Don't Miss It! -- Unusual Selkirk Rex Cat Coming To Seattle Show

If you're one of those people whose curiosity is piqued by unusual breeds, then next weekend's Evergreen Cat Fanciers' 18th big 14-ring, all-breed benefit show at the Seattle Center Flag Pavilion is a don't-miss affair.

The featured feline will be a Selkirk Rex, one of approximately 90 worldwide. Called "the cat in sheep's clothing," this distinctive creature is the result of a mutation that occurred in a litter of house cats born in Wyoming in 1987. The original, a blue-and-white longhair, was given to Persian breeder Jeri Newman of Livingston, Mont., the matriarch of the Selkirk Rex.

In 1988, Newman bred the curly-coated aberration to a black Persian, producing six offspring, three of which were curly coated, the trademark of the new breed. This indicated that the coat was caused by a dominant mutation, says Newman.

The International Cat Association (TICA) and American Cat Fanciers Association (ACFA) are the only registries accepting the Selkirk Rex and allowing it to be shown in the New Breed or Color class.

Since entering the TICA ring, the cat has been a knockout, capturing one blue ribbon after another.

When Jeane Camarena of Azusa, Calif., brings her 7-month-old Bo Peep's Kurle Sioux of Abracurldabra here next weekend, it will be seeking its fourth consecutive triumph in TICA show rings. Earlier it took top honors in Ontario and Arcadia, Calif., and in Paris. Yes, that's right, Paris.

"Judges are starting to get used to the Selkirk Rex," says Camarena, an American curl and British shorthair breeder. "Since I've been through the introduction process with the curl, I thought it would easier the second time around."

While judges may becoming somewhat accustomed to seeing the Selkirk Rex, it ranks a novelty for the public. The breed becomes the centerpiece of every show in which it is entered. Seattle certainly will be no exception.

The pioneering Newman is selective about who buys the kittens. Camarena's impressive credentials with the American curl - she bred TICA's first supreme American curl - and the fact she owned a select show-quality British shorthair with which to breed the Selkirk Rex, convinced Newman that Camarena would be a superb ambassador and future Selkirk breeder.

Pet quality Selkirk Rexes sell for $600, with show stock ranging from $800 to $1,600.

"My Selkirk Rex and British shorthair should produce some beautiful kittens," says Camarena. "The shorthair looks like a Selkirk without a curly coat."

One of show spectators' favorite questions to Camarena, Newman and others is "Where did you get your cat permed?" "I usually reply, `Oh, it's just their natural look.' "

This all-American newcomer is very people oriented and unflappable in most household environments. In essence, it's your consummate lap cat.

Everywhere Camarena and Newman travel, they acquire more names for their ever-growing waiting list for kittens. "Price doesn't stop a lot of people," says Camarena. "It's love at first sight with the Selkirk."

Because it's a new breed, any color is permissible. Red and white, black and white, colorpoint, tortoise-shell and cream are some of the most common coat colorings. Camarena figures to see some diluted blue mixes when her British shorthair and the Selkirk are mated. Eye color, according to the standard, should conform to the coat color.

Since there is no known similarity to this dense-coated character, the Selkirk Rex will be outcrossed with the American shorthair, British shorthair, exotic shorthair and Persian for several years. When sufficient numbers of unrelated cats are produced, the registry will be closed.

And, oh, yes. Newman can't make it to the Seattle show next weekend. She'll be in Florida at a Cat Fanciers Association board-of-directors meeting, making a presentation in hopes they will consider extending registry and show privileges, too, for the novel cat.

The Seattle show, which has an entry field in excess of 200, is scheduled for 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday. Almost two dozen vendor booths, featuring feline gifts and supplies, along with several representatives from area pet organizations, will also be on hand.

Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for seniors and children over 6.

Proceeds will benefit the Washington State Federation of Animal Care and Control Agencies' spay and neuter awareness program, Snap '92, in May.

-- Mail information regarding dog or cat events to Classified Division, attn. Marilyn Fairbanks, Dog Events and/or Cat Events, The Seattle Times, P.O. Box 70, Seattle, WA 98111. Include a public phone-contact number.