| Not all cats advertised as miniature are teacup | | | | combination of Persians and Exotics was developed in |
| kittens. Be aware that the standard size female cat | | | | California by Cher Simmitt. The MiniPers are primordial |
| will weight about 11 to 14 pounds. The standard size | | | | dwarves and their bodies are proportionate in every |
| male cat will weight about 12 to 17 pounds. A teacup | | | | way except that they are smaller than the standard |
| size female cat will weight about 3 to 6.5 pounds and | | | | Persian and Exotic. The MiniPaws are a hybrid and |
| the teacup size male will weight about 3 to 7.5 | | | | carry the genes of both the achondroplastic and |
| pounds. This is a good rule-of-thumb to keep in mind | | | | primordial dwarfism. They are small in proportion and |
| when shopping for a teacup. Some unscrupulous | | | | have shortened legs thus, causing the legs to be |
| breeders will try to sell you a cat under ten pounds | | | | somewhat deformed. They are a good example of |
| as a teacup when that weight falls within the normal | | | | the mutation of the dominant gene and its affect on |
| weight range for a standard cat. When shopping for | | | | the hormones that control bone growth. . |
| a teacup do not be fooled by a breeder that will try | | | | The Napoleon was developed intentionally by mating |
| to sell you a runt or tell you that any cat less than | | | | a Munchkin with a Persian. They have long coats and |
| ten pounds is a miniature. | | | | beautiful big eyes much like the Persian. The Napoleon |
| Teacup kittens come in a variety of breeds. These | | | | is the newest of the teacup breeds. |
| cats are bred to be small by inbreeding. The smallest | | | | The Lambkin was developed by cross breeding a |
| cat of one breed is mated with the smallest cat of | | | | Munchkin with a Selkirk Rex. They are called Lambkin |
| another breed progressively in each generation and | | | | because of their soft curly coats that resemble the |
| with each mating a miniature or teacup cat is born. | | | | coat of a lamb. Most of the miniature or teacup |
| The result of this type of breeding results in | | | | kittens are cross breeds of Persians and Exotics and |
| dwarfism. There are two forms of dwarfism where | | | | are the most popular and sought after of all of the |
| teacups and other miniature animals are concerned | | | | miniature breeds. |
| and they are achondroplastic where the dominant | | | | Many people want the teacups because they're cute |
| gene will, through mutation, affect the hormones that | | | | and resemble kittens. They are easy to hold and |
| control bone growth, and the primordial which occurs | | | | carry and most of them are lap cats. However, be |
| naturally. At this point let's cover the most common | | | | forewarned, they may be kittens when you buy |
| breeds of miniature (teacup) cats. | | | | them but like all other cats they grow up and lose |
| The most popular of the teacup kittens is the | | | | their kittenish ways. They are after all, cats and cats |
| combination of Persian and Exotic. The MiniPer, a | | | | do not stay kittens forever. |