Basically, the Napoleon Cat is a moderate to heavy boned cat possessing a round pleasing face with large round eyes. The uniqueness of the Napoleon Cat can be found in its extremely short legs which are the result of a naturally occurring spontaneous mutation known as hypochondroplasia, commonly known as dwarfism.
This type of dwarfism only affects the long bones of the leg. This has been a common occurrence in the dog world for centuries (i.e., Dachshunds, Basset Hounds, Welsh Corgis, etc.) but is a fairly recent occurrence in the cat world. The original short-legged cats have been developed into a breed called the "Munchkin."
The Napoleon Cat comes in long or short (brush coat) hair and any color is allowed. For a detailed description (or standard) of the Napoleon Cat, please refer to the Napoleon Cat Standard.
Please note: after years of testing and study we can say at this time that NO known health problems are cause by or related to the shortened forelegs of the Munchkin genetic trait. Cats , unlike dogs, are highly flexible and not nearly as prone to cartlige,spinal, or hip problems as canines. And dont let anyone convince you they cant jump just as high, or climb just as far up, or run just as fast as any cat, because it simply isn't true! If your wanting a pet who wont get on the counters without training it not to, you'd best get a dog! |
