Are you a dog or a cat person? Chances are that you're fiercely pro bark or meow, and if it's feline friends who hold a special place in your heart, then you have to learn more about poodle cats.
Yup. Poodle cats. So even if you're a dog lover, chances are that these fluff balls will win you over too! As the name suggests, appearance-wise at least, you can get the best of both worlds.
Poodle cats are more formally known as the Selkirk Rex, and, as you can tell, they are off the scale cute and unusual!
According to Purina, poodle cats have lots of brilliant qualities, and they are independent, curious, and playful pets.
But perhaps best of all, their unique frizzy fur makes them stand out, which is why they've been growing in popularity among discerning cat owners.
So? Why are poodle cats called Selkirk Rex and not just poodle cats?
They get their name from the Selkirk Mountains in Wyoming, which is where the first litter of poodle cats was born back in 1987. Their unusual, curly coats is actually the result of a gene mutation, and an experimental breeding program found that it was a dominant trait - AKA it could be passed on through the generations.
The Selkirk Rex cat went on to get the obvious nicknames of 'sheep cat' or 'poodle cat', and it's become a popular pet in the US and Canada since that first litter was born.
Need any more evidence that cats make wonderful pets? Check out their hilarious reactions to these feline filters:VetStreet.com reports that poodle cats can have either a shorthaired or longhaired coat, weigh an average of 16lbs, and can live for around 13 years.
Purina recommends the longhaired variety receive daily grooming from their owners using a wide-tooth comb to get rid of any tangles and knots.
Meanwhile, the shorthand variety requires less grooming, and in both cases, you have to be careful not to overgroom the cat as it will make the curls in their coat less prominent.
In a nutshell, anyone can have a poodle cat. Just make sure you've got enough love, care, and depending on the variety, grooming time, to spare!