First there were Munchkins,  These cats originated from a pregnant dwarf cat found underneath a pickup truck in Louisiana.  This breed is supposed to look like adomestic cat on shortened legs.  But even as early as 1995 Joe Smith of Bluline Cattery envisioned something different.  A dwarf cat with a purposely bred look, and being a breeder of Bassett Hounds, he liked the look of a heavy boned cat, with the round pleasing features of the Persian breed group (Persian/Himalayan/Exotic Shorthair).  So began the Napoleon breed as we know it today. Like the Munchkin the Napoleon is struggling for acceptance within our registering association, The International Cat Association, aka TICA.  After many years Joe gave up the battle and now raises goats at his farm in PA.

The struggle for recognition continues, in Orlando, Florida on September 4, 2009 a group of dedicated breeders, myself included approached the TICA Board of Directors to move the Napoleon Breed from Registration Only status to Provisional New Breed (PNB), motion denied with the vote 4 Yeas, and 10 neys.  Undaunted ,we are still pursuing the advancement of this breed and hopefully, eventually  to Championship.

So, what exactly is a Napoleon and what should they look like.  They are a hybrid breed, category IV, Hybrid breed, meaning the cat should not resemble either parent breed, but be a combination of the two, with it's own look.  You can view the differences in the standards here.  Basically the cat should look like a Munchkin bred to either a member of the Persian breed group, aka PS BG not a Munchkin with big round eyes and not a Persian on short legs, a combination of the two.  Here at Atlasta Cattery, I am breeding towards a short legged, stocky built cat that obviously has PS OR Exotic Shorthair  influences, you will not have to look twice at my cats to tell what they are, they will be significantly different than a Munchkin and definitely not a show quality PS BG on short legs.

Munchkinlane Cattery, where my Munchkins are registered, has fought long and hard to keep the traditional look of Munchkins they way that they should be, like a domestic on short legs.  However in the past few years the Munchkins, longhair in particular, have been significantly influenced by breeders now working with Napoleons, and it is difficult to tell the differences in the breeds, this will not be the case for Atlanta Napoleons.  I am breeding to revised standard, and already exhibiting my Napoleons cats at TICA shows.  I am working with impressive PSBG lines such as Lionhouse,, Kittycharm, Konfettikats, etc.  ALL of my Persian/Exotic cats are PKD negative, even some of my Munchkins have been tested as well; eventually all of my PKD test results will be on line.  It is my goal to produce healthy kittens for lifelong companions and show contestants for those interested in this hobby.

Last year I produced 31% of all the Munchkin cats shown in TICA.  I am always willing to work with new breeders.  I feel safe to say that I have more knowledge of TICA's registration rules and the way TICA functions than any other Napoleon breeder at this time and I am always willing to share.  I have exported many cats around the world, including  The United Kingdom, so I am familiar with exporting. Check out my breeder friends on the links page.  Please join our Napoleon Breeders group email list if you are interested in this developing breed.

.