Selkirk Rex Shorthair Cats & Kittens for Sale

The Selkirk Rex Shorthair is a one-of-a-kind breed, famed for its plush, curly fur and affectionate nature. They originated in the USA in the late 80s but are still extremely rare in the rest of the world.

Their fur may be shorter than their long-haired siblings, but they still have that adorable sheep-like appearance and smooth feel. What’s more, with their friendly, loving nature, they make the ideal lap-cat, teddy bear, and lifelong companion.

Learn more about Selkirk Rex Shorthair Breed

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Meet the Selkirk Rex Shorthair

The Selkirk Rex Shorthair is a medium to large cat with a solid build, similar to their ancestor, the British Shorthair. As their fur is relatively short, you can see their rectangular shape and muscular form. Their stocky legs stand on large, round paws and have a thick, fluffy tail. Once fully grown, they will be between 10 and 15 pounds.

Their heads are very round, as are their eyes, which can be any colour. Their ears are medium size and set fairly wide apart. However, the most unique facial feature of a Selkirk Rex Shorthair is their curly whiskers. These are caused by the same gene abnormality that causes their hair to form tight curls.

Selkirk Rex Shorthairs can be any colour or pattern. Their short, double coat is thick but feels soft and subtle. Shorthaired Selkirk Rexes tend to have tighter curls than the long-haired variants, which have looser ringlets. What’s more, the tail and neck often appear curlier than the rest of the body.

Interestingly, the curliness of their coat can change over time. Like humans, the climate affects the frizziness of it, and so does their age. They will be born with loose waves, but as teenagers, their fur becomes straighter before re-curling as an adult. Surpingsly, their coat requires very little grooming. It’s best to comb it rather than brushing it, and once or twice a week is sufficient.

The temperament of a Selkirk Rex Shorthair

Various breeds are used to create the Selkirk Rex Shorthair, such as American Shorthairs, Persians, Himalayans, Exotic Shorthairs, and British Shorthairs. Each Selkirk’s exact temperament will depend on who their ancestors are. In general, though, they are known to be a very loving and affectionate breed.

They love to cuddle and play with their owners and are laid-back enough to make fantastic lapcats. Many will play in a very quirky way, especially when chasing their toys around. They are super curious and love to climb to explore every part of the house.

These good-natured kitties are so easy to get along with, and they get on with everyone, too. However, they need plenty of social interaction, so be prepared to have a fluffy follower during the day and snuggle buddy in the evening.

The Selkirk Rex is also a very intelligent cat, especially in an emotional sense. Their bonds with their owners can be so deep that they are in tune with their emotions and know when they feel sad or stressed.

10 reasons to add a Selkirk Rex Shorthair to your family

  1. They look like sheep - While a sheep may not make a suitable domestic pet, a Selkirk Rex is undoubtedly the next best thing if you find sheep adorable.
  2. You don’t need to groom them much - The Selkirk Rex’s curly hair is not a handful. All you need to do is comb it once or twice a week.
  3. They will offer you emotional support - A Selkirk Rex will sense your emotions and be by your side to comfort you whenever you are down.
  4. They come in an assortment of colours and patterns - Their fur is not only fluffy and curly, but it can be any colour or pattern. So, whether you love colour-point cats or tabbies, you’ll find a Selkirk in your favourite shade.
  5. They will make you laugh - Selkirk Rexes are known for their clown-like personality and quirkiness. You’ll witness this when you play with them or even just from observing them play on their own.
  6. Their fur is constantly changing - A Selkirk Rex’s fur changes throughout their life. It is affected by their age and other factors like climate and hormones. So, like humans, sometimes their hair will be extra curly, and they can have bad hair days too!
  7. They have curly whiskers - Their faces give a gentle and kind expression, but the best facial feature of a Selkirk Rex is their unique wavy whiskers.
  8. They are confident - A Selkirk Rex is bold enough to adapt well to new people and changes to their environment.
  9. They adore human attention - They are also incredibly social and love meeting new people. Therefore, your Selkirk Rex will undoubtedly be the main attraction at any dinner party.
  10. They are chatty, but in a cute way - Selkirk Rex owners often comment on the pleasant-sounding chirps and trills of their feline. They don’t tend to use the traditional meow much but will talk to you in their soft-sounding voice instead.

Best homes for a Selkirk Rex Shorthair

Being social butterflies, the best home for a Selkirk Rex is one where they get regular attention. They make great pets for young families as they do so well around children. In fact, these kitties are known to become lifelong friends with kids, thanks to their patience and tolerance.

Alternatively, a Selkirk Rex would do well with seniors who are retired and are at home often. While they are playful, they don’t have extremely high energy levels, so they are not too much to handle.

If you and all household members work during the day, having a furry friend for your kitty is advisable. Another cat or even a dog can meet the social needs of a Selkirk Rex, and they quickly accept other animals in the home, too.

Frequently Asked Questions About Selkirk Rex Shorthair Kittens

Why should I choose a Selkirk Rex Shorthair from The Pedigree Paws rather than elsewhere?
While there are active breeding laws in Britain and the EU, the unfortunate truth is that some unethical cat breeding facilities still exist. Even so, here at The Pedigree Paws, we are strongly against unlawful breeding farms. Kitten welfare is our top priority, and we operate in a way that protects animals from unethical treatment. We carry out various checks and procedures before partnering with any breeder to ensure they are professional, licensed, and passionate about animal welfare. By choosing not to work with commercial breeding facilities, we know every kitten on our platform is raised in the breeder's homes. Therefore, our ethical operations make us stand out as a trustworthy matchmaking platform for kitten lovers.
Is a Selkirk Rex Shorthair the right kitten for me?
Selkirk Rex Shorthair cats have an easy-going, loving and gentle character. They will suit most homes but are great for young families as they enjoy being around children. They generally get on well with other animals, too, particularly if they grow up with them. The Selkirk Rex Shorthair does need plenty of attention and time from their owners, though. They get bored easily when left alone, so they are happier with humans that are home often.
Is The Pedigree Paws trustworthy?
At The Pedigree Paws, we aim to create an enjoyable experience for cat lovers searching for a new kitten. We do this by acting in a transparent way and guiding our customers through the process of buying a kitten. What's more, we meticulously choose the most ethical Selkirk Rex Shorthair breeders in the industry, so you can have total faith that these kittens receive excellent care. Our fantastic reviews from our previous customers reflect this, too, so feel free to read these for yourself on our testimonials page.
Are Selkirk Rex Shorthair kittens from The Pedigree Paws healthy?
With kitten welfare as our primary concern, we never promote the sale of a kitten that is anything less than 100% healthy. Therefore, our breeders are required to follow strict health and welfare obligations, such as taking each kitten for a complete health checkup before listing them on the platform. Another condition is that they must conduct DNA tests on both parents of the Selkirk Rex kittens. This confirms their heritage and tests for genetic diseases that may affect the kitten. Furthermore, the breeder will prepare your new furry friend by deworming, microchipping, and vaccinating them before sending them to you.
When can I receive my Selkirk Rex Shorthair kitten?
A Selkirk Rex Shorthair should stay with their mum and siblings until they are 8 to 13 weeks old. This is a vague timeframe because the exact date they will be ready depends on the kitten's development. Some kittens need longer with their mother than others, and when this is the case, we honour it to enable good development and wellbeing. After you secure your purchase, the breeder will let you know the date you can receive them.
Can I see the parents of a Selkirk Rex Shorthair kitten before purchase?
Yes, before purchasing your Selkirk Rex Shorthair, we will be glad to organise a video call between you and the breeder. This will enable you to virtually see the parents of your Shorthair, assuring you that they come from healthy animals, and thus, will live a long and healthy life.
Will I receive the pedigree documents of my Selkirk Rex Shorthair?
Yes, all the Selkirk Rex Shorthair kittens from The Pedigree Paws come with official pedigree documents. These will be from one of the leading breeding organisations such as GCCF, and you'll receive them with the kitten.
Do your Selkirk Rex Shorthair kittens come from good breeders?
Selkirk Rex Shorthairs are desirable but fairly rare cats, which means there are not many breeders around. Even so, we have sourced and partnered with the very best Selkirk Rex breeders in Britain and Europe. They have all undergone thorough inspections to ensure they perform ethically. As a result, you can trust that your new fluffy kitten will be coming from a loving family home where they have received ample care and attention.
Are your Selkirk Rex Shorthair kittens raised in a family home or a breeding facility?
At The Pedigree Paws, we work only with Selkirk Rex breeders who raise their kittens with the mother cat in their own houses. In this homely environment, they get used to being around humans and receive the care they need from their mother. Commercial breeding facilities operate in a very unethical way. As making money is their priority, they often compromise the kittens' welfare by keeping them in cages away from their mother. As you can imagine, this can have a terrible effect on the kittens' development, health and wellbeing. However, when they stay in a family home with the mother cat, they develop into loving and happy felines.
How can I help my Selkirk Rex Shorthair settle into my home?
Short-haired Selkirk Rex kittens are usually comfortable around new people, but of course, leaving their mother is a big change. As long as you shower them with affection when they arrive, they should settle in quickly. However, you can do certain things to make their new environment as pleasant and welcoming as possible. For example, you can keep them in one room for a day or two and create a small safe space there, such as a box with blankets. If you have other animals in the home, wait until your new fur baby seems settled before you start to introduce them. Lastly, try to avoid leaving them alone for too long during the first few days.
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