Selkirk Rex Longhair

The Selkirk Rex Longhair is the long-coated form of the Selkirk Rex, a modern breed founded from a naturally curly kitten born in Montana in the late 1980s. Persian breeder Jeri Newman named the foundation cat Miss DePesto of NoFace and bred her to a black Persian. Three of the six kittens had curly coats, supporting dominant inheritance and showing that the foundation cat also carried longhair.

This is a medium-to-large, substantial cat with heavy boning, firm musculature, a slightly rectangular body, a broad rounded head, full cheeks, a defined muzzle, and large round eyes. The body should feel powerful and balanced rather than slender, while the overall expression is soft and approachable.

The semi-long coat is dense, full, and naturally tousled. Loose curls and individual ringlets are most evident around the neck, belly, flanks, and tail, with a fuller ruff and a plumed, curly tail contributing to the longhaired appearance. Selkirk Rex Longhairs occur in many genetically possible colours and patterns, and the degree of curl can vary with age, season, hormones, coat length, and genotype.

Selkirk Rex Longhairs are generally affectionate, patient, sociable, and relaxed without being inactive. Many enjoy remaining close to familiar people, settling beside them, and participating quietly in household routines, while still seeking play and attention when they are ready.

They are moderately active cats that often enjoy wand toys, retrieving games, food puzzles, short training sessions, and sturdy climbing furniture. Their calm manner should not be mistaken for a lack of curiosity, and daily enrichment helps maintain muscle, body condition, and confidence.

Well-socialized individuals commonly live successfully with respectful children, compatible cats, and calm cat-friendly dogs. They usually appreciate dependable companionship and may become bored when repeatedly left without social contact or activity. Individual temperament, early socialization, and gradual introductions remain more important than breed reputation alone.

The dense semi-long curly coat needs gentle, consistent care. Thorough combing once or twice a week is suitable for many cats, but some require more frequent attention around the ruff, belly, armpits, hindquarters, and plumed tail. Small tangles should be removed before they tighten into painful mats.

Grooming should preserve the natural curl rather than repeatedly brushing the coat until it becomes separated and frizzy. A wide-toothed comb or careful finger separation can remove loose hair and tangles with less disruption. Some individuals develop an oily coat and may need occasional bathing, followed by complete rinsing and gentle drying without harsh heat.

Daily care should also include interactive play, stable scratching and climbing furniture, dental hygiene, nail trimming, clean litter facilities, and measured portions of a complete life-stage-appropriate diet. The full coat and heavy build can conceal gradual weight gain, so body condition should be checked by touch. Persistent greasiness, hair breakage, itching, bald areas, skin irritation, or sudden matting warrants veterinary assessment.

The Selkirk Rex curl is associated with a splice variant in KRT71 and follows an autosomal incomplete dominant pattern. One copy generally produces a wavy coat, while two copies can produce tighter curl together with differences in body and head type. This is a breed-defining coat test rather than a health clearance, and coat length is inherited separately from the curl itself.

Polycystic kidney disease caused by the autosomal dominant PKD1 variant is relevant because Persian and related cats contributed to the breed's development. Veterinary genetics laboratories list Selkirk Rex as appropriate for PKD1 testing. A negative result excludes the tested variant but does not rule out every kidney disorder, while a positive result has important health and breeding implications.

Published breed-wide prevalence data for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, orthopaedic disease, and other inherited conditions remain limited. Prospective owners should request documented PKD1 results, family health and longevity records, and information about heart, kidney, mobility, skin, and coat problems in related cats. Breeding programmes should combine DNA testing with veterinary examination, line-appropriate screening, and attention to genetic diversity. This information is for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment by a veterinarian.