Selkirk Rex Longhair

The Selkirk Rex longhair cat was not discovered until 1987. It was then recognized as a cat breed in the 1990s. After the first kitten with the typically curly fur was born, it was crossed with a Persian cat. Curly babies came out again.

The cat breed is now bred in both America and Europe and is a recognized cat breed in almost every country.

The Selkirk Rex Longhair cat is characterized by a curly coat and curled whiskers. Cats of this breed are quite large with a muscular build. The head is wedge-shaped to rounded and the ears are large and rounded to match. The eyes of the animals are widely spaced and slightly oval. The color of the eyes matches the coat color and may vary. The animals have large, wide paws and long legs. Young cats tend to have lanky legs, but the bigger the cat gets, the more the muscles develop. There is no breed-specific regulation regarding coat color. Only the frizz of the coat is a characteristic of the breed.

This cat breed is characterized by its gentle, patient nature. Selkirk Rex longhair cats are perfect for families with children. The cat is very gentle and is not as easily disturbed by stress as other sensitive animals.

The Selkirk Rex longhair cat does not appreciate being alone, preferring to be in the company of its people or one of its own kind. This breed is friendly towards other animals, keeping a Selkirk Rex Longhair cat together with a dog is not a problem for the cat.

The cats of this breed are very affectionate and need a lot of stroking. Exercise is not so important to this cat, it can easily be kept as a house cat. However, if she gets exercise, then if possible only in the garden or on a secured balcony. The Selkirk Rex Longhair cat enjoys a warm spot on the window sill and can spend hours observing what is happening on the street. The cat gets used to its reference person very quickly and is open to new people after a very short time. Only at the first encounter she is usually a bit shy and sometimes hides.

The fur of this breed of cat requires special care, otherwise it can easily become knotted or matted. The animal should therefore be combed once a week with a suitable brush. However, the owner must be careful not to brush too hard, otherwise the hair will detach from the cat's body and fall out.

There are no known diseases that particularly affect this breed. The most well-known cat diseases are skin diseases, FIP and leukemia. Also known, but preventable with a vaccine, is cat flu. The first vaccination can be given just a few weeks after birth. When it comes to parasite infestation, the Selkirk Rex Longhair cat is at a little disadvantage due to its coat structure. Parasites such as fleas can nest better in the curly fur than in a short-haired cat. However, there are collars that can protect against flea infestations.