Selkirk Rex Cat Breed Information
The most patient and laid-back of the curly-coated cat breeds. Unlike the Cornish Rex and Devon Rex, the Selkirk Rex has all three normal coat layers, just curly, and a calm Persian-style temperament rather than a vocal active one.
A highly affectionate, great with young children, friendly with strangers cat. On the practical side: minimal drool.
About the Selkirk Rex.
The Selkirk Rex is the laid-back curly cat. Unlike the Cornish and Devon Rex, the Selkirk has a complete coat with all three layers, just curly, and a calm Persian-style temperament rather than the dog-like vivacity of the other Rex breeds. The breed traces to a single rescue kitten in Montana in 1987.
Personality and behaviour
Selkirk Rex are affectionate, calm and patient. They form bonds with the whole household, tolerate handling well, and prefer routine. The voice is soft.
They get on well with children, other cats and respectful dogs.
Care and grooming
Comb weekly with a wide-tooth comb. Avoid slickers, which damage the curl. Bathe every six to eight weeks. The breed sheds normally despite the curly coat.
Indoor vs outdoor in New Zealand
Indoor or catio.
Where to find a Selkirk Rex in New Zealand
NZCF and Catz Inc list registered breeders (NZCF Selkirk Rex, Catz Inc Selkirk Rex). Expect a four to seven month waitlist, NZD 1,500 to 3,000. Ask whether parents have been DNA-tested for PKD1 (inherited risk from Persian foundation) and screened for HCM.
Insurance and lifetime cost
The Selkirk Rex claim profile is mid-range. PKD risk and HCM dominate; routine items otherwise. Lifetime cost mid-range at $250 to $400 a month all-in.
The Selkirk Rex, by the numbers.
Each trait scored 1 to 5 on the AKC scale. The verdict synthesises the data; the panels below show the strengths, group averages, and the full trait table.
Top strengths
Family Life
avg 4.3Affectionate with Family
Good with Young Children
Good with Other Pets
Physical
avg 3.0Shedding
Grooming Frequency
Social
avg 3.5Openness to Strangers
Playfulness
Adaptability
Independence
Personality
avg 2.6Trainability
Energy Level
Vocal Level
Prey Drive
Mental Stimulation Needs
Living with a Selkirk Rex.
A 24-hour breakdown of how this breed's day typically goes, scaled to its energy, mental-stimulation, and grooming needs.
What a Selkirk Rex costs to own.
An indicative NZ lifetime cost: purchase, setup, then food, vet, insurance, grooming and other annual outgoings. Adjust the inputs to see how your choices change the total.
A Selkirk Rex costs about
$170per month
$39
$6
$33,150
Adjust the inputs:
Where the monthly cost goes
Food
$38 / mo
$460/yr · breed-appropriate dry & wet food
Insurance
$34 / mo
$410/yr · lifetime cover protects against breed-specific claims
Vet (avg)
$49 / mo
$590/yr · routine checks plus breed-specific risk
Grooming
$23 / mo
$280/yr · brushes, shampoo, professional clips
Other
$25 / mo
$300/yr · toys, treats, dental, boarding
Indicative NZ averages calculated from breed weight, grooming need and screened-condition count. One-off costs (purchase $2,250 + setup $300) are factored into the lifetime total but not the monthly figure.
How does the Selkirk Rex compare?
This breed
Selkirk Rex
$33,150
15-year lifetime cost
- Purchase + setup$2,550
- Food (lifetime)$6,900
- Vet (lifetime)$8,850
- Insurance (lifetime)$6,150
- Grooming (lifetime)$4,200
- Other (lifetime)$4,500
Reference
Average NZ cat
$23,600
14-year lifetime cost
- Purchase + setup$500
- Food (lifetime)$7,000
- Vet (lifetime)$5,600
- Insurance (lifetime)$5,600
- Grooming (lifetime)$1,400
- Other (lifetime)$3,500
A Selkirk Rex costs about $9,550 more over a lifetime than the average nz cat, mostly highervet and highergrooming.
What to ask the breeder.
Reputable NZ cat breeders test for these conditions and share results. The bigger health drivers for the breed appear in the Common group.
Common
1 conditionDental disease
A common condition in the Selkirk Rex. Ask the breeder about screening.
Occasional
2 conditionsHypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
An occasional condition in the Selkirk Rex. Worth asking about.
Polycystic kidney disease
Inherited risk from Persian foundation crosses.
Rare but urgent
1 conditionHip dysplasia
Rare in the Selkirk Rex but worth knowing the warning signs.
The Selkirk Rex in NZ.
- Popularity: A small but consistent NZ pedigree breed with active Catz Inc and NZCF breeders.
- Typical price: NZ$1500–3000 from registered breeders or rescues
- Rescue availability: rare
- NZ climate fit: Coat handles all NZ regions.
- Living space: Apartments and houses both suit the calm temperament.
Who the Selkirk Rex is for.
Suits
- Households wanting a curly-coated cat without the Rex high-energy demands
- Families with children
- Calm households
Less suited to
- Outdoor-roaming setups
- Households wanting an active, athletic cat
Common questions.
How is the Selkirk Rex different from Cornish or Devon Rex?
Should I brush a Selkirk Rex?
Are Selkirk Rex hypoallergenic?
If the Selkirk Rex appeals, also consider.
Breeds with a similar profile that might suit your household.
British Shorthair
Stocky, plush-coated shorthair with a calm, undemanding temperament. Consistently in the top three pedigree cats registered in NZ alongside the Persian and Maine Coon. Famous for the "British Blue", a dense grey coat that sheds more than its short length suggests.
Persian
Calm, sedate longhaired cat with a flat face and dense double coat. One of the top three pedigree cats in NZ. High-maintenance grooming and well-documented brachycephalic health concerns make this a deliberate, indoor-only choice.
Cornish Rex
Small, slender cat with an extremely soft curly coat made entirely of down hair (no guard hairs). Highly active, dog-like in temperament, and one of the most social pedigree breeds.
Devon Rex
Small, large-eared, curly-coated cat with a mischievous and dog-like personality. The Devon Rex's curly coat comes from a spontaneous gene mutation in a Devonshire stray in 1959. Sociable, attention-seeking, and a poor fit for households where the cat is alone all day.
Last reviewed:
Sources for this pageInformation only. Breed traits and health notes on this page are aggregated from public registry and breed-authority sources. Individual animals vary; this page is general information, not veterinary, behavioural, or insurance advice. Always consult a registered NZ vet or breeder for guidance specific to your situation.