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.

Native Country

United States

Breed Description

Head: Shaped like an equilateral triangle with rounded contours. Rounded skull. Flat forehead. Cheeks can be broad, particularly in males. Slender muzzle with a slight break (u). Moderately long nose. Firm but not prominent chin.
Eyes: Large, walnut-shaped, well-spaced, set slightly at a slant. There is no relationship between eye color and coat color.
Neck: Moderately long, thick, and muscular.
Body: Medium-sized. Round chest. Broad shoulders. Spine as flexible as in other breeds. Moderate to heavy bone and muscle structure.
Paw: Short, medium-boned, very muscular. Medium-sized, round, compact paws.
Tail: Moderately thick, tapering to a round tip. Well-furnished, held high and very straight in motion.
Coat: Two varieties: - shorthaired - semilonghaired Silky texture, moderate undercoat. All colors are recognized.

History

The breed only traces its official roots back to 1983, short-legged cats apparently result from a recurring mutation in the domestic cat population. In the 1930s, cats of the same type were reported in England but forgotten during World War II. A specimen was described in Stalingrad in 1953.  A British treatise on short-legged cats appeared in 1944, and a description of a similar cat surfaced in Russia in 1956. These cats are named after the inhabitants of Munchkin Land in Fleming’s famous movie The Wizard of Oz (1939).

Current Munchkin history began in 1983 when Sandra Hochenedel found a pregnant stray black cat under a pickup truck in Louisiana around 1982. When Blackberry delivered, approximately half of her kittens sported her short legs. While most current Munchkins trace their ancestry back to Blackberry, approximately 30 unrelated short-legged cats have been identified since 1990, according to Pflueger. A long body and short legs, like a Dachshund In 1991 in New York’s Madison Square Garden, a strange cat with short legs was shown. It was nicknamed the “Dachshund cat” or “Basset cat.” T.I.C.A. recognized the breed in 1995 and published a standard the same year. The first Munchkins arrived in France in 1993.

Behavior

While the Munchkin’s short legs do not hinder the cat’s mobility, they do prevent it from jumping as high as other cats. Active, lively, and playful, Munchkins are very sociable and affectionate. They adore their owner. They are easy to groom, especially the shorthaired variety.