These little cats look just like tiny stuffed animals, but we assure you — they are very real — and very adorable!
What is a Poodle Cat
Don’t be alarmed, this breed of cat is not a cross between a dog and cat — because that would be gross and weird. These little cats are also called “a cat in sheep’s clothing”, the actual name of the breed, given to the cat by researchers from the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, is the Selkirk Rex: a fluffy kitty with distinctively curly hair.
Where did the Selkirk Rex breed originate?
Well, in 1987 a litter of kittens was born in Montana to a feral cat. There was one kitten, however, who looked different than the rest: she had curly whiskers and as she grew, curly fur. Her unique look caught the eye of Jeri Newman, a breeder specifically for Persian cats, who was visiting the shelter where she was living at the time. He adopted her and gave her the name “Miss DePesto” after the secretary from the TV show “Moonlighting”, also known for her curly do.
When Newman adopted Miss DePesto, he had no clue if her curly hair gene was dominant or not. He bred her with his black Persian Photo Finish and waited to see what would happen. Sure enough, when the litter was born, 3 out of 6 kittens had curly hair. This proved that the gene was, in fact, dominant, making the Selkirk Rex the first naturally dominant curly-haired breed.
How can you tell if you have a Selkirk Rex in a new litter of kittens? Well, one would think to just look at their fur and see if it’s curly or not. That’s not a sure fire way to tell however because it is often hard to tell if a kittens hair is curly or not. Instead, look at the kitten’s whiskers. From the moment they are born, a Selkirk Rex will have super curly whiskers!
How to take care of a poodle cat
According to the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA), Selkirks are a generally strong, healthy breed. They are also patient, loving, and highly tolerant, making them wonderful pets to have. Their care does have to be somewhat different than other cats:
- Whether you have a short or long-haired Selkirk, in order to maintain their curls you must actually brush them less often than straight-haired cats.
- When bathing your poodle cat, you must be sure not to use shampoos that coat the fur. Ask your breeder or at your local pet store for recommendations.
- Be okay with your cat having a somewhat “messy” or “disheveled” look – they are supposed to look that way! Let their natural curls shine through.
The perfect pets
Selkirks are known to be very loving and affectionate cats. They are playful and attention-seeking and simply just want to be cuddled — how cute is that? If you just can’t resist their soft, curly fur and fun, snuggly personalities, be prepared to pay up! One Selkirk kitten can cost you anywhere from $500 to $800.
So basically, if you ever wanted your childhood curly-haired teddy bear to come to life, this is as close as you will ever get!
