A cat with hair like a lamb

Curly soft fur of a sheep cat is so short that it does not require daily brushing. A couple of times a week to pick up the dead short hairs from the coat with a comb or a piece of hard terry towel is enough.

The Selkirk Rex: history, standards, character, content

The Selkirk Rex is the cutest curly-haired cat. Imposing curls of hair, flattened face and huge, full of wonder eyes will not leave anyone indifferent. It's worth getting acquainted with this murky cat, and your heart will burst with love forever. All the more that it is not in the nature of this charming cat to scratch, tear the furniture and leave surprises in slippers. In general, the Selkirk Rex is the perfect fluffy cat, if you don't take into account the rather abundant molting.

The Selkirk differs from other rex breeds with woolly curls in that their curl extends to their whiskers, eyebrows, and hairs in their ears. In addition, these cats do not have the obsessive nature of the Rex. And although the Selkirks are extremely painful to be separated from their owners, they prefer to sit on the sidelines if the beloved person is busy doing important things.

Often She-Cats are compared to modified British and Persian. However, they are more good-natured than the former, and clearly more positive than the latter.

History of origin

In 1987 a crippled kitty with a bluish, creamy white coat appeared at a shelter in Sheridan, Montana. In addition, she turned out to be pregnant, and soon five adorable kittens were born. One of the newborn kittens was special: her fur was curled like a lamb's. The shelter workers immediately thought of Jeri Newman. The Persian breeder was interested in cat genetics and collected "strange" fluffballs all over the neighborhood. That's how the fuzzy kitten ended up in the hands of a professional.

The breeder named his curly-haired pet Miss de Pesto and after a year and a half he paired the young beauty with his black Persian. As a result of this mating six kittens appeared, half of which inherited their mother's curly hair. The cat geneticist quickly realized that the gene responsible for the curly coat is a dominant one. This means that only one parent with a "sheep's" coat is needed to produce curly-haired offspring. It is this feature that separates the Selkirks from the Devon and Cornish Rex.

Important! The curliness of the Selkirks is due to a mutation in the KRT71 gene. In Devon Rexes the same gene is changed, but it is recessive. A variation in the same gene led to the emergence of bald-sphynxes.

Aside from a pleasant to the touch, wavy coat, the kittens were not notable for their outward attractiveness. Narrow muzzle, flat forehead, "bat ears" and long legs – all this looked somewhat ridiculous and required correction. Gerry Newman recruited other catteries and began to cross "curly-haired" with Persians, British, exotics and American short-haired murkies. As a result of experiments, the former angularity has been replaced by rounded features. Muzzle of the future Selkirks became cheeky, the nose shortened, eyes became large and round, and the body more balanced. In addition to the long-haired cats were born "sheep" with short hair.

Important! The name of the breed associated with the mountain range Selkirk (or Selkerk), located near the place where the first curly-haired kittens appeared. But there is another version: Geri Newman named the breed after his stepfather and added "rex" as a sign that his pets belong to the family of curly-haired fluffballs.

Appearance

The Selcric's head is medium-sized, rounded, with a broad skull. The muzzle also has a rounded outline, the cheeks are round and massive, a strong chin, and a nose with a pronounced foot. A distinctive feature is that Selkirk Rex's eyebrows and whiskers are curly, as is their coat. The ears are not very large, closer to medium size, wider at the base, set wide and a little high. A distinctive feature – the hair inside the ears curls in light waves. Selkirk eyes are round, expressive, set wide. The color of the eyes can be different. Generally it ranges from light yellow to amber. But colored individuals may sometimes have blue or green eyes. White Selkirks may also have eyes of different colors (one blue, another green, for example, but it is very rare).

The body of the Selkirk Rex is of medium size, sometimes encountered more large representatives of the breed. The body is not long, well-proportioned, the muscles are well developed. The shoulders and croup are almost the same width. The legs are long, graceful, muscular and strong. The paws relative to the body are massive and large.

The tail is proportional in length to the body, thick and massive, the tip of the tail is rounded. Selkirk hair is soft and silky, curls into charming curls, can be short or half-length. Color variations are acceptable in a variety of colors, including chocolate, mauve, colorpoint, and tortoiseshell.

Psychological Portrait

The Selkirk Rex is a wonderful companion cat breed, friendly and sociable, loving human company and fun outdoor games. They are very patient and gentle, perfectly related to all members of the family in which they live, with pets do not conflict, live peacefully. Selkirks value most of all communication with their owners, they can not do without it, and they become very attached to the owner, so Selkirk Rexes are not recommended to be left alone for a long time of their owner's absence. These cats adore to be in the center of attention, they like very much sitting in master's hands, cuddling and scratching by ear.

Selkirk cats are perfect for living in city apartments, they can easily adapt to temperature changes in a room and practically don't get ill from it. Thorough weekly grooming is needed for lush coat of these cats: combing no more than once a week (otherwise wool curls will not be so presentable), it's enough to bathe a cat once a month. It is very important not to overfeed Selkirks, because it is one of those breeds that are prone to obesity. When overweight, these cats have an increased risk of polycystic kidney disease and hip dysplasia.

Breed Characteristics

*The characteristics of the Selkirk Rex breed are based on lapkins.ru experts and feedback from cat owners.

The Selkirk Rex breed is very young, as its representatives formed into a closed breed only by 2015. The ancestor of this fluffy clan was a baby cat born to a non-breed shelter cat in 1987, in Montana. Soon the "wrong" kitten became known to Brigadier Jeri Newman and took the animal to her. The pet was named Miss De Pesto, after the heroine of the popular TV series "Moonlight.

The breeder crossed her curly-haired cat with a black Persian and had six kittens, half of whom inherited her mother's Rex "coat. Having established that the gene of wavy coat is of autosomal dominant type and that the probability of giving birth to offspring with rex fur is 1:2, Newman resorted to outcrossing. As a result, until 2015, Selkirk Rexes were interbred with either British or American Shorthair cats, or with exotic cats, periodically adding blood from Persians and Himalayans.

A curious fact:The Selkirk Rex is so far the only cat breed named after a specific person. When faced with the choice of christening her charges to be registered in the breeding books, Jeri Newman settled on her stepfather's last name, Selkirk.

Video: Selkirk Rex

Externally, the breed has little in common with members of other rex families, unless you focus on its coat. In particular the Selkirk is much more corpulent than the Cornish or Devon cats and looks more like the British with its chubby cheeks and round, perpetually surprised eyes. The constitution of this feline clan is close to cobby-type, due to what they look like a sort of teddy bear cubs. Some long-haired Selkirk Rexes look like Persians, – representatives of such lines are found a bit less often, but they also have their admirers among breeders.

It is also worth noting that since the breed was bred by outcrossing (crossing with unrelated breeds of cats), a fair number of straight-haired kittens called Selkirk Straights were born. These animals have a standard build type, and are sometimes allowed to be bred. Moreover, when you mate a straight-haired and a curly-haired Selkirk, there are far more curly-haired kittens than there are in a classic outcrossing.

Head

The Selkirk Rex has a well developed round skull and noticeably protruding cheeks. The muzzle is moderately broad, tending to rectangular in shape, with voluminous pads vibrisses. The upper lip, the most prominent part of the chin and the tip of the nose are on one line. When examining the head from the side, the stop is distinctly visible. The nasal dorsum lies below eye level. The vibrissae and eyebrow hairs are curly.

Eyes

The main requirements for the eyes of the animal: large, rounded, widely spaced. CFA allows iris colors from copper to yellow. Green and blue colors are acceptable for white and colorpoint cats. Heterochromia iris is also acceptable for whites.

Ears

Medium sized and very widely set ears should fit into the round contours of the Selkirk Rex head. The hair inside the ears is curly.

Summary

• Breed name: Cornish Rex
• Country of Origin: United Kingdom
• Time of origin of the breed: 1950
• Weight: 3-5 kg.
• Lifespan: 14-16 years old.
• Hypoallergenic: Yes

• The Cornish Rex is considered one of the most active cat breeds, so prepare in advance to become the owner of a playful fidget.
• This rare cat breed features a curly coat that is so soft that many compare it to astrakhan or velvet.
• The graceful body of the animal hides a strong and well-developed musculature, which helps it to reach the highest and hardest-to-reach corners of the apartment.
• "Englishmen" and "Americans" have slight differences in their appearance: the former look more massive and large.
• The Cornish Rex loves to take part in their family's life, and therefore often romps around underfoot "commenting" on what's going on with its happy meow.
• Not bad gets along with children, does not conflict with other animals, but a sense of jealousy is still inherent in this breed.
• The Redneck does not like to spend his days alone, so try to give your pet most of the free time.
• Representatives of this breed perfectly amenable to training due to their high intelligence and do not pose any problems in the process of education.
• They are easy to care for and therefore will not cause difficulties even for people with no experience in keeping cats.
• Animals are famous for their excellent health and almost complete absence of genetic diseases.

The Cornish Rex is sure to be the main reason for your carefree smile and frequent laughter. Maneuverability and inexhaustible energy of the cat gives it similarity with the perpetual motion machine, which was not invented, but somehow incredibly found its reflection in the four-legged beauty. The Cornish Rex is the animal that will get to the highest box, the most remote corner of your apartment, and its helpers will be agile and surprisingly strong paws. Do not choose this breed if you like more independent and quiet cats.

Breed characteristics

*The description of the breed Cornish Rex is based on the evaluation of experts and feedback from cat owners.

Not many people know that the world could see the new breed much earlier than in the middle of the XX century. A few years earlier, its first representative had been spotted in Berlin near a hospital. Passers-by did not pay due attention neither to the charm of the kitten, nor to its short, curly hair: the post-war years forced the Germans to think about more important things than a stray, albeit unusual, animal. For this reason, the Cornish Rex breed officially began its existence in 1950, and to blame for this an ordinary accident.

One July morning Nina Ennismore, owner of a small farm near the village of Bodmin Moor in Cornwall, was surprised by an unusual kitten, which was fundamentally different from his brethren in the litter. While the four-legged inhabitants of English farms had a dense coat, a round head, and an impressive skeleton, the newborn baby had a curly coat, a flexible body, and a wedge-shaped head. The ears-locators gave the kitten a resemblance to a representative of an extraterrestrial civilization, and the chosen nickname was no less eccentric: the baby was called Calibunker.

Miss Ennismore was fascinated by the new ward, seeing in it something more than a pronounced mutation. However, because of her short-sightedness, the woman almost gave up on the Cornish Rex, deciding to take the mature pet to neutering. Fortunately, the vet, who approached Nina, had a lot of knowledge in genetics and discerned in Calibunker a possible progenitor of a new breed. Listening to the doctor's recommendations, Miss Ennismore approached the breeders, who at the time were reputable and deeply respected men, A. C. Jude and B. Stirling-Webb.

Dr. Jude confirmed the vet's words: the Calibunker is the first representative of a new breed that is fundamentally different from those already registered. The responsibility for its development fell on the shoulders of Nina Ennismore, who came up with the name, Cornish Rex. The first part of the word pointed to the birthplace of the breed, while the second part spoke not about the aristocratic origins, but served as a kind of reference to the woman's former activities. For example, she bred Astrex rabbits, which, like the Calibunker, had curly coats.

Care and keeping

Taking care of a short-haired curly-haired pet is not difficult at all – even someone who has never kept cats can cope with it. The animal must have its own individual watering places and bowls for food, scratching posts, toys, and its own private place in the house, where it can rest from fuss.

From a young age, astrakhan Sphynx should be accustomed to hygienic procedures – trimming its claws, washing its eyes, brushing its ears and teeth.

The best time to hygienize the pet is when it is in a good mood, in no case do not do it by force. To treat the ears it is advisable to buy a special lotion, the eyes can be washed with a cotton pad soaked in plain boiled water.

If the pet is found to have acidity, either tea brew or chamomile broth should be used instead of boiled water. If the redness does not go away, the discharge from the eyes does not disappear after treatment, the pet should be shown to the veterinarian.

The oral cavity of cats is treated once a month. A special bit on the finger and cat toothpaste are used for this purpose. If you do not have a nozzle – no problem, you can do for this purpose sterile bandage wrapped around your finger.

What to feed with

Because of their excessive activity and lack of long hair to help provide the necessary thermal balance, Cornish are more likely to be hungry than their woolier counterparts. This characteristic can make the Cornish seem like a glutton, always begging for tidbits.

The owner should not give in to such provocations from the curly-haired Cornish sphinx. Dry food should be given within the manufacturer's defined daily allowance, otherwise excessive food can lead to obesity.

If the owner prefers to feed the pet a balanced dry food, breeders recommend at least occasionally diversify the cat's diet with natural food.

Pros and cons of the breed

To the positive aspects of life under one roof with a Cornish Rex can be attributed their affectionateness and friendliness. Active and cheerful curly-haired kitty will not get bored in loneliness, and after cuddling and purring in the ear of the owner his song filled with tenderness, cheer up and remove the gloom. Sort of curly-haired antidepressant. A mutt is clean, easy to teach, and capable of performing simple tricks. Cornish are easily accustomed to the litter box, and they don't smell.

The item about disadvantages made you think for a long time – the lamb cat doesn't seem to have any disadvantages. Only the occasional Cornish stubbornness might seem like a minor disadvantage. But willfulness and having your own opinion in a cat is a manifestation of its intelligence.

Devon Rex

Devon Rexes have their origins in Britain, where in the 60s the first kitten with a unique "alien" appearance was born. It was a black cat named Kearley, who became the ancestor of the breed.

The exterior of his offspring is so unusual that Devon Rex cats are often compared to such fairy creatures as elves and fairies.

The ears of these cats are large, widely spaced. The color of the large, expressive eyes must be in harmony with the color. Most often the color of the eyes of Devons is yellowish or greenish. But Siamese-colored animals have unusual, sky-blue eyes.

Wool is very soft, pleasant to the touch and hypoallergenic. Colors can be any, both monochrome and mottled.

Devon-rax are energetic and active, they love to run, jump and play, because of which they are often compared to monkeys. These cats have well-developed fine motor skills, which makes their movements unusual and funny.

They have a developed intellect and are well trained. However, due to their small size, Devon Rex cats must be handled with care and sensitivity. These cats do not tolerate draughts and need to be kept indoors only.

The Devon Rex has no sense of satiety. If you feed a pet relying on its sense of hunger, the slender and refined "elf" will very quickly lose its natural grace and get very fat.

The Cornish Rex .

The first cats of this breed appeared on a British rabbit farm. This happened in the 1950s, but the official recognition of the Cornish Rex was not until 17 years later. Siamese and common house cats were involved in the breeding process.

As a result, incredibly graceful and slender animals were born. The Cornish Rex has a lean build, tall long legs, and a thin tail. Ears are huge, widely set, eyes rather large, roundish form.

Cornish Rex cats remind sphinxes, but they have thin curly hair without fluff, the structure similar to astrakhan. These cats are friendly and inquisitive. They are great with people, including children, as well as pets. They are intelligent and not bad at training.

Owners note an amazing feature of the Cornish Rex: that the pet doesn't meow, but practically talks. Sometimes it seems to repeat after the man the words pronounced, which looks very unusual.

Devotion Cornish Rex to their owners is amazing. Once attached to a person, the cat will be faithful to him for life.

Summary

• The Burma is a dog in a cat's body, which loves its owner and is ready to follow him on his heels.
• The animal's grace is not at all confused with its impressive mass, which is why cats are called "bricks in silk".
• There are two standards of the breed – American and European, which differ from each other in appearance.
• Burmese cats retain their playfulness and activity to a ripe old age and will not refuse to chase a thrown ball.
• The animal senses subtly the mood of the owner, so it will not bother with increased attention or, conversely, will make every attempt to cheer people up.
• Does not require any special conditions and therefore is suitable even for those who dared to have a cat for the first time.
• Burmese get along well with other pets as long as they do not become too hostile.
• This breed is an excellent choice for families with children: cats indulge in excessively active games and take part in them as much as possible.
• Animals are highly intelligent and easy to train.

Burmese cat – A short-haired breed with a vigorous temperament. It seems that the sun of the Ancient East, the historical homeland of the animal, is still reflected in the honey-gold eyes of the burma. The appearance and friendly nature of this elegant beauty won't leave even avid dog lovers indifferent. Judgment, superior intelligence and wisdom distinguish the Burmese cat from its congeners. According to ancient beliefs, this breed brings wealth and happiness to the home of those who managed to become a "copper cat" the best friend and loving owner.

Breed characteristics

*The characteristic of the Burmese cat breed is based on the assessment of experts and feedback from cat owners.

The state of Burma (now Myanmar) has always been famous for its fascinating landscapes and charm, typical only to the countries of Southeast Asia. The virgin nature of the jungle contrasted with the snow-capped mountains, and the white sand of beaches – with the stone buildings of ancient cities. It was in these mysterious lands that the ancestors of the Burmese breed – one of the most memorable in the world – appeared.

The first mentions of these animals date back to the XII century. Later cats received separate lines in the ancient book of poetry, which was replenished with new works during XIV-XVIII centuries. No less clear evidence of the ancient origin of the Burma is the images in the book of Siamese artists, on which among all representatives of the family of cats the animal with the physique and appearance of our oriental beauty stands out brightly.

The Burmese breed was highly respected by the inhabitants of the ancient state. These cats were allowed in temples, as they were equated with the highest creatures. Monks in every way took care of them, thus demonstrating their commitment to religion and service to the gods. At that time it was believed that a Burmese cat accompanied the soul of its deceased owner to the netherworld, giving him eternal rest. According to another legend, the Burma brought good luck and wealth, so these cats were purchased exclusively by aristocratic and royal families. The commoners had to make do with more "humble" breeds.

At the end of the XIX century Burmese cats first set foot on British soil, where at first the animals were known as black Siamese. Over time, the breed has spread to all continents of the world. It is an interesting fact that the ancestor of the breed as we know it was not a purebred specimen, but a cross between a Burma and a Siamese. In the first half of XX century, a retired navy doctor Joseph Thompson got a charming kitten named Wong Mau. The little cat grew into a graceful and royally majestic cat of reddish-brown color with dark tan. Fascinated by the individuality and appearance of his beloved pet, Thompson began to search for like-minded people, who would contribute to the development of the new breed and the creation of its standard. They were scientists of the University of California and enthusiasts from the local feline club.

How many cat breeds there are in the world

The world's first cat was domesticated 12 thousand years ago, but to this day scientists have not established reliably what kind of animal it was. One group of felinologists, is inclined to believe that it was a forest cat, and others – the steppe.

It is impossible to determine how many species there are in the world. The reason is that there are several cat federations (WCF, TICA, FIFe, CFA and others), each of which, for one reason or another, does not recognize certain breed.

So, there are cases when a breed is recognized by one association and another not, and the fault is the difference in standards. Also, at the time of counting the exact number of varieties, there is almost always a breed that is going through the stage of approval and collection of documentation. In addition, there are also species that have emerged through the efforts of amateur breeders, but there is no information about them.

Difficulties with the definition of the exact number arise also because each federation has its own classification, for example, for one reference point is the physique, and for another – the type of fur. For example, the Himalayan cat, which outwardly is difficult to distinguish from the Persian, TICA considers a separate breed, and others as a color variety of Persians.

The largest number of species is registered by the World Cat Federation, with 91 breeds. WCF established several breed varieties, which are categorically not recognized by TICA and FIFe.

WCF also refuses to recognize short-haired domestic cats and some non-registered species.

There are 50 breeds on the FIFe list. It is worth noting that the list includes Seychelles shorthaired and longhaired cats, which are not allowed to be registered by WCF and TICA.

The International Association (TICA) has officially approved 73 species.

The smallest number of breeds is officially recognized by the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) – only 45!

Cat breeds by size

Cats, unlike dogs, differ little from each other in weight and height. However, in view of the differences that exist, it is customary to divide these animals into four groups.

Large

Not only among dogs, but also among cats, there are breeds that are impressive in height. The large category includes pets that are 60-80 cm tall.

Did you know that according to the Guinness Book of World Records, the tallest cat in the world today is a savannah cat named Arcturus Aldebaran Powers. His height at the withers is 48.4 centimeters! The record was set in 2018.

But the title of the longest cat ever lived in the world belongs to a Maine Coon named Stewie. His body length from the tip of his nose to the tip of his tail was 123 cm. The record was set in 2010, and Stewie died in 2013. But in spite of this, he is still the longest domestic cat.

Big

The category is represented by compact, long-legged animals with a narrow chest. The height of such animals is 45-60 cm.

A cat in "sheep's clothing".

It's time for us to get acquainted with the cats, whose coat resembles sheep's fur.

The Selkirk Rex cat breed stands out mainly for its coat, which accurately describes their nickname "sheep's cat."

This is a relatively young cat breed, as it was bred in the late 20th century.

These members of the feline family have earned the love and adoration of millions of cat lovers around the world not only for their sweet looks-they are also recognized as one of the most affectionate and playful cat breeds.

The Selkirk Rex cat breed was bred in the United States in 1988. One day, in a shelter for the homeless in Montana got a small, seemingly thoroughbred cat.

She was about to calve. When the kittens were born, one of the kittens turned out to have curly hair.

The shelter staff decided to show her to Jerry Newman, an experienced breeder.

Jerry Newman, without thinking twice, took the kitten to his home and later crossed her with his black Persian cat.

In the first litter of kittens, only two fit the description of the Selkirk Rex breed. Subsequently, the new pet never produced another kitten that looked like a Selkirk Rex.

At the same time, Newman determined that the curly hair was due to a genetic mutation that appeared naturally and affected hair characteristics, making it curly and fluffy.

Jerry Newman decided to improve the appearance of the breed and subsequently already crossed the kitten from the first litter with other Persian cats, of different colors.

The Selkirk Rex was officially registered with the TICA in 1990.

From the name of the breed, one might assume that the Selkirk Rex is similar to other members of the feline family, the Devon Rex or Cornish Rex, but this is not true, because the prefix "Rex" that is used for all three breeds indicates the presence of curly (frizzy) hair exclusively.