Selkirk Rex: Cats and Tomcats
Have you ever seen a little sheep? Its beautiful fur and intricate eyes? That's exactly what little kittens of this breed look like. Selkirk RexAt first glance, it may indeed seem like a magical miracle of nature.
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Features of wool
The Selkirk Rex is a relatively young cat breed, just over 2 decades old.
Nature really gives us interesting phenomena, and cats with curly Fur-lined cats are no exception. Despite the Selkirks' distinctly unconventional appearance, these plush tigers promise an exciting future. They have easily become a favorite among cat lovers in the US and Europe, and their popularity is growing every year.
We can already find these "curly sheep" in Russia; the first representative of the breed appeared in Moscow in 2003. As you can imagine, their history began in 1987, when someone brought an ordinary house cat to a small shelter. The unattractive cat turned out to be pregnant and soon gave birth to a litter. Nothing would have happened if one of the kittens hadn't caught the attention of the shelter staff.
An unusual kitten
The kitten's marvelous green eyes and short, curled sheepskin coat were intriguing. Even its whiskers were a bit different—curled. The shelter employee decided to show this marvelous kitten to the breeder. Persian cats, Madame Jerry Newman.
This intriguing kitten, who turned out to be female, aroused particular interest, and the breeder named her Miss de Pestro of No Faces. By nine months of age, Miss de Pestro of No Faces already had curls on her sideburns, and her ears were full of curly hair.
The cat's body resembled sea waves. When she was 14 months old, Madame Jerry decided to breed her with a black Persian cat, resulting in a litter of six kittens, three of which inherited their mother's coat.
A year later, the mother was mated with a black and white curly shorthaired male from a previous litter, producing four more kittens: two curly shorthaired tortoiseshell females, one curly shorthaired colorpoint male, and one shorthaired female with straight black fur. All subsequent litters of the cat did not produce curly-haired kittens, leading Madame Jerry to conclude, "The Selkirk curly gene is a new mutant gene!"
The Selkirk Rex breed was developed through the interbreeding of Persian, Exotic, and British breeds. The result was a breed that combined all the essential traits of each breed. The breed was officially named only in 1992.
General characteristics of the breed
Representatives of the breed Selkirk Rex - these are real super genetic beasts.
Appearance
These are loyal cats with a unique charm and captivating personality. However, each member of this breed has a distinct personality, and even their appearance can vary. They enjoy being carried, bringing joy to their owners. Selkiers get along well with other pets and do not try to assume leadership roles. Their personality clearly reflects all the characteristics of the breeds they were bred from.
They inherited excellent health and a strong psyche entirely from their ancestor, Miss de Pestro of Naface. They:
- patient and affectionate;
- captivatingly beautiful and intelligent;
- are distinguished by their special playfulness and uniqueness.
Their body is medium-sized, proportional, and muscular. Their neat paws are oval-shaped and small.
Representatives of the breed have beautiful round eyes. Their color usually matches the coat color. The ears, wide at the base and rounded toward the tip, are beautifully set on a medium-sized, rounded head.
Their coat, of course, deserves special attention. It can be either long or short. Shorthaired Selkirks have a plush coat, while longhaired Selkirk Rex cats have more of a beautiful curl. The most beautiful curls are found on the neck, chest, tummy, and breeches. Several factors influence the quality of the curl:
- time of year;
- hereditary line;
- age of the cat.
This is precisely what made each representative of the breed unique.
Character
Depending on their mood, they can be extremely playful, or they can lie quietly on the sofa for hours, relaxing. They are very sensitive to their owners' moods. Selkirks are highly trainable, so you can raise them exactly according to your family's rules. They don't like being alone and become very bored if their owners are away for long periods of time. Therefore, Selkirk Rexes They are better suited for large families, where the house is always cheerful and crowded.
This affectionate and silent animal is very devoted to its owner. Typically, a Selkirk Rex cat chooses one owner and showers them with all their attention and love. It thrives on close relationships, which manifests itself in constantly sitting on laps and shoulders. Many who are familiar with the breed personally claim, in all seriousness, that the Rex has no flaws, and in this case, a cat, not a dog, is man's true best friend.
The Selkirk Rex has managed to combine all the virtues of the breeds that contributed to its development. Thus, the gentle temperament of the Persian cat is successfully intertwined with the laid-back nature of the British Shorthair and the playfulness of the Exotic. Selkirk Rex cats get along well with other pets, as they are completely devoid of aggression. However, they do have a love of kisses and hugs. Despite their incredible affection, these cats remain active throughout their lives. They are fearless and are drawn to everything, even complete strangers. They are truly a heartthrob.
Rules of care and nutrition
Long-haired dogs require regular bathing and brushing to maintain proper grooming. Use only high-quality shampoos. After bathing, be sure to gently massage their fur with your hands. This will make it more resilient and beautiful.
The frequency of washing is highly individualized. However, a minimum of once every two months is always recommended.
Selkirks require daily eye cleaning, ear cleaning, and teeth brushing. And remember, they love to eat, so you'll need to limit their food intake to prevent obesity.
Regarding vitamins, breeders recommend not forgetting about vitamin B, as it is involved in the formation of the coat – the main external difference between the Selkirk Rex and other cat breeds.
Health
Cats are generally healthy. If you provide proper care for your pets, you shouldn't have any problems.
Although the Selkirk Rex is not predisposed to hereditary genetic diseases, there is a risk of developing illnesses common to the breeds that contributed to the Rex breed's development. For example, Persians are predisposed to polycystic kidney disease.
Adult Selkirks are susceptible to hip dysplasia. This genetic condition disrupts the functionality of the hip joint. The first signs of the disease can be noticed as early as six months of age, when kittens develop luxating patellas.
There's a risk of heart disease called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This dangerous and poorly understood condition can be fatal for pets.
When choosing a Selkirk Rex kitten, be careful and cautious. Not all breeders are responsible in their breeding practices. Regular vaccinations and deworming are another key to ensuring your pet's health and longevity.
Selkirk Rex kittens: buying tips
When buying a Selkirk Rex cat, first and foremost, consider the pet's health. Avoid adopting a very young kitten. The optimal age for moving a kitten to a new home is four months. Until then, a Selkirk Rex kitten depends on its mother's milk and care, and its immune system is very weak. Furthermore, the breed can only be determined after it reaches two months of age. There are other considerations, too. For example, when bringing a kitten home, make sure it is vaccinated against the following diseases:
- rabies;
- chlamydia;
- rhinotracheitis;
- panleukopenia;
- calicivirus infection.
Vaccinations also take time. Two-month-old kittens are dewormed, two weeks later it's time for the first comprehensive vaccination, and three weeks after that, the second mandatory comprehensive vaccination. Two weeks later, it's time for rabies vaccineAfter this, you have to wait another two weeks. So, it takes four months to get all the vaccinations. This is another reason why Selkirk Rex kittens are often taken from breeders so late. An adult kitten's body is already strong, and by four months, a kitten is not only vaccinated but also socialized and taught proper behavior.
If you've gone to a Selkirk Rex cattery to buy a kitten, don't miss the opportunity to learn more about the intricacies of raising a cat from the breeder. After all, only inexperienced breeders are solely interested in the financial aspects of the breed. A Selkirk Rex breeder from a cattery is usually a passionate cat owner who loves their work. Therefore, their advice is worth listening to.
Unfortunately, the financial aspect isn't just a concern for breeders. Most people looking to buy a Selkirk Rex kitten are looking to save money and buy pets from dubious sources. As a result, new owners often end up with sick or aggressive kittens. These kittens may not even be vaccinated. It's also important to know that some feline diseases are transmissible to humans. And if you have a child at home, imagine how much greater the risk of infection from a sick animal.
Even if a Selkirk Rex kitten is healthy, in inexperienced hands it can grow up ill-mannered, which is also bad and leads to rumors that all Siamese and Persian cats are mischievous and vicious. When choosing a Selkirk Rex cat, don't focus on its coloring. Even the animal's gender shouldn't matter. Choose a pet with your heart; this is the only way to buy a Selkirk Rex that will become a full-fledged member of the family for many years to come.
Selkirk Rexes change dramatically with age, and while they looked like "ugly ducklings" as kittens, by the time they're a year old, they're already handsome princes. To get a glimpse of the kitten's future appearance, it's important to meet its parents.
If you're interested in a purebred Selkirk Rex, the kitten's appearance should be the last thing you consider. The most important thing is the animal's documentation, specifically its breed line and pedigree.
Keep in mind that if the mating of Selkirk Rex cats took place between animals with a weak curl, do not expect miracles from your baby in this regard.
Another interesting point! You can see similar ads online and in print publications: "One-month-old Selkirk Rex kitten for sale." Such an ad could be interpreted in several ways. It could be from someone unfamiliar with the breed, or it could be a scam. After all, as mentioned earlier, you can only determine a kitten's breed after it turns two months old.
Also, don't trust sellers who guarantee you a kitten's "incredibly curly hair." No one can know what a Selkirk Rex's fur will be like in the future. After all, the final "hairstyle" doesn't develop until the kitten is two years old.
It's important to know that even the curliest kitten's hair straightens out in its youth and returns to its original state only by 10 months of age. Therefore, the only thing you can be sure of when buying a Selkirk Rex is the length of its coat.
A detailed video review of the Selkirk Rex breed:
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