Cats are often associated with certain characteristics such as purring and silky, straight fur. However, there are some felines with unique traits that are hard to believe – like cats with curly hair! These stunning cats belong to the Selkirk Rex breed and are truly a sight to behold.
Meet four cute and cuddly kittens named Tony, Manny, Sosa, and Elvira who are from Switzerland. These adorable felines belong to the Selkirk Rex breed, known for their distinctive round head, short muzzle, chubby body, and gorgeous curls. Their curly fur is what sets them apart from other breeds, which is why they are also called “sheep cats”. This breed of cat originated in the Selkirk Mountains in Montana in 1987 and was named after the place where they were discovered. The curly hair of these cats is due to a natural mutation from a blue tortoiseshell cat and a white cat.
The very first Selkirk Rex kitten, named Miss DePesto by her breeder Jeri Newman, was named after her stepfather. During Miss DePesto’s development, Newman realized that she carried not only the dominant curly-coat gene but also the recessive gene for long hair. This meant that both of her feline parents must have at least one copy of the long-hair gene to produce a long-haired offspring.
The Selkirk Rex breed was introduced to TICA’s board of directors in 1990 and quickly gained popularity. The CFA classified it into the miscellaneous class two years later, and it finally won the CFA championship status in 2000.
Selkirk Rex cats are known for their curly hair, but some of them actually have straight fur as they grow up. Despite this, their hair remains very soft, which has led to people referring to them as “teddy bears”. Four curly kittens from Switzerland have gained a lot of social media attention, with more than 111k followers on Instagram. Their adorable curls have captured the hearts of many cat lovers!
Feel free to spread the cuteness by sharing these delightful creatures with your loved ones. Are you considering adding a Selkirk Rex to your pet collection one day? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below. And be sure to browse through our website for more fascinating tales!
