One of the things that makes the Selkirk Rex so visually striking is the variety of colors and patterns the breed comes in. Unlike some breeds that are limited to specific colors, the Selkirk Rex is accepted in every color and pattern that exists in domestic cats. This guide covers all the standard colors you might find in a Selkirk Rex kitten.

The basics of cat color genetics

Cat coat color is determined by combinations of inherited genes. There are two base colors (black and red), modifiers (dilution, white spotting, tabby pattern, silver, etc.), and various combinations. The Selkirk Rex carries the same color genetics as any domestic cat, which is why the breed comes in so many variations.

Solid colors

Black Selkirk Rex

One of the most striking color variations. Black Selkirk Rex have a uniform deep black coat that contrasts dramatically with the curly texture. Eye colors are typically amber, copper, or gold. Browse Black Selkirk Rex kittens.

White Selkirk Rex

Pure white with no underlying pattern. Eye colors can be blue, green, gold, copper, or odd-eyed (one of each color). All eye colors are accepted in the breed standard. Browse White Selkirk Rex kittens.

Blue (grey) Selkirk Rex

Blue is the dilute of black, producing a soft, smoky grey-blue coat. The blue gene must be inherited from both parents to express. Blue Selkirk Rex have copper or gold eyes that pop beautifully against the cool tone. Browse Blue Selkirk Rex kittens.

Red (orange) Selkirk Rex

Technically called red in cat color genetics, more commonly known as orange. The bright orange coat catches light beautifully. Orange males are more common than females due to the way the red gene is inherited (it is sex-linked). Browse Orange Selkirk Rex kittens.

Cream Selkirk Rex

Cream is the dilute of red. A soft, warm buttery cream coat. Just like blue, cream requires both parents to carry the dilute gene. Cream males are more common than females.

Chocolate Selkirk Rex

A rare, warm brown that is distinctly different from black. Chocolate requires both parents to carry the chocolate gene, which is recessive. Browse Chocolate Selkirk Rex kittens.

Lilac Selkirk Rex

The rarest standard color. Lilac is the dilute of chocolate, producing a pale, frosted grey with warm pinkish undertones. Requires both parents to carry both the dilute and chocolate genes. Browse Lilac Selkirk Rex kittens.

Cinnamon Selkirk Rex

A warm, reddish-brown that glows in natural light. Cinnamon is one of the rarest base colors in cats. Cinnamon requires specific genetics from both parents and is considered a highly prized color in the breed.

Tortoiseshell, Calico, and Tortie patterns

Tortoiseshell (tortie)

A mix of black and red (or their dilutes) without white. Each tortie has a unique pattern. Almost always female due to the genetics of red color being sex-linked. Cinnamon tortie is a particularly rare variant.

Calico

Tortie with white. Black, red, and white patches distributed across the body. Each calico is one-of-a-kind. Calicos are almost exclusively female. Browse Calico Selkirk Rex kittens.

Dilute calico

The dilute version of calico. Blue and cream patches on a white background. Soft, muted, and equally striking as full calico.

Tabby patterns

Tabby patterns can appear on top of most solid colors. The four tabby patterns are:

• Mackerel tabby – vertical stripes running down the body
• Classic tabby – swirled, marbled pattern
• Spotted tabby – spots instead of stripes
• Ticked tabby – solid color with ticking pattern on individual hairs

Bicolor patterns

Bicolor refers to any solid color or tabby pattern combined with white markings. The amount of white varies:

• Mitted – white only on paws, sometimes chest
• Bicolor – roughly half white, half color
• Harlequin – mostly white with patches of color
• Van – almost entirely white with color only on head and tail

Smoke, shaded, and silver

These patterns involve the silver gene which causes hair to be color-tipped over a white or silver base. Smoke has the longest color tipping, shaded has medium tipping, and silver has the shortest. These patterns appear striking and unique against the curly Selkirk Rex coat.

Pointed Selkirk Rex

Pointed Selkirk Rex (also called colorpoint) have a light body color with darker points on the face, ears, paws, and tail. This pattern comes from the Siamese gene and is less common in Selkirk Rex than in other breeds.

"The Selkirk Rex is one of the few cat breeds where you can find essentially any color or pattern you can imagine. Every litter is a surprise."

How color affects price and personality

Color does not affect personality. Every Selkirk Rex, regardless of color, has the same calm, affectionate temperament that has made the breed famous. Rare colors like lilac, chocolate, or cinnamon sometimes command higher prices at other catteries, but at Selkirkish we price all kittens equally regardless of color. Color preferences are aesthetic, not behavioural.

The bottom line

The Selkirk Rex comes in every standard cat color and pattern. From classic black and white to rare lilac and cinnamon, no two litters look the same. Whatever color appeals to you, the Selkirk Rex personality stays the same: patient, affectionate, and family-friendly. Browse our currently available Selkirk Rex kittens or read the full Selkirk Rex breed guide.