Dwarf cats
Encyclopedia
Dwarf cats are domestic cat
breeds which have the condition of dwarfism
due to a genetic mutation
.
The Munchkin
is the founding breed of chondrodysplastic (short-legged) dwarf cat. Through outcrossing
the Munchkin with a variety of normally proportioned cats a substantial number of dwarf breeds have been developed.
The major dwarf breeds as set out on the Dwarf Cat Association's website are as follows:
The development of dwarf cats is at a fairly early stage (since the mid 1980s) and dwarf cat breeders are striving for recognition with the major cat registries. They are not widely accepted outside of the USA. They are potentially banned under the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals (European legislation) and have been condemned in the British Magazine Cat World.
For example, an insight into registration problems http://www.pictures-of-cats.org/domestic-cat-breeds.html can be seen in respect of the Skookum as recited by the founder of this breed Roy Galusha.
Typically half the litter are born with normal leg length. These are not dwarf cats. In addition to chondrodysplastic dwarf cats, there are a number of normally proportioned very small cats. There are several lines of Teacup and Toy Persians currently bred. These are classically bred through selecting and breeding the smallest individuals from each generation to progressively downsize the breed http://www.messybeast.com/dwarfcats.html.
"Teacup" cats can cause controversy in the cat fancy with some people considering them scams or they offer the potential to deceive people who wish to adopt a small cat. Although there are very few miniature cat breeders. Some may be runts born too early
, or have nutritional deficits during kittenhood leading to retarded growth. When buying "teacups" of any animal it is necessary to exercise caution. Undersized cats also result from mutations such as types of mucopolysaccharides or other metabolic disorders.
As there are many different genes that stunt growth, and as small stature may be due to non-genetic causes or to "teacup" cats coming from kitten mills, it is unsafe to generalize on health issues. Less scrupulous breeders may mistake serious metabolic disorders as dwarfism. While some "teacup" cats do not show health problems, the health problems that have been reported in others include:
Cat
The cat , also known as the domestic cat or housecat to distinguish it from other felids and felines, is a small, usually furry, domesticated, carnivorous mammal that is valued by humans for its companionship and for its ability to hunt vermin and household pests...
breeds which have the condition of dwarfism
Dwarfism
Dwarfism is short stature resulting from a medical condition. It is sometimes defined as an adult height of less than 4 feet 10 inches , although this definition is problematic because short stature in itself is not a disorder....
due to a genetic mutation
Mutation
In molecular biology and genetics, mutations are changes in a genomic sequence: the DNA sequence of a cell's genome or the DNA or RNA sequence of a virus. They can be defined as sudden and spontaneous changes in the cell. Mutations are caused by radiation, viruses, transposons and mutagenic...
.
The Munchkin
Munchkin (cat)
The Munchkin is a cat breed created by a naturally occurring genetic mutation that results in cats with abnormally short legs. However, the shortness of their legs does not seem to interfere with their running and leaping abilities...
is the founding breed of chondrodysplastic (short-legged) dwarf cat. Through outcrossing
Outcrossing
Outcrossing is the practice of introducing unrelated genetic material into a breeding line. It increases genetic diversity, thus reducing the probability of all individuals being subject to disease or reducing genetic abnormalities...
the Munchkin with a variety of normally proportioned cats a substantial number of dwarf breeds have been developed.
The major dwarf breeds as set out on the Dwarf Cat Association's website are as follows:
- BambinoBambino (cat)The Bambino is a breed of cat that was created as a cross between the Sphynx and the Munchkin breeds.-Background:The first litter of Bambino kittens was registered in 2005. It was registered by TICA in 2005 as an experimental breed, Experimental Bambino, in 2006...
- A cross between a Munchkin and a SphynxSphynx (cat)The Sphynx is a rare breed of cat known for its lack of a coat.The contemporary breed of Sphynx started in 1966, in Roncesvalles, Toronto when a hairless kitten named Prune was born. The kitten was mated with its mother , which produced one more naked kitten...
http://www.pictures-of-cats.org/bambino-cat.html - Dwelf - A cross between a Munchkin and an American CurlAmerican CurlThe American Curl is a breed of cat characterized by its unusual ears, which curl back from the face toward the center of the back of the skull. An American Curl's ears should be handled carefully because rough handling may damage the cartilage in the ear. The breed originated in Lakewood,...
- NapoleonNapoleon (cat)The Napoleon is a breed of dwarf cat that is named after Napoleon. It is a short-legged cat that is closely related to the Munchkin.-Origin:...
- A cross between a Munchkin and a Persianhttp://www.pictures-of-cats.org/napoleon-dwarf-cat.html - SkookumSkookum (cat)Skookum is the name of a breed of cat. It is a small affectionate cat, very similar to a related breed called the Munchkin, but with curls similar to its other parent breed, the LaPerm. Its head is a broad modified wedge shape with rounded contours and medium large walnut shaped eyes. The head...
- A cross between the Munchkin and LaPerm cat http://www.pictures-of-cats.org/domestic-cat-breeds.html - Kinkalow - A cross between the Munchkin and the American CurlAmerican CurlThe American Curl is a breed of cat characterized by its unusual ears, which curl back from the face toward the center of the back of the skull. An American Curl's ears should be handled carefully because rough handling may damage the cartilage in the ear. The breed originated in Lakewood,...
http://www.pictures-of-cats.org/Kinkalow-dwarf-cat.html - Lambkin - A cross between a Munchkin and Selkirk RexSelkirk RexThe Selkirk Rex is a breed of cat with highly curled hair, including the whiskers . It is distinct from all other Rex breeds. Unlike the Devon Rex and Cornish Rex, the hair is of normal length and not partly missing, and there are longhair and shorthair varieties...
http://www.pictures-of-cats.org/lambkin-dwarf-cat.html - Genetta - A cross between Munchkin, Bengal catBengal CatBengal Cat may refer to:*Leopard Cat*Bengal , a domestic cat breed...
, Savannah cat, Domestic Short Hair cat and Oriental SH - exotic, spotted/marbled cat like a wild African Genet. - Minskin - A cross between Munchkin and Shynx cat, Devon Rex cat and Burmese cathttp://www.pictures-of-cats.org/minskin-cat.html
The development of dwarf cats is at a fairly early stage (since the mid 1980s) and dwarf cat breeders are striving for recognition with the major cat registries. They are not widely accepted outside of the USA. They are potentially banned under the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals (European legislation) and have been condemned in the British Magazine Cat World.
For example, an insight into registration problems http://www.pictures-of-cats.org/domestic-cat-breeds.html can be seen in respect of the Skookum as recited by the founder of this breed Roy Galusha.
Typically half the litter are born with normal leg length. These are not dwarf cats. In addition to chondrodysplastic dwarf cats, there are a number of normally proportioned very small cats. There are several lines of Teacup and Toy Persians currently bred. These are classically bred through selecting and breeding the smallest individuals from each generation to progressively downsize the breed http://www.messybeast.com/dwarfcats.html.
Teacup cats
Teacup cats are very small cats. They are not dwarf cats. The term "dwarf cat" relates to cats with short limbs but normal body conformation. Teacup cats have normal length limbs. Guinness World Records had a category for "Smallest Cat" which may have contributed to the desire to breed ever-smaller cats with potential health issues."Teacup" cats can cause controversy in the cat fancy with some people considering them scams or they offer the potential to deceive people who wish to adopt a small cat. Although there are very few miniature cat breeders. Some may be runts born too early
Premature birth
In humans preterm birth refers to the birth of a baby of less than 37 weeks gestational age. The cause for preterm birth is in many situations elusive and unknown; many factors appear to be associated with the development of preterm birth, making the reduction of preterm birth a challenging...
, or have nutritional deficits during kittenhood leading to retarded growth. When buying "teacups" of any animal it is necessary to exercise caution. Undersized cats also result from mutations such as types of mucopolysaccharides or other metabolic disorders.
As there are many different genes that stunt growth, and as small stature may be due to non-genetic causes or to "teacup" cats coming from kitten mills, it is unsafe to generalize on health issues. Less scrupulous breeders may mistake serious metabolic disorders as dwarfism. While some "teacup" cats do not show health problems, the health problems that have been reported in others include:
- Severe growth retardation causing bones to become misshapen and soft.
- Slowing rate of muscle mass growth. Causing weakness and a possibility of decreased use of limbs.
- Heart murmurs and enlarged heart.
- Seizures and other neurological problems, possibly causing blindness.
- Soft spot in top of skull, leaving cat susceptible to major head trauma.
- Misshapen jaw and bowed legs.
- Shortened lifespans
- Undeveloped or malformed reproductive organs http://www.pictures-of-cats.org/teacup-cats.html