Compare
Cornish Rex vs Selkirk Rex
Two curly-coated cats with different tempers. The Cornish is a small, fast, thin-coated athlete; the Selkirk is a plush, placid, medium-sized cuddler.
Verdict
Pick by coat and pace. The Cornish Rex has a fine, waved coat of down hair, weighs 6 to 9 lb, and scores top marks for energy. The Selkirk Rex has a plush coat of loose random curls in short and long forms, scores moderate for energy, and rates top marks with children. Do not assume either coat means low shedding or low grooming: the profile warns that the Selkirk needs regular combing. Choose the Cornish for a sprinter, and the Selkirk for a calm family cuddler.
Choose the Cornish Rex if
- You want a small, athletic, constantly playful cat.
- You prefer a thin coat that needs little grooming.
- You can keep the house warm.
- You want a breed with no named health watch-list in its profile.
Choose the Selkirk Rex if
- You want a calm, cuddly cat for a family with children.
- You like a plush, curly coat and will comb it regularly.
- You want a sturdier, larger cat, with males around 12 to 15 lb.
- You will ask the breeder about kidney disease, heart disease and hip dysplasia.
Where they are alike
Both have curly coats from a rex gene and both rate well with other pets. Both score high for affection and prefer company to long hours alone.
Side by side
| Cornish Rex | Selkirk Rex | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Rex, hairless, fold and dwarf | Rex, hairless, fold and dwarf |
| Origin | Cornwall, England | Montana, United States |
| Size | Small | Medium |
| Typical weight | 6-9 lb (2.7-4.1 kg); males are slightly larger | Males about 12-15 lb (5.4-6.8 kg); females are somewhat smaller |
| Lifespan | 12-15 years | 12-15 years |
| Coat length | Short | Medium |
| Coat | Very fine, soft, tightly waved coat of down hair only, with no guard hairs | Plush, curly coat with loose random curls, in short and long varieties |
| Cat Fanciers' Association | Championship breed since 1964 | Championship breed since 2000 |
| How common | Uncommon | Uncommon |
| Affection | 5 | 4 |
| Energy | 5 | 3 |
| Playfulness | 5 | 3 |
| Talkativeness | 3 | 2 |
| Grooming needed | 2 | 3 |
| Shedding | 2 | 3 |
| Good with children | 4 | 5 |
| Good with other pets | 4 | 4 |
| Happy alone | 2 | 2 |
| Trainability | 4 | 3 |
| Suits a small home | 4 | 4 |
| Allergies | No breed is hypoallergenic. The thin coat sheds less hair than most, but allergens come from saliva and skin as well as fur. | — |
| Suits | An active household that wants a playful, people-loving cat and can keep the home warm. | A family or a household that wants a calm, cuddly cat with an unusual coat and does not mind regular combing. |
| Less suited to | A cold house, a home that is empty all day, or anyone who wants a calm lap cat. | Anyone who wants an energetic, athletic cat, or who expects a rex coat to mean low shedding. |
| Registries that recognise it |
|
|
| Health conditions to watch | — |
|
Facts come from each breed's profile. Scores run from 1 (low) to 5 (high) and describe a breed in general. Every cat is an individual, so meet the cat before you decide.
Last reviewed November 7, 2026