The first Selkirk Rex was spotted in 1987 as a curly-coated, dilute calico female kitten in an otherwise normal straight haired litter of non-pedigree cats. Because the coat of the kitten was so unusual, the female kitten was adopted. When 14 months old, this young female, was mated with black Persian called "Photo Finish of Deekay", and on 4th July 1998 produced a litter of six kittens. Half of these displayed their mother's curly coat. It was soon clear that this was a new breed and the name of Selkirk was chosen for the breed, after the Selkirk Mountains in Wyoming. Other Rex Breeds are not however, to be introduced into the Selkirk development programme, because it is clear that the Selkirk is the only type of Rex that is genetically dominant. Encouraged by the success of the Selkirk programme, the breeders involved formed a Selkirk Rex Society and in August 1990 two American Cat Associations agreed to give official recognition to this new breed. There is now also a Rex Breed Association in Canada. The Selkirk Rex is currently bred into the British Short Hair, Exotic and Persian. The Selkirk Rex, the third Rex cat to appear on the North American show bench, is markedly different from the two Rex breeds that preceded it - the Cornish Rex and the Devon Rex. The Selkirk, however, is a medium to large cat with heavy bone that gives it surprising weight. With coats curly from birth, these rare cats are known as "Cats in Sheep Clothing". Their coats are soft, thick and plush with non-matting loose curls. Unlike other Rex breeds, the Selkirk comes in longhaired and shorthaired varieties. The shorthair's coat texture is soft, plushy, full and obviously curly. The Selkirk is found in virtually every color imaginable, including solid, shaded, smoke, tabby, bicolor, pointed, and mink. The degree of curl on the body varies with climate, season and hormonal factors. Selkirk Rex is very patient; tolerant, very laid back cats, cuddly and playful.