Poodle cats could be the new rage for feline fans [w/pix]

Grind TV ^ | Monday, November 5, 2012 | Shannon Dybvig

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In 1987, a mutant kitten was born in Montana with hair like a poodle. Named Miss DePesto, this kitten grew up and birthed curly kittens of her own. As the curly cat family tree grew, Miss DePesto's descendants eventually became recognized as a new breed: the Selkirk Rex.

Now, 25 years and about nine kitty generations later, researchers at the University of Veterinary Medicine, Austria, have confirmed that these felines are genetically distinct from previously known breeds, making Selkirk Rex the fourth curly-haired cat breed known.

The genetic quirk that makes a Selkirk Rex's hair kink is a dominant trait. This makes the trait easy for breeders to retain even while crossing breeding to maintain genetic diversity. Selkirk Rex is usually crossed with Persians or British Shorthairs, making it a particularly laid back cat.

And while the Selkirk Rex is one of four curly-haired cat breeds, it easily has the best hair. Devon Rex and Cornish Rex are breeds with curly, downy, super-short hair, prone to balding, while the unimaginatively named LaPerm breed has curly hair of average length hair -- but not nearly as plush and thick as Selkirk Rex. Miss DePesto would be proud.

Check out some of these good looking mutant kitties below.

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More pix at source.

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[HANG THE EXPENSE]

Wow,I hope my wife doesnt see this.We have 5 cats already.

[HannibalHamlinJr]

I write this from my couch, lying on my side, with my own cat between my chest and computer.

She says “this is just wrong.”

[HANG THE EXPENSE]

:)

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Addictive, aren’t they?

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My three agree, but they’re prejudiced.

[Vendome]

Kewel.

[RichInOC]

“I like ’em curly.”

[Catsrus]

So are these the Shirley Temple of the feline family?

[ari-freedom]

Miss DePesto?

[HANG THE EXPENSE]

They are so cute and dont bark.Likin it.

[HANG THE EXPENSE]

CURLY TOP!

[MHGinTN]

I recently became the staff to a new little persian lady who has not one patch of naything but black fluffy fur. She is very vocal, has taken over as if she was born here, and deamdns closeness. I have no idea from where she arrived but she loves to roam the fields and bring back ‘treats’ she catches around the huge rolls of hay and along fence rows. I was wondering about trimming her fur in the Spring, if she stays around through the winter. I may trim her to look like a poodle cut! She has massive, soft paws and a wowish burst of fur on either side of her head, so the trimming would be pretty easy. (Hope she doesn’t read this and figure out what mischief I’m contemplating. ... Don’t laugh, she is one of the smartest cats I’ve ever known and she sits in a cahir behind me while I skate the Internet. She loves the videos at ICanHazCheeseburger.com

[HannibalHamlinJr]

My three agree, but they’re prejudiced.

They wouldn't vote for a white cat?

[MHGinTN]

I call her Middy, BTW, short for Midnight Cat.

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D00d!

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Figures Billy Jeff would be attracted to...never mind.

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So are these the Shirley Temple of the feline family?

I hope so - that would make them good Republicans.

[ari-freedom]

"I call her Middy, BTW, short for Midnight Cat."


I'd call her Maddie, to go along with the Moonlighting theme (see above).

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[MHGinTN]

I liked Remington Steel better ... Stephannie Zimablist was my ideal female.

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I use a lion cat for my (strictly-indoor) long-haired cat year-round. She seems to find it far more comfortable than her standard coat.

Congratulations on your new overlady.

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Two of mine are part-white themselves. (But don’t you dare call them 0bamacats! ;^)

[MaxMax]

Fur like a toilet seat cover.

[Titan Magroyne]

Hey, you’re right - LOL!

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[MaxMax]

I always wondered where those covers came from.

[Pinkbell]

That cat is gorgeous! I’d love to have one!

[boatbums]

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Then I hope one consents to have you as its servant.

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Perfect!

[RichInOC]

On second thought, he might prefer Sphynxes.

[missnry]

Sex Poodles Gone Wild!! Hide your pussy cats!!

[Pinkbell]

Haha! Actually, we already have two cats and four dogs. The Jack Russell we adopted from a rescue after the two cats, and his first instinct was to chase them. It took me months of keeping him on a leash and correcting him before he accepted them. That was 9 1/2 years ago. They get along perfectly fine now as he considers them part of his pack. I’m very skeptical that he would be kind to a new cat. Maybe someday I’ll have one, though.

[Daffynition]

Mutants. Not a big sell. Mutton 'n ham. Takes some getting used to.

[patriot08]

It's a shame what they've done to cats- from hairless to floppy ears to this travesty.

There is nothing more beautiful than the cat in its natural state.

[Hot Tabasco]

I don’t know why but that’s a funny looking cat........

[martin_fierro]

Don't. Just don't.

[To Hell With Poverty]

I’m with you! Don’t mess with perfection.

I think those stumpy-legged ones are an insult to the Creator!

[YankeeinOkieville]

Yep. I did. Shoulda listened.

[CodeToad]

dammit.

[meowmeow]

Curly cat ping!