Official ICCF Breed Description
Brief Historical Overview
The Selkirk Rex is one of the few cat breeds that originated from a natural mutation, expressed in its distinctive wavy coat. The breed’s history began in Montana, USA, in 1987, when a kitten with an unusually curly coat was born to an ordinary domestic cat. This unique trait attracted the attention of breeders, and that kitten became the foundation of the new line. To stabilize the trait, crossings with Persians, British Shorthairs, and Exotic Shorthairs were used. The breed soon received official recognition and spread worldwide. Today, the Selkirk Rex is valued for its unusual appearance, dense “plush” coat, and calm, friendly temperament.
General Appearance
The Selkirk Rex gives the impression of a sturdy, well-built, and harmoniously proportioned medium-to-large cat. The body is rectangular, with a broad chest, strong musculature, and solid legs. The breed’s hallmark is its thick, wavy fur forming soft curls, which may range from tight and pronounced to light and loose. The head is round with smooth contours, large expressive eyes, and a soft, open expression. The face gives the impression of plush roundness. All lines are smooth and balanced, free from angularity.
Important Proportions
The Selkirk Rex’s proportions emphasize the balance between strong bone structure and rounded outlines. The head is proportional to the body, slightly rounded and not elongated. The muzzle is square and well defined but not coarse. The limbs are of medium length and in proportion to the body; the paws are round and solid. The tail is of medium length, proportional to the body, neither short nor overly long. The neck is strong and smoothly joins the head and body. The wavy coat should evenly cover the entire body, accentuating the cat’s solid form. The relationship between muscle and bone must be balanced, avoiding both fragility and heaviness.
Behavior and Temperament
The Selkirk Rex is known for its friendly, calm, and gentle temperament. These cats are sociable, affectionate, and enjoy human contact. They adapt well to family life, get along with children and other pets, and show patience and tranquility. Intelligent and adaptable, they are not demanding or intrusive. Their playfulness is moderate, and they appreciate both interaction and peace. Selkirks are loyal and affectionate toward their owners, often following them around the home while remaining unobtrusive. Their personality reflects a balance between serenity and liveliness.
Head
The head of the Selkirk Rex is large, broad, and rounded, with soft contours emphasizing the breed’s harmony. The skull is substantial, without flatness, and has a balanced width. The forehead is slightly convex, with a smooth transition to the nose and no pronounced stop. The cheekbones are well developed but not prominent. The muzzle is square, clearly defined, and proportional to the body. The chin is strong and aligned with the nose and lips. Male cats tend to have fuller cheeks, enhancing the breed’s expression, while females appear less massive but equally balanced.
Facial Part
The facial structure of the Selkirk Rex features a square muzzle emphasized by prominent whisker pads. The nose is of medium length, broad and straight, with a gentle indentation at the bridge but without a sharp stop. The lips are tight and neat, forming a clean outline. The chin is firm and well developed, maintaining proper facial proportions. The whisker pads are broad, with thick, long vibrissae that highlight the muzzle’s squareness. The face harmonizes with the large, round eyes and head, creating a plush and well-balanced look.
Eyes
The eyes of the Selkirk Rex are large, round, and wide open, giving the cat a gentle, friendly expression. They are set wide apart, with spacing equal to the width of the nose, emphasizing the head’s breadth. The color is bright and vivid, with all shades allowed to match the coat color. A clear and intense tone is preferred. The expression should be lively and kind, reflecting the breed’s calm and even disposition. The shape must remain round without excessive elongation or almond shape. Proper eye shape gives the Selkirk its characteristic “plush” expression.
Ears
The ears are medium in size, broad at the base, and taper smoothly to rounded tips. The set is moderate—neither high nor low—completing the rounded outline of the head. The distance between the ears corresponds to the skull width. The inner surface is covered with fine hair, and small tufts may appear on the tips. The ears should not be overly large, sharp, or widely spaced, as this disrupts the breed’s balance. Their shape and position emphasize the rounded head and proper expression.
Neck
The neck is of medium length, strong, and muscular, smoothly connecting the head to the shoulders and torso. It must not be too short or thick, which would make the cat appear heavy, nor too long and thin, which would spoil balance. In males, the neck is more powerful; in females, more refined but always firm. The topline is smooth, and the skin is elastic without folds. The neck should convey strength and proportion, complementing the overall ICCF type.
Body
The body of the Selkirk Rex is solid and rectangular, with strong musculature and a robust skeleton. The chest is broad and deep with rounded ribs. The back is straight, the loin strong, and the croup rounded and well developed. The abdomen is tucked up, the sides smooth, giving an impression of power without bulk. Proportions must remain balanced; the body should not appear too long or too short. The overall impression is powerful, stable, yet elegant. Fragility or excessive heaviness is undesirable. Body harmony defines the breed.
Tail
The tail is of medium length, proportionate to the body, and continues the back line smoothly. It is wide at the base, tapering gradually to a rounded tip. It must be flexible and free of kinks or deformities. Covered in dense, wavy fur forming soft curls—especially in long-haired varieties—the tail appears plush but not heavy. At rest it is carried naturally; in motion, it curves gently. A tail that is too short or too long disturbs the body’s harmony.
Forelimbs
The forelegs are medium in length and strength, straight, and parallel. The bones are solid but not coarse; the muscles are well developed, emphasizing power and stability. The elbows are directed backward, the pasterns firm and slightly sloping. The paws are round and large, with thick pads. The limbs must harmonize with the rectangular body and emphasize the breed’s solidity. Thin, short, or excessively long legs are faults.
Hind Limbs
The hind legs are more powerful and slightly longer than the front, providing strong and elastic movement. The thighs are muscular with well-defined joints, and the hocks are straight and parallel, neither close-set nor turned out. The paws are round and large, matching the front ones. The limbs ensure stability and smooth, balanced motion. Curved legs, cow-hocked stance, or disproportionate lengths distort breed type.
Gait and Movement
The Selkirk Rex moves with confidence, smoothness, and elasticity, reflecting its strong and stable body. The movement is free and well-coordinated, without stiffness or angularity. The hind legs provide a springy push, while the front legs move rhythmically in sync. The back remains level and firm. The cat’s step is soft and graceful, combining lightness with strength. Short steps, weakness in the pasterns, or limb misalignment are undesirable. Proper movement emphasizes harmony and balance.
Coat
The defining feature of the Selkirk Rex is its thick, soft coat forming uniform curls over the entire body. The fur is dense with a noticeable undercoat, giving a plush, textured feel. Curls are most prominent on the neck, chest, belly, and tail. The coat can be short or semi-long, but in both cases must retain its distinctive texture. The hair should feel soft and elastic, never coarse or matted. Kittens may have less defined curls, but adults must have clearly visible waves. Straight or harsh hair is a deviation.
Permissible Colors
The Selkirk Rex is accepted in all colors and patterns. Solid colors include black, blue, chocolate, lilac, red, cream, and their dilute variations. All tabby patterns—classic, mackerel, spotted, and ticked—are recognized. Bicolor, harlequin, van, colorpoint, smoke, silver, and golden shades are also allowed. All colors must be rich and even, with clear contrast in patterned cats. There are no restrictions on palette, but the color must complement the breed’s type and balance.
Size
The Selkirk Rex is a medium-to-large breed. Males are noticeably more robust, weighing 5–7 kg with a strong build and good muscle tone. Females are lighter and more refined, typically 3.5–5 kg. The height at the withers ranges from 30–35 cm in adults. The body must remain proportional, neither overly elongated nor short. Weight should correspond to the bone structure, avoiding fragility or heaviness.
Faults
Faults include any deviations disturbing the breed’s balance or type. A head that is too narrow or elongated, a weak chin, lack of square muzzle, or facial asymmetry are penalized. Small or almond-shaped eyes, faded color, or lack of intensity are faults. Ears that are too large, sharp, low-set, or wide-spaced spoil the expression. A body that is too long, frail, or overly heavy, disproportionate limbs, elongated paws, or tails of incorrect length reduce quality. Straight, harsh, or sparse coats lacking curls or undercoat are faults, as are dull or uneven colors. Gait faults such as cow-hocks or weak propulsion are also undesirable.
Disqualification
Disqualifying faults include any severe deviations from the ICCF standard. These include the complete absence of curls in adults, fully straight or coarse coats, or tangled fur. Incorrect head shape—narrow, elongated, or pointed—and lack of square muzzle are disqualifying. Eye colors inconsistent with coat type (such as green or yellow in colorpoints), or misshapen eyes are faults. Bite defects, jaw deformities, or excessive tooth loss disqualify an animal. Tail deformities (kinks, nodes) or skeletal issues, limb deformities, lameness, or joint disorders are grounds for exclusion. Aggressive or extremely fearful temperaments that prevent handling are also disqualifying. Only cats with official ICCF documentation are eligible for breeding and show participation.
Important Notes
Particular emphasis is placed on coat condition during evaluation. The curls must be uniform, soft, and cover the entire body regardless of coat length. Seasonal thinning of the coat is acceptable. Strong bone structure, balanced body proportions, and correct expression are essential. Sexual dimorphism is evident—males are larger, females more delicate—but both must show harmony and strength. Breeding within the ICCF system is required to preserve unique traits. Crossbreeding with other breeds is prohibited, as it compromises type purity. All show and breeding cats must have ICCF documents verifying origin and pedigree.
Conclusion
The Selkirk Rex is a rare and distinctive breed, noted for its dense curly coat, solid build, and affectionate temperament. Under the ICCF system, it is regarded as a valuable breed requiring strict standard adherence. Key traits include a round head, square muzzle, large round eyes, strong body, and curled coat. All features must be harmonious and balanced. Only cats with ICCF documentation confirming origin and conformity to the standard may participate in shows and breeding. The breeders’ goal within ICCF is to preserve health, strong structure, correct coat texture, and stable temperament. The Selkirk Rex embodies both strength and softness — a natural wonder refined through responsible breeding, upheld and protected by ICCF.
