Munchkin
Cat
Weight:
8-10 lbs.
Appearance - Apart
from its shortened limbs, the Munchkin resembles a domestic long- or shorthaired
cat. All patterns and coat colors are acceptable.
Personality
- The feline version of the Dachshund, this controversial new short-legged
breed (named after the little people of Oz) is friendly, confident, talkative,
and intelligent, with a wonderful sense of humor. Munchkins are extremely easygoing
and so make great companions for children. Short legs apparently do not handicap
Munchkins, which can run with considerable speed and climb trees, although their
jumping ability is somewhat limited. Countertops may be beyond their reach, but
some owners may consider this an asset. They are able to groom themselves, and
can stretch with hindlegs to scratch behind their ears.
Breed
Fact - The Munchkin breed descends from a stray cat with unusually short legs.
Since cat fanciers got their first glimpse of this dwarfish feline at a show at
New York's Madison Square Garden in 1991, the breed has created quite a stir,
and its acceptance is not unanimous. The
Munchkin's shortened legs are caused by a spontaneous dominant mutation that has
appeared before--in England in the 1930s and in Russia in the 1950s. Munchkins
are still a breed in progress; most major breed associations do not recognize
them for competition.
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