The Lambkin Dwarf cat is an out-crossing between two naturally occurring “mutation cats” (cats whose genetic make up contains a mutated gene) one being a dwarf cat – the Munchkin (opens in separate window) – and the other a non-dwarf cat, the Selkirk Rex.
The Selkirk Rex was first developed in 1987 by Jeri Newman a Persian cat breeder. A kitten in the litter of a rescue cat had an unusual coat. Jeri took the kitten in and called her Miss DePesto (after a TV series character).
Jeri crossed DePresto with a Persian and discovered that half the litter had the curly coat, meaning the mutant gene was dominant (this link discusses the dominant dwarfism gene).
American Shorthairs, Persians, Himalayans, Exotics, and British Shorthairs have been used as out-crosses to develop this breed.
The picture is “a curly haired British Shorthair” – the Selkirk Rex, by and © copyright Helmi Flick who says that you can “see the Brit in the round face, round whiskers and round eyes”.
Having seen the appearance of the two cats that make up the Lambkin, you can understand that the Lambkin is a cat of short stature and curly coated as the pictures in the slide show demonstrate. It was possible to develop this breed because of the dominant mutant gene that exists in both breed parents. This means that both parents pass on their mutant gene to the offspring but not all the offspring.
The offspring that are non-standard (not dwarf cats) are usually spayed or neutered and re-homed. The Lambkin Dwarf Cat is registered with The International Cat Association (TICA) and The Dwarf Cat Association (TDCA). Breeders are seeking registration with the CFA as well (as at 2008). This cat breed has been known as the Nanus Rex. Nanus means dwarf apparently. The cat is better known as a Lambkin, however. A founding member of the TDCA and breeder of this breed is:
- Sandi Keefer – TDCA Founding Member –
http://web.archive.org/web/20160110160744/http://lambkincats.com/(functioning but not pointing to a cat breeder’s site) - Associated Page: List of dwarf cats and lots of links plus miniature cats
Russian bred male Lambkin
This is a Lambkin featured on Facebook. He is bicolor. I don’t have more information.
Return from Lambkin dwarf cat to the Home page
Note: This page has been re-dated and brought forward in the blog on 13th Dec 2018. It was written about 10 years ago or more and is still valid.
Why are you seemingly promoting the breeding and purchase of sentient beings deliberately created to carry & perpetuate functional deformity?
These posts usually attract people who want to breed/buy these poor beings.
I sometimes wonder why you appear to be in support of the production of such horrors of idiotic, vanity husbandry, yet come out in support of commentators who are against it?
Devils advocate creating a space for discussion of ethics or accidentally perpetuating a ‘market’?
Genuinely confused by this, not picking a fight or begging for a ban.