You don’t need to do much looking to figure out that people absolutely adore cats. They have a cat in their home and perhaps even multiple cats that they care for, along with some strays that appreciate their kindness. In addition, cats are one of the most popular subjects online and people will spend hours looking at cat pictures, cat videos and reading cat stories. It is an amazing phenomenon but one that all cat lovers understand.
Although there are many cats to appreciate, one of the most adorable that you will ever see is the Selkirk Rex breed. They are a relative newcomer to the scene, originating in 1987 but they are easy to spot. You can tell you are looking at a Selkirk Rex because they have adorable, thick and curly hair. It looks great in pictures but it is even softer you touch it.
The Selkirk Rex Cat breed was first seen in Montana when a feral cat had five kittens. One of the kittens in the litter had thick and curly hair in comparison to the other kittens. It caught the attention of Jeri Newman, a breeder who adopted her and named her Miss DePesto. She ended up giving birth to six kittens, three of which had thick coats and the breed got its start.
Newman decided to name the breed Selkirk after her stepfather. They are unique felines but the name is also unique because it is the only breed named after a human.
Jeri and other breeders diversify this breed by crossbreeding with other cats, including Exotics, Persians, British Shorthairs American Shorthairs. It took a few years but they were officially recognized by The International Cat Association and the American Cat Fanciers Association. They were also tested as being genetically unique by the University of Veterinary Medicine.
Although they are officially named Selkirk Rex Cat, most cat lovers know them as ‘poodle cats’. They are also sometimes referred to as the ‘wolf in sheep’s clothing’. They make great additions to the family, tolerate young children, are sociable and sometimes silly. Although they may take a little bit of maintenance because they have to be brushed regularly so their fur doesn’t get mangled. Brushing also helps to reduce shedding.
Check out these pictures of the Selkirk Rex Cat breed:
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