Miniature or Dwarf cats
Rare Shortlegged Cat Breeds

Dwarf cats are domestic cat breeds that are characterized by short legs and have a condition known as dwarfism.

Cats with dwarfism generally have normal length torsos, normal shaped and size heads and abnormally short legs.

Experts in feline genetics believe that the genetic mutation that causes dwarfism in humans is very different to the one that causes dwarfism in cats.

In cats the condition is referred to as Hypo-chondroplasia and in humans as Achondroplasia. (Other factors that may cause dwarfism is a deficiency of growth hormones or chromosome abnormalities).

Whilst Achondroplasia is defined as a lack of cartilage formation, essentially, it’s a condition where the conversion of cartilage to bone is retarded.  The protein that is involved in the proper formation of bone is in some way affected by a genetic mutation. This protein becomes over-active which results in mal-formation of the skeleton and bones. Humans with dwarfism usually present with shortened limbs AND enlarged heads – in cats, only the legs are affected.

The Munchkin Cat

The first cat to be identified with short legs was a stray cat discovered in the USA in 1983. It was named the Munchkin Cat. The Munchkin cat's short legs are caused by a spontaneous automsomal dominant mutation.

Many dwarf cats have since been 'created' using the Munchkin as the foundation cat. These new cat breeds are often referred to as 'Designer Cats'. Our research has revealed that some people do question the ethics of breeding dwarf cats with other cat breeds with different genetic mutations. We provide the information - you decide. Dwarf cats are certainly gaining popularity amongst many cat lovers.

Bambino Cat

Visit our indepth Bambino Cat profile about this new and rare hairless cat breed. This small, sturdy cat was created by crossing the hairless Canadian Sphynx cat and the short-legged Munchkin Cat.

Dwelf Cat

The Dwelf Cat is a hybrid cat breed that was created using several cat breeds with unique and different genetic mutations. This results in a cat with a somewhat different and unique appearance. It combines the short legs of the Munchkin cat with the suede hairlessness of the Sphynx cat and the curled ears of the American Curl. Like all the dwarf cats, the Dwelf is considered a new cat breed.

Genetta Cat

The Genetta Cat was created by Shannon Kiley in 2006. It is a hybrid cat breed that was created using several cat breeds with unique and different genetic mutations, some of wild origin. It combines the short legs of the Munchkin cat and the exotic spotted and marbled coat of Savannah cats, the Bengal Cat, Ocicats and the Oriental Shorthair cat. The aim of this breeding program was to develop a cat that resembles the wild African Genet.

Kinkalow Cat

The Kinkalow was created in 1997, by the American cat breeder, Terri Harris. It is a hybrid cat breed that was created by crossing two cat breeds with different genetic mutations. The Kinkalow cat breed combines the short legs of the Munchkin cat and the curly ears of the American Curl. This breed is still 'under development' and as such a rare breed.

Lambkin Cat

The Lambkin is another cat developed by Terri Harris. This miniature cat breed was created by crossing two established cat breeds with unique genetic mutations. It combines the short-legged Munchkin cat and the unusual curly-coat of the Selkirk Rex. The result of this union is a cute curly coated cat with short legs.

Minskin Cat

The Minskin cat is a miniature 'hairless' cat breed. It is distinguished by its short legs and fur points on its face, nose, ears, tail and legs. Several established cat breeds were used in the creation of this dwarf cat - Munchkin cat (the original short-legged cat) and the Sphynx Cat (Canadian Hairless), the Burmese cat and the Devon Rex cat.

Napoleon Cat

Visit our comprehensive review of the Napoleon cat - a cross between the Persian Cat and the Munchkin cat. The aim of this breeding program was to create a miniature cat that combines the short legs of the Munchkin with the body-type and face of the sweet, doll-faced Persian cat.

Skookum Cat

The Skookum Cat is a hybrid cat breed that was created using two cat breeds with unique and different genetic mutations. It combines the short legs of the Munchkin cat and the rexed (curly) coat of La Perm cats.

Cat Related Pages:

Small Cat Breeds - a review of the Singapura Cat

Teacup Cats - the facts about miniature cats