MUNCHKIN CAT INFORMATION.

The Munchkin is the one of the breeds of dwarf cats and the "founding" breed in that many subsequent dwarf cat breeds have been developed by cross breeding from a Munchkin.


What is the history of the Munchkin?
The Munchkin's dwarfism occurred naturally (meaning short legs and normal body proportions). The breed began in 1983 when Sandra Hochendal found 2 cats with short legs in a pick up truck. In recognition of their appearance she called them Munchkins after the little people in the Wizard of Oz.
It would seem reasonable to believe that this genetic mutation and dwarfism in cats has It was determined that the dwarfism was as a result of a dominant genetic mutation (i.e. a mutation of a dominant gene that produced short legs in cats and so their offspring would also have short legs). the consensus is that a dwarf cat is not necessarily less healthy than a normally proportioned cat.
In 1994 the Munchkin breed was recognised by the TICA (The International Cat Association). Since the discovery of the Munchkin other different Munchkin like variations have been discovered in the USA. There is a lot of interest in this breed partly I think due to its rarity and partly due to its unusual appearance.
How does the short legs affect the Munchkin?
They are little different to their long legged counterparts, except, quite naturally, they "appear to be small and kitten like throughout their lives".
They are affectionate and outgoing and like to play.