![]() ![]() Munchkin cats may not have the flexibility to groom themselves, which is a particular issue in longhaired cats.The short legs may also predispose cats to arthritis, a painful and progressive degenerative condition of the joints.This condition also affects short-legged breeds of dog breeds. ![]() The Munchkin is controversial in the cat world, due to concerns about spinal problems due to the short legs and long spine will cause lordosis (downward dip in the spine). Pedigree cat associations that do not accept the breed include the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA), Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) and Fédération Internationale Féline (FiFE). Not all cat councils recognise the Munchkin due to health and welfare concerns (see below). Laurie and Robert Bobskill proposed the new breed which was accepted by The International Cat Association (TICA) in September 1994 and the breed achieved TICA Championship status in May 2003. These confirmed the gene responsible was autosomal dominant and that Munchkins did not appear to have the same spinal problems associated with short legs as Corgis and Dachshunds. ![]() David Biller, a veterinary radiologist at Ohio State University School of Veterinary Medicine conducted studies on Munchkin cats. It would be many more years before the breed was officially recognised due to concerns the cats would develop back problems due to their shorter legs.ĭr Solveig Pflueger a show judge, geneticist, Chairperson of TICA’s Genetics Committee and Munchkin breeder along with Dr. In 1991, the Munchkin was introduced to the general public via a live cat show held by The International Cat Association (TICA) Madison Square Garden in New York City. Sandra Hochenedel and Kay LaFrance created the first breed standard and established a breeding program with other breeders joining the cause to establish their own breeding programmes. It is Blackberry and Toulouse who became founders of the breed. One of the short-legged kittens, Toulouse was given to Kay LaFrance. Blackberry was pregnant at the time of her rescue and went on to deliver four kittens, two of whom also had the same short legs as their mother. Sandra gave away a grey cat, called Blueberry and kept the black one, named Blackberry. The Munchkin story starts in 1983 when Sandra Hochenedel, a music teacher from Rayville, Louisiana, rescued two short-legged cats who had been chased under a truck by a dog. Author Max Egon Thiel of Hamburg describes a cat he saw in Stalingraft in 1953 which had an unusual short-legged appearance. Similar short-legged cats have been observed in England in the 1930s, sadly these cats disappeared during WWII. The breed is the result of a spontaneous natural genetic mutation. The munchkin cat is a relatively new breed of cat discovered in 1983 that is characterised by its short-legged appearance. The Munchkin cat is a relative newcomer to the cat fancy characterised by its short legs that are caused by achondroplasia, a genetic disorder that results in dwarfism. Mode of inheritance: Autosomal dominant.Good with: Adults, children, cats, dogs.Also called: Wiener cat, American Munchkin, Sausage cat, Midget cat, Midget kitty, Dwarf cat.Grooming: Weekly (shorthair), daily (longhair).Coat colours and patterns: All colours and patterns.Eye colour: Brown, green, gold, yellow, blue and odd. ![]() Temperament: Playful, outgoing, easily trainable. ![]()
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