shorthair
Poodle Cat (Selkirk-type)
Origin: Germany
A curly-coated, teddy-bear of a cat whose soft woolly fur invites comparison to a lamb or poodle. Calm, cuddly and remarkably tolerant, it is one of the most relaxed and people-oriented of the curly breeds.
- Origin
- Germany
- Category
- shorthair
- Lifespan
- 13–16 yrs
- Size
- Medium to Large
- Weight
- 3.5–7 kg
- Coat
- Curly, plush and woolly
- Colours
- All colours and patterns
😺 Temperament
🏡 Best suited to
📊 Personality ratings
📜 History & origin
The German 'Pudelkatze' was an early 1990s attempt by breeder Rosemarie Wolf to combine curly coat, folded ears and a sturdy build. Though the original project faded, the enduring curly-coated cat most owners now know is the Selkirk Rex — a breed founded in Montana in 1987 from a single curly rescue kitten and famed for its plush, sheep-like coat.
🧼 Care & grooming
The curls are delicate: brush gently and infrequently, as over-grooming straightens the coat and can cause breakage. Curly whiskers are normal and often fragile. Regular ear checks and a good diet keep the woolly coat at its bouncy best.
🩺 Health notes
Selkirk-type curly cats are generally sturdy, but outcrossing to Persian, British Shorthair and Exotic lines means they can inherit Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) and Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM). DNA and cardiac screening of breeding cats is recommended.