When Blackberry had her litter, Hochenedel discovered that Blackberry had given birth to both short and ordinary long-legged kittens. What happened to Blueberry is unknown all of today’s registered Munchkins can be traced back to Blackberry and one of her sons. She kept Blackberry, the black-haired kitty, and gave away Blueberry, the gray-haired cat. Hochenedel rescued the cats and took them home, later noticing three things-both were female, both were pregnant, and both had short, stubby legs on normal-sized bodies. In 1983 music teacher Sandra Hochenedel of Rayville, Louisiana discovered two cats hiding under a pickup truck where they had been cornered by a dog. But the breed as we know it today began in Louisiana, USA. One such cat was also reported in the Soviet Union in the 1950s and dubbed the “Stalingrad Kangaroo Cat” for its tendency to sit up on its haunches. According to records, these short-legged cats survived for four generations before World War II took its toll on the cat population of Europe. Short-legged cats have been documented as early as the 1930s in England. This point has been previously raised within the cat fancy concerning breeds such as the Sphynx and the Manx, now widely accepted breeds. While most new breeds have to face periods of resistance before acceptance can occur, the battle over this breed has been particularly long and heated because it raises questions regarding where unique variety ends and abomination begins. The cat fancy’s version of downsizing- the Munchkin-has cat fanciers on both sides hissing over whether the breed should be recognized. Semi-plush, all-weather, resilient, with medium undercoat and lustrousĬolor, pattern, and hair length will vary, as the Munchkin can come in any color or pattern, including the Siamese pattern. Texture flowing and silky, all-weather, with moderate and medium undercoat. All four feet pointed directly straight forward, not inward or outward.Ĭarried erect when in motion, tapering to a rounded tip. Feet are round, compact in proportion with body. Hind Legs thigh and lower leg approximately equal in length. Upper and lower forelegs equal in length. Legs short, set evenly apart when viewed from front or back. No relationship between coat and eye color. Walnut shaped spaced rather wide apart giving an open and alert expression, and at a slight angle toward base of ears. In proportion with head, broader at base, ending in slightly rounded tips placed as much on top of head as on sides not flaring alert. Muzzle moderate with gentle contours in proportion with head. Chin firm, but not overly prominent aligns with nose. Modified wedge with rounded contours, in proportion with body. Back gently slopes upward from shoulders to tail. Proficient hunters, Munchkins love a good game of catnip mouse, but when playtime is over, they want a warm lap to snuggle into and strokes from a loving hand, like any cat. Munchkins are also known as magpies, often borrowing small, shiny objects and stashing them away for later play. Munchkins can jump onto most beds, chairs, and couches, but may take a scenic route onto a chair or other lower item before attempting your desk. However, they can’t jump as high because the shorter back legs don’t provide as much leverage. They can climb cat posts and curtains as well as any cat. To get a better view, they often sit up on their haunches rather like prairie dogs. Despite the short legs, Munchkins run fast, bounding like ferrets and taking corners at full speed. Some fanciers consider this a feature, however, instead of a disadvantage. It’s only humans who look at them askance.įanciers assert Munchkins can do anything an ordinary cat can do, except leap to the top of the kitchen counter. Nor do their feline companions treat them as members of the vertically challenged. They love to wrestle and play with their long-legged feline friends, happily unaware that there’s anything different about them. Friendly and people-oriented, Munchkins make devoted companions, and they get along well with other cats, dogs, and people. Shortchanged in the leg department doesn’t mean short on intelligence or personality. For their part, Munchkins, oblivious to the controversy surrounding them, go on being just what they are-cats-self-assured and outgoing.
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