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Lambkin vs Munchkin
The Lambkin crosses the Munchkin with the Selkirk Rex. Both are short-legged dwarf cats with the same welfare concerns; the Lambkin adds a curly coat.
Verdict
The Lambkin is a Munchkin crossed with the Selkirk Rex, so the cats share the short-leg gene and the welfare debate over dwarfism. The difference is the coat and the record. The Lambkin has a dense, plush, curly coat that needs a little more care, and it is Very rare with no formal standard. The Munchkin has a short, plush or semi-long silky coat, and it is Uncommon, with a longer record. Both profiles name joint and spine problems. Choose the Munchkin for the easier search, and the Lambkin only if you want the curls and accept the debate.
Choose the Lambkin if
- You want a small, gentle, curly-coated dwarf cat.
- You have found a breeder who documents health.
- You do not need a cat that jumps to high places.
- You can wait for a kitten from a Very rare breed.
Choose the Munchkin if
- You want a dwarf cat with a smoother coat and lighter grooming.
- You want a breed that is easier to find.
- You are open to a sociable, small indoor cat.
- You will ask your vet about lordosis, pectus excavatum and osteoarthritis.
Where they are alike
Both are small cats of roughly 4 to 9 lb that are not recognised by the CFA. Both rate well with children and other pets, and both have osteoarthritis on their watch-lists.
Side by side
| Lambkin | Munchkin | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Rex, hairless, fold and dwarf | Rex, hairless, fold and dwarf |
| Origin | United States | Louisiana, United States |
| Size | Small | Small |
| Typical weight | About 5-9 lb (2.3-4.1 kg); no formal standard | 4-9 lb (1.8-4.1 kg); males are heavier |
| Lifespan | — | Often reported as 12-15 years; few studies |
| Coat length | Short | Short |
| Coat | Dense, plush, curly coat from the Selkirk Rex gene, in short or longer form | Short, medium-plush coat or a semi-long, silky coat |
| Cat Fanciers' Association | Not recognised by the CFA | Not recognised by the CFA |
| How common | Very rare | Uncommon |
| Affection | 4 | 4 |
| Energy | 3 | 3 |
| Playfulness | 4 | 4 |
| Talkativeness | 2 | 2 |
| Grooming needed | 3 | 2 |
| Shedding | 3 | 3 |
| Good with children | 4 | 4 |
| Good with other pets | 4 | 4 |
| Happy alone | 3 | 3 |
| Trainability | 3 | 3 |
| Suits a small home | 4 | 4 |
| Suits | Someone who understands the welfare debate, has found a breeder who documents the health of their cats, and wants a small, gentle curly-coated companion. | An owner who accepts the welfare debate over dwarfism, has found a breeder who is open about health, and wants a small, sociable cat for an indoor home. |
| Less suited to | A home that wants a cat with no inherited skeletal risk, or one that can jump to high places. | Anyone who wants a cat that jumps and climbs freely, or who is not willing to buy a cat with a recognised skeletal condition. |
| Registries that recognise it | — |
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| Health conditions to watch |
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Facts come from each breed's profile. Scores run from 1 (low) to 5 (high) and describe a breed in general. Every cat is an individual, so meet the cat before you decide.
Last reviewed November 7, 2026