Dwarf cat

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A Munchkin with legs extended

A dwarf cat is any domestic cat which has the condition of dwarfism due to a genetic mutation. Unlike undersized cats of normal proportions, dwarf cats display symptoms of osteochondrodysplasia – genetic disorders of bone and cartilage, typically manifested as noticeably short legs.

Since the mid-twentieth century, cat breeds with embedded dwarfism have been developed for commercial sale. The ethics of their selective breeding is hotly debated, and many countries prohibit it as cruelty to animals.

Characteristics

The term "dwarf cat" is incorrectly applied to cats such as Toy and Teacup Persians which, though small, are breeds of normal feline proportions.^[1] True dwarf cats are chondrodysplastic and have much shorter and thicker legs. Typically half a dwarf cat litter are non-dwarves born with normal leg length.

Breeds

The Munchkin is the original breed of dwarf cats. The The International Cat Association (TICA) gave recognition to the Munchkin as a breed in 1994,^[2] along with a Persian–Munchkin hybrid, the Napoleon.^[3] Other proposed breeds like the Skookum and Bambino have not been given recognition, although a Sphynx–Munchkin hybrid, the Minskin, is under study.^[4]

Recognition and controversy

Unlike TICA, most cat registries and pet associations do not recognize any dwarf cat as a legitimate breed. The animals are excluded from most major pet shows and contests. Largely an American phenomenon, they are not widely accepted outside of the United States. In its registration rules, the Fédération Internationale Féline prohibits breeds based on dwarfism, and specifically mentions the Munchkin as an example of unacceptable manipulation of "genetic disease".^[5] They are effectively banned under the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals and have been strongly condemned in the British magazine Cat World. In the US itself, the ASPCA admonishes its supporters to "stay vigilant" against the small but spreading market.^[6]

References

↑ http://www.messybeast.com/dwarfcats.html
↑ "Munchkin breed introduction". Tica.org. TICA, Inc. 2013. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
↑ "Napoleon breed introduction". Tica.org. TICA, Inc. 2013. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
↑ "Minskin breed introduction". Tica.org. TICA, Inc. 2013. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
↑ Breeding and Registration Rules: 2.7.3 Genetic Diseases. Fédération Internationale Feline
↑ "Cat History". Aspca.org. ASPCA. 2013. Retrieved 13 December 2013.

External links

Short-Legged Cat Breeds

v t e Cats

Felinology	Cats in ancient Egypt Cats and Islam Anatomy Genetics Dwarf cat Kitten Odd-eyed cat Squitten Coat genetics Bicolor cat Black cat Calico cat Deaf white cat Tabby cat Tortoiseshell cat

Health	Anesthesia Cat years Declawing Diet Acne Asthma Calicivirus Hepatic lipidosis Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy Immunodeficiency virus Infectious peritonitis Leukemia virus Lower urinary tract disease Panleukopenia Viral rhinotracheitis Flea Heartworm Neutering Polydactyly Rabies Ringworm Skin disorders Spaying Roundworm Tick Toxoplasmosis Vaccination

Behavior	Body language Catfight Catmint (Catnip) Communication Kneading Intelligence Play and toys Purr Righting reflex Senses

Human–cat interaction	Ailurophobia Animal-assisted therapy As pets Cat massage Cat meat Cat show Cultural depictions Farm cat Feral cat Ship's cat

Registries	American Cat Fanciers Association Canadian Cat Association Cat Aficionado Association Cat Fanciers' Association Fédération Internationale Féline Governing Council of the Cat Fancy The International Cat Association Associazione Nazionale Felina Italiana

Breeds (Full list)	Fully domestic Abyssinian American Curl American Shorthair Balinese Brazilian Shorthair British Shorthair Birman Bombay Burmese California Spangled Chartreux Colorpoint Shorthair Cornish Rex Cymric Devon Rex Donskoy Egyptian Mau European Shorthair Exotic Shorthair German Rex Himalayan Japanese Bobtail Javanese Khao Manee Korat Kurilian Bobtail Maine Coon Manx Munchkin Norwegian Forest Ocicat Oriental Shorthair Persian Peterbald Pixie-bob Ragdoll Ragamuffin Russian Blue Scottish Fold Selkirk Rex Siamese Siberian Singapura Snowshoe Somali Sphynx Thai Traditional Persian Tonkinese Toyger Turkish Angora Turkish Van Hybrid Bengal Chausie Savannah Serengeti Sokoke

Landraces	Aegean Cyprus Domestic long-haired Domestic short-haired Kellas Van

Book Category Portal

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike; additional terms may apply for the media files.