Selkirk Rex - The Cat In Sheep's Clothing
by Lisa Davison
Left to right: Ch Courtlycats Cookies n Cream, Gr Ch Courtlycats Call Me Madam,
Gr Ch Serenitie Betty Boop of Courtlycats The curly coated Selkirk Rex is a
medium to large cat with heavy boning and cobby type, similar in shape to a
British Shorthair. They have a random, unstructured coat, thick and dense
covering the entire body from the time they are born and arranged in loose
individual curls giving an overall soft and plush feel. They occur in both short
and long haired versions, and all colours are acceptable. They are uniquely
different to any other breed and quite distinct from Devon and Cornish Rexes and
LaPerms.
Courtlycats Count Basie Temperament:
These chunky cuddly cats are fairly quiet and intelligent with captivating round
eyes. They are people-orientated, love to be involved in what you are doing and
try whatever you eat. Just like British Shorthairs they like to have all four
feet on a solid surface, and appreciate firm support when being carried. The Cat
Fanciers Association standard of points says "the Selkirk Rex has an alert and
active personality with a sweet and endearing disposition". They are playful
with a sense of fun but not too naughty, and surprisingly frisky at times
despite their placid look. However, they are not exactly graceful, more like
lovable pet hippos! This could be due to their big bumbling size and short
whiskers, but it all adds to their endearing qualities.
Origins of the breed:
The Selkirk Rex is the result of a natural mutation which appeared in 1987 in
Wyoming, USA and the breed owes its origin to one cat – Miss DePesto. The
originator of the breed was Jeri Newman of Montana, a Persian breeder with an
interest in genetics. She was offered the unusual cat by an animal shelter, and
when mated to a Persian Miss DePesto was found to be a new mutation of a
completely dominant nature, meaning only one curly Selkirk parent is needed to
produce curly kittens. In fact at least one parent must be a Selkirk as this
breed cannot be recreated artificially. Jeri named her new breed after the
Selkirk Mountains in Canada just north of where they originated, and also
because that was her step father’s last name.
Introduction to the UK:
The first three Selkirk Rex cats came to Britain on 8 February 2002 when they
flew to London Heathrow airport under the PETS Passport Scheme. They were bred
in Austria at the home of Christiana and Karl Aichner (Courtlycats) from their
blue tortie and white Selkirk Rex, GrCh Serenitie Betty Boop of Courtlycats,
sired by their British Blue, SGC RW Conan V Ebenthal of Courtlycats. Angela and
Jim Mann (Kresant) imported Courtlycats Count Basie, a longhaired cream male.
Linda Davison (Toreska) imported TICA GrCh Courtlycats Call Me Madam, a blue and
white shorthair. Lisa Peterson (Trueblu) imported TICA Ch Courtlycats Cookies n
Cream, a longhaired blue-cream.
The first kittens:
The first UK bred Selkirk Rex kittens arrived when Lisa’s cat ‘Cookie’ gave
birth to four on 17 June 2002 sired by UK GrCh Miletree Owain Glyndwr, a British
Cream owned by Ann Stubbs (Positively), closely followed on 25 July 2002 by six
born to Linda’s cat ‘Jasmine’ sired by her British Tipped, GrCh Toreska White
Gold. Each litter contained only one curly shorthair, all the others were long
and shorthaired Variants with straight coats. Meanwhile Angela’s ‘Basie’ is
awaiting the readiness of his future partners and hopefully will father some
kittens in 2003.
Trueblu Anns Owainglyndwr at 8 weeks old (2nd from left) Curly SH
[photo by Robert Fox]
Toreska Little Acorn at 5 weeks old Curly SH Coat & type:
The components of a normal coat (guard, down and awn hairs) are all present and
are curly as well as the whiskers. Curliness of the coat is greatly affected by
hormones, age, sex, time of year, etc. and varies accordingly especially in
females and youngsters. The best exhibition Selkirks are heterozygous (have one
rex gene), therefore they are routinely outcrossed to British, Persians and
Exotics. Consequently some Selkirk Rex are born with straight hair and do not
carry the gene at all, however they are useful in Selkirk breeding programmes
for their type. To maintain the desired type these are the only breeds allowed,
although initally American Shorthairs were also used but discontinued at the end
of 1997. This dominant gene is able to produce homozygous cats (with two rex
genes), they have a slightly different look but whatever they are mated to they
produce all curlies.
Progress & future plans:
The founder breeders, Angela, Lisa and Linda, are working together towards their
goal of full GCCF recognition for the Selkirk Rex with support from all the rex
cat clubs, and are drawing up a standard of points. In May 2002 their breeding
and registration policy submitted by the Joint Rex Breed Advisory Committee (BAC)
was accepted by GCCF Executive who agreed to register the first Selkirk Rex
imports. These three cats are all from the same litter but will be bred quite
independently to widen the gene pool as much as possible. In 2003 Angela plans
to import a further female, and Lisa a male and another female. Assistance would
be appreciated from owners of the outcross breeds who would allow their studs to
contribute to the programme, particularly those that are screened clear of PKD.
Similarly owners of females may join the programme by seeking the services of a
Selkirk Rex male. All resulting kittens will, of course, only be registered as
Selkirk Rex or Variants.
A joint seminar for the new rex breeds is being planned for 2003. Judges,
breeders and anyone interested in the Selkirk Rex (and the LaPerm) will be able
to see several examples, hear presentations and join in discussions. In the
meantime look out for individual Selkirk Rexes on exhibition at various GCCF
shows across the UK.
Availability:
As the Selkirk Rex grows in popularity, enquiries will be welcomed from anyone
who would like a curly kitten. Although the breeders will pool their waiting
lists, patience is required because they cannot be produced to order. Initially
when placing curly cats for breeding preference may be given to breeders with
experience in one of the outcross breeds. Straight-haired Variants may be more
readily available as loved neutered pets possessing the same endearing qualities
and personality but without the curly coat. © LD 2002
Contacts:
Angela Mann, Uttoxeter Tel. 01889 564286
www.kresant.com Lisa Peterson, Arundel Tel. 07905 951379
www.curlyselkirkrex.co.uk Linda
Davison, Gateshead Tel. 0191 490 0125 evenings - see UK breeders list
or contact the Selkirk Rex Cat Club,
http://selkirkrexcatclub.co.uk/selkirkrexcatclub/index.htm
|
