INTRODUCTION

The munchkin is a breed of cat that arose from a natural genetic mutation, maintained by selective breeding, resulting in cats with shorter than normal legs. However, the short length of their legs does not seem to interfere with their running and jumping abilities. The gene responsible has been compared to that attributed to Welsh Corgis, Basset Hounds and Dachshunds (dog breeds) for their short stature; however, Munchkins do not suffer from the many spinal problems typically associated with these dog breeds because the spines of cats are different from those of dogs. The spine of a Munchkin cat is generally indistinguishable from that of other cats.

THE ORIGIN OF THE MUNCHKIN CAT

Sightings of cats with very short legs have occurred throughout history and across the globe, from Russia to Germany to the United Kingdom. A growing population existed around the middle of the 20th century, but they were lost track of during and after World War II. The breed was first discovered by Ellen Kasten in the town of Westbury, New York. Growing up on a farm, Kasten was particularly inclined to welcome any animal into her home. She named the first Munchkin ‘The Little One’ because of its tiny paws and lack of creativity. However, the cat was not documented in detail and had to be rediscovered in 1983 when Sandra Hochenedal, a music teacher in Louisiana, found two pregnant cats. She kept one of the cats and named it Blackberry; half of the offspring were born with shorter legs, some she called babylegs and the ones with normal legs longlegs. Hochenedal gave a son by Blackberry to one of his friends Kay LaFrance, who named him Toulosse's kitten. From Blackberry and Toulosse come the munchkin of today.

The Munchkin was first introduced to the general public in 1991 at an American show televised by TICA (The International Cat Association) at Madison Square Garden.

In the 1980s breeders Richard Reinke of Phoenixville (Pennsylvania) and Dr. Barbara Eisen of Allentwon (New Jersey), friends of Sandra Hochenedal, bred babylegs and longlegs. It was not until 1990 that they came into the hands of geneticist Dr. Pflueger Telling, who was called on the Good Morning America show to introduce these kittens to the world. They have been through a lot of trouble because of their peculiarity and the breed has had a lot of controversy; it was suspected that they could suffer from diseases affecting the spine as has happened with the dachshund breeds of dog. Dr. Pflueger conducted a study of the breed prior to its acceptance into TICA and not only did he see the munchkin as a viable breed with the ability to perform jumps and pirouettes, not to be envied by any breed with long legs, but Dr. Pflueger fell in love with the breed and its character and became a breeder of munchkins.

WHAT IS THE MUNCHKIN CAT LIKE?

The Munchkin is a small medium sized cat with a moderate body type. The male Munchkin normally weighs between 3-4 kg and is generally larger than the female Munchkin, which normally weighs between 2-3 kg. The short legs of the Munchkin may be slightly sloping, although excessive sloping is a disqualification in the ring. The hind legs may be slightly longer than the front. The body of the Munchkin cat is of medium size with a slightly rising spine level from shoulder to hip. The TICA separates the breed into two groups by coat length: Munchkin and long-haired Munchkin. The short-haired variety has a luxurious medium coat, while the long-haired has a silky semi-long coat. The Munchkin comes in all colours and patterns. This variety comes from the crossbreeding programme, which allows the use of any domestic cat that does not yet belong to a recognised breed. Similarity to other breeds is grounds for disqualification.

THE HEALTH OF THE MUNCHKIN

As far as the health of this feline is concerned, no specific genetic problem has been detected so far. They have only been found to be somewhat prone to being overweight or obese, so they require a lot of exercise and an adequate diet. Thus, the only thing to bear in mind is that they can suffer from the same ailments and diseases as any other feline.

In case you didn't know, there is a famous variant of these cats called ‘superdwarfs’. These cats have noticeably shorter legs than standard Munchkins, which gives them an even more peculiar appearance. Unlike standard Munchkins, whose paws are usually about a third shorter than those of the average cat, superdwarfs have significantly shorter paws.

The category ‘superdwarf’ is used to describe Munchkins with a genetic condition that results in an even more pronounced reduction in leg length. What these cats are famous for, however, is not only their extremely short legs, but the attention and fascination they provoke.

However, of course, they have also been the subject of controversy and concern. Selective breeding to produce superdwarfs can lead to health and welfare problems in cats. Some critics argue that their extremely short anatomy can lead to muscular and skeletal problems, as well as respiratory and digestive difficulties.

THE MUNCHKIN'S PERSONALITY

They are friendly, sociable and playful cats. They tend to be curious and enjoy interacting with people and other animals. In addition, despite their short legs, they are very active and can run and jump, although not as high as other breeds and their movements have been compared to those of ferrets.

Munchkins are intelligent and easy to train and quickly learn to relieve themselves in the litter box, especially if you reward them with cat toys and treats.

CONCLUSION

Despite its short legs, the munchkin cat has a long body with firm musculature. However, it is not very compact or heavy, which allows it to move around normally. It is covered with a dense coat, which may consist of short, fluffy hair, or semi-long and silky, forming a tuft on the tail.