The Selkirk Rex breed dates back to 1987 when a feral cat gave birth to a litter of five kittens in Montana. The breeders noticed that one of the kittens had a distinctly thicker coat of thick, curly fur.  

They discovered that she was a result of a spontaneous genetic mutation which made curly hair a dominant trait.

Unlike her relatives in the related breeds of Devon Rex and Cornish Rex, this little lady had a significantly thicker coat of three layers of fur.

Check out some adorable poodle cats with curly hair just like their ancestor:

Before the University of Veterinary Medicine confirmed that the Selkirk Rex was a genetically distinct line of cat, it was already recognized by The International Cat Association, the American Cat Fanciers Association and Cat Fanciers' Association.

Some people call them poodle cats, while others refer to "hem as the "cat in sheep's clothing." Whatever name you choose, one thing we can all agree to call them is cute!

Who could resist petting such soft, downy fur? In France, the common name for these adorable cats is "mouton chat" or "sheep cat."

It's quite appropriate, considering their soft, silky fur looks so much like wool!

While all animals produce some dander, these particular breeds produce less of it.

Since this cat breed is still relatively new and happens to be quite popular right now, you can expect the Selkirk Rex kittens price to put a dent in your wallet.

For general purposes, expect to spend anywhere from $500 to $800 for a healthy pedigreed Selkirk Rex kitten.

The Selkirk Rex price for a kitten can vary depending on coat color, gender, birth order, size, lineage, championship show status and other factors.

[h/t Huffington Post / Daily Mail/ Science Daily]

Have you ever seen a cat like this before?