The Munchkin is a naturally occuring domestic cat breed characterized by unusually short legs. A spontanious change in the genetic heritage of the cat has introduced a gene similar to that seen in the Basset Hound, Corgi and Dachshund, which the Munchkin closely resembles. The Munchkin is a product of Nature rather than a man-made breed. Because of the autosomal dominant inheritance pattern, a cat with the Munchkin gene will produce kittens with the same short legs.
Although the Munchkin is very new from the standpoint of the cat fancy, having first been formally introduced to the public at the Madison Square Garden INCATS TICA show in March 1991, cats with short legs were known in England in the 1930's and four generations were described in the Veterinary Record in 1944. However, this line appears to have disappeared during World War II. A Munchkin was seen in Stalingrad in the Soviet Union in 1953, but it is not known what happened to the cat in question.
In 1993 Sandra Hochenedel, then living in Louisiana, was looking for a new cat. What she found was a pregnant black female (Since named Blackberry) with short legs living under a pickup truck. In her first litter and in each subsequent litter, Blackberry passed the trait of her short legs on to about half of her kittens. One of Blackberry's sons, Toulouse, was given to a friend named Kay LaFrance who established a colony of Munchkins on her Louisiana Plantation. The present Munchkins are decendents of Blackberry and Toulouse, although Munchkins have been sited throughout North America and the world.
As far as has been determined, Munchkins appear to be healthy cats without any unusual problems. Despite the short legs, Munchkins can run extremely fast, bounding like a ferrete at full speed. They are able to climb trees and surtains as well as any otehr cat. However they do not jump as high because the shorter back legs do not give the same degree of leverage. Although Munchkins can jump easily up on a bed or chair, the kitchen counter top is not always attainable. Whether this is a significant disadvantage depends on one's individual point of view.
Although the Munchkin is amusing to watch and the body resembles a ferret more than a cat, the personality is all cat and then some. Several of the Munchkins have shown "Magpie" tendencies, loving to hide catches of small objects, such as watches, hairbows, and pens, under furniture for future play. They readily accept to a harness and leash and seem to enjoy taking their owners for walks. This provides an excellent opportunity for the Munchkin's well trained owner to meet new friends as a Munchkin at the other end of the leash will always attract attention. The Munchkin is very sociable and enjoys company. Friendly and self assured, the Munchkin gets allong well with other cats, dogs, and people. Despite the short legs, the Munchkin is definitely not shortchanged in either personality or intelligence.
At present the supply of Munchkins is still very limited and there is a wiating list for kittens. People are actively working to develop the breed and Munchkins will be available. Prices for pets and breeders should be comparable to the more common established cat breeds and the price of a given cat should be based on its quality rather than the fact that Munchkins are still very rare and the demand far exceeds the present supply.
BUYING A MUNCHKIN - WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR!
With new breeds, there is always the opportunity for dishonest breeders to acquire cats to breed, caring nothing for improving the breed and only wanting to make a quick buck. Some of these breeders will and do lie to new owners. Here are some facts. If you are told ANY different,
WALK AWAY!
A: In a Munchkin litter, even between two short legged (standard) Munchkins, there will be long legged (non-standard) Munchkin kittens. These kittens are still registerable through TICA as Munchkins, but are listed as Non Standard - meaning they do not fit the breed standard and are long legged. These animals still make beautiful pets and are used by Munchkin breeders to breed with Standard Munchkins.
B: These non-standard (long legged) kittens, if bred with another non-standard (long legged) kitten or a domestic alley cat WILL NOT produce short leged kittens. They DO NOT carry the Munchkin gene. All kittens that carry the Munchkin gene will be short legged (Standard).
C: Non-Standard (long leged) Munchkins bred back to a Standard (short leged) Munchkin will produce short leged kittens ONLY because the other parent (the short leged one) carried the Munchkin gene.
D: All kittens that are Standard Munchkins will look short. DO NOT believe someone who says the Kittens' legs stop growing as they get older, and because of this they will eventually look like a Standard Munchkin. (believe it or not, I've heard this one too) A Standard Munchkin next to a Non-Standard Munchkin will show an obvious difference. There's no mistaking the short legged one.
Also, Non-Standard (long leged) Munchkins are less expensive than Standard (short leged) Munchkins simply because they don't carry the Munchkin gene (they themselves cannot produce short leged kittens) and they do not "look" like a Munchkin. They still make great pets!
E: With Munchkins, there a 3 types, but only 1 breed. Some Munchkins have exceptionally short legs - much shorter than usual. These Munchkins are referred to as "Super Shorts" or "rughuggers". Some Munchkins are exceptionally small. These are referred to as "mini's".
One breeder has registered the name "Mei Toi" through UFO and now sells "mini" Munchkins under that name. He guarantees the kittens to grow up to me no more than 6lbs, but this is true for most Munchkins anyhow. My largest Male weighs 6lbs, 2oz. - My largest female wieghs 4lbs, 6oz.
Skookums are another breed registered through UFO and is escentially a Munchkin and LaPerm mix - which is in essence a curly coated Munchkin. We breed these also.
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