breeders of Selkirk Rex in Germany](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-selkirk-rex/germany) [17 breeders of Selkirk Rex in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-selkirk-rex) [7 breeders of Selkirk Rex in Austria](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-selkirk-rex/austria) [2 breeders of Selkirk Rex in Belgium](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-selkirk-rex/belgium) [2 breeders of Selkirk Rex in Switzerland](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-selkirk-rex/switzerland) [1 breeder of Selkirk Rex in Luxembourg](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-selkirk-rex/luxembourg)
[All breeders of Selkirk Rex in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-selkirk-rex)
## Ready to welcome a Selkirk Rex?
Find a registered, verified breeder near you and meet your future companion with confidence.
[View breeders](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-selkirk-rex)
## Discover other breeds
[LaPerm
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/cat-breed/laperm)
[Cornish Rex
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/cat-breed/cornish-rex)
[Devon Rex
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/cat-breed/devon-rex)
[German Rex
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/cat-breed/german-rex)
[American Curl
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/cat-breed/american-curl)
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