Curly-haired cats have always been of interest to cat lovers, bent on their absurdity and distinct attractiveness. People like cat hair Rexes because of their curly or wavy furs and minimal shedding. Out of the many ‘Rex’ breeds, the Selkirk Rex is reputed for her affluent history and her plush, curly coat. This article investigates the origins of the curly-haired cat, other common breeds with curly hair, and what is so special about these cats.
The Origins of the Curly-haired Cat
In 1987, a local Montanan animal shelter picked up the shelter and took in a kitten with curly hair. Jeri Newman, a local breeder at that time, was impressed by this kitten’s appearance and decided to bring her home. She presumably named the kitten DePesto, after a curly-haired secretary in the show Moonlighting. Newman mated Miss DePesto to a male Persian and four kittens were born, three with curly hair and the rest with straight hair. This indicated that the trait of curly hair that Miss DePesto possessed was an autosomal dominant trait.
The curly-haired kittens from this litter grew up to be the Selkirk Rex. The Selkirk Rex differed from the other Rex breeds in that it does not have a coat. It is fine and wavy but a coat that is dense and plush due to Newman’s efforts in crossbreeding. Gradually, she began using breeds such as American shorthairs, Persians and Himalayas, Exotics, and British shorthairs. To create more or less two basic varieties of the Selkirk Rex’s coat, one of which was long-haired and the other short-haired. In the year 1992, TICA regarded the breed officially, followed by ACFA in 1998 and subsequently CFA. By 2015, under CFA regulations, Selkirk Rex was to be no longer bred with any other breed of cat meaning it lost its breed crossness, all Selkirk Rex cats are descendants of Miss DePesto.
Characteristics of the Selkirk Rex
The fur of a Selkirk Rex can wildly differ, comprising loose curls, soft curls, all the way to tight and well-defined ringlets with every individual having a different type. Their furs which are soft and plush almost wooly tend to make them appear taller and teddy bear-like. The range of this breed includes longhair and shorthair according to the genetics involved but both the type has the curls.
Personality:
The Selkirk Rex is quiet, friendly, and calm. The energetic behavior of other Rexes may be lacking to some extent in this breed. It makes them great pets for people or families who need a soft-spoken, lazy, and uncomplicated animal. They have been influenced by a British Shorthair and Persian breed, thus the overall appearance of Selkirk Rex is of an average feline who is gentle but enjoys playing and being pampered occasionally.
Grooming Needs:
Most specialists recommend using a raspy brush on Selkirk pet cats at least once a week to achieve the most incredible results. This will prevent long-haired selkirk rex cats from matting as well as other matting. All long-haired Selkirk Rex require frequent effervescent brushing every week to help maintain the mats and fluffy locks. She has for their coat as well as useful wear so that they do not over-rip out and shed a lot of hair.
Other Curly-Haired Breeds
The Selkirk Rex is the most beautiful with curly hair breed, but there are other Rex breeds with different, but fascinating attributes and stories:
Our focus here is on one of the distinct subtypes of curly-haired cats, the Cornish Rex.
Cornish Rex
The breed was developed in Cornwall, England, in the 1950s. Well-defined among its features are a tightly curled coat that is short and a lean well-muscled body. Cornish Rex cats have only an undercoat. It gives their fur a soft, almost velvety texture; they have a soft coat because the Cornish Rex is not a purebred cat having an undercoat only collar and mouth area. These cats are highly active are also very playful, and love forming strong bonds with their families.
Personality:
To foster a sense of belonging they need a master’s attention and participate in family activities that resemble the behavior of a dog. Masters who demand companionship from their pets will find the kittens attractive because they are very active.
Care Requirements:
Looks like maintenance is the biggest problem for the Cornish Rex. Commencing with the grooming of a cat like this breed intro requirement: it’s enough to bathe the Cornish to avoid the over-saturation of fat because of the low density of the fur.
Another Kerry type – Devon Rex
The Cat Devon Rex also comes from Cornwall and is very similar in appearance to the Cornish Rex. However, it has a distinctive short curly coat that seems soft and delicate. As such, the owners should minimize brushing their hair as a causative factor for hair breakage.
Personality:
The best quality of Devon Rex cats is their applicability and mischievousness. These cats are active learners, able to perform tricks.
LaPerm
LaPerm cats are characterized by looser, springier curls adding to their popularity with a “bedhead” look. This particular breed is an up-and-coming variety that first came about in the US and can range from soft waves to tightly packed ringlets in hairs.
Personality:
LaPerm’s cats are loving and mellow temperamental. They are also very adaptable, and smart and would do well in a household that has children or other animals.
Care Requirements:
They are also quite low maintenance though they would need to be brushed frequently to avoid tangles.
Health and Genetic Considerations for the Curly-Haired Cats
There are some features of cochlear curls that may require assistance in terms of treatment and care. Most of these health concerns are referred to as:
Devon Rex Myopathy:
A noticeable feature in the Devon Rex breed is the development of a particular type of muscle dystrophy. It degenerates muscles and improves mobility.
Patellar Luxation:
Another ailment that may be associated with the Rex family is a dislocating knee. It may occur within the Rex breeds whereby this ailment can arise as a result of patella discordance. Adoption of a veterinarian and medical family is advisable as routine visits to the medical professional are paramount to diagnosing and treating such ailments early.
Temperature Sensitivity:
Due to the composition and texture of their fur, some of the Rex breeds like the Cornish Rex and Devon Rex tend to be sensitive to lower temperatures and as such may require extra covering in winter months.
| Breed | Origin | Height | Adult Weight | Life Span | Group | Price Range | Characteristics |
| Cornish Rex | United Kingdom | 12″-14″ | 6-9 pounds | 9-13+ years | Small to medium-sized shorthair | $800-$1,300 | Soft, velvet-like coat with row after row of soft curls. Social, playful, and kitten-like well into adulthood. |
| Devon Rex | United Kingdom | 12″-14″ | 6-9 pounds | 10-15 years | Small to medium-sized shorthair | $600-$2,000 | Pixie-like face with large, low-set ears and curly whiskers. Very owner-oriented and playful. |
| German Rex | Germany | 10″-12″ | 6-10 pounds | 12-15 years | Small short-haired | $500-$1,000 | Very rare with velvet-like coat. Friendly, affectionate, and bonds closely with family. |
| LaPerm | United States | 10″-14″ | 5-10 pounds | 12-15 years | Medium-sized shorthair and longhair | $800-$1,500 | Soft, springy coat with wavy or curly fur. Sweet and people-oriented, requires regular grooming. |
| Selkirk Rex | United States | 9″-11″ | 7-12 pounds | 14-15 years | Large-sized long-haired | $500-$800 | Dense, plush curls, resembling “sheep’s clothing.” Laid-back and very affectionate. |
Are Curly-Haired Cats Hypoallergenic?
The belief that curly-coated cats do not cause allergies stems from their non-shedding nature. This is, however, a fallacy since cat allergies are caused by proteins in the saliva and dander. They are present on a cat irrespective of its coat. Many allergy victims claim some relief with Rex breeds, this however will be different with every individual. If one is sensitive, it is best to spend some time with the breed in question before deciding to adopt one.
The Economics and Adoption of Curly-Haired Cats
Due to their different genetics from other breeds, their rates are high. A costs between $800 to $2000 depending on which breeder one goes to and what region the breeder is based. It is best to seek out experienced breeders who guarantee the soundness and socialization of the kittens. Although breed-specific rescues may sometimes have cats for adoption.
Other factors of concern include Regular combing, possible sicknesses, and more clothes during the winter period. You can place them in any situation, therefore prospective owners need to try and understand that they will have additional responsibilities about the coat and its possibly sensitive skin.
Conclusion
Curly-haired cats, while they all have their charm, seem to have seized the most attention among the audience. This is mostly for the Selkirk Rex as it possesses a distinctive history behind it. Any of the given breeds: the feisty Cornish Rex, the devilish Devon Rex, or the plush and easy-going Selkirk Rex, is an experience by itself for all cat lovers. Their diverse nature complemented by the presence of curled fur makes these cats interesting pets for people who can appropriately groom and care for them.
The story of the Selkirk Rex begins with a single kitten in a shelter in Montana, and who could think of how selective breeding could bring about such genetic change? These cats are aesthetic beauties and pets in every sense and are ideal for serving happy homes making them quite difficult to forget.
FAQs
Almost all individuals are unfamiliar with curly-haired cats like the Cornish Rex. The Devon Rex will assure you that these cats do not have fur and are, therefore, allergy-prone. There is evidence to prove that their wool is effective in reducing allergens within the environment but unfortunately, no cat breed is free of causing any allergic reaction.
Curly-haired cats have highly individualistic grooming requirements based on the length of their hair on different parts of the body. In the case of the Cornish Rex and Devon Rex, their coat has velvety textures and is short. It means there is a requirement for very little grooming. Cat plants that have longer furs like LaPerm and Selkirk Rex require more grooming in the form of routine brushing. It is due to keep the knots away and maintain the curls of the pet. The best way to deal with sensitive slanted furs is to treat the entire area lightly to avoid stress.
Yes – one would not be able to find many cats with a curly coat. Most curly-haired cats are hard to obtain due to their low population globally. For instance, a German Rex or a LaPerm breed is rare in clowders. It is very hard to find these at animal adoption facilities. Try to use such websites and tools to search to find the furry companion you want. If these methods are not feasible – you can try visiting pet stores as a last resort.
